THE INN CROWD: As it closes its doors for a three-year renovation, the Hôtel Lutetia in Paris is casting off its old things for auction.
In addition to the 3,000 lots of furniture and art pieces including works by the likes of Arman, César and Takis, about 8,000 bottles of fine wines are to go under the hammer from May 19 to 25. All lots will be on display at the hotel from May 15 to 18.
The auction, led by Pierre Bergé & Associés in collaboration with Métayer auction house, is expected to raise about 2 million euros, or $2.8 million at current exchange. Pierre Bergé had been a resident at the Left Bank hotel for 10 years in suite 608, dubbed la “Parisienne.”
Designer Jean-Michel Wilmotte has been solicited for the major revamp of the hotel, whose other famous guests included Pablo Picasso, Ernest Hemingway and James Joyce.
Plans include restoring old frescoes, gilding and moldings; enlarging the brasserie seating to accommodate 240 people and creating a patio at the center of the hotel. A spa and a jazz club with an adjacent library hosting literary and artistic events are also in the works.