1715:
The history of the Faubourg Saint-Honoré begins in 1715, when
the court left Versailles and established itself once more in
Paris, following the death of Louis XIV. Large and luxurious
mansions were built on what had previously been horticultural
marshland.
Late nineteenth century:
At the end of the nineteenth century, the Elysée Palace became
the official residence of the Presidents of France. During the same
period, the first luxury shops started to appear. When the saddler
Hermès and the dressmaker Jeanne Lanvin opened their boutiques, the
rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré's reputation was made.
Early twentieth century:
In 1923, Hippolyte Jammet purchased Jules de Castellane's former
property. His ambition was to transform the property into the most
luxurious hotel. He named it Le Bristol as a tribute to Bishop
Frederick Hervey, 4th Earl of Bristol, an eighteenth-century
traveller famed for his love of comfort and the high standards he
demanded.
The opening:
The hotel opened in April 1925, when the Roaring Twenties were
in full swing: it was the heyday of Josephine Baker, Sydney Bechet
and the Charleston. During that carefree and prosperous era, Paris
attracted all the big names from the worlds of culture and fashion:
Rochas, Balenciaga, Chanel, Schiaparelli, Picasso, Mondrian and
Dali.
1939-1945:
From June 1940, Le Bristol Paris became the home of the American
embassy and American nationals living in Paris. Hippolyte Jammet
succeeded in ensuring that Le Bristol was the only Parisian hotel
of its type to avoid requisition. Throughout the war, Hippolyte
Jammet continued as usual to work on maintaining the hotel's
prestige. With the architect M. Lerman he carried out numerous new
building and renovation projects.
The 50s and 60s:
-1954: the first Pierre Cardin boutique opened at 118 rue du
Faubourg Saint-Honoré. Many others followed: Hermès, Lanvin,
Christian Lacroix, etc. Famous clients flooded in: Konrad
Adenauer, Kim Novak, Rita Hayworth, Charlie Chaplin, etc.
From the 60s onwards, Le Bristol Paris became a favourite location
for fashion photographers.
-1962: the American travel guide 'Fielding's Travel Guide to
Europe' ranked Le Bristol Paris in top position, thus guaranteeing
its prestigious reputation in the USA.
-1968: Pierre Jammet, who had taken over from his father, had to
postpone extension work to add 28 new rooms and an underground car
park, because of the May '68 riots.
The 70s and 80s:
Extension work began. From 1974 onwards the restaurant began to
break new ground with its 'Wednesdays at Le Bristol'. On 8 April
1975, Josephine Baker celebrated fifty years in show business at Le
Bristol with Mick Jagger, Sofia Loren, Alain Delon and Princess
Grace of Monaco.
-1978 : Rudolf Oetker, founder of the German industrial group
Oetker and already the owner of Brenners Park-Hotel and Spa
(Baden-Baden) and the Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc (Cap d'Antibes),
acquired Le Bristol Paris. Extension work began in the 1980s. The
hotel was enlarged further with the building of sixty rooms and
suites on the site of the former Sisters of Good Hope convent, and
the creation of the garden which has since become a symbol of the
hotel. Professor Pinnau, the architect who created yachts for
Niarchos and Onassis, designed the hotel swimming pool. Located on
the sixth floor, with magnificent views over the rooftops of Paris,
it resembles the front of a large sailing boat.
The 90s:
-1994: Pierre Ferchaud was appointed Hotel Manager, then
Managing Director. Following his appointment, he reduced the number
of rooms in order to create new luxury suites which once more
raised the standard of excellence at Le Bristol to new levels.
The 2000s:
-2004: The hotel was given a make-over. The new design
reaffirmed the hotel's ability to be lively and surprising, warm
and welcoming. In keeping with its association with high-fashion,
the hotel created its now famous 'Fashion High Teas'.
-2005: Le Bristol Paris celebrated 80 years; its reputation
strengthened worldwide and it boasted a loyal international
clientele (in some cases stretching back three generations). The
bar was refurbished to create a warm, inviting space where the mood
can be lively or intimate. The hotel broadened its appeal to
encourage families to stay, reflected in the VIP welcome for
children which has become a resounding success.
-2007: Le Bristol Paris ushered in a new era: the acquisition of
the adjoining building allowed the hotel to become more prominent
on the corner of avenue Matignon and rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré.
The hotel increased its involvement in the art world: the first
sculpture exhibition was held in its magnificent garden, showcasing
the work of artist Diane de Württemberg. Numerous other artists
followed: André, Yue Minjun, Richard Texier, Osvaldo Rodriguez,
etc.
-2009: The splendours of the 'new extension' - the Matignon
Residence - were unveiled with an additional twenty-one rooms and
five suites, as well as a new restaurant - 114 Faubourg.
From 2010 to 2012:
In 2010, Didier Le Calvez was appointed Managing Director of Le
Bristol Paris. A very experienced hotelier, he has overseen major
renovations throughout the hotel.
In 2011, Le Bristol Paris was fitted with two Signature suites:
the Honeymoon Suite on the eighth and top floor overlooking the rue
du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, with a panoramic view of the capital's
most beautiful monuments; and the Imperial Suite, the largest suite
in the hotel at 320m². The hotel also unveiled its new spa: Spa Le
Bristol by La Prairie, which now stretches over three floors and is
equipped with eight treatment rooms, including two twin rooms, and
a Russian Room, a gym, a hair salon and the children's play area,
'Les Amis d'Hippolyte'.
Finally, Epicure, the hotel's 3 Michelin star-rated gastronomic
restaurant, welcomes guests in its newly decorated setting with bay
windows which open out onto the magnificent French-style hotel
garden.
Oetker Collection:
Le Bristol Paris is part of the Oetker Collection, an exclusive
collection of luxury hotels around the world. These prestigious
hotels - collectively called 'Masterpiece Hotels' - are noted for
their extremely high levels of service at all times.
The collection comprises:
-Brenners Park-Hotel & Spa in Baden-Baden, a unique urban
oasis at the edge of the northern Black Forest.
-Le Bristol Paris, located on the prestigious rue du Faubourg
Saint-Honoré, nestling among fashion boutiques and art galleries,
just a stone's throw from the Champs-Elysées and Place de la
Concorde.
-Le Château Saint-Martin & Spa in Vence, with stunning views
over the French Riviera.
-the Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc, a luxurious residence at the tip of
Cap d'Antibes, with hundred-year-old pine trees in its gardens
which run down to the Mediterranean.
-Le Palais Namaskar in Marrakech, a modern-day palace in an
exceptional location.
-Le Bristol Abu Dhabi, ideally located in the heart of Abu Dhabi,
will open in 2013.
