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The Cellars Of The Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo Reinvent Themselves

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Published
07/23/2025 by

THE MOINARD BÉTAILLE AGENCY TRANSFORMS A HERITAGE TREASURE INTO AN ULTRA-PRIVATE CLUB FOR THE MOST DISCERNING WINE LOVERS


Ten meters underground, in the heart of the legendary Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo, the famous Cellars of the Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer Group unveil a spectacular metamorphosis. On the occasion of their 150th anniversary, they embark on a new chapter, thanks to the intervention of the architecture firm Moinard Bétaille, which has designed an exceptional project blending heritage, art de vivre, and oenological passion. This new era begins with the creation of the Cercle des Caves, an ultra-private club reserved for true connoisseurs.

THE MOINARD BÉTAILLE VISION: FROM WINE CELLAR TO SENSORY EXPERIENCE

Renowned for its work with prestigious wine estates in Bordeaux and Burgundy, the Moinard Bétaille agency draws constant inspiration from the world of wine. Its ambition here: to transcend a technical space and transform it into a place of contemplation, emotion, and sharing. In line with its previous projects for Monte-Carlo SBM – including the recent Monte-Carlo Cigar Club – the agency has imagined an immersive journey, linking the hushed depths of the cellars to the architectural elegance of the hotel.


TRANSFORMING EUROPE’S LARGEST PRIVATE WINE CELLAR INTO A TRUE TEMPLE

The cellar of the Hôtel de Paris, immense both in scale and in the number of prestigious wines it houses, is also a piece of wine history. From the construction of the iconic Riviera hotel in the 1860s, a vast space was set aside to store and preserve the finest bottles under ideal conditions. During World War II, the most valuable bottles were hidden in a walled-off area to protect them from looting by occupying forces. The cellar’s reputation only grew stronger from this chapter.

A TEMPLE TO WINE, BETWEEN PAST AND PRESENT

Continuously improved and adapted over time to ensure optimal wine conservation, the cellar was in need of a major renovation to reveal its full experiential potential to passionate visitors. For Moinard Bétaille, the challenge was to reconnect it with the life of the hotel, to create a link between the building’s luminous 
architecture and the almost monastic serenity of the wine’s resting place. The goal was also to weave a visual and sensory thread guiding the visitor through every part of the cellar.


OAK AS THE UNIFYING ELEMENT

From the vibrant arrival hall — where professionals handle logistics — to the intimate tasting rooms dedicated to awakening the senses, the entire space is clad in oak. This noble wood is used extensively to cover the walls, creating ideal conditions for wine storage. The vaulted ceilings of the main aisles, reminiscent 
of cathedral naves, echo the rounded staves of barrels. Between them, light from the Côte d’Azur sky filters in, drawing luminous arches. All transitions between spaces flow seamlessly through openings sculpted into the wooden walls. The only exception is the large reception room for meetings and events, whose walls are adorned with light-toned vegetal weavings.


WINE, THE STAR, FROM SHADOW TO LIGHT

A true temple to wine, the Hôtel de Paris cellar elevates its star. In the large aisles, some dedicated to major appellations, the bottles are carefully laid in oak racks, preserved with the utmost rigor. But they also take on a decorative role: at the end of some aisles, illuminated display cases present large-format bottles, arranged as if levitating on invisible stands. In the tasting room, a tall central table — like a circular altar — hosts the ritual of discovery in a spirit of reverence. Adjustable lighting plays with the wine’s robe, revealing its nuances to expert standards. The concealed doors open discreetly into the surrounding walls.


THE MARIE BLANC RESERVE, THE CROWNING JEWEL

And finally, the sanctum sanctorum: the Marie Blanc Reserve, named after the spirited wife of founder François Blanc, welcomes the most prestigious guests. Here, oak wood converses with the raw, noble stone of La Turbie. Nearby, other display cases reveal further treasures, bathed in an almost miraculous light. 
A sophisticated lighting design springs from hundreds of bottle bases perfectly arranged and suspended from the ceiling, like glowing bulbs ready to shine.

A REINVENTED CELLAR, A NEW EXPERIENCE

Completely reimagined by Moinard Bétaille, the Hôtel de Paris cellar — carved into the Riviera yet now more connected to both the land and the iconic hotel — enters a new era. It now offers a journey of emotion, surprise, and wonder.

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