Cour des Vosges PARIS Set in the regal surroundings of Place des Vosges, the latest opening from Evok Hotels honours Paris’ storied past. Words: Matt Turner Photography: Courtesy of Evok Hotels Collection
E
vok Hotels is one of the most dynamic new
des Vosges on the former site of the Hôtel de
hospitality groups to emerge from France
Montbru, a sophisticated sense of residential
in recent years. Since its creation in 2014,
style pervades its 12 guestrooms and suites.
co-founders Romain Yzerman and Emmanuel
Contemporary design combines with period
Sauvage have developed properties owned by
objects, antiques and references in homage to
energy magnate Pierre Bastid into a portfolio
its location in Le Marais.
of six hotels (five in Paris, one in the French
The storied past of the French capital
Alps) each offering a unique take on luxury
reverberates through its walls. This is the oldest
inspired by its location. Further projects are in
planned square in Paris, and arguably its most
the pipeline in Venice, Madrid and Rome.
beautiful. On its inauguration in 1612, famed
Different designers have been employed
architect Jean Baptiste Androuet du Cerceau
to give each project a distinct look and feel;
– noted designer of several hôtel particuliers
Jean-Louis Deniot creating the classic French
in the city as well as the Pont Neuf – had
ambience of Nolinski, Christophe Tollemer
created the template for the residential squares
for the exclusive alpine luxury of Hameau de
that would proliferate across Europe, with its
la Volière, Philippe Starck for the immersive
uniform, regimented, red-brick façades and
eclecticism of Brach, and Tristan Auer for the
vaulted arcades.
risqué decadence at Sinner.
Through the 17th and 18th centuries it was
For its latest project, Cour des Vosges,
one of the most fashionable and expensive
designers Yann Le Coadic and Alessandro
addresses in the city – a favoured meeting
Scotto were enlisted to capture the art de vivre
place for aristocrats and nobles until the French
and elegance of an historic Parisian mansion.
Revolution not so much turned Parisian society
Tucked away behind the colonnades of Place
on its head as decapitated it.
107
