Highlights of an historical Parisian hotel

History

May 5, 1862

The Empress Eugenie in person inaugurated the Grand Hôtel on May 5, 1862. After taking a tour of the hotel, she exclaimed: “This reminds me of home! I feel like I am in Compiègne or Fontainebleau.”

December 9, 1896

At an event held in her honour, Sarah Bernhardt triumphantly descended the grand staircase. The spirit of this great lady lives on in a superb portrait by Clairin which can be admired in the entrance hall.

Late 19th century

The Café de la Paix welcomed the capital’s greatest literary and intellectual figures of the day, including Victor Hugo, Emile Zola and Guy de Maupassant.

1914

The Marne Taxis paraded past the Café de la Paix.

1918

Georges Clémenceau watched the Victory parade of troops from a hotel balcony.

The roaring ‘20s

The hotel was the place to be and be seen by the period’s biggest celebrities, including icons like Marlene Dietrich and Josephine Baker.

1939

War was declared on September 1st and for the first time in its history, the Café de la Paix closed its doors.

1945

General Eisenhower and Winston Churchill visited the hotel, transformed into the Allied Expeditionary Forces Club #1.

1948

Preliminary negotiations for the signature of the Atlantic Treaty were held in the hotel’s mezzanine function rooms.

1948

The Café de la Paix hosted the first radio program broadcast live to the United States: “This is Paris”. The program featured Yves Montand, Maurice Chevalier and Henri Salvador.

1959

René Goscinny, Jean-Jacques Sempé and Henri Amouroux met at the Café de la Paix and decided to launch the now-famous adventures of Petit Nicolas in the Sud-Ouest newspaper.

1982

The Grand Hôtel joined InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, and became InterContinental Paris le Grand.

1990

Architect Pierre-Yves Rochon oversaw renovations that revive the Second Empire style and spirit.

2000

The Café de la Paix received the Grand Heritage Prize awarded by the Paris City Hall.

2003

The hotel reopened after more than a year of extensive renovations during which the Café de la Paix was given a fresh coat of gilding.

2004

The InterContinental Paris le Grand celebrated its 150th anniversary!

2014

The Opera Ballroom once more revels in its original splendour and glory thanks to masterful renovations by the best craftsmen in France from expert woodworkers and glassmakers to historical décor artists and more.

2017

The InterContinental Paris le Grand was awarded its 5th star!

2021

InterContinental Paris le Grand unveils its newly refurbished rooms and suites after an alluring renovation by interior designer Pierre-Yves Rochon