Sofitel Le Scribe Paris Opéra

Deep in the heart of the Opera district in Paris sits one of the city's most historic hotels.

- Claudine Coletti

Sofitel's Hotel le Scribe is set in a building more than 160 years old yet is fresh from a 2019 makeover that makes many nods to its legacy while also drawing in modern elements that epitomize subtle Parisian glamor.

The 5-star hotel was where the first paid public screening using the Luminaire brother's Cinematographe device took place in 1895. Ten films were shown in what was Le Salon Indien in the Grand Café at the time. Today, that same room is used for breakfast, with an original Cinematographe displayed at the entrance. The rest of the hotel has a fashionable and minimalist style, with pale walls and colorful furnishings against copper and black fittings. The overall feel is serene and chic, much like the city.

Accommodation

From the outside, considering it's a grand building, Hotel Le Scribe is not imposing. The entrance is nestled between shops and cafés and can be easy to miss, but although it blends in with its surroundings, it is very much a presence on its namesake road. As I enter the lobby, the first thing I notice is a piece of art above the concierge desk: a back-lit white townhouse façade with a female silhouette at the window. It somehow feels very Parisian. The reception, concierge, bar, and café all feed off the foyer, and while the modestly-sized area can feel bustling with just a few guests, the team is warm and friendly and speaks multiple languages, quickly attending to queries and visitors.