What do you get when you transform a 1960s car park with Brutalist-era architecture into a chic hotel with modern interiors by New York studio Roman and Williams? La Fondation, of course. Having only opened in April of this year, it’s a fairly new addition to Paris’s legendary hotel scene, but has quickly made its mark on the city – especially if the line of beautiful-looking people waiting for the elevator up to the rooftop bar is any indication.
Why stay at La Fondation?
This is a hotel for travellers who want to shake off the tourist label and throw themselves into local Paris life. Conveniently located in the 17th arrondissement, it’s positioned close enough to reach all of the city’s important sites, but just far enough away from the hustle and bustle that you won’t be swiped by a hop-on, hop-off bus as soon as you step outside. What this gives La Fondation is just the right amount of allure – as if only the coolest people in Paris know of its existence. And who doesn’t want to be in on that secret?
Combine that with the aforementioned design cred – think loads of contemporary art, pops of rich colour in tones of mustard, emerald green and ruby red, and clashing materials – and some excellent drinking and dining digs, and you’ve got all the correct components for a swanky stay.
What are the rooms like at La Fondation?
There are 58 rooms, including three suites, spread across seven levels of the building. I’m staying in a Deluxe Room (24sqm), which features a heavenly king-size bed, large TV, corner lounge area, a green-tiled bathroom stocked with Typology products, and a floor-to-ceiling window that looks out onto Rue Legendre. It’s super cute, if a little tight with a big suitcase in tow.
It’s the design elements and thoughtful touches that make this room sing with character. A custom wood panel bedhead is complemented by a rich navy feature wall that’s adorned with some fun, artfully scattered prints. The mood lighting (there are two bedside lamps and a wall sconce) is warm and glowy, and there’s a well-stocked mini bar filled with local goodies should you suddenly crave a midnight snack. But it’s the embroidered slippers with red trim (that also happen to match the red-trimmed pillows) that could just be my favourite hotel slippers of all time.
What is the food like at La Fondation?
You can choose from two dining options: Brasserie La Base on the ground floor, and the eponymously named La Fondation Restaurant – a swanky bistro that opened more recently on the eighth floor.
I was lucky enough to enjoy dinner at Brasserie La Base during my stay, and was seated at a cosy windowside booth with views out to the leafy front courtyard. The menu here is dedicated to elevating humble French cuisine, with a focus on fresh, seasonal ingredients. A snapshot of the menu during my stay included a Roscoff onion tarte tatin that I still dream about, and a delightfully sweet and summery strawberry sundae, complete with three different scoops of ice cream. It was all washed down with a glass of crisp, dry French rosé. Breakfast is also served here in the morning, featuring the usual spread of continental goodies: fruit, cold cuts of meat, cheese, bread, pastries and cereals. You can also get eggs cooked to order.
Then there’s the spectacular rooftop bar offering a sweeping vista of Paris, including the Eiffel Tower and Sacre Coeur. Our tip? Head up for golden hour, order a cocktail (or two!) and watch on as the city’s soft glow fades into a twinkling sea of lights. It’s not a huge space though, so arrive early to score a highly sought-after table.
What is the service like at La Fondation?
Warm and welcoming. From the team at reception to the wait staff at Brasserie La Base, everyone I encountered was lovely and happy to provide assistance if needed. The check-in process was quick and seamless – despite arriving in a large party of ten – and the speedy room porters made light work of my bags.
What are the facilities like at La Fondation?
Talk about having it all. La Fondation is home to a swish sports club that boasts top-of-the-range Technogym equipment, a juice bar, group fitness space (offering more than 100 weekly classes like boxing, pilates, yoga and kettlebell training) and even a climbing wall – yes, really. Venture down to discover a subterranean wellness area with a 25-metre swimming pool, hammam, sauna and treatment rooms where you can indulge in a facial or massage. There’s also a communal working area and a secret hanging garden space where you can kick back with a book and a beverage.
What’s the area like around La Fondation?
Situated between Parc Monceau and Place de Clichy, La Fondation is perfectly located to immerse you in that authentic Parisian lifestyle. There’s a gorgeous wine bar and restaurant (Chez Tartare) across the road where friends and couples sip, smoke and chit-chat until the late evening, and just around the corner you’ll find Rue de Lévis – a traditional street market laden with vendors selling everything from croissants and chocolates to fresh fruit, gourmet cheese and meat. You can easily spend an afternoon here just snacking and shopping.
If you don’t mind pounding the pavement (this is Paris, after all), there are a number of major attractions within walking distance from La Fondation. I wandered past the Moulin Rouge on my way to Sacré Cour one morning, and on another I headed to the Arc de Triomphe and the Champs-Élysées. Keen shoppers will also be happy to know that Galeries Lafayette is just a 30-minute walk away – although a return trip may take slightly longer if you’ve got a few extra bags to carry. But if you do want to jump on the Metro, Malesherbes and Villiers Stations are just five minutes away.
Why you should book a stay at La Fondation
So you can live it up like a local. The vibe here is distinctly un-touristy – rather, the La Fondation ethos is all about fostering community, building connection and creating a comfortable space that feels like home (if your home was a ridiculously stylish apartment in a charmingly cool Parisian neighbourhood). If a stay here doesn’t sell that dream and make you want to pack up your life and move, we’re not sure what will. At the very least, it’s the hotel you’ll return to every time you come back to visit.
Details
Address: 40 Rue Legendre, 75017 Paris, France
Price per night: Starting from €400 per night
Closest transport: Gare Saint-Lazare is 1.4 kilometres from La Fondation