What followed was an ambitious project to restore the building to its historical grandeur while infusing it with modern luxury. “Together with my aunt Caroline and my father Karl-Friedrich we took on the challenge of bringing the building back to its historical proportions, a true 18th-century Parisian hôtel particulier,” he adds.

The result is an intimate retreat with just 15 keys, each room and suite named after gemstones, precious materials or horological elements, as well as three distinct living spaces reserved for hotel guests and a hidden chef’s table.

“The individuality of each room and suite is a detail we are proud of. Each room is unique in layout, design, and decoration down to the smallest detail. The theme is then presented through the choice of materials, finishings, colours and artworks. This allows the guest to dive into a totally immersive space that is different to the rest of the hotel,” explains Scheufele.

“This is also one of the key elements linking the hotel to our brand. Instead of a heavy signage and numerous logos, the signature of the brand is found throughout the property within these ‘hidden’ clues.” This particularity extends to every detail in the hotel, creating an immersive Chopard experience without resorting to overt branding.

At 1, Place Vendôme, exclusivity is the hallmark. Unlike typical luxury hotels, it operates more like a members club and private residence. The public spaces, including a library, grand salon and winter garden, are reserved solely for hotel guests, offering an extension of their private accommodations. This approach allows visitors to entertain friends, family or business associates in sumptuous surroundings without sacrificing privacy.

Scheufele describes the service as “discreet, authentic, and personalised”, emphasising the hotel’s ability to cater to individual needs and expectations. This bespoke approach extends to the culinary offerings, with a chef’s table available for intimate, customised dining experiences.

“1, Place Vendôme is our first pure hospitality venture. However, we practise hospitality every day in our boutiques around the world. In that sense, client-centricity is already ingrained in our way of working. To that, we added various inputs from a panel of industry experts and personal experiences from working in several luxury properties. All our guests have different wants, needs and expectations when travelling—our size and service model allows us to understand these more deeply,” says Scheufele.

The renovation process, guided by renowned French interior designer Pierre-Yves Rochon, involved meticulous attention to detail and the engagement of some of France’s finest artisans. This all culminated in a harmonious blend of tradition and modernity, where 18th-century elements like Versailles parquet flooring and sculpted panelling coexist with contemporary art and design.

One of the hotel’s most striking features is the Winter Garden, a beautiful space that invites guests to reconnect with nature. Natural light floods the room through a glass roof, illuminating a massive mosaic mural inspired by Chopard’s Animal World collection of animal-themed high jewellery creations. A vibrant tribute to the plant and animal kingdom, this fresco of salamanders, monkeys, butterflies, toucans, and leopards is brought to life with thousands of brightly coloured cabochons. A project overseen by artistic director and co-president of Chopard, Caroline Scheufele, and her teams, this tailor-made masterpiece is extended by a marble mosaic carpet in shades of green. This sanctuary, along with others like the Cigar Lounge with its Chinese-inspired decor, offers guests unique environments to relax and socialise.

A stay at 1, Place Vendôme would not be complete without a visit to the Chopard boutique, located on the first floor of the building. Enlarged and refurbished as part of the hotel project, it showcases the maison’s haute horlogerie and high jewellery in three distinct, meticulously crafted spaces that were also custom-designed by Rochon.

“The Parisian luxury hospitality landscape is composed of many iconic and historical properties. Where 1, Place Vendôme stands out is by prioritising privacy and exclusivity, catering to discerning guests seeking a confidential space with tailor-made service,” says Scheufele. “Furthermore, we invite guests to share the family spirit and use the hotel as they would their home—the books in the library aren’t [just] decorations, our wine cellar is accessible for guests to explore and
a family meal at the chef’s table can be organised [to serve] your favourite dishes.”

As 1, Place Vendôme settles into its role in Paris’ luxury hospitality landscape, Scheufele hints at future developments, including an expanded culinary concept and exclusive services for Chopard’s VIP clients. He adds that the focus remains on refining the guest experience based on feedback and preferences.

In a city saturated with historic and opulent hotels, 1, Place Vendôme stands apart by offering an unparalleled level of privacy and personalisation. It is not just a place to stay; it is an invitation to experience the Chopard lifestyle in its most intimate form. For those seeking the pinnacle of exclusivity in the City of Light, 1, Place Vendôme offers a home away from home that is as rare and precious as the finest Chopard creation.

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