Built in the 18th century by King Louis XV's chief architect, Ange-Jacques Gabriel, the Hôtel de la Marine was the Crown's Furniture Depository until 1789, then Staff Headquarters of the Navy  for over two centuries. Fully restored by the Centre for National Monuments, the Hôtel de la Marine unveiled its new finery early this summer. The pyramid-shaped glass roof that crowns the Intendant's Courtyard is simply stunning, an architectural gem designed by architect Hugh Dutton in collaboration with Christophe Bottineau, Head Architect for France's Historic Monuments. Endowed with reflection and diffraction elements, its structure captures and diffuses natural light in the courtyard rather like a diamond, all day long.

The Hôtel de la Marine hosts an exceptional heritage. Witnesses to the excellence of French architecture and decoration, many 18th- and 19th-century decors and objects are still preserved here. Two tours are proposed: "Drawing-rooms and loggia" to discover formal reception rooms and one of the most beautiful views of Paris (45 minutes) and the "Grand Tour" to explore the entire building (90 minutes). An immersive experience in both cases thanks to the "Confidant", a connected headset that interacts with mediation tools all over the building. Thanks to binaural sound (or 3D audio), visitors are guided throughout their tour by the voices of people who played a part in the history of the Hôtel de la Marine.

Designed to provide other enjoyable facilities, the Hôtel de la Marine hosts a bookshop-boutique and two addresses for foodies: the Café Lapérouse and a restaurant entrusted to Chef Jean-François Piège.

• 2 place de la Concorde, 75008 Paris
• Open daily, 10.30 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Evening tours on Fridays, until 10 p.m. 
• Informations: hotel-de-la-marine.paris 

Al Thani Collection

One of the world's most prestigious private collections, the Al Thani Collection will be presented on a permanent basis for the next 20 years at the Hôtel de la Marine. Offering a wide diversity of cultures and civilizations, it celebrates creativity and the universal impact of art down the ages.