ISSUE #3 - February 2026

Spaces & Architectures

Spaces

In this section :

Centre d’Études Picasso

Research, architecture, archives

In the heart of the Marais district, a hidden location showcases the ways in which research, architecture and archives are extending Picasso’s legacy.

Hotel Normandy Le Chantier

The daring transformation of a parisian palace

Just metres from the Louvre and the Palais-Royal, a grand Parisian hotel has stood the test of time under the gaze of passers-by.

Reinvented buildings

When culture transforms the city

Abandoned factories and railway stations are being converted into cultural venues, blending industrial heritage with modern uses and transforming the urban landscape.

Hotel Normandy Le Chantier, the daring
transformation of a Parisian palace

At 7 Rue de l’Échelle, just metres from the Louvre and the Palais-Royal, a grand Parisian hotel has stood the test of time under the gaze of passers-by. Behind the exposed metal sheets and temporary partitions, the Hôtel Normandy Le Chantier is undergoing a spectacular transformation that can be seen every day. Originally a palace at the end of the 19th century and a strategic location during the war, the establishment is now continuing its transformation while remaining open and operational. A stunning setting awaits, comprising restaurants, a wine bar, lounges and renovated rooms, with a full reopening announced for 2027.

A palace born to welcome travellers from all over the world

Hôtel Normandy Le Chantier ; Groupe Machefert

The Normandy opened in 1877 as one of those grand Parisian hotels designed to impress from the moment you walk through the door. Its name recalls a time when British travellers arrived by train and found an establishment that lived up to their expectations. The French palace’s image is made up of majestic volumes, Belle Époque architecture and elaborate décor. The building has stood the test of time, witnessing changing fashions and welcoming generations of visitors. During the Second World War, it became one of the Nazi headquarters. Elements from this period remain hidden beneath the ceilings. Years later, Patrick Machefert discovered a false ceiling and found what had been hidden there. This discovery has left a lasting mark on the palace’s history, which is still visible in certain details today.

Hôtel Normandy Le Chantier ; Groupe Machefert

The construction site itself is an experience in its own right

Kollectors

Since 2019, the building has officially been known as Normandy Le Chantier. The ongoing construction work is part of the décor and contributes to the hotel’s current identity. Metal sheets, temporary elements, and areas undergoing transformation have become part of daily life at the hotel. Some rooms have been renovated and are ready to welcome travellers, while others still await their final decoration. The meeting rooms host seminars and events in the heart of a changing building. “We made the decision to keep the hotel open during the renovation work. Guests can see the transformation taking place; they are part of it, and everything is going very well,” explains Audrey Begon, Marketing & Events Director of the Machefert Group. This situation intrigues, surprises and attracts. The hotel offers guests a visible, almost theatrical transformation, enabling them to observe the building’s evolution over the months.

Living spaces open to all on the ground floor

Herson Rodriguez ; Wikimedia

The ground floor is fully open to the public. The Buckwheat crêperie, an obvious nod to the hotel’s name, attracts passers-by and regulars from the neighbourhood. El Vecino spreads the friendly energy of the taqueria that is already well-known in the Marais district. The speakeasy, Rehab, and the wine bar, 75CL, extend the experience late into the evening. These establishments welcome a diverse clientele, far beyond the hotel’s guests alone. However, they will disappear when the hotel fully reopens to make way for two high-end brasseries. In the meantime, they give the Normandy a daily vitality, occupying a space somewhere between a neighbourhood spot and a destination.

Herson Rodriguez ; Wikimedia

Hôtel Normandy Le Chantier ; Groupe Machefert

2027 will mark a new chapter for the Normandy Hotel

Hôtel Normandy Le Chantier ; Groupe Machefert

The full reopening is planned for 2027. A new entrance on Rue Saint-Honoré, redesigned spaces, a wellness area project awaiting approval and the ongoing decoration of around twenty rooms are all shaping the future of the establishment. “We are the anti-standardisation. Our vision of hospitality is to create unusual places and provide our guests with exciting and immersive experiences,” says Kevin Machefert. Already attracting an international clientele, particularly during Fashion Weeks and other major events in Paris, the hotel is located behind the Louvre. Le Normandy continues its transformation in full view of the public in a neighbourhood where the history of Paris is written every day.