This secret palace in the heart of Paris hides an unsuspected garden…
What if true luxury in Paris was silence and greenery? The Saint James Paris reinvents the prestige hotel experience by offering a bucolic refuge just off the Avenue Foch. This place steeped in history stands out from the crowd thanks to a rare promise: to make refinement rhyme with nature in the heart of Paris.
A private mansion… and a 5000 m² garden
The Saint James Paris is a palace like no other. Hidden from view, it is one of the only hotels in the capital to be surrounded by private gardens. An exception that transforms every stay into an enchanted interlude.
Renowned landscape architect Xavier de Chirac has transformed the 5,000 m² of vegetation into a sensory journey, with rhododendrons, tree ferns and fragrant bushes punctuating the walk. Visitors escape, and time stands still.
Le Saint James, an art of living by women of character
The destiny of the Saint James is inextricably linked to the women who have shaped it. From the widow of President Adolphe Thiers, patron of the original Foundation, to Laure Pertusier, current Director, the address cultivates an assertive feminine leadership.
When it comes to decoration, Laura Gonzalez has reinvented this legendary venue. Her style brilliantly blends classicism and eclecticism. The result: a neoclassical mansion sublimated by a soft, colorful, almost domestic atmosphere. You’re welcomed here as if you were among friends – very refined friends.
A plant-based gastronomy that’s causing a sensation
The Bellefeuille restaurant, recently awarded a Michelin star (Étoile Verte), is like an extension of the garden. With his vegetal, mineral and iodized cuisine, young chef Grégory Garimbay offers a sincere experience, where each dish reveals the essence of the product.
Special mention must go to the langoustine with Kristal caviar, a signature dish that’s both delicate and daring. In the dining room, the chef’s close proximity to guests creates an intimate atmosphere, far removed from the stilted diktats of traditional palaces.
And on the sweet side, it’s Coline Doussin, barely 25, who awakens the taste buds with botanical and spicy compositions. Her creation “Chocolat et aiguilles de pins” (Chocolate and pine needles) perfectly embodies this new pastry wave, as technical as it is poetic.
A spa, a pool… and the Paris skyline
The Guerlain Spa at the Saint James, spread over two levels, is as impressive for its refinement as for its soothing atmosphere. A whirlpool bath, hammam, sauna, three treatment rooms, and above all: a 15-meter pool bathed in natural light thanks to a glass roof overlooking… the Parisian sky.
François Mascarello ‘s monumental bas-relief evokes a Greco-Roman temple. Here, every detail invites contemplation, and every treatment becomes an immersion in well-being.
A private club with casual chic
The last hidden treasure of the Saint James is its Club, heir to the London circles but reinterpreted in the Parisian style. Wood panelling, made-to-measure cocktails, literary events and wine tastings follow one another in a hushed atmosphere. Above all, membership means belonging to a cosmopolitan, cultured “Saint James Society”, free from codes.
Why should we go to the Saint James now?
The address is discreet, almost secret, but it’s on every connoisseur’s lips. In 2024, the Saint James Paris was awarded 3 Clés by the Michelin Guide, the ultimate distinction for hotels. A token of excellence that confirms its place among the capital’s most sought-after venues.
But beware: this oasis is not for everyone. It has to be earned, discovered and savored. So, will you be among those who get to know it before anyone else?
Also read: 35 minutes from Paris, this secret estate reinvents green luxury
