Walk along the Champs-Élysées today, and one sight is guaranteed to stop you in your tracks: a monumental, silver Louis Vuitton trunk gleaming in the sunlight. Towering over Avenue des Champs-Élysées at numbers 103–111, this larger-than-life installation isn’t just a playful art piece — it’s the future home of the very first Louis Vuitton hotel, set to open in 2026. And until then, it’s already one of the most photographed landmarks in Paris.
A Luxury Landmark Wrapped in Style
The shimmering façade is designed to resemble one of the brand’s iconic monogram trunks — oversized handles, leather straps, and all. This temporary architectural cover masks an ongoing renovation of a historic Haussmannian building. Officially permitted and taxed under Paris city regulations, the structure has sparked both admiration and criticism — with some citizen groups seeing it as excessive commercialization of a historic site.
Still, the trunk does what it intends: it catches eyes, sparks conversation, and blends Louis Vuitton’s legacy of craftsmanship, travel, and luxury into a bold visual statement.
A Site with a Story
The building has a long and layered history. Originally constructed in the 1890s as the Élysée Palace Hotel, it once hosted royalty and dignitaries. It’s also believed to be the place where legendary spy Mata Hari was arrested in 1917. In later decades, it served as a Galeries Lafayette department store, then as the HSBC bank, before being acquired by LVMH (Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy).
Now set to become a 6,000-square-meter flagship of Louis Vuitton’s expansion into the hospitality world, the address sits at the commercial and symbolic heart of the Champs-Élysées — just steps from the Louis Vuitton flagship store, the Arc de Triomphe, and other iconic landmarks.
Louis Vuitton’s First Hotel: What to Expect
While many details remain confidential, the hotel will likely showcase the brand’s DNA — from immersive design and craftsmanship to bespoke travel and luxury services. High-end suites, in-house boutiques, and perhaps even a rooftop bar are expected features.
This marks Louis Vuitton’s bold entry into luxury hospitality — a growing trend among fashion houses creating full lifestyle destinations. In Paris, it feels not only logical but inevitable.
When and How to Visit Now
The shimmering trunk façade offers an unexpected cultural moment for visitors. Even before the hotel opens, it’s worth a stop:
- Best light: Early morning or golden hour, when the surface glows.
- Look closely: The “trunk” features realistic details like clasps and stitching, scaled to architectural size.
- Photography tip: Stand slightly to the side to play with light and reflections from passing traffic.
You’ll find it near Le Drugstore and within easy reach of metro stations and major shopping avenues. Paris For You app helps travelers discover 100+ curated locations across Paris, all available offline.
Would You Stay Here?
A luxury hotel in a 19th-century landmark, wrapped in Mata Hari lore and Louis Vuitton ambition — would you check in?
Until 2026, the answer may remain a dream. But the trunk itself is already part of the Parisian landscape — playful, provocative, and unmistakably modern.
Also read:
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