Le Relais Saint-Germain

The hotel traces its building to the late sixteenth century. Its account of the property emphasizes the original beams, generous room volumes and old woodwork that survive inside. Those features give the accommodation its character: the rooms differ in shape and decoration instead of following a single modern plan.^[1]

Yves Camdeborde says he took over the hotel in 2004 with the aim of keeping the character of the building and its connection to Saint-Germain-des-Prés. Preserving the beams and the existing sense of space was central to that approach. He describes the resulting hotel as closer to a family guest house, with a small reception desk and personal contact between staff and guests.^[1]

The literary theme is expressed through the rooms. The top-floor terrace suite is named for Marguerite de Navarre, and the Junior Suite for Mme de Sévigné. The Georges Simenon-inspired room uses black-and-yellow decoration, a Chesterfield sofa and thriller novels to evoke the writer’s world. These are design dedications that connect the hotel to the literary identity of the neighborhood.^[2]

Le Comptoir gives the hotel a second, culinary identity. The bistro’s cooking, the breakfast products selected for guests and the ability to order restaurant dishes in a bedroom link the hotel closely to Camdeborde’s approach to hospitality. The current property brings together an old building, individual literary rooms and an active neighborhood restaurant at the same address.^[1][3]