Hotel Lutetia Paris: History, Pricing, and Comparisons

Hotel Lutetia Paris combines a storied Left Bank past with a contemporary luxury experience, reopening in 2018 after a four-year renovation that reduced its room count to 184 while adding a subterranean spa and restored Art Nouveau details. Now operated by Mandarin Oriental, this hotel earned France’s Palace distinction in 2019 and sits at 45 Boulevard Raspail in the Saint-Germain-des-Prés district. This article examines its history, pricing, and position among Europe’s grand hotels, backed by verified sources from the MICHELIN Guide and government tourism agency Atout France.

Last checked: 2026-10-10

Hotel name: Mandarin Oriental Lutetia, Paris · Address: 45 Boulevard Raspail, 6th arrondissement, Paris · Current operator: Mandarin Oriental · Renovation completed: 2018 (reopened 2025) · Year opened: 1910 · Family offer: Up to 30% discount with children’s amenities and breakfast

Single-Entity Specifications: Hotel Lutetia Paris

What is the history of Lutetia, Paris?

Hotel Lutetia opened in 1910, built in connection with the neighboring Le Bon Marché department store, and was designed as a grand hotel for shoppers visiting the Left Bank (France 24). Its architecture marks a stylistic transition between Art Nouveau and Art Deco, making it a rare surviving example of that period in Paris (Smithsonian Magazine). During World War II, the hotel was requisitioned by German forces and used by the Abwehr. After the liberation in 1944, it became a reception and reunion point for French families returning from deportation and captivity (Marie Claire).

A major renovation beginning in 2014 and led by Jean-Michel Wilmotte restored original frescoes in Bar Joséphine (attributed to Adrien Karbowsky) and reduced the room inventory from about 230 to 184, allowing room for a subterranean wellness complex (Atout France; The Plan). The hotel reopened in July 2018 and received the Palace distinction the following year. In April 2025, France 24 reported that Mandarin Oriental took over its operation.

What is the average cost of staying in a hotel in Paris?

According to Kayak data referenced in the content plan, average luxury nightly rates in Paris hover around €850–€1,200, with top-tier Palace hotels often exceeding €1,500. Hotel Lutetia’s pricing reflects its Palace status and seasonal demand. The cheapest month to book is March, with rates from about $1,589 per night, while October peaks at around $2,325 per night (based on Kayak seasonal data for 2025).

Families benefit from an up to 30% discount promotion that includes children’s amenities and breakfast, lowering the effective nightly cost. The hotel also offers free Wi-Fi, a gym, a swimming pool, and multiple dining venues, which add value over more à-la-carte properties (MICHELIN Guide).

What hotel did Princess Diana stay in Paris?

Princess Diana’s last stay in Paris was at the Ritz Paris on Place Vendôme, a Right Bank hotel that opened in 1898. The connection between that tragic night and the Lutetia is indirect, but both properties represent the apex of French hotel craftsmanship. Hotel Lutetia offers a similar level of luxury with a fundamentally different identity: it is a Left Bank palace rooted in Left Bank culture, near the cafés of Saint-Germain-des-Prés and the art galleries of the 6th arrondissement (Condé Nast Traveler; AFAR).

For travellers drawn to the Ritz’s history but seeking a quieter, more residential neighbourhood, Hotel Lutetia provides an alternative that is less about celebrity glamour and more about intellectual and artistic heritage. Its restored Bar Joséphine, named after the singer Josephine Baker—a frequent guest—continues that cultural tradition (MICHELIN Guide).

The hotel is described as a Parisian Left Bank palace dating back to 1910.

— Condé Nast Traveler

Is the Savoy or the Ritz better?

The Ritz Paris (opened 1898) and The Savoy London (opened 1889) are both legendary, but they serve different markets. The Ritz is a Place Vendôme palace known for its Michelin-starred restaurant and Coco Chanel connection. The Savoy is a Thames-side landmark with Edwardian architecture and a strong theatre-adjacent identity. Neither is a direct competitor to Lutetia’s Saint-Germain locale.

Hotel Lutetia fits into the luxury landscape as a more intimate, historic property with 184 rooms versus the Ritz’s 142 (pre-renovation) and the Savoy’s 267. Its Palace distinction puts it in the same official category as the Ritz, but its design philosophy—restored Art Nouveau elements blended with contemporary furnishings—gives it a distinct personality (The Plan).

For a traveller weighing these options, the choice often comes down to neighbourhood: Right Bank opulence (Ritz) or Left Bank intellectual cachet (Lutetia). The Savoy appeals to those wanting London history. Lutetia’s advantage is its combined narrative of wartime survival, artistic patrons, and a 21st-century Mandarin Oriental rebirth.

Pros and Cons of Hotel Lutetia Paris

Best for Segments

• Families: The up-to-30% family discount, children’s breakfast, and nearby Le Bon Marché make it a viable upscale family option.
• History enthusiasts: The wartime and postwar story, the Belle Époque origins, and the restored frescoes provide a rich historical narrative.
• Luxury travelers: Palace status, Mandarin Oriental management, Michelin-level dining, and a full-service spa meet top-tier expectations.
• Couples: The intimate room count, romantic bar, and quiet Left Bank setting suit couples seeking a refined getaway.

Location and Getting There

Hotel Lutetia stands at 45 Boulevard Raspail, 75006 Paris, in the heart of the 6th arrondissement. The nearest metro is Sèvres-Babylone (lines 10 and 12), a two-minute walk. The property is about a 15-minute walk from the Musée d’Orsay and 25 minutes from the Louvre. The Left Bank’s iconic cafés—Café de Flore, Les Deux Magots—are within a five-minute stroll. Charles de Gaulle Airport is about 40 minutes by taxi or RER B to Luxembourg station, then a short walk.

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Timeline: Key Dates for Hotel Lutetia

• 1910 – Hotel Lutetia opens during the Belle Époque.
• 1940–1944 – Requisitioned by German occupation forces, used by the Abwehr.
• 1944 – Serves as reunion point for returned deportees and families.
• 2014–2018 – Four-year renovation by Jean-Michel Wilmotte.
• July 2018 – Hotel reopens with 184 rooms and new spa.
• 2019 – Awarded France’s Palace distinction.
• April 2025 – Mandarin Oriental takes over operation.

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