Le Grand Mazarin

Tucked into the historic Marais district, Le Grand Mazarin is no ordinary Parisian hotel—it’s a vibrant homage to imagination, conversation, and culture. Designed by Martin Brudnizki and his London-based studio MBDS, the interiors are a whimsical fusion of French classicism, bold jade accents, and playful motifs that transports guests into a beautiful blend of a Wes Anderson film, a Parisian salon, and Alice in Wonderland. Brudnizki puts it best: “I love the concept of an old-fashioned literary salon, and salonnières were one of the main sources of inspiration when we designed Le Grand Mazarin. We wanted the hotel to feel as if it had always been part of the Marais landscape… where guests feel at home and have the freedom to express themselves.”

While the hotel’s name might suggest a connection to Louis XIV’s famous minister, Cardinal Mazarin, it instead honors the 17th-century literary salons that flourished during his time—gatherings where artists, writers, and musicians would indulge in spirited conversation and exchange creative ideas. The hotel captures an atmosphere where intellect meets creative expression; surely those who frequented the area in the 1800s would approve. Or, perhaps they would have a lively debate over the sociopolitical identity of the hotel. Descartes’ quote was almost “I discuss hotels; therefore I am.”

The creativity at the heart of this hotel extends to its restaurant, Boubalé, by Michelin-starred chef Assaf Granit. The name of the hotel is a nod to a Yiddish term of endearment, and Granit’s food is an ode to Ashkenazi cuisine. The restaurant reflects not only the heritage of the chef and hotel owners Leslie Kouhana and Kimberley Cohen Pariente, but also pays tribute to the Marais district’s centuries-long Jewish history.

Upstairs, no two rooms are alike—but many feature a grand bed framed by an Aubusson-style tapestry canopy from Art de Lys. Guests will also find locally sourced snacks, Café Joyeux coffee capsules (a brand committed to hiring people with disabilities), and a mosaic-tiled pool beneath a vaulted ceiling painted by artist Jacques Merle.

Simultaneously deeply, classically Parisian and joyfully unexpected, Le Grand Mazarin invites you to stay, think, dream, and indulge—just as the great salonnières would have wanted.