A place steeped in history

Some people took offence at this new trend, but Francis Scott Fitzgerald and Zelda took to this trendy new venue, attracting all the "Americans of Paris" who introduced delighted Parisians to new and unusual beverages.

Curnonsky, the "Prince of Gastronomes", and Apollinaire discussed cooking, while Degas, already almost blind, sometimes popped-in to savour fine Champagne bubbles.

Ernest Hemingway cultivated his language.

Between two voyages and two conquests, Malraux made it his home port.

Picasso, already well known, and Dali, a budding artist, crossed paths, pretending not recognizing each other.

Tourists savoured rare spirits, some of which were banned during Prohibition in their home countries.

After the Second World War, artists wanted to live "bigger, louder, higher", making Saint-Germain-des-Prés and its cellars the noisy, chattering volcano of the World.

Jean-Paul Sartre and Simone de Beauvoir were its standard-bearers, and Boris Vian its banner.

Jazz, whisky, "Zazous" clothes to provoke the Bourgeois, the fury of living and loving marked the neighbourhood then, and forever.

Tired of being stared at strangely, the intellectuals decided to hide from the tumult and curiosity of journalists and onlookers, and took up residence in the Bar of the Pont Royal Hotel, then located in the basement of the Hotel.

The walls still recall the debates on the Nouveau Roman, the storms after the literary prize awards, the defeats and victories.

Here Francis, the legendary Head Bartender back then, was entrusted with the secrets of alcoves and alliances.

These nights, as white as paper, or as black as ink, saw our heroes of the word apostrophize from table to table. Idylls were forged, hatreds born.

The Hotel, upstairs, was not to be outdone, welcoming Miller, Elliot, Capote, Sartre, Camus, Chandler, Gary and others whom our discretion forbids us to mention.

Since then, the Hotel Pont Royal has retained all its splendour and artistic soul. A strong positioning that enables it to offer a luxurious setting while retaining its authenticity, passed on with passion and hospitality by its team.