La Fantaisie

A Garden Hidden in the City

On the charming Rue Cadet in Paris’s 9th arrondissement, La Fantaisie feels like an unexpected discovery. Behind its elegant façade lies a hotel inspired by the neighbourhood’s historic gardens rather than the city’s grand boulevards. Martin Brudnizki imagined the building unfolding like a flower, beginning deep below ground in the spa before rising through lush public spaces towards one of Paris’s most inviting rooftop terraces. Nature shapes the entire experience. Not simply the decoration.

Martin Brudnizki in Bloom

Known for richly layered hospitality interiors around the world, Brudnizki approaches Paris with remarkable confidence. Soft corals, leafy greens, buttery yellows, floral wallpapers, vintage-inspired furniture, patterned fabrics, and sculptural lighting create spaces that feel exuberant without becoming overwhelming. Palm Springs influences mingle effortlessly with classic Parisian details, while natural light and abundant planting soften every room. The hotel feels theatrical. Yet never artificial.

Rooms with a Softer Rhythm

The 63 guestrooms and 10 suites offer a more restrained interpretation of the botanical theme. Gentle shades of green and yellow combine with tactile walls, natural fibres, bespoke furniture, china lamps decorated with climbing plants, fresh flowers, and handcrafted details. Many rooms feature balconies overlooking Rue Cadet or the secret courtyard, while the suites extend outdoors onto private terraces filled with greenery. Everything feels optimistic. Wonderfully unforced.

A Garden at Every Level

The hotel’s hidden courtyard forms its quiet centre. Surrounded by mature planting, scalloped parasols, and intimate seating, it offers a rare pocket of calm in central Paris. Below, the Holidermie spa continues the conversation through botanical mosaics, mineral pools, saunas, and plant-based wellness rituals. Above, the rooftop bar looks across the rooftops towards Sacré-Cœur, framed by trees and lush planting. The building truly unfolds like a garden. From basement to skyline.

Playful Dining

Food follows the same imaginative spirit. Golden Poppy, created with chef Dominique Crenn, celebrates refined pescatarian cuisine inspired by California, Japan, and France. The adjoining café spills onto Rue Cadet throughout the day, while the rooftop becomes one of the neighbourhood’s most atmospheric places for evening cocktails. Nothing feels overly formal. The emphasis is always on pleasure.

Why It Works

La Fantaisie succeeds because it embraces joy without sacrificing refinement. Martin Brudnizki’s expressive interiors, abundant greenery, thoughtful wellness spaces, and beautifully choreographed public areas create a hotel that feels unlike anywhere else in Paris. It is playful, immersive, and unmistakably optimistic—a garden retreat hidden in the middle of the city.