A large stone facade featuring a small corner entrance sits on the Rue du Louvre waiting for visitors and locals alike to pass through. In the iconic Louvre Post Office building, the five-star Hotel Madame Rêve now lives in what was Paris’ only 24-hour mail outpost.
Photography by Jérôme Galland
Opened in late 2021 by founder and artistic director Laurent Taieb, this boutique property is the epitome of quiet luxury. Upon entry through the singular front door, guests are greeted with a small yet stately lobby with walls clad in white stone and floors patterned with elaborate tile work. Gold accented mirrors, fixtures and sconces guide visitors through a short hallway to elevators connecting to the 82 guest rooms and suites.
Paying homage to the history of the building and its original use, the rooms have a vintage feel. Walnut-covered walls stand on oak floors with gold accents scattered throughout. Adding a unique distinction, all spaces including guest quarters feature items from a private donor’s mail art collection. Additional special touches honor the post office roots, including custom rugs resembling mail and branded postcards available in-room to write home.
No matter what direction the room faces, the view alone is worth writing home about. Guests will find themselves utilizing the remote-powered curtains to take in the breathtaking sights — whether that’s the Eiffel Tower, the Eglise Saint Eustche or the hotel’s own rooftop hanging garden — from bed. Of the 82 rooms and suites, more than half boast a terrace or balcony with table and chairs to enjoy the outdoors, a rarity for Parisian hotels.
Thanks to founder Taieb’s background establishing five successful eateries in Paris (including one with former Louis Vuitton CEO Yves Carcelle), guests will definitely be satiated throughout their stay. La Plume, a contemporary Japanese concept, offers panoramic city views. Serving lunch and dinner, the restaurant dishes up delightfully crafted bites and cocktails to be enjoyed in the wood- and leather-clad indoors or out on the patio surrounded by more than 100 plant species. The hotel’s latest concept is French hot spot Kitchen by two-Michelin-Star chef Stephanie Le Quellec. Opening in September, this is the place to see and be seen this fall and winter.
Paris, one of the most beautiful and historic cities in the world, leaves high expectations for new establishments looking to enter the scene, and Laurent Taieb did everything right. Between its iconic location, thoughtfully executed design and memorable restaurant concepts, Hotel Madame Rêve is already checking all the (mail) boxes.
