VERSAILLES, FRANCE – Τhe new hotel Les Lumières Versailles, opens just steps away from the renowned Château de Versailles. Recently inducted into Relais & Châteaux, the world’s luxury hotel and restaurant association, Les Lumières melds historic features with contemporary luxury, and beckons guests on a transformative journey of cultural immersion and personal discovery. As the name implies, Les Lumières aims to help visitors shed light on what truly matters.
A 17th-century mansion that was once a family home, the property underwent an ambitious restoration project. The renewed space now resonates with splendor and majesty. From the central library to monthly lectures to the journals thoughtfully provided in each room, the hotel is a testament to an enlightened era. Informed by the past, looking to the future, but fully immersed in the present, Les Lumières introduces a fresh perspective on Versailles and on travel itself, inviting profound encounters with self, knowledge, reason, and philosophy, all drawn from a rich heritage.
The History and Concept
The historic property that is now Les Lumières was given to Édouard Colbert and Antoine III de Gramont by the ‘Sun King’ Louis the XIV. Located on the historic Gramont and Villacerf pavilions, which date from the 17th and 19th centuries, the mansion was once known as the Hôtel du France.
“Our new home in Versailles pays homage to the Enlightenment era. Inspired by the revolutionary spirit of that period, our aim was to transform the space into a catalyst for reflection, awareness, and awakening,” says Delphine Jaouen, CEO of 2L Collection, the parent company of the hotel. “By blending knowledge, openness, and natural beauty with elements of classicism and modernity, we’ve created a place that celebrates freedom of thought and exploration, echoing the very essence of the Enlightenment.”
Les Lumières echoes the splendor of “Grand Versailles” and its gardens. Guests wander through corridors intoxicated by refreshing floral fragrances crafted by renowned Versailles candlemaker Trudon, founded in 1643 on the threshold of the reign of Louis XIV.
Enlightening Décor
The doors open into a warm haven, marrying yesteryear’s heritage with modern elegance without falling into a pastiche of traditional Haussmann style.
Architect Didier Benderli breathes new life into the space while honoring its original aesthetic. The building retains its grandeur – façade, grand staircase – but every feature is charmingly revived. “We drew inspiration from the Château de Versailles, incorporating elements to evoke visual memories for visitors after their discovery of Louis XIV’s palace, while firmly rooting it in the 21st century. Every detail – materials, colors, French gardens – enriches the guest experience at Les Lumières.”
Modernity subtly intermingles with the ambience of the Enlightenment era. Soft, warm tones unfold, harmoniously blending interior spaces with lush garden greenery as in a courtyard covered with a glass roof and arranged around a sculptural fountain. Delicate marble moldings and vivid hues pay vibrant homage to the royal court’s splendor, updated to create a warm, refined ambiance that is welcoming to modern guests.
The Salon of Madame Geoffrin
The gathering place at Les Lumières is named for the pioneering hostess of intellectual gatherings during this century, Madame Geoffrin, who hosted salons that offered companionship, intellectual stimulation, and celebration. Once a meeting place for emblematic figures including Voltaire, Diderot, and other luminaries of art, literature, and science, Madame Geoffrin’s salon embodied the essence of debate and progressive thought.
Today, her namesake salon within the heart of the hotel transforms itself into a creative space that hosts diverse moments – from intimate family gatherings or business dinners to playgrounds for kids or introspective activities such as meditation and yoga sessions for adults. Each cultural, educational, or recreational initiative reflects the spirit of enlightenment and sharing that characterized the salon’s ideals of progress, education, and openness.
Enlightening Encounters in the Library Reading Room
No doubt, Diderot, Voltaire, and Olympe de Gouges would have found solace here, in this environment fostering contemplation. Central to Les Lumières is a space for reflection—a reading room that fosters intellectual exchange, encapsulating the essence of past, present, and future. Surrounding books and manuscripts are mirrors reminiscent of the Hall of Mirrors, paying homage to the nearby Château de Versailles.
Regularly, the Library transforms into a stage for captivating encounters, uniting historians, philosophers, writers, and scientists in a whirlwind of ideas and debates. Fundamental texts displayed on easels serve as reminders of the Enlightenment’s legacy – the United States’ Declaration of Independence, the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen, and the Declaration of the Rights of Woman and the Female Citizen. This touch of wisdom encourages guests to reflect on historical challenges and appreciate their impact. “It is good to read useful books, but even better to meditate upon them,” remarked d’Alembert in the Encyclopédie, words that resonate today.
Enlightening Experiences
As chronicled by Charles Perrault in The Age of Louis the Great, Versailles “is not a palace, it is an entire city. Superb in its grandeur, superb in its material.” Much like the court itself, Les Lumières embraces discovery, offering guests opportunities to explore new horizons and indulge in unprecedented experiences.
Thoughtfully designed excursions immerse visitors in four key themes: Rejuvenate, Inspire, Connect, and Engage, through meetings, tastings, experiences, and workshops.
Within the hotel, a true sanctuary of well-being beckons – a place for complete rejuvenation of body and spirit. In the spa, each moment is crafted to awaken and nourish the senses, from dedicated relaxation spaces, including self-hypnosis, sophrology (a type of mindful hypnosis), pressotherapy to encourage lymphatic drainage, sleeping box, meditation and weighted blanket; to mindful culinary experiences involving organic and herbal tea tastings, local cuisine savored at the Table des Lumières, and chocolate workshops shared with family or friends. The journey extends to the Library’s threshold, inviting participatory reflection and personal enrichment.
