For One Night In Paris, Hotel Rochechouart Offers It All

If you only have one night in Paris, Hotel Rochechouart does it all: drinking, dining, dancing, and vintage Parisian vibes.

In the heart of Pigalle, Hotel Rochechouart is an 8-story private building that has played a key role in the cultural heritage of the neighborhood. Renowned in the late 1920s, it attracted travelers, locals, intellectuals, and even celebrities who frequented the theaters and art galleries of the district. Today, after a splendid renovation, Hotel Rochechouart has restored its Art Deco allure under the Orso brand.

Orso, the hotel’s parent brand, characterizes itself as a company that embodies the art

of good manners, simplicity, and generosity. Founded by Anouk and Louis Solanet, Orso treats guests as friends, while striving to build connections to the surrounding neighborhoods and local merchants. Orso redefines hospitality by, in their words, “awakening the senses and invoking memories.” To achieve this mood, the refurbishment and design was handled by design duo Festen. Do they accomplish this mission at Hotel Rochechouart? Undoubtedly.

Entering the hotel, the immediate feeling is one of hospitable warmth and faded grandeur. The marble staircase and a vintage glass elevator set the stage for an atmospheric stay. Rooms feature subdued colors, natural wood, and an overall mood of cozy ambiance to create a sense of lived-in comfort. The color palette pays homage to Parisian weather, featuring shades of gray clouds punctuated with hues of the 1920s, such as green, bronze, tobacco, mocha, terracotta, and yellow.

Every room is slightly different. Mine was small but cozy and perfect for one night of rest before heading off to the airport in the morning. Wooden headboards lend textural charm, while the retro curves of the bathrooms, finished in vintage plumbing, transport you to the past. Suites offer a bit more space, including sofas and armchairs. Mini bars offer carafes of whisky and gin, tailor-made cocktails, and local artisanal bites.

The Hotel Rochechouart has always been a haven for artists, from Maurice Chevalier, Mistinguett to Léo Ferré. Today, the hotel showcases the works of Tiffany Bouelle, a Franco-Japanese painter and visual artist. Her series of watercolors, inspired by the building’s shapes and Art Deco style, add a unique touch to the decor. The restaurant also displays Bouelle’s large painting, which blends harmoniously with the brasserie’s colors.

With around thirty French antique dealers and craftsmen having contributed to the carefully curated look, art defines the hotel. Black and white photographs, drawings, nudes, landscapes, and sculptures from the late 19th century to the 1980s, paying homage to Pigalle’s bohemian past.

The hotel has several dining concepts, which again makes it a great choice for a one-night stop.

For panoramic views, the Rooftop Bar on the 9th floor rooftop is a must-visit. This hidden terrace, spanning 100 square meters, offers a spectacular vista of Montmartre, the Sacré-Cœur, the Eiffel Tower, and La Défense. Fig trees, Chinese almond trees, vines, and aromatic plants create a Parisian garden mood. The bar opens from 5 PM onward, welcoming guests to perch on wrought iron lounges, benches, and sofas whether enjoying tea or sipping signature cocktails.

The restaurant, Restaurant Rochechouart, is a superb addition to the neighborhood and a testament to its enduring legacy. Featuring sculptural arches and pure Art Deco style, the restaurant has undergone a stunning transformation while preserving its historical essence. The floors have been meticulously refurbished to reveal the original blue mosaic surrounded by gold accents that echo 1930s Paris. The dining room furniture has been recreated based on original blueprints. From velvet banquettes, tables dressed in white cloths and candles, to dishes served on plates inscribed with the establishment’s insignia, every detail transports diners back in time. Even guests, draped at the bar or waiting for tables in the lobby, dress the glam vintage part.

The menu reflects the brasserie spirit of classic Pigalle. Fresh produce and regional flavors feature prominently, with a daily selection of ten starters, ten main courses, and ten desserts. Leeks in vinaigrette, poultry liver terrine, clam casserole, sole Mikado, grilled vegetable casserole, and veal cutlet with mustard are just a few of the dishes rotated regularly. Don’t miss dessert—the iconic gâteau de crêpes was created by Freddy Israël, a long-time friend of the Solanet family. Everything I tried was superb, from glistening oysters to start to the perfectly cooked sole Mikado.

The French wine last encompasses around sixty bottles from well-known appellations, plus unusual and new discoveries, and natural wines. I’d just come from a week in Burgundy, so I selected a reasonably priced white Santenay. Fortunately, there is a bottle for every taste and budget. The cocktail menu includes French gins, vodkas, and whiskies featured in house creations and classic drinks. The restaurant, which seats up to 80 guests, is open daily.

After dinner, behind the red door off the back of the dining room, head downstairs to Mikado Dancing. Signposted in neon, the Mikado, a music and dancing bar, opens every evening at 11 PM. Lit by Japanese lanterns, Mikado Dancing is reminiscent of the old opium bars of the 1920s and features expert drinks poured to a backdrop of DJs taking turns at the spin deck. Dark and moody, the décor comprises velvet curtains, rugs, and sofas in retro style encircling a large bar with Art Deco motifs. I would have stayed all night, but I had an early flight to catch.

The hotel’s latest debut, next door at number 57, is an oyster bar Citrons et Huitres. From aperitif time until late-night hours, this authentic spot, with its raw steel reminiscent of neighborhood fishmongers, welcomes guests to linger in a large bay window and watch day-to-day Parisian life pass by. At the counter, select from French oysters and clams accompanied by lemon, homemade vinaigrette, or mayonnaise. The menu evolves daily, embracing the seasons. To drink, choose from thirty wine selections and several house cocktails.

If you’ve only got one night in Paris, especially on a layover, make it count. Hotel Rochechouart removes all the decisions of where to drink and eat, offering an atmospheric and delicious stay under one roof.

Hotel Rochechouart, 55 Boulevard de Rochechouart, 75009 Paris