The Ritz Paris puts collectables up for auction
The Ritz Paris stands as an enduring symbol of Parisian luxury, and for collectors and aficionados, an extraordinary opportunity arose to acquire exclusive relics from its illustrious past.
Imagine acquiring a plush divan once frequented by literary titan Marcel Proust, or a bar stool that supported the likes of Ernest Hemingway and F. Scott Fitzgerald during their storied sojourns in the 1920s. At the auction, more than 3,500 one-of-a-kind artifacts—each with a storied provenance—were made available, offering discerning buyers a tangible connection to over a century of hospitality excellence.
The event, held from April 17-21 and expertly managed by the renowned auction house Artcurial, followed the tradition of previous high-profile sales, including those of Hotel de Crillon, Plaza Athenee, and the Hotel de Paris in Monaco.
Occupying the prestigious address of 15 Place Vendome, The Ritz Paris has long been synonymous with glamour and history. Over the decades, it has welcomed a constellation of notable guests—among them Princess Diana, who famously dined here with Dodi al-Fayed, son of the hotel’s then-owner, on the eve of her untimely passing.
Founded by visionary Swiss hotelier César Ritz in 1898, the property underwent a meticulous four-year restoration and reopened in 2016, unveiling 142 sumptuous rooms and suites, many dedicated to legendary residents such as Coco Chanel and Maria Callas. The renovation set new standards in luxury hospitality, blending heritage with contemporary amenities.
The auction catalogue featured extraordinary items, from a Louis XVI-inspired pet bed and a vintage barber’s chair to a Ritz-monogrammed minibar and three iconic bar stools, each with its own narrative woven into the fabric of Parisian society. The collection was anticipated to yield between 1 and 1.5 million euros, a testament to the enduring allure of the Ritz name.
