Housed in typically Parisian 19th-century building
Located two blocks from the Champs-Élysées
Marble clad bathrooms with robes and quality toiletries
In-room tech includes large flat-screen TVs and iPod docks
Comfortable lounge bar with fireplace and atrium garden
Free Wi-Fi throughout property
Two meeting rooms for business travelers
Breakfast not included
Some rooms look tired
Decor may feel overdone to some
No on-site gym, spa, or pool
Hotel Francois 1er is an upscale, 40-room boutique hotel located just two blocks from Paris' busy Champs-Élysées shopping street. Numerous antique-style pieces and classically-themed objets d'art combine to create an almost aristocratic ambiance here, which might not appeal to everyone's taste. In-room amenities, however, are more modernized, with free Wi-Fi for all. Everywhere is very expensive in this part of town, but the Francois 1er is one of the more reasonably-priced options in the neighborhood.
Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.
Scene
Refined ambiance awash with classically-themed ornaments
Hotel Francois 1er is housed in a typically Parisian 19th-century Haussmannien building displaying intricate wrought ironwork and elegant corbels. Inside, every effort has been made to continue the theme of classical sophistication, with an emphasis on antique-style furnishings and ornate objet d'art. The polished mahogany reception desk sits in a small room with gold-tasseled velvet drapes while hallway walls are decorated with flocked wallpaper patterned with Latin phrases. Still, the overall feel is a bit too self-consciously classically-themed, and some of the ornaments seem a little mismatched. However, the ambiance is undoubtedly refined, generally attracting the slightly older tourist keen to stay somewhere with an air of aristocratic flavor.
Location
Located in chic residential 8th arrondissement near the Champs-Élysées
The hotel is located within the Golden Triangle of Avenue des Champs-Élysées, Avenue Montaigne, and Avenue George V in the chic 8th arrondissement of Paris. The shopping mecca of Champs-Élysées is just a couple blocks away, leading up to the Arc de Triomphe, while a metro station is nearby as well. The famous Eiffel Tower is a brisk 20 minutes' walk south from the hotel, while getting to the southeast Louvre art gallery is a 10-minute taxi ride without traffic. Charles de Gaulle Airport is about a 30-minute drive northeast. Parking isn't available on-site.
Rooms
Elegant, traditional styling with plenty of modern technology
This boutique hotel has 38 rooms in a range of categories and two suites, all of which are decorated in a classically traditional fashion with coordinated floral fabrics, antique-style furnishings, and patterned wallpaper. The palette relies heavily on earth tones as well as golden and auburn hues. Modern technology includes free Wi-Fi, large flat-screen TVs, and iPod docks. Marble bathrooms provide plush robes and a selection of toiletries. Despite their sumptuous decor, however, some rooms look a little tired and feel old-fashioned. Some have pretty views of the green atrium garden while others overlook neighboring buildings.
Features
American-style buffet breakfast and bar with winter garden
Though distinctive in its aesthetics, the Francois 1er has limited amenities. The hotel serves an American-style breakfast buffet each morning in the downstairs breakfast room, though it's not included in the rate. There’s also a bright and inviting lounge bar which opens out to a winter garden, where guests can relax with afternoon tea or evening drinks. (The hotel has billed the lounge area as a site also used for TV interviews.) Wi-Fi is available throughout the property and is free of charge. Two dedicated meeting spaces are available for business travelers as well.
/Hotel Francois 1er/Feature Image/large_paris_hotels_hotel_francois_1er_feature_image_0ddf4e63cf.webp)