Wayfarer review: Sofitel Le Scribe Paris Opéra offers a stylish, historic stay
Since its creation in 1863 when it was built as part of the Opéra district’s initial development, Sofitel Le Scribe Paris Opéra has been an essential part of Parisian life.
The city’s alluring department stores, exciting Grands Boulevards, elegant rue de la Paix, luxurious Place Vendôme, world-famous Louvre, charming Palais Royal and beguiling arcades are all nearby.
First chosen as the headquarters of the prestigious Jockey Club, it was the meeting point for the elite of French and European society during the Second Empire.
A true scene of the modernity that saw the birth of cinema, with the Lumière brothers’ very 1st world projection in 1895. The hotel was also the stronghold of many visionaries and artists such as Josephine Baker.
Since the makeover, travellers have been able to discover stylish rooms and suites, which reflect the Haussmann architecture of the capital.
An intimate atmosphere of a Parisian apartment where everything is nothing but elegance and refinement, the hotel’s rooms and suites illustrate with finesse and style the vibrant city of Paris which represents the French way of life.
To bring the property back up to its rightful elegant level, the owners joined forces with Wilson Associates and its artistic director Tristan Auer and the result was magnificent.
“This is a building that has always been closely connected to images: the moving image – cinema – and photographic images, especially during the war when it was a communications centre,” Auer said.
“It was also the first building in the world to be draped for an advertising campaign. What’s more, it has a fantastic history.”
Auer’s designs for the guestrooms recalled a Parisian apartment, with fireplaces, mouldings, wainscoting and fabric headboards.
Bathroom ceilings reflect the colours of the Opéra Garnier’s ceiling as painted by Chagall, a beautiful reference to the area.
The bas-reliefs, medallions and vases evoke artists’ studios, a nod to Paris museums. A selection of vibrant, colourful works in various abstract styles by young French artists decorates the walls.
The bathrooms feature terrazzo floors, upper wooden moulding evoking a typical 19th-century atmosphere, with superimposed materials, folding screens, ceramics, wood and tiling. Auer specially designed the dressing gown hooks to resemble picture rails. Rose-gold faucets are in contrast to the hotel’s ‘men’s club’ spirit with a soft, feminine touch.
Auer said he wanted to recreate the intense ambiance of Paris nightlife around the Opéra Garnier during the Second Empire, when it was the seat of the Jockey Club.
He skilfully recreated the spirit of a ‘men’s club’ with subtle, refined touches. To contrast with the masculine side, he created guestrooms and a tearoom that are more feminine, angelic and sensitive while revisiting the mood of a Haussmannian apartment typical of Paris.
When it comes to wining and dining, contemporary chic spaces were designed for sharing and relaxation. Headlining the offering is, Rivages, helmed by Chef Martin Simolka and Mixologist Roberto Catalano, who surprise both the connoisseurs and the curious who pass through the doors of this stunning hotel.
The hotel is also home to Scribe and Cie., both a fine boutique and a Parisian café, which opens early in the morning to coffee and tea experts and pastry lovers.
Qantas’ brilliant Business Class ‘Suite’
Qantas flies direct Paris from Perth, with flights operated by widebody Boeing 787-9 aircraft that feature the airline’s signature suite-style Business Class seats that can be reclined for take-off and landing, fantastic meals, premium Australian wines and one of the best in-flight entertainment systems in the sky. The direct hop from Australia to Europe is one of aviation’s great feats and Qantas does it with excellent hospitality and comfortable seats that will ensure a fantastic rest.