France grants an official designation — Palace — reserved for the country's most exceptional hotels, and Paris concentrates the most famous of them. These are the seven greats, and what sets each apart.
1. Ritz Paris — Place Vendôme
The hotel that invented the mythology: Coco Chanel lived here for over three decades, and Hemingway drank at the bar that now bears his name. After a massive renovation completed in 2016, the Ritz remains the most classical address in the city. For: travelers who want the Paris of legend.
2. Hôtel de Crillon — Place de la Concorde
An 18th-century palace commissioned under Louis XV, on the city's most dramatic square. Reopened in 2017 after four years of restoration, with suites designed by Karl Lagerfeld. For: lovers of history and architecture.
3. Hôtel Plaza Athénée — Avenue Montaigne
The red-awninged façade is among the most photographed in Paris, and the address on the couture avenue is perfect for serious shopping. Part of the Dorchester Collection. For: fashion devotees and romantics.
4. Le Meurice — Rue de Rivoli
The oldest of the Paris palaces (1835), facing the Tuileries. Salvador Dalí stayed here annually for decades. Versailles-inspired interiors, with dining overseen by Alain Ducasse. For: classicists with a taste for art.
5. Le Bristol — Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré
The first hotel to receive the official Palace distinction in 2011. A vast interior garden, a rooftop pool built like a ship's deck, and Epicure — three Michelin stars under chef Eric Frechon. The house cat, Fa-raon, is a celebrity in his own right. For: true gourmets.
6. Four Seasons George V
Steps from the Champs-Élysées: a 1928 Art Deco palace famous for its monumental floral displays and for holding Michelin stars at three different restaurants under one roof. For: those who want flawless service above all.
7. Shangri-La Paris
The former palace of Prince Roland Bonaparte, Napoleon's grand-nephew, across the Seine from the Eiffel Tower — with the most famous direct tower views in the city from many rooms. For: the ones who came for that view.
Tip: even without staying, you can taste the world of the palaces — afternoon tea or a cocktail at one of their bars is an entry ticket at a relatively sane price.