Céline Falco takes us behind the scenes of the iconic hotel Maison Albar Le Vendome

Céline Falco takes us behind the scenes of the iconic hotel Maison Albar Le Vendome - 2
Céline Falco takes us behind the scenes of the iconic hotel Maison Albar Le Vendome - 3
Céline Falco takes us behind the scenes of the iconic hotel Maison Albar Le Vendome - 4
Céline Falco takes us behind the scenes of the iconic hotel Maison Albar Le Vendome - 5

Have you always dreamed of taking a private tour of a palace? It was in one of her Parisian hotels that we met Céline Falco, co-founder of the Paris Inn Group and leader of the Maison Albar hotel group. Thanks to the care and attention dedicated to the decoration of each one, the Maisons Albar establishments are much more than just hotels. Between art and architecture, they reinvent the history of iconic places thanks to the visions of the sharpest designers of the moment. Let us be your guide…

1. Hello Céline, thank you for welcoming us to Maison Albar Le Vendome! Let's talk briefly about you… You are the fourth generation of the Albar hoteliers, does your passion for hospitality run in the family? Was it an easy choice?

Good Morning, I am from a family of hoteliers that began with my great-grandmother 100 years ago in 1923. I grew up in the hotel world, but I also have a real passion for cosmetics and beauty. I started to study it, but I quickly realised that I would prefer to put into practice my knowledge of hospitality that I had accumulated throughout my childhood! I am glad and proud to contribute to the family history.

2. You have renovated many establishments and have always placed a great importance on design. Where does your passion come from? How do you find new inspiration? 

I have always loved to work, it likely comes from my father who was the architect during the renovation of his hotels. As a young child, I loved it. Today, I'm very much involved in the design phases. I love brainstorming, imagining, rethinking, trying to invent... The Maison Albar Hotels are living places, we want our guests to feel at home here, the spaces must be fluid while remaining cosy, chic and elegant. When it comes to design, it is above all a question of feeling when meeting with the architects. If I like their style, I give them carte blanche. The only absolute must is to retain the feeling of the place, to transform it while keeping its soul and magnifying it.

Céline Falco takes us behind the scenes of the iconic hotel Maison Albar Le Vendome - 6
Céline Falco takes us behind the scenes of the iconic hotel Maison Albar Le Vendome - 7

3. Which famous or emerging contemporary artists have inspired you? Interior designers, architects, painters...

I love architecture, I never tire of discovering new cities, for instance I love the works of Frank Gehry, Zaha Hadid, Jean Nouvel and Norman Foster. I am incredibly impressed by human creativity and how we are always reinventing ourselves! 

4. What is the history of the Maison Albar Le Vendome? Did this influence your choice in interior designer, Fabien Roque?

In the past, the Maison was an old Parisian brasserie 'Le Lyon d'Or'. This hotel, restaurant and cabaret welcomed a refined elite. The customers were wealthy, trendy and had great taste in art. We have kept the amazing golden lettering on the front of the building, originally created by Claude David in 1880.

Fabien Roque instantly recognised the potential of the place and has tried to bring back that old spirit of intimacy, luxury and amazement. The setting is intimate, decorated in gold and green, and furnished with sumptuous velvet fabrics and marble.

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Céline Falco takes us behind the scenes of the iconic hotel Maison Albar Le Vendome - 9

5. What role does art play in your hotel? What pieces (objects, paintings, sculptures, furniture...) might we come across?

Fabien Roque wished to make a nod to the hotel's past, for example you will find a feline silhouette of the golden lion made by the artist Philippe Buil in the lobby of the hotel.

6. Are you an art collector? If so, what are the favourite works or artists in your collection? 

I really enjoy the artworks in my hotels. There are so many different styles. Take Buil and Orlinski in Paris or Claude Viallat at the Imperator in Nîmes, for example. At home, I have an amazing canvas by Charles Fazzino. I discovered this artist in New York.

7. Where is the most inspiring cultural place in France for you? And in the world?

I love to travel and each of my travels is a source of inspiration, the hotels where I stay always provide me with new ideas. In France, there are a multitude of places, each one more beautiful than the next, and our top-of-the-range hotels are remarkable.

Abroad, New York is my favourite city, the only place I could have lived outside of Paris. I've been going there at least once a year for more than 15 years to recharge my batteries. Every time I go for a walk I make a new discovery, it's an amazing city!

Céline Falco takes us behind the scenes of the iconic hotel Maison Albar Le Vendome - 10
Céline Falco takes us behind the scenes of the iconic hotel Maison Albar Le Vendome - 11

Their favorite artworks

Print, Sans titre, Keith Haring

Sans titre

Keith Haring

Print - 70 x 70 cm

Sold

Painting, This one Flipped, JonOne

This one Flipped

JonOne

Painting - 112 x 180 x 3 cm

$28,233

Sculpture, Wild Panther, Richard Orlinski

Wild Panther

Richard Orlinski

Sculpture - 32 x 73 x 16 cm

$19,932

Print, Sans titre, Claude Viallat

Sans titre

Claude Viallat

Print - 78 x 51 x 0.2 cm

Sold

Painting, PP018/2007, Claude Viallat

PP018/2007

Claude Viallat

Painting - 99 x 70 x 0.1 cm

Sold

Print, Best Buddies, Keith Haring

Best Buddies

Keith Haring

Print - 66 x 81.3 cm

Price upon request

Print, Best of Boca, Charles Fazzino

Best of Boca

Charles Fazzino

Print - 55.9 x 77.5 x 3 cm

$3,388

Painting, My feelings, JonOne

My feelings

JonOne

Painting - 94 x 70 x 3 cm

Sold

Sculpture, Wild Kong, Richard Orlinski

Wild Kong

Richard Orlinski

Sculpture - 37 x 28 x 13 cm

Sold

Sculpture, Tête de Lion, Philippe Buil

Tête de Lion

Philippe Buil

Sculpture - 96 x 65 x 38 cm

$14,681