Hotel des Saints-Peres - Esprit de France

"A peaceful hotel in the heart of Saint Germain des Prés quarter" The Hôtel des Saints Pères’ facade was built in 1658 in a classic style based on balance and measure, by Daniel Gittard, Louis XIV’s architect. It marks the beginning of the building’s history which became a hotel from the end of World War I. The private hotel offers guests peace and quiet away from the busy street outside with an outdoor patio shaded by trees and overlooked by the elegant rooms above, the most famous of which is decorated with a ceiling fresco from L'Ecole de Versailles. The exceptional work was an allegory which was ordered in 1666 by Pierre Abraham (Louis XIV’s butler), and depicts Intelligence watching the Augur being crowned by Virtue. Each room at the hotel has its own identity, expressed via the paintings and the engravings from the 17th and 18th centuries, when French Art was at its peak. The sculptured front wall, bas-reliefs, open beam ceilings and statues are also some of the elements that give the building such architectural character. It is ideally located in the center of Saint-Germain-des-Prés and artists such as Francis Bacon, the iconic Juliette Greco, pianist Alfred Brendel, writers such as Hervé Bazin and designers such as Tom Ford are just some of the famous people who enjoyed staying here.