Castille Paris: Parisian Poise with an Italian Soul
- Faye Bradley
- 12 minutes ago
- 4 min read
PARIS
Paris has a way of making addresses famous. Avenue Montaigne: haute couture. Boulevard Saint-Germain: existentialists and philosophers. Rue Cambon: Chanel. At No. 31, Coco Chanel carved her empire in tweed and pearls, her mirrored staircase still a place of pilgrimage for fashion devotees. Just a few doors down, at Nos. 33–37, stands the Castille Paris, a five-star townhouse hotel that shares the same storied street but cultivates its own rhythm — less a gilded palace, more a discreet sanctuary where Italian dolce vita softens the city’s famous rigour.

To stay here is to slip into a parallel Paris — one where you can admire Chanel’s legacy through the window, then retreat to a courtyard scented with jasmine, sipping Barolo beneath climbing ivy. It is an address with pedigree, but also one with personality.

The Look
The hotel unfurls across two wings: the historic Rivoli wing, with 1930s Parisian grandeur — dark woods, gilt-framed mirrors, velvet drapes — and the sleeker Opéra wing, redesigned with modern travellers in mind. Here, clean lines, pale tones, and marble bathrooms set a contemporary mood, punctuated by gleaming brass accents that remind you this is still Paris.
Across its 108 rooms and suites, Castille strikes a balance between intimacy and elegance. Classic Rooms are compact by international standards but well-proportioned for Paris, while Executive Rooms add space and larger windows. Suites bring drama: the Duplex Suite spans two levels with a sunlit upstairs bedroom and a salon below, linked by a staircase that feels designed for silk pyjamas. At the top end, the Dolce Vita Apartment is a 180-square-metre haven with multiple bedrooms, a dining room, and private terraces — ideal for families, entourages, or fashion week takeovers.
Images courtesy of CSP Times
The Food & Drink
The heart of the Castille beats in its courtyard, where L’Assaggio, the Italian restaurant, opens onto frescoed walls and climbing greenery. Overseen by Chef Sasha Arandjelovic in collaboration with Michelin-starred Ugo Alciati of Guido Ristorante in Piedmont, the menu pays homage to Northern Italy while slipping in Parisian refinement. Think vitello tonnato reimagined with feather-light precision, tagliolini made with 40 egg yolks and summer black truffle, and burrata so fresh it tastes as though it has just crossed the Alps that morning.
In summer, dining in the courtyard is as atmospheric as any terrace in Rome; in winter, the restaurant’s interiors — soft lighting, linen-clad tables, and an urbane hum — provide comfort against Paris’ chill. The wine list leans Italian, with thoughtful French selections, while desserts (like its tiramisu, said to be the best in Paris) are worth a reservation alone.
Breakfast deserves its own accolade: a buffet of viennoiserie baked that morning, Italian cured meats, fresh fruit, and espresso strong enough to banish jetlag. Served indoors or via room service, it feels indulgent yet unfussy — an elegant way to begin the day before tackling the Louvre crowds.

The Service
The concierge desk, manned by Les Clefs d’Or veterans, operates with sleight-of-hand efficiency. Need Moulin Rouge tickets in peak season? Consider it done. Timed Louvre entry in the middle of August? A discreet nod and it appears. They handle requests not as miracles, but as foregone conclusions.
Elsewhere, the staff embody an Italianate warmth rare in Paris. They remember your name, your favourite drink, even your dog’s. There’s none of the froideur that sometimes mars Parisian hospitality — service here is personal, generous, and touched with Mediterranean ease.
Images courtesy of CSP Times
The Scene
Unlike the chandelier-heavy grands dames of Place Vendôme, Castille is refreshingly intimate. The lobby feels more townhouse than temple, a place where you might spot fashion editors during couture week or discreet art collectors. The clientele tends toward the stylish but understated — well-heeled travellers who value discretion over fanfare. The hotel's Italian general manager, Alessandra, is so lovely and welcoming, there to cater to your every need.
And then there’s the location. Rue Cambon could hardly be more central: five minutes on foot to Place Vendôme, ten to the Louvre, fifteen to the Marais (provided your shoes are sensible). Chanel’s flagship boutique is right next door, while Rue Saint-Honoré’s boutiques — Hermès, Goyard, Colette’s spiritual successors — unfurl around the corner.
Images courtesy of CSP Times
Wellness & Extras
The hotel has a small but serviceable fitness centre, open 24/7, with Technogym equipment. In-room massages can be arranged, and pets are welcome for a fee (Chanel, famously a dog lover, would approve). There are several salons for meetings or private dining, but the hotel’s soul remains firmly residential, designed for pleasure rather than business.
For travellers who value intimacy over ostentation, refinement over spectacle, the Castille is a perfect fit. It is a hotel that knows its history (Rue Cambon will see to that) but wears it lightly. Like Chanel’s little black dress, it is understated, timeless, and quietly irresistible.

Good to Know
Best Room: The Duplex Suite for romance; the Dolce Vita Apartment for space.
Dining Tip: Book an outdoor table at L’Assaggio in summer — it’s one of the 1st arrondissement’s hidden gems.
Location Highlight: Chanel at 31 Rue Cambon, the Louvre a ten-minute stroll, Place Vendôme just around the corner.
Pet Policy: Dogs under 10kg are welcome (with a supplement).
Location: 33-37 Rue Cambon, 75001 Paris, France | Phone: +33 1 44 58 44 58 | Email: reservations@castille.com | Facebook: facebook.com/CastilleParis | Instagram: @castille_paris | Website: starhotelscollezione.com/en/our-hotels/castille-paris
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