In Versailles, a court without entertainment would be inconceivable. At Les Lumières, travelers can indulge in regal respite by taking contemplative walks around the castle grounds, attending Opera performances, equestrian shows, and water extravaganzas in the gardens, or reconnecting with natural beauty during horse rides through the castle gardens – a favorite pastime fit for royalty.
They can also celebrate the fine craftsmanship beloved by royalty, the wealth of knowledge passed on by palace artisans. At the Versailles Campus, master craftsmen demonstrate calligraphy, leatherwork, stained glass, upholstery, and embroidery. The Osmothèque of Versailles – a library for scents – offers an immersive tour of history’s first perfume conservatory, boasting over 3,200 perfumes from historical scents to forgotten essences. Nearby, the Cour des Senteurs awakens the senses through garden walks, museums, and exceptional boutiques, embodying the essence of French luxury.
Deliciously Enlightening
Le Café Pierre Hermé Paris: Les Lumières on-site café transports visitors to a bygone era, echoing the reception rooms of the Enlightenment. With six-meter-high ceilings and windows offering panoramic views of the Place d’Armes, Le Café Pierre Hermé Paris exudes an almost regal atmosphere, heightened by dramatic chandeliers and moldings. Here, urban clamor dissipates, and a gourmet journey begins. Gourmands convene here at any hour to savor delights from a sweet-savory menu showcasing exquisite pastries, viennoiseries, artisanal bread, coffee, and tea. Guests delight in exquisite lunches or weekend brunches. An adjoining boutique features signature products, allowing visitors to bring Pierre Hermé’s renowned pastries and macarons home with them, to relive the pleasures of the palace. Open 6 days a week, from Tuesday to Sunday from 12pm to 6pm. Open daily for breakfast from 7:30am to 10am.
The Boutique Pierre Hermé: Indulgence knows no guilt at the Pierre Hermé boutique, ensconced within Les Lumières’ splendid confines. Decadent pastry and chocolate creations offer unprecedented scent, texture, and flavor combinations, making each one a work of edible art. An affair of sensation and emotion, this boutique embodies the philosophy that taste is an inexhaustible source of happiness. Open 6 days a week, from Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 7pm.
Bar des Philosophes (The Philosophers’ Bar): With décor inspired by Louis XIV’s court attire, this gathering place exudes sparkle, spirit, and intoxication, inviting both intimate conversations and festive feasts. Celebrating Champagne’s effervescence, Bar des Philosophes (The Philosopher’s Bar) reflects the 18th century’s glory – a time when grand houses flourished. Cozy and warm in winter, bright and bubbly as summer beckons, this venue invites conviviality during all seasons, with an esplanade for idyllic strolls. Unique cocktails honoring notable historical figures are blended with garden-fresh herbs. Open daily from 11m to 12am with light bites from 6pm to 10pm.
Table des Lumières: Driven by an ardent desire to challenge and refine daily life, the Enlightenment transformed the culinary arts. Chef Erwan Le Thomas, who was recently designated with France’s highest culinary honor Meilleur Ouvrier de France (MOF), brings this ethos to the hotel’s fine dining restaurant, the Table des Lumières. Having worked at esteemed venues like the Peninsula, Le Crillon, and Mandarin Oriental, Le Thomas upholds French culinary craftsmanship standards, advocating a locavore, seasonal, predominantly plant-based cuisine that showcases local produce – including fish from Île-de-France rivers – in an eco-responsible pursuit of zero waste. Le Thomas’s passion yields an evocative menu, honoring ingredients holistically, crafting gastronomic delights that astonish, delight, and encourage sharing. The sumptuous dining room is surrounded by light, large windows that opening onto a terrace and patio, allowing the light to stream in and illuminate the space. Open 7 days a week, 7:00 PM – 9:45 PM.
The Rooms & Suites
Each of Les Lumières’ 31 rooms and suites pays homage to a luminary of the Enlightenment era such as Rousseau, Condorcet, and Descartes. Lounge amidst refined gilding under ceiling murals depicting royal gardens.
Every room exudes warmth with dreamy, patterned textiles and gilded moldings that evoke the court’s splendor. Weighted blankets, thought journals, and meditation boxes await, guiding guests toward restorative sleep, freeing body and mind.
Guests embrace a profound sense of heritage, inspired by reflections from the 18th century’s great minds. Scholars, philosophers, writers, and explorers watch over guests with diligence as they rest.
The Spa
An air of serenity reigns here, embodying the ancient adage “Mens sana in corpore sano,” “a healthy mind in a healthy body.” A gentle water wall provides tranquility and leads to a tearoom where organic tea and infusion aromas harmonize.
Spa
The wellness area caters to personal development with two treatment cabins, a hammam, sauna, fitness room, pressotherapy, and the Dream Machine for self-hypnosis – all tailored to individual aspirations and needs.
The Beau Domaine range, featuring patented active ingredients derived from grapes and enhanced by seasoned oenologists, offers holistic, effective anti-aging treatments. Lithocosmetic treatments combine organic ingredients with crystal vibrational energy and vegetable oils – whether you choose facial treatments or nourishing body wraps.
The article New Versailles hotel opens: Les Lumières celebrates the Age of Enlightenment first appeared in TravelDailyNews International.
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