Vincent Darré Transforms Former Paris Theater Into Hôtel Le Magnifique
Located on Rue de la Gaîté in the 14th arrondissement of Paris, the hotel Le Magnifique has transformed the former theater Les Mille Colonnes into a unique destination featuring five themed floors, a bar called Le Picabia, and a mosaic-adorned pool. Jacques Blanc, a hotelier, launched this initiative in 2024 after collaborating with designer Vincent Darré, who drew inspiration from his childhood experiences as a lifelong resident of the Left Bank. The entrance hall showcases columns reminiscent of La Coupole and a hand-painted fresco. Le Picabia boasts a curved bar, showtime boards, and a grand piano. A glass elevator links levels inspired by the Garden of Eden and classical mythology, while the guest rooms display custom decor. Photographs are by Christophe Bielsa.
Key facts
- Hôtel Le Magnifique occupies a building on Rue de la Gaîté in Paris' 14th arrondissement that once housed the theater Les Mille Colonnes
- Hotelier Jacques Blanc initiated the project in 2024 and also owns the Christian Lacroix-designed Paris hotel Bellechasse
- Vincent Darré was born in the 14th arrondissement and has lived his life on the Left Bank
- The entrance hall fresco was made by artisans and features circus and art-inspired figures with white plaster birds
- Le Picabia bar is named after painter Francis Picabia and rings a bell at the start of performances and end of intermissions
- The swimming pool is decorated with mosaics of classical figures and opens onto a patio
- Five floors follow themes including the Garden of Eden, classical mythology, the deep sea, Art Nouveau and the Milky Way
- The hotel's name references Montparnasse artists' shared initial M and the French Nouvelle Vague
Entities
Artists
- Vincent Darré
- Jacques Blanc
- Christian Lacroix
- Francis Picabia
- Christophe Bielsa
- Saint Peter
Institutions
- Hôtel Le Magnifique
- Maison Darré
- Bellechasse
- La Coupole
- Les Mille Colonnes
- designboom
Locations
- Paris
- France
- Rue de la Gaîté
- 14th arrondissement
- Montparnasse
- Left Bank
- Saint-Germain-des-Prés