Thirty million dollars and a handshake: that’s the price paid for a myth that refuses to age. Since 1979, the Ritz Paris has been owned by Mohamed Al-Fayed, an Egyptian businessman who has turned this palace into a family legend. A century earlier, César Ritz, supported by Auguste Escoffier, was already laying the foundations of unparalleled hotel luxury. While other hotels change hands, the Ritz remains a private address, defying institutional buyouts and large global chains.
This palace counts among its guests names etched in posterity: Coco Chanel, Ernest Hemingway, Marcel Proust. After a long closure for renovations, the Ritz reopened in 2016, completely transformed, yet never renouncing its mythical aura on Place Vendôme.
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Ritz Paris: a legend born on Place Vendôme
For over a century, the Ritz Paris has held a special place in the Parisian landscape. Located in the very heart of Place Vendôme, it embodies the refinement and flair of the Belle Époque. At its opening in 1898, visionary César Ritz imagined a cutting-edge establishment: architect Charles Mewès designed rooms with private bathrooms, electricity, and telephones, an unprecedented luxury at the time.
To accompany this revolution, Ritz surrounded himself with Auguste Escoffier, a master of gastronomy, who laid the foundations for a renowned dining experience. Here, service and the art of living are unlike anything else. The salons and corridors of the Ritz have seen writers in search of inspiration, crowned heads, and glamorous artists. Gabrielle Chanel made it her home for thirty years. Proust found material for his memories here, while Hemingway made the bar his headquarters after the Liberation.
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For decades, the Ritz family watched over this treasure, until in 1979, the question of who owns the Ritz Paris arose during the acquisition. Expanded and redecorated under the guidance of Bernard Gaucherel and Philippe Belloir, the hotel retains the spirit instilled by César and Marie-Louise Ritz. The Ritz Paris stands, generation after generation, as a pillar of the 1st arrondissement, where reality meets legend and where each stone seems to hold a secret.
Who holds the keys to the famous palace today? Secrets and owners of the Ritz
Since 1979, the fate of the Ritz Paris has been linked to that of Mohamed Al-Fayed. A businessman with an unusual background, he acquired the palace after lengthy discussions with Monique Ritz, widow of the last heir of the Ritz family. This acquisition marked a new chapter for the Ritz hotel, a symbol of French luxury.
Al-Fayed, a figure with a mixed reputation, invested heavily to restore and modernize the palace while preserving its soul. The Ritz, under his direction, has weathered crises, welcomed personalities from around the world, and remains one of the few family-owned luxury hotels in the capital. His son, Dodi Al-Fayed, also plays a role in the history of the place, especially after the dramatic events of the late 20th century.
To better understand this succession, here is an overview of the major milestones in the ownership of the Ritz Paris:
- César Ritz and heirs (1898-1979): creation of the hotel, followed by family management over several generations.
- Mohamed Al-Fayed (since 1979): deep renovation, maintaining the palace among the most sought-after addresses.
| Owner | Period | Significant Event |
|---|---|---|
| César Ritz and heirs | 1898-1979 | Creation, family development |
| Mohamed Al-Fayed | Since 1979 | Renovation, maintaining a place among elite palaces |
On each floor, Al-Fayed’s influence is evident in the subtle balance between heritage and innovation. The Ritz Paris remains one of the last bastions of prestigious hospitality that has remained independent. This choice of private management forges a unique identity, nourished by the vision of its successive owners.
From mythical suites to spectacular renovations: what keeps the Ritz vibrant through the ages
The Ritz Paris continues to fascinate, generation after generation. Its story is told through illustrious names: Gabrielle Chanel, who settled there for many years; Marcel Proust, who found material to write; Ernest Hemingway, who made the eponymous bar a haunt for night owls and reporters. These characters share a taste for discreet luxury, soft lighting, and attentive service.
What distinguishes the Ritz is also the prestige of its suites, true pieces of history. The Coco Suite pays tribute to Chanel, while the Imperial Suite, classified as a historic monument, embodies the essence of refinement. The Proust, Vendôme, and Marie-Antoinette salons continue to welcome writers and diplomats, in a muted atmosphere that transcends time.
The most significant transformation occurred between 2012 and 2016, under the direction of Thierry Despont. A four-year closure allowed the palace to regain its former glory, without sacrificing its original soul. The architects, including Atelier COS and Didier Beautemps, reinvented the spaces, respecting the legacy of César Ritz and Charles Mewès while infusing a subtle modernity.
Today, on Place Vendôme, the Parisian palace offers 71 suites and as many rooms, a club & spa bathed in light, and a Ritz Escoffier School dedicated to gastronomy. The works of Philippe Belloir and Bernard Gaucherel engage in dialogue with history and the times. The Ritz Paris remains a unique place, where each generation comes to write a new chapter in the French art of living. Here, the myth does not fade: it is passed down, intact, through time.