After four years of renovation, the Hôtel de la Marine reopened its doors last June. Long closed to the public, this monument is now more than a simple heritage site but a living space open to the public, in the heart of Paris. With a café, a restaurant, a store, an exhibition space and even a coworking space, there is no lack of activities. Let’s take a look at the 6 activities that await you in this building on the Place de la Concorde.
Summary
Visit the monument
Above all, the Hôtel de la Marine is to be discovered for its patrimonial interest. Entirely restored to preserve its 18th century atmosphere, a visit to the building allows visitors to travel back in time and discover the apartments of the intendant of the Garde Meuble de la Couronne.
ALSO READ: Restoring the Hotel de la Marine, behind the scenes
Equipped with the “companion”, a modern audio guide that allows you to follow a theatrical tour, you will discover all the secrets of this place. The decoration has indeed been imagined to make the Hôtel de la Marine come alive, as if the steward still lived in these magnificent rooms.
https://www.hotel-de-la-marine.paris/
Every day from 10:30 am to 7 pm, Friday night until 9:30 pm
Take advantage of your visit to look up in the courtyard that houses the ticket office to admire the impressive glass roof designed by the architect Hugh Dutton.
The history of the Hôtel de la Marine in short
Hidden behind a discreet entrance on Place de la Concorde, a stone’s throw from the Crillon, the Hôtel de la Marine is a jewel of French heritage. But why this name and what is its history?
It was built in the eighteenth century to house the Crown’s furniture store, the forerunner of the Mobilier National. During the Revolution, its function changed when Louis XVI had to leave Versailles to move to the Tuileries with his government. The Secretary of State for the Navy then moved into the palace of the Garde-Meuble, giving it the name that will never leave it: the Hôtel de la Marine.
This is where the administration of the French Navy will be based until 2015, when the ministry will move from the Place de la Concorde to the Hexagone Balard, where the headquarters of the French Armed Forces are located. Administered since then by the Centre des Monuments Nationaux, the Hôtel de la Marine has been restored and opened to the public in June 2021.
LEARN MORE: The Hôtel de la Marine opens a new chapter in its history
Discover the Al Thani collection
A wing of the Hôtel de la Marine now houses galleries dedicated to the exhibition of works from the Al Thani collection. Approximately 120 works dating from antiquity to the 19th century are on display as a celebration of art across cultures.
Did you know?
These galleries are located in a part of the building that was originally designed to display the treasures of the French royal collections. Under Louis XVI, they were open to the public one day a month, making it the first museum in Paris.
In a breathtaking scenography, these works are exhibited around four themes: a window on the world’s civilizations, faces through the ages, masterpieces of Islamic arts and ancient treasures.
https://www.hotel-de-la-marine.paris/La-visite/La-Collection-Al-Thani
Every day from 10:30 am to 7:00 pm, Friday night until 9:30 pm
Admission included in the price of the Hôtel de la Marine ticket
Take a break at Café Lapérouse
This café welcomes you in the middle of a romantic setting, open on two terraces: one on the courtyard side of the Hôtel de la Marine, the other on the side of the Place de la Concorde with a breathtaking view on the obelisk.
You can settle in at any time of the day to enjoy breakfast, brunch, an aperitif, lunch or dinner.
Every day, from 8am to 10:30pm
Lunch at Mimosa, Jean-François Piège’s brasserie
The Hotel de la Marine is also home to the new restaurant of chef Jean-François Piège. A gastronomic address to enjoy in an exceptional place.
https://mimosa-rueroyale.com/
Every day from 12 to 3 pm and from 7 to 11 pm
Shopping at the bookshop-boutique
The bookshop-boutique of the Hôtel de la Marine is quite different from the traditional museum stores. Here, you will find of course some objects and books related to the monument but also many things related to the art of the 18th century. Jewelry, gastronomy, tableware, games and of course literature… There are also great gift ideas for young people.
Every day, from 11am to 7:15pm and until 9:45pm on Friday
Working at Morning Concorde
In the upper floors that once housed the administration offices of the Hôtel de la Marine, a 6,000 m2 space is open for coworking. Stratups and entrepreneurs can find an exceptional place to work in open space or in private offices.
https://www.morning.fr/espaces-coworking-morning/concorde
Article created in collaboration with the Hôtel de la Marine and the Centre des Monuments Nationaux
People reacted to this story.
Show comments Hide commentsMerci Antoine. Very useful information for anglophone tourists on a budget.