La Galerie des Lumières.
Photo: Courtesy of Hotel Les Lumières
Hotel of the Week: A Glorious New Hotel Offers Guests Regal Accommodations in Versailles
Occupying two historic pavilions, the Hotel Les Lumières preserves the site’s noble Grand Siècle style while offering a contemporary interpretation of the Chateau de Versailles aesthetic
Hotel Les Lumières. Photo: Courtesy of Hotel Les Lumières
Since the magnificent Chateau de Versailles has not been occupied by the Kings of France since 1789, when King Louis XVI and Queen Marie Antoinette left the palace for Paris, the new 31 room Hotel Les Lumières is best way to spend a night at Versailles.
Overlooking the cobble-stone-paved Place d’Armes, the hotel occupies the site of two historic pavilions originally built by French aristocrats Antoine III de Gramont, Marshal of France and Édouard Colbert, Marquis de Villacerf, Counselor of State, on land they were gifted by Louis XIV in the 17th century.
The Gramont pavilion was completely renovated during the 19th century, while Villacerf was converted into the Hôtel des Voyageurs around 1820 and then remodeled again at the beginning of the 20th century. Now the new hotel has been inspired by the magnificence of what the French call the Grand Siècle, or the reign of King Louis XIV.
Architect Didier Benderli has deftly succeeded at the complicated brief of bringing new life to the venerable buildings while respecting their original design, including the façade, grand staircase, and other landmarked elements.
Guest room at Hotel Les Lumières. Photo: Courtesy of Hotel Les Lumières
The decors here are not historical renderings or reconstructions of the past, however, but sophisticated contemporary looks that bow in homage to the long-gone court with the use of rich colors and whit and black marble. “The Chateau de Versailles itself was our main inspiration, of course, but viewed through the prism of contemporary design,” he adds. Examples of this approach include sunburst mirrors and chandeliers in public spaces, delicate molding, and modern furniture that reprises the lines of 18th-century styles without their rich ornamentation.
The hotel also has a patio and gardens, which include a fountain and a Bezy de la Motte pear tree, the variety once cherished by King Louis XIV.
Hotel Les Lumières offers guests spa accommodations. Photo: Courtesy of Hotel Les Lumières
Guests are welcomed to stay in one of 31 guest rooms. Photo: Courtesy of Hotel Les Lumières
In addition to a small spa, there are two restaurants at the hotel. La Table des Lumieres is run by chef Erwan Le Thomas, who previously worked at the Hotel de Crillon in Paris, and it serves a seasonally changing menu of dishes made with local produce. Upstairs, the Café Pierre Hermé, which is overseen by the well-known Parisian pâtissier, serves breakfast, lunch, and afternoon tea in a beautiful dining room with crystal chandeliers and arched windows overlooking the Place d’Armes.
Ultimately, however, this lovely hotel’s greatest amenity is surely it’s location, since it’s less than a five-minute walk to the entrance to the Chateau de Versailles, which means it’s a breeze to get there before all of the tour buses arrive every morning. Though a day trip to Versailles from Paris is possible, it’s not advised; there’s simply too much to see at the chateau and its gardens to pack it comfortably into a single excursion. So spend a night or, preferably, two here instead.
More images below:
The facade of Hotel Les Lumières. Photo: Courtesy of Hotel Les Lumières
Hotel Les Lumières has 31 guest rooms. Photo: Courtesy of Hotel Les Lumières
Restaurant P.Hermé at Hotel Les Lumières in Versasilles. Photo: Courtesy of Hotel Les Lumières
Bar les Philosophes at the Hotel Les Lumières in Versailles. Photo: Courtesy of Hotel Les Lumières
Café Pierre Hermé serves breakfast, lunch, and afternoon tea. Photo: Courtesy of Hotel Les Lumières
Guests can dine while overlooking the Place d’Armes. Photo: Courtesy of Hotel Les Lumières
Hotel Les Lumières features Café Pierre Hermé, which is run by the well-known Parisian pâtissier. Photo: Courtesy of Hotel Les Lumières
Cover: La Galerie des Lumières.
Photo: Courtesy of Hotel Les Lumières
