Making a splash in Paris – The Molitor Hotel

The nautically themed MGallery Molitor hotel Paris, located in the 16th Arrondissement, has recently opened with much excitement and anticipation. In its former life, the Piscine Molitor occupied the site – an Art Deco public swimming pool that was originally designed by the French architect Lucien Pollet.

It was here at the Piscine Molitor in 1946 that the first bikini, designed by Louis Réard, was unveiled and also, the launch of the topless sunbathing revolution took off at this very pool. In Addition, 1929 the US Olympic gold medallist and future Tarzan actor Johnny Weissmuller was a swimming instructor and lifeguard at the pool well before he was famous.

 Piscine Molitor in its heyday

Built almost a century ago, the Piscine Molitor was the most fashionable place to be seen. However, in 1989 the pool closed and was scheduled to be destroyed and redeveloped into apartments. Fortunately, the project never took off and the pool was closed and drained, eventually becoming a vacant space used as a giant “canvas” by local graffiti artists to leave their mark.

The New MGallery Molitor today. Image by Alexandre Soria

Today the MGallery Molitor hotel occupies the site after its multi million-dollar renovations. Scrupulous attention to detail has been paid to restore original Art Deco mosaic walls and stained glass windows and to retain the Art Deco vibe throughout the hotel.

Most of the rooms, decorated in cool shades of white, grey and black, with Art Deco inspired furniture, are located in a two-story annex built above the original swimming pool complex, having been designed by Jean-Philippe Nuel, an expert luxury hotel designer.

Amenities include an indoor and outdoor pool, a Clarins Spa, a rooftop terrace with breath-taking views across Paris and a restaurant supervised by the chef Yannick Alléno.

Quite the place to be seen in Paris this summer!

by Amanda Bernstein