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History

Discover Hotel Napoleon Paris, which was once nicknamed “The Place” by Errol Flynn.

Hotel Napoleon Paris was constructed during an era marked by global industrialization following World War I and before World War II. Nicknamed “The Place” by Errol Flynn, Hotel Napoleon Paris quickly became a hotspot for Paris’ social elite at the beginning of the 20th century. Shortly after the hotel opened in 1928, the hotel was purchased by wealthy Russian businessman Alexandre Pavlovitch Kliaguine as a wedding gift for his young French bride. Mrs. Kliaguine used the space to hone her art skills, and the couple resided at the hotel for the rest of their lives. Hotel Napoleon has served as the location for a variety of films, namely Jean Gabin motion pictures from the 1930s. Bequeathed among many generations within the Kliaguine family, the hotel continues to be a celebrated holiday destination in downtown Paris.

an aerial view of a city
a person standing on a ledge overlooking a city

Hotel Timeline

The Martinez group commissioned architect Henri Porteau to build a luxury residence on the former site of the Count Tolstoi private mansion near the Arc de Triomphe.

The hotel opened in 1928 as an Art Deco “hôtel de charme” near the Champs-Élysées and Arc de Triomphe. Shortly after opening, wealthy Russian businessman Alexandre Pavlovitch Kliaguine purchased the hotel as a wedding gift for his young French bride, establishing the family ownership legacy.

The property evolved from an “hôtel de charme” into an “hôtel de luxe” and earned recognition as a “petit palace.”

Hotel Napoleon served as a filming location for French cinema, including motion pictures associated with actor Jean Gabin.

The hotel became a Parisian social landmark, welcoming notable guests such as Errol Flynn, Orson Welles, Ernest Hemingway, Miles Davis, Josephine Baker, and Salvador Dalí.

The hotel remained within the Kliaguine family across generations, preserving its romantic origin story and independent Parisian character.

Hotel Napoleon Paris was inducted into Historic Hotels Worldwide. Historic Hotels Worldwide is a prestigious collection of historic treasures, including more than 300 legendary historic hotels including many former castles, chateaus, palaces, academies, haciendas, villas, monasteries, and other historic lodging spanning ten centuries.

The French Agency of Tourist Development classified the hotel as a five-star hotel.

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Famous Historic Guests
  • Errol Flynn, renowned actor celebrated for his roles in The Adventures of Robin Hood and Captain Blood.