More than a Monument, the Hotel de la Marine is a Vibrant Hub of Culture, Craft and Gastronomy in Paris

Once the guardian of the royal furniture, the Hôtel de la Marine is far more than a historic landmark in Paris. Embracing its rich past while looking to the future, it has transformed into a dynamic cultural hub, inviting visitors with captivating exhibitions, lively events, and exceptional dining experiences.

As the royal storehouse for the furniture that belonged to the French kings and queens, the Hotel de la Marine was always alive with a flurry of activity, with pieces being taken of out or put in storage as the seasons or the royals’ interior design tastes changed. Artisanal workshops and studios were housed within the building and were busy crafting pieces for the royal estate’s many castles. 

Today, following inspired renovations and under the watch of the Centre des monuments nationaux, the monument keeps on living through its calendar of exhibitions and events, the opening of trendy eateries and even a fully functional artisanal studio. 

A modern and sensitive restoration

Keeping the best of the building’s historic character and adding tasteful touches of modern design, the Hotel de la Marine now stands as a beautiful architectural blend. The grand inner courtyard – la Cour d’Honneur – was opened up to allow a flow of visitors to enter under 18th-century arcades before stepping on a contemporary floor which has been dotted with lights, gently illuminating the inner façades. 

In another courtyard – the Cour de l’Intendant – the original paved floor remains, a nod to the practical floor needed to bring material to the many workshops that lined this particular courtyard. But if you look up, an impressive canopy made of diamond-shaped mirrored glass stetches across, drawing in light down below. 

The bookshop and souvenir boutique is resolutely modern, bright and spacious, the best to display the fantastic collection of books, jewellery, interior decor pieces and even fashion items. 

Still a hub of artisanal activity

Specialising in the creation and restoration of exceptional chandeliers, the Maison d’Artisanat Mathieu Lustrerie has opened up shop in the Cour d’Honneur, allowing for the Hotel de la Marine to reconnect with its past as the Crown’s Garde-Meuble. 

Through demonstrations of traditional craftsmanship, the artisanal workshop provides a deeper understanding of the primary mission of the Hotel de la Marine and its Intendants: furnishing royal residences and maintaining their furniture—from the creation of pieces to their restoration and upkeep. 

Le Cordon Bleu, the renowned culinary arts and hospitality management institute in Paris, is set up in the Appartements de Madame, a 350 m² space where cooking and pastry demonstrations and workshops are available, further establishing the Hôtel de la Marine as a place to celebrate French art de vivre. 

Speaking of which, two restaurants located within the monument, demonstrate once more the wish to make this monument a place of activity where visitors can come, not only to learn about its history, but to also enjoy the simple pleasures of dining. In the main courtyard, diners can choose between the Mimosa restaurant – celebrating Riviera cuisine – or the Café Lapérouse, which offers unparalleled views over the Place de la Concorde and the Eiffel Tower. 

A rich program of exhibitions: on now, ‘Colour Speaks all Languages’

The Al Thani Collection at the Hôtel de la Marine presents a new selection of masterpieces exploring the theme of colour across world civilizations. 

The exhibition brings together nearly 80 works, most of which are being shown at the Hôtel de la Marine for the first time. It features artifacts from Africa, America, Asia, Europe, and Oceania spanning a chronological period from the Neolithic era to the present day. The exhibition is structured into sections, each dedicated to one of six fundamental colours in global art: black, white, red, yellow, blue, and green.  

Each section pairs artworks from different cultures and periods, showcasing a wide range of materials and techniques, including wood, stone, and metal sculptures, ceramics, textiles, engravings, and decorative objects. Highlights include a Fang-Betsi reliquary guardian sculpture in wood (black), a Roman marble sculpture (white), a Mughal hookah base (red), an Egyptian inlay element in the shape of a head (blue), an Olmec ceremonial jade axe (green), and The Reliquary of Saint Louis, a gold medallion from the late 14th or early 15th century, gifted to Guy de Montfort by King Louis IX of France (yellow). 

‘Colour speaks all languages’, running until October 5 2025. Tickets are 13€ and give access to the state salons and the loggia.