In the heart of the Marais district lies one of the capital’s most enchanting jewels: Le Boudoir des Muses. This 4-star hotel, with a history as fascinating as its décor, was once a brothel and then a convent, before closing for over a century. Today, it is reborn as a unique place, with a hushed atmosphere and mystical charm. From the light-filled atrium lined with passageways to the confidential speakeasy-style cocktail bar, every nook and cranny invites discovery. The sensual, elegant rooms plunge you into a timeless bubble… while an exceptional private bath awaits you in the hotel basement. At Paris Secret, we opened the doors of the Boudoir des Muses for you. Follow us into the heart of this confidential sanctuary, and discover what makes it such a singular place…
Closed for 1 century, this former convent and erotic theater has been transformed into a 4-star hotel…
“To reach your room, follow the snake“, says the hostess of the Boudoir des Muses. And here, the snake is more than just a decorative motif. Present throughout the hotel, it embodies the red thread of its narrative. Woven into the gold and red carpeting, it seems to undulate beneath our feet, like a silent guide. Symbolizing the original temptation of the Garden of Eden, the serpent evokes both lust and metamorphosis. A nod to the history of this place, once a convent for the Daughters of Calvary, now a house of pleasure.
And in this setting of unsettling beauty, paradoxes abound. Every corner of the hotel blends the sacred with the carnal. Crosses adorn the walls, a confessional evokes the former convent, while voluptuous velvets and nude muses adorn the space with an assumed sensuality.
A boudoir closed by order of Napoleon and a 12-metre-high glass and steel dome…
To contrast with the living spaces, the hotel’s 28 rooms and 4 suites have been designed as soft, comforting cocoons. From the neutral tones to the ultra-design bathrooms, right up to the 72 m² loft coiled under the roof… Each sleeping area is unique and invites serenity. But what really catches the eye is the spectacular 12-metre-high glass and steel dome that crowns the floors of the Boudoir des Muses. It too evokes an essential part of the history of this former underground theater. Indeed, until 1807, the building housed an erotic theater known as the Théâtre des Muses. Renowned for its daring shows, it was closed by order of Napoleon. After the curtain came down, the building became a convent, creating a striking contrast with its sultry past.
In the velvet of the Bar des Muses, all temptations are permitted…
At Bar des Muses, the art of Mixology takes pride of place. While classic cocktails are available on request, it’s the signature creations that captivate: daring, cutting-edge, they all tell a story. Each beverage bears an evocative name, such as Les Fleurs du Mâle or La Flamme du Péché. The menu also includes Le Fruit Défendu and Le Verset du 6.9, served… in a Bible.
The elixirs of the Bar des Muses go perfectly with the delicate tapas offered by the establishment, designed to seduce the most demanding palates. Highlights include Le Plaisir de la Chair – a salmon sashimi marinated in citrus and lemon caviar – and Black Angus beef tataki, named after the Japanese poet Ôtagaki Rengetsu.
Resolutely immersive, the Bar des Muses offers themed evenings and stages its muses, such as regular Maud Amour, who mesmerizes the public with her striptease and aerobatics performances under the atrium. In addition to the shows, the bar is the venue for themed workshops throughout the year, combining creativity and sensuality – from erotic writing to nude model drawing.
All-you-can-eat Sunday feasts and secret spas, with hidden baths in the basement for the ultimate in voluptuousness.
L’Hôtel des Muses also offers the pleasure of a Sunday brunch. Under the majestic Directoire-era cupola, guests enjoy a buffet, with dishes available at discretion. On the menu: viennoiseries, truffle eggs, seafood, cheeses, homemade cakes and freshly squeezed juices… every mouthful is savored in a timeless setting.
But the ultimate pleasure is undoubtedly to be found in the basement, in the heart of two enchantingly private baths: Venus and Hédoné. These confidential retreats offer a wellness experience that’s rare in Paris. Over 2 glasses of champagne, hotel guests and out-of-town visitors can indulge in a 90-minute interlude in a serene atmosphere. Special mention must be made of the Bain Hédoné: in a vaulted stone room, a swimming pool and a hammam are set around powder-coated benches. Soft music floats through the air… and you slip into absolute relaxation, as if sheltered from the world. An experience you must have at least once in your life!
In a nutshell:
With its mysterious atmosphere and rich history, the Boudoir des Muses invites travelers to enjoy an unforgettable immersive experience. What makes the address even more unique are its extraordinary services: a refined Sunday brunch, secret private baths hidden in the basement, and a bewitching cocktail bar, transformed in the evening into a theater for cabaret, queer or striptease performances. One word of advice: go for it!
Practical info:
Le Boudoir des Muses, 6 rue de Saintonge, 75 003 Paris
Le Bar des Muses cocktail bar, Monday to Sunday, 5pm to 11:30pm
Private spas Vénus (whirlpool bath, sauna) and Hédoné (hammam, pool) 90 min, with 2 glasses of champagne. Daily from 9am to 9:30pm. Accessible to hotel guests and external visitors. Book
All-you-can-eat brunch buffet. Every Sunday from 12 noon to 4 pm.