Springtime has arrived in Paris and, with it, the opening of verdant restaurant terraces and new hotel accommodations. Among the stars is the new Josephine Baker Suite at Oetker Collection’s Le Bristol. The prestigious palace hotel at 112 rue du Faubourg Saint Honoré is showing off a new pied-à-terre on the top floor of the hotel, which commemorates the entertainer, artist and activist. Born in Missouri, Baker became a famous dancer in Paris—remember the banana skirt?—and later worked as a French Resistance agent and civil rights activist. After World War II, she was awarded the Croix de Guerre (given to individuals who distinguish themselves by acts of heroism involving combat with enemy forces) and named Chevalier of the Légion d’honneur.
The suite named in her honor is adorned with portraits of Baker taken at Le Bristol, such as the iconic 1934 portrait by photographer George Hovningen-Huene, which was featured on the “Best of Josephine Baker” album. As quoted by her son Brian Bouillon Baker in the official press release: “As a frequent visitor to Le Bristol Paris, I adore its atmosphere, which is both Parisian and cosmopolitan, refined and generous. This place touches me because it always brings memories of my mother. I am very proud that the Palace chose to honor her memory with its first suite dedicated to an iconic personality.”
In decorating the suite, MM-Design chose rosewood Louis XVI-style furniture, pleated pink lampshades, and fabrics by Manuel Canovas, Pierre Frey and Lori Piana. The spacious bathroom is done up in white marble. Measuring 753 square feet, the Josephine Baker suite can be connected to a Junior Suite to create a single apartment measuring 1,259 square feet. Did we mention the Eiffel Tower views?
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