France’s first floating hotel has opened in Paris, giving visitors a chance to enjoy a riviera lifestyle in the heart of the capital. Launched in June, the stylish and contemporary OFF Seine hotel is on a purpose-built barge docked on the Seine.
The 58-room hotel, with doubles from £140 a night, was designed by the team at floating architecture specialist Seine Design. Docked near the Gare d’Austerlitz, it is now the largest boat moored in the city.
Guests will have views along the river while lounging besides the hotel dipping pool. There is also a cocktail and tapas bar, which is open to non-residents.
The hotel is the latest addition to a growing number of offerings found along the Seine, as the city continues to develop its riverside as a destination. Launched in 2002, and expanded in 2007, the Paris-Plages project has helped develop the banks of the Seine as an urban beach. Three years ago the redeveloped Berges de Seine, a riverside promenade, was opened, while mayor Anne Hidalgo has promised to make swimming in the river possible by 2024.
