In 1898, the dream of Swiss chef César Ritz, in partnership with chef Auguste Escoffier, was born in Paris. They acquired the formerHôtel de Gramont property, located at 15 Place Vendôme, and entrusted its renovation toarchitect Charles Mewès. The Ritz opened its doors on June 1ᵉʳ, 1898, the first hotel in the capital to offer en suite rooms with electricity and telephone.
Theluxury hotel quickly established itself as a meeting place for theworld's elite. Over time, it welcomed artists, heads of state and writers, and became a living piece of heritage. Through wars, renovations, fires and restorations, the Ritz has reinvented itself while retaining its soul.
The Ritz site initially belonged to two hôtels particuliers: the Hôtel de Gramont, built in 1705, and the Hôtel Crozat, built in 1703. Throughout the 18ᵉ and 19ᵉ centuries, the properties changed hands with varied uses ranging from administration to finance. In 1897, César Ritz and Auguste Escoffier purchased the complex, and in the early months of 1898, the hotel was inaugurated.
At the time, the Ritz stood out for its technological innovations: it was one of the first hotels to offer modern amenities previously rare in European hotels.
The Ritz quickly became a magnet for big names: Coco Chanel took up residence here, and the famous Coco Suite was inaugurated in her honor. Writer Ernest Hemingway frequented the bar, now the Bar Hemingway. Marcel Proust wrote part of his masterpiece À la recherche du temps perdu in its salons. The Salon Marie-Antoinette, Salon Cromwell and Salon Vendôme became literary, diplomatic and social gathering places.
The hotel also played host to kings, queens and heads of state, and made appearances in literature (F. Scott Fitzgerald in Tendre est la Nuit and Hemingway in Le Soleil se lève aussi evoke its salons as symbols of luxury and refinement) and cinema( Billy Wilder'sLove in the Afternoon and William Wyler's How to Steal a Million set key scenes in the Ritz's suites and bars).
During the Second World War, the Ritz was partially requisitioned by German forces. Reich leader Hermann Göring took possession of the Imperial Suite. However, the Swiss nationality of the owners played a part in maintaining some of the hotel's business, with the hotel sometimes being treated as"neutral territory".
Among the legends is Frank Meier, the Ritz bartender of Austrian-Jewish origin, who is said to have acted as a discreet intermediary for the Resistance and diplomats during theOccupation. After the Liberation, the Ritz returned to its full hotel vocation.
In the 1970s, the Ritz experienced a period of decline, with its clientele aging and maintenance becoming costly. In 1979, it was bought and a major renovation was launched between 1980 and 1987 under the direction ofarchitect Bernard Gaucherel, with interior design by Philippe Belloir. The rooms were enlarged, a spa and swimming pool were created in the basement, and the facilities were modernized while respecting the classic style.
In 2012, the Ritz closed for the first time in its history to be rebuilt.Architect Thierry Despont, in collaboration with Atelier COS and Didier Beautemps, oversees the work. In 2016, a fire partially destroys the attic and roof, but the restoration is completed, and on June 6, 2016 the hotel reopens. The number of rooms is reduced, from 159 to 142, in order to increase suite space. New lounges such as the Salon Proust, a summer restaurant under a mobile glass roof, a discreet tunnel for VIP arrivals and a modernized bar are added.
The façade of the Ritz preserves the 17ᵉ-18ᵉ century design on Place Vendôme, with its columns, pediments and balustrades, all listed as heritage. Prestigious suites, such as the Suite Impériale, the Baron d'Erlanger suite, the César Ritz suite and the Elton John suite, are tributes to the great names who have stayed here, the interiors blending woodwork, tapestries, marbles, crystal chandeliers and antique furniture, with contemporary touches after renovation. Historic salons such as the Salon Pompadour and the Salon Vendôme have been meticulously restored.
The Vendôme bar continues to host tea and cocktails, the Hemingway bar retains its legend, and the Michelin-starred L'Espadon restaurant, once under the aegis of Escoffier, has reinvented itself, focusing on refined French cuisine. The Ritz also boasts a gastronomy school, the Ritz Escoffier School, which opened in 1988.
Despite its refusal to officially apply for the Palace label, the Ritz Paris remains a symbol of luxury in Paris, respectful of the past and looking to the future. Over the centuries, the hotel has been both a witness to and a discreet player in the history of the capital.
Ritz Bar Summer 2026: flower-powered cocktails to sip in the hotel's Grand Garden on Place Vendôme
Hidden from view, the Ritz Paris cultivates its secret garden… and here it births its summer bar. From April 24 to September 12, 2026, the Ritz Summer Bar takes root in the Grand Garden, turning Paris green—chic and open-air. From 3 p.m., cocktails flow, canapés make their entrance, and the afternoons bloom until the golden hour. [Read more]
Le Ritz Paris Le Comptoir by François Perret, now with 2 locations in Paris, including one on the Left Bank
Ritz Paris Le Comptoir is François Perret's signature patisserie-tea room, now on rue Cambon and rue de Sèvres. Two Parisian addresses for a sweet, chic and generous interlude, between elongated croissants, madeleines, original éclairs and pastry drinks. [Read more]
The Ritz Club & Spa unveils its first Nail Bar at Paris Fashion Week
The Ritz Club & Spa launches its Nail Bar in collaboration with Kure Bazaar for Paris Fashion Week. The legendary Place Vendôme hotel invites you to an exceptional "verni" moment, where manicure and well-being come together in a refined setting. A unique experience for your fingertips! [Read more]
L'Espadon at the Ritz Paris, Eugénie Béziat's gourmet restaurant
The famous Ritz Paris opens its brand-new restaurant, l'Espadon, in collaboration with talented chef Eugénie Béziat. A unique gastronomic experience awaits you in a sumptuous setting overlooking the hotel's Grand Jardin. [Read more]
Escapade au Marché: Le Cours de Cuisine Unique de l'Ecole du Ritz à Paris
Escapade au Marché is the name of a brilliant cooking class at the Ecole du Ritz in Paris, offering a culinary experience from market to tasting to cooking with a talented chef. [Read more]
Cooking classes for kids and teens at the Ritz
And no, great cooking isn't just for adults: children too can learn how to cook great food. The Ritz-Escoffier School offers cooking and pastry-making classes for children! [Read more]
Dates and Opening Time
Next days
Saturday:
from 12:00 a.m. to 11:59 p.m.
Sunday:
from 12:00 a.m. to 11:59 p.m.
Monday:
from 12:00 a.m. to 11:59 p.m.
Tuesday:
from 12:00 a.m. to 11:59 p.m.
Wednesday:
from 12:00 a.m. to 11:59 p.m.
Thursday:
from 12:00 a.m. to 11:59 p.m.
Friday:
from 12:00 a.m. to 11:59 p.m.
Location
Ritz Paris
15 place Vendôme
75001 Paris 1
Official website
www.ritzparis.com
