NEW YORK, NY – June 16, 2015 – Les Bains Douches, the lavish and celebrity-adored nightspot of mischief and mayhem, has re-opened with a new club space, restaurant and upscale, boutique hotel in Paris’ Arts et Métiers district. The new trendy destination seeks to re-establish itself as a temple of beauty and art, an urban paradise of feast and fashion, and the beating heart of Parisian nightlife. First created in 1885, Les Bains Guerbois quickly became one of the most renowned and prestigious private bathhouse in Paris. Prior to this, owner and founder François Auguste Guerbois had already established himself as a major player in Paris society with his infamous Café Guerbois, a veritable Mecca for the Paris’ artists and intellectuals. With the opening of Les Bains Guerbois, François cemented his position as Paris’ leading host – his bathhouse attracting writers and artists such as Zola and Manet, alongside Bohemians, philosophers and the glitterati of the Belle Époque. In 1978, the iconic landmark underwent a revolutionary transformation into a nightclub, restaurant and rock ‘n’ roll venue. More than just a venue, Les Bains Douches heralded in a new golden age as a cultural phenomenon set in central Paris. Les Bains Douches manifested itself as the spiritual home for a global community of hedonists and thrill-seekers, drawn in by its unparalleled sense of decadence and freedom. The club played host to the crème de la crème of international celebrity, the likes of supermodels Kate Moss and Naomi Campbell rubbing shoulders with David Bowie, Jack Nicholson and Mick Jagger. In 2010, Les Bains Douches closed its doors.
The new Bains Douches is a collaborative efforts of architects and designers Vincent Bastie, Tristan Auer and Denis Montel; RDAI shaped by Marois’ overarching vision. The Haussmannian masterpiece’s design is firmly stamped by the past heritage whilst capturing the zeitgeist of 21st century Paris. The property includes a restaurant, bars, private lounge, dance club and stage, as well as guest rooms, and suites.
More than a luxury hotel and more than an international hotspot Parisian club, Les Bains merges a cultural institution with a place to live, eat, sleep and create. It provides a new concept of living and a meeting point for trendsetters, influencers and creatives who feast on life’s banquet. Hybrid-chic, transcultural, and historical in nature, the welcoming venue is a place of social immersion – a cult club, a legendary bar, a gastronomical destination, and more.
When the 7 rue du Bourg l’Abbé building, with its spectacular doublesided entrance and bronze figurines, debuted in 1885, it was the first spa in Paris. The evolution of Les Bains has been guided by looking to the future, while maintaining a meaningful connection to its rich past through careful preservation. Striking the balance between old and new was of particular importance, when reimagining the iconic nightclub. Pierre Marois notes, “Everybody will be delighted to find the legendary black-and-white dance floor created by Philippe Starck.” Les Bains is located within an architectural Hausmannian masterpiece created by Eugène Ewald, which meant that careful consideration was required when appointing an architect to create the spaces that define the new Les Bains. Enter Vincent Bastie, the award-winning architect who has designed some 80 hotels in Paris. Bastie used his wealth of professional knowledge and deep respect of the building’s cultural heritage to rethink the space in a provocative and innovative manner. The result is a radical reconfiguring of the building’s structure, amplifying both natural light and overall capacity, while conserving the untouched façade.
The interiors of Les Bains’ 39 guestrooms and suites were entrusted to designer Tristan Auer (recently named “one of ten best contemporary interior designers, stars of tomorrow” by Architectural Digest). Denis Montel, RDAI known for his chic designs for Hermès boutiques worldwide, is responsible for the aesthetics of the enigmatic ground floor restaurant. Less in the spirit of a traditional hotel, and more akin to a residence, Les Bains’ 39 spacious rooms and suites are each stamped with their own unique personality. Custom-crafted furniture sits amongst white marble, precious woods, Gainsbourienne carpets and replica sofas from Andy Warhol’s Factory. Rock ‘n’ roll whimsy permeates the rooms: from Joy Division album covers, playfully sexy ‘do not disturb’ signs, to beauty boxes of little luxuries, the whole is a package that transcends style. Each of the five junior and two suites come equipped with private hammams. Ranging from 23-50 sqm, six room categories (Classic, Superior, Deluxe, Executive, Junior Suite and Suite), boast queen and king size beds, balconies on request (based on availability), in-room climate control, and state-of-the art tech accoutrements. A sleek and sophisticated color palette of grey, white and black unites the rooms, while the hotel’s artistic essence is reflected by a constantly rotating curation of art.
The result of various residencies, these works will be displayed throughout the hotel, and are available for purchase. The signature ‘rockstar’ Les Bains Suite is available for those genuinely accredited, or looking for a taste of the lifestyle. At 75 sqm this suite leaves nothing to be desired. A steam bath, hammam, bathtub, and an oversized king size bed satisfies any superstar fantasies. Taken together, each of the one-of-kind spaces is an extension of the legendary location.
Mr. Marois, puts it this way: “Our only aim was to build a nest for creative people where they are able to invent, develop, and present new trends in a fertile haven.” as the presiding pride of the building’s Haussmannian facade is a sculpture of the antique Bacchus. This cheeky, untamable god of pleasure, wine and dance, has been the privileged witness of one hundred and thirty years of vibrant history. As an everlasting symbol of indulgence and infinite freedom, it now serves as the omniscient emblem of Les Bains.