Fans of brutalism will love the building, originally designed by Philippe Chiambaretta, even before they step inside. After years of renovation, its interior now impresses many other aesthetes as well: exposed concrete structures with brutalist accents meet large panoramic windows that bathe the rooms in warm daylight—a beautiful contrast to cold concrete.
The location
Situated in Paris’s charming 17th arrondissement, La Fondation lies close to Parc Monceau, an ideal spot for a morning jog. Surrounded by bars, restaurants and cafés, the building designed by French architect Philippe Chiambaretta is at the heart of Parisian life. The Malesherbes and Villiers metro stations are also nearby.
Backstory
The five-star hotel opened its doors in spring 2025. But La Fondation is much more than ‘just’ a hotel. Today, in addition to 58 rooms, it houses two restaurants, a rooftop bar, a co-working space, several offices, and its own LE CLUB DE SPORT & SPA DE LA FONDATION with a 25-metre pool, a spa and sauna area, and a modern sports club with its own climbing wall—all spread across ten floors.
For Brice Errera, President of the Galia Group, the aim was to create a place that focuses on the outdoor area and makes everyday worries disappear. La Fondation is run entirely by Terlia. To provide hotel guests and LE CLUB DE SPORT & SPA DE LA FONDATION members with everything they need, Founder & Chief Executive Officer Emmanuelle Le Vaillant ensures that they are pampered in the best possible way.
Architecture & interior
The hotel was designed by Robin Standefer and Stephen Alesch from the New York design studio Roman and Williams. Today, at first glance, no one would guess that part of it used to be a car park.
Within seven years, the brutalist concrete building from the 1960s was transformed into a modern hotel. The striking architecture may not be to everyone’s taste, but inside, La Fondation is bathed in warm light and decorated with contemporary art and warm wooden furniture.
The rooms, all bright thanks to huge bay windows, offer glimpses of zinc mansard roofs, red chimney tops, and green walls where once a ramp led to the underground car park.
The interior design features polished oak, raw terracotta and chipboard—high-quality materials that become real eye-catchers thanks to skilled craftsmanship.
The design prioritises maximum functionality. Wooden shutters fold into the wall, and electric blackout and sunshade blinds allow guests to adjust the lighting to suit their needs.
Each room offers small moments of indulgence in the form of French products from the minibar, including low-sugar biscuits from Cosmic Dealer, truffle-coated nuts, protein bars and pre-mixed Cravan cocktails. Guests can also enjoy Nespresso machines, teas from L’Infuseur and complimentary mineral water.
The bathroom feels like a personal spa, decorated with green, iridescent tiles reminiscent of a lagoon. The bathroom towels and kimonos are embossed with the hotels red logo. The effortlessly chic design also extends to the clothing of the multilingual service staff, who wear white T-shirts and reddish-brown silk scarves.
In addition to wood tones, white and red dominate the interior. Light-coloured sheets cover the beds. Woven straw mats adorn the oak flooring beneath the custom-made teak furniture.
Cuisine
As soon as one enters La Fondation, the Brasserie la Base is not far away. On the ground floor of the building, humble French recipes and specialty coffee are offered, all in the charm of a neighbourhood bistro with tasteful décor.
In the morning, a continental buffet breakfast is served, which guests can enjoy on the pavement terrace while soaking up the morning sun. Inside, emerald-green wooden armchairs and ginger-leather banquet seating at marble tables adorn the bistro.
On the 8th floor, Les Ailes restaurant offers views over the City of Lights. Chef Thomas Rossi conjures up a sophisticated, modern French menu using seasonal ingredients. In the morning, guests can also put together their own breakfast here.
Up on the roof of La Fondation one will find the perfect place to enjoy the evening with a glass of wine or a signature cocktail while watching the night-time hustle and bustle of Paris.
Wellness & Sport
LE CLUB DE SPORT & SPA DE LA FONDATION is an haven of serenity where guests can switch off from their hectic everyday lives. Marika Dru from Atelier MKD designed the hotel’s modern, minimalist spa and sports area.
A visit to the sauna rounds off the relaxation experience. Those who wish to pamper themselves even more can choose from a selection of facial and body treatments.
A spacious semi-Olympic pool awaits guests in the wellness area. Here one can take laps in a soothing blue light. Hotel guests also have access to the solarium, where they can enjoy a coffee in the sun surrounded by monsteras, ficus trees and rose bushes. A small secret garden in the middle of the city.
LE CLUB DE SPORT & SPA DE LA FONDATION, with its spacious, modern interior, is accessible to members and unlike any ordinary gym. It offers guests a variety of fitness options, whether in groups or alone, always under the guidance of professional trainers.
With its own climbing wall and a wide selection of high-quality Technogym® equipment, guests have plenty of options to choose from.
Over 100 group classes are held each week in five studios. These include gentle classes for body and mind such as yoga, Pilates and Yin.
CAF, stretch, Renfo and other classes help to build muscle for all fitness levels. In addition, guests can let off steam in small groups with boxing, functional training, kettlebells, TRX and boot camp. The Juice Bar offers refreshments during or after training in the form of fruit smoothies, protein shakes and matcha bars.
Details
Rooms
- Superior Room (21m²)
- Deluxe Room (24m²)
- Executive Room (28m²)
- Sacré Cœur Suite (54m²)
- Free Spirit Suite (60m²)
- Sacred View Suite (39m²)
Culinary
Brasserie la Base
Opening hours
- Sunday to Thursday: 12pm to 11pm
- Friday to Saturday: 12pm to 12am
Les Ailes Restaurant
Opening hours
- Tuesday – Saturday: 7.30pm – 12am
- Bar: 10pm – 12am
The Rooftop
Opening hours
- Monday – Sunday: 5 p.m. – midnight (open from April to October)
LE CLUB DE SPORT & SPA DE LA FONDATION
Sports area
Opening hours
- Monday – Friday: 6:30 a.m. – 10:30 p.m.
- Saturday – Sunday / Public holidays: 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Spa area
Opening hours
- Monday – Sunday: 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Swimming pool
Opening hours
- Monday – Friday: 6:30 a.m. – 10 p.m.
- Saturday – Sunday: 8 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Office spaces & events
La Foundation also offers office and event spaces, all designed to create a creative, stimulating working environment. They can also be adapted to individual wishes and needs.
With its own events, such as rooftop concerts, themed sunset dinners, exhibitions in the hotel’s own gallery, festivals, cooking classes and exclusive lectures, the hotel contributes to the cultural life of the neighbourhood.
