
Maison Proust Hotel & Spa La Mer: A Belle Époque Haven in the Heart of Paris
Agnese La Spisa
In a city that thrives on beauty and memory, Maison Proust Paris captures the golden glow of the Belle Époque. Indeed, tucked within the historic Marais district, this intimate hotel pays homage to Marcel Proust and the glittering world that inspired his masterpieces. Every detail, from the rich draperies to the scent of polished wood, feels lifted from one of his pages.
Created by the celebrated designer Jacques Garcia, Maison Proust is part of the Collection Maisons Particulières. This collection is known for transforming hospitality into an art form. Garcia’s vision fuses period authenticity with modern comfort. The space feels both storied and deeply personal. Here, guests don’t merely check in. They enter a novel in motion, one where art, literature, and life intertwine.
Throughout the salons, portraits of Proust’s muses, Sarah Bernhardt, Princess Mathilde, Robert de Montesquiou, and Colette, peer from gilded frames. Moreover, the decor echoes the salons of 19th-century Paris, where society’s finest debated theatre, poetry, and politics late into the night. This reverence for culture and conversation forms the beating heart of Maison Proust.


The Spa by La Mer: A Hidden World of Sensual Calm
Descending into the Spa by La Mer feels like slipping beneath Paris itself. It is a sanctuary where time slows and the senses awaken. Indeed, this serene haven, crafted over a year by Moroccan palace artisans, is an ode to light, geometry, and the timeless elegance of Oriental design.
Walls of marble and tadelakt, geometric mosaics, and intricately carved wood ceilings create an otherworldly ambiance. They are illuminated by the soft flicker of lanterns. Meanwhile, the gentle trickle of a central fountain and the perfume of rare oils envelop guests in tranquil stillness.
At its heart lies a ten-metre pool, its surface shimmering beneath arched columns and reflections of gold and blue. Furthermore, a steam room and three treatment suites await. They offer rituals that marry La Mer’s legendary skincare science with ancestral massage techniques. Treatments feature the brand’s iconic Crème de la Mer. This blends precision, touch, and texture into a rejuvenating art form.
Guests also enjoy private access to the Salon d’Eau, a quiet retreat designed for contemplation and renewal. As the city hums beyond its walls, Maison Proust’s spa restores what Paris often takes, stillness, serenity, and the rare pleasure of unhurried time.

Dining and the Art of Conversation
At Maison Proust Paris, dining is not merely about sustenance. It’s an act of storytelling. Moreover, the hotel’s Belle Époque salons re-create the vibrant atmosphere of the literary gatherings. These gatherings defined Parisian high society at the turn of the century.
In the first salon, the bar glows before a monumental marble fireplace. Between heavy draperies and soft lamplight, guests can enjoy refined small plates, delicate sweets, and cocktails that spark conversation. Above all, overhead, a watercolor by Édouard Manet, Le Printemps, reminds guests of the hotel’s deep connection to art and emotion.
The Winter Garden, Maison Proust’s second salon, offers a subtler kind of enchantment. Framed by elegant columns and Cordoba leather wall panels, this space invites reflection and leisure. Visitors can play chess or backgammon beneath a gold-leaf rotunda ceiling. This ceiling is inspired by the Garnier Opera House. Its shelves hold a hundred volumes from Proust’s world, including a rare first edition. This is a nod to the timelessness of words and the pleasure of discovery.

Cocktails by Colin Field: Poetry in a Glass
To complete this immersion into elegance, Maison Proust entrusted its bar to the legendary Colin Field. Additionally, he is twice named the World’s Best Bartender by Forbes and Travel + Leisure. Known for his decades at the Ritz Paris’ Bar Hemingway, Field approaches mixology while Proust approached prose, with precision, artistry, and soul.
Each creation is a journey through flavor and memory. His signature drink, “Le Temps Retrouvé”, draws inspiration from Proust’s famous Madeleine moment. The cocktail combines 1922 Armagnac Château Laubade, the year of Proust’s passing, with black truffles from Périgord and Barons de Rothschild Brut Nature Champagne. It results in a taste that is both nostalgic and transcendent.
Alongside it, classics like the Serendipity, Picasso Martini, and Highland Cream showcase Field’s unparalleled ability. Moreover, he weaves history and innovation into every glass. In this intimate setting, each sip becomes an echo of the past, refined, imaginative, and unforgettable.


Maison Proust Paris: Where Time Stands Still
More than a hotel, Maison Proust Paris is a celebration of culture, craftsmanship, and the art of living beautifully. It bridges the Paris of yesterday with the Paris of today, offering an experience that is luxurious yet deeply human.
From the warmth of its salons to the serenity of its La Mer Spa, every detail embodies the poetry of time rediscovered. For those who seek not just a place to stay, but a place to dream, Maison Proust stands as a masterpiece. It is a living memory of the Belle Époque reborn in the heart of modern Paris.
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Agnese La Spisa is an Italian creative based in Italy, specializing in publishing and fashion communication. At IRK Magazine, she brings together creativity, research, and design to shape stories with clarity and style. Curious and collaborative, she is driven by a passion for exploring culture, aesthetics, and the narratives that connect people, ideas, and disciplines.
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