Here it is, the great day has come! Paris celebrates the reopening of the Hôtel de la Marine after almost 5 years of renovation works as do the impatient visitors and locals. I was among the first wishful to discover this legendary building as soon as possible. The rendez-vous- is in the Place de la Concorde. What can be more emblematic in Paris than this place?
After the departure of the Naval Staff in 2015 from the building, renovation work began in 2017. The purpose of it was to reopen the Hôtel de la Marine to the public. To you and me. The main courtyard is still free to access, so it could become nice visit point during your walking tours in Paris, while paid visit will allow you to immerse yourself deeply in history.
Let us plunge together into it!
As soon as you enter, you’ll be impressed by the new glass roof designed by architects Hugh Dutton & Associés. You've got great photos after!
Three tour ways take you to discover this Parisian heritage. A short circuit reveals the formal rooms (19th century) as well as the loggia. A historical tour, the longer one, takes you to the heart of the 18th century through the intendant's apartments. An immersive experience is also planned in the apartments of Madame Thierry de Ville d´Avray.
The third visit is in the old gallery of tapestries in the Garde-Meuble and in the room of the Marine Operational Center of the Navy, which houses the Al Thani Collection. You will discover some 6,000 works from antiquity to the present day that this private collection contains.
Throughout your visit, whatever route you choose, you will be accompanied by a headset that offers a binaural sound experience and interacts with the mediation of the rooms. The sound goes off automatically depending on where you are and makes you feel like you've returned to Enlightenment court life, with melodies, discussions, characters, sounds of life...the 100% presence effect!
The interior decorations are simply gorgeous representing the whole set of period furniture. The Mobilier National, the Louvre, Les Arts et Métiers, the Musée des Arts décoratifs, the Palace of Versailles, and the Manufacture de Sèvres must deposit 250 original pieces of furniture, objects, and fabrics to furnish the freshly redone rooms of the Hôtel.
The artisans were keen to apply methods to showcase these treasures. So you'd discover paneling in the gilded cabinet, old rococo, and neoclassical decorations with woodwork, over-doors, and well-preserved fireplaces.
For the gourmands I've got great news too. In September the Hôtel de la Marine will welcome within it a gourmet restaurant run by the chef Jean-François Trap. between the golden columns, on the large sunny terrace, the newborn Mimosa will offer a unique gastronomic concept in Paris: a mimosa egg bar anymore, you have left to reserve the places.
All is left is to wish you a nice discovery of Hôtel de la Marine in the heart of Paris!
