Opened at the dawn of the 20th century, in 1898, the legendary Ritz Paris immediately established itself as a pioneer in the luxury hotel industry. It was, in fact, the very first hotel in the world to equip every room with a private bathroom and to provide electricity on every floor. But its avant-garde spirit didn’t stop there: it was also one of the first to incorporate an exclusive retail space within its walls. We owe the creation of an elegant shopping arcade on the ground floor to Marie-Louise Ritz, the wife of founder César Ritz. Heavily inspired by the Parisian covered arcades lining the gardens of the Palais Royal, this passageway—enhanced by refined woodwork and lit by authentic streetlamps—quickly earned the charming nickname “gallery of temptations.”
A Renaissance Illuminated by Light
When the legendary palace closed its doors for a massive €450 million renovation between 2012 and 2016, its famous gallery was the focus of all attention. The historic display cases were meticulously restored, while the space was redesigned to gracefully open onto the outdoor gardens through majestic floor-to-ceiling windows. Today, hotel guests can easily fill their Rimowa suitcases and Birkin bags without even having to set foot in the boutiques of nearby Place Vendôme.
A showcase for exceptional brands
As you stroll through these prestigious corridors, you’ll discover fine jewelry pieces by Buccellati, alongside delicate Limoges porcelain from Haviland and elegant eyewear by EB Meyrowitz. The street also features sparkling jewelry boutiques, such as Tasaki and Dolce & Gabbana Jewelry. Refinement is evident in every detail: tea and coffee lovers will head to the TWG tea lounge or the Moroccan brand Bacha Coffee, renowned for its premium beans. The hotel’s concept store is no exception, offering sumptuous Egyptian cotton bathrobes as well as home fragrances diffusing the palace’s signature scent, Ambre Péristyle. Beyond shopping, the venue cultivates the French art of living by hosting the Ritz Escoffier culinary school and, since 2021, its own gourmet destination on Rue Cambon, the Ritz Paris Le Comptoir, led by pastry chef Joris Theysset.
Sustainable luxury and the art of prolonging the dream
Under the leadership of Maddalena Barile, retail director, the hotel has taken a bold creative turn by developing ultra-limited-edition collections born from the repurposing of items from the palace. Having noticed that the hotel possessed a large stock of broken porcelain, she unveiled in 2024 a series of jewelry pieces crafted by La Fabrique Nomade. These one-of-a-kind pieces are crafted from fragments of the legendary Marthe tableware set, designed by César Ritz himself in 1898. This upcycling initiative also led to the creation of hand-embroidered tote bags, made from the palace’s old bedspreads, curtains, and cushions. They were an instant hit during their limited launch last year. “The idea is to allow our guests to take a piece of the hotel home with them,” says the director, emphasizing her desire to extend the magic of their stay and their Parisian getaway. As she likes to say: “The Ritz is Paris, and Paris is embodied at the Ritz.”
Three exclusive gems to discover on site
Whether it’s flavors, fragrances, or fashion, here are a few collaborations and innovations that make this gallery an unparalleled shopping destination:
Coffee excellence with Bacha Coffee
A true institution hailing from Marrakech and renowned for its catalog of over two hundred varieties of beans from around the world, the brand chose the Parisian palace’s gallery to open its very first boutique on the European continent in 2022.
The olfactory signature: the Ambre Péristyle diffuser
This home fragrance allows you to recreate the palace’s unique atmosphere in your own home. It subtly blends amber notes with a touch of jasmine and black pepper, all housed in an elegant bottle adorned with a detail reminiscent of the keys to the hotel’s historic suites.
The reimagined cashmere sailor sweater
The result of an ongoing partnership with the Californian label Frame, this striped cashmere turtleneck, discreetly embellished with sequins, embodies casual chic. The piece features a subtle hotel logo on the front, as well as the César Ritz coat of arms delicately integrated into the back.