An Autumn Date in a Paris Private Residence

”If you are lucky enough to have lived in Paris as a young man, then wherever you go for the rest of your life it stays with you, for Paris is a moveable feast.” When we arrived in Paris in early September, we were pleasantly surprised that the leaves were half yellow and the autumn smell was very strong. As fascinating as it is, it‘s effortless for Paris to be beautiful. Every house looks elegant under the golden light of autumn, and every street is like touched by a dancer‘s toes, and it all seems to be in a dream...

Autumn in Paris is undoubtedly more intimate and welcoming like a dear friend. The newly opened Hotel Alfred Sommier that we visited this time is more like a noble and beautiful private residence, which turns this tourist journey into a warm and intimate visit to a friend‘s house.Hotel Alfred Sommier is different from the usual luxury hotels. The lakeblue door is open, and the small rooms on both sides are concierge rooms. Walking past the stonebrick pathway, through the highrise porches built by thick stones, an openair yard came into view. There were no redundant staff or overflowing customers. The concierge first took our luggage and then led us to the reception desk on the right side of the yard. At this time, the evening was approaching. The hotel reception was lightly lit. After sitting down and talking to the front desk, showing them the passports, I felt like home.

Built in 1860, the building was originally the residence of the Sommier family and is still kept by a descendant of the family who carefully crafted it into this hotel. Alfred Sommier used to be a giant in the French sugar industry. His father founded a family business in Paris and bought a large building plot to build his home next to la Madeleine Church. So he invited the famous architect Joseph Lesoufaché to build two twin stone buildings. At the time, Paris was undergoing acity renovation under the leadership of Baron Osman, and this private residence was inspired by 18thcentury architecture of Ottomanstyle building.

Alfred Sommier, who has developed the family business to its full, is a representative of the family. After a hundred years of reestablishment, the hotel was named after Alfred Sommier. This historic mansion has preserved its family soul, with the fusion of modern art and architecture heritage, allowing the guests to fully appreciate the family spirit across time – French elegance, entrepreneurial spirit and passion for art.

A Unique Private Experience

The paintings hanging in the hotel lobby are childhood portraits of Alfred Sommier and his sister Anne Sommier. The exquisite furnishings and artwork in the lobby are mostly from the family collection. The pomegranate red velvet seat and the goldplated wide decorative mirror make the overall space elegant and calm. Moving forward, the white marble staircase is supported by two beautiful statues of goddesses, wellpreserved since a century ago and very magnificent. The chandeliers in the center are lightly lit and you can reach your room as you go up the stairs.

This private mansion now has 80 rooms open to public booking and the rooms were designed by interior designerColombe Desazars. With deep knowledge of the history of the family, he retains the high ceilings in the room, the meticulously carved plaster on the roof, the imposing red marble stove, and mixes with the furniture and decoration of the modern design elements. The rooms are either set in peacock blue or magnificent golden yellow tones, with gorgeous lacquered gold mirror evoking the Parisian style of a century ago, and heartwarming seasonal flowers. One can also enjoy the view of Eiffel Tower or the Montmartre Mountains in the distance in the top floor rooms. The amenities in the bathroom are all from Guerlain, a classic brand that is also established in the 19th century, which coincides with the Sommier family.

Located in the heart of Paris, just a short walk from the shopping districts of Galeries Lafayette and Printemps Department Store, this hidden hotel also houses a beautiful garden – a typical French symmetrical garden paved with white stones. Among the high and low plants, a small fountain built on the wall is flowing, and guests who live here can dine in the garden or just sit for a cup of coffee. What‘s more, you can also make an appointment to dine with the owner of the hotel, a Sommier family, Richard de Warren de Rosanbo, to hear him talk about family anecdotes and historical stories and to be a true Sommier family guest.