Hotel Molitor Paris - Mgallery Collection

Paris, the 16^th arrondissement and the Bois de Boulogne

Paris’ prestigious 16^th arrondissement is not known for its luxury hotels. It’s the part of the French capital with the majority of embassies and consulates, 90 in all, representing 40 percent of all diplomatic representations in France! It also possesses a great many museums, plazas and gardens especially the Jardin d’Acclimatation. Not including the huge Bois de Boulogne, there are 52 hectares of green spaces, a truly exceptional figure for Paris. The Bois de Boulogne consists of 846 hectares and is undoubtedly the capital’s breathing space, similar to New York City’s Central Park. The center of the Bois is occupied by the Parc de Bagatelle and the Pré-Catalan. To the south, we find the greenhouses of Auteuil and to the north, the legendary Jardin d’Acclimatation. In 1858, The Longchamp racetrack opened, followed in 1873 by the Auteuil steeplechase racetrack. The Bois became part of Paris and the 16^th arrondisement in 1929, and has been a favorite strolling and recreation area for Parisians ever since. Today, it’s a site enjoyed by children and adults alike. The famous French Open grand slam tennis tournament is held nearby at the Roland Garros stadium.

A new life for a mythical site

The Molitor swimming pool, dating back to 1929, was built in the Art Deco style. Thanks to its two swimming pools, its location near the Roland Garros tennis stadium and the Bois de Boulogne, it quickly evolved into a chic and highly frequented site. In 1989, it closed its doors and became one of the most popular places for street art and Parisian underground culture. Numerous attempts were made to give the site new life, but it wasn’t until May, 2014 that Molitor reopened after an almost total renovation as a brand new five star hotel with an energetic and contemporary concept summed up in three words: pool, art and life! This philosophy is present as soon as one enters with a huge lobby containing contemporary art works including a large concentration on street art. The renovation can be seen here with very raw and visible materials. Everything present tells a story, and heightens the atmosphere. The Rolls Royce in the lobby, redesigned with graffiti is a perfect example of the hotel’s contemporary nature combined with old style luxury. The result is both dazzling and surprising. The 124 rooms and suites are in a sober and pure style conceptualized by Jean-Philippe Nuel. They possess a magnificent view of the summer pool and provide a contrast with the totally expressive pop décor of the hotel. The rooms are designed for peace and relaxation in an intimate setting with a filtered and restful ambiance. The cohabitation of street art and Art Deco stained glass continues throughout the hotel creating a fascinating, original and intriguing dialogue. As a newcomer to the luxury hotel scene in Paris, Molitor immediately found its niche. The restaurant proposes a bistro style cuisine created by the renowned chef, Yannick Alléno and his award winning staff. The other dining area, weather permitting, is the Rooftop, which as its name indicates offers guests a relaxation space on the roof of the building with a view of Roland Garros and the Bois de Boulogne.

Above all however, Molitor’s claims to fame are its 46 and 33 meter long swimming pools. Emblematic of the site, they are the heart, the lungs and the vital arteries of a building that refuses to surrender to time. They are the soul of Molitor taking you away from the heart of the city while at the same time, plunging you into its very special and very varied beauty.