A centenary monument
of the city of Paris
Built in 1878 for the Universal Exhibition, this former Chinese Pavilion enjoys an exceptional location in a green setting a stone's throw from the Champs-Elysées Avenue. The richness of its history makes this monument a historic and emblematic venue in Paris.
Today, the Pavillon Dauphine Saint Clair is the Saint Clair reception setting for all your professional and private events.
1878
The Chinese Chinois
It all started on the occasion of the Universal Exhibition of 1878 in Paris where the Pavilion of the Chinese Delegation was built in the Parc du Trocadéro. Designed by the architect Sun-Ksing-Keng, the Chinese Pavilion is covered with pagoda roofs and in its center, a small inner courtyard hosts a kiosk made of curves and delicate carved ornamentation with an exotic character, thus making its success.
On November 13, 1878, when the Universal Exhibition had just closed its doors, the Chinese government offered the Pavilion to the President of the French Republic, who in turn donated it to the City of Paris.avilion.
1881
The establishment at Porte Dauphine
In 1879, the Chinese Pavilion was dismantled, then rebuilt in 1881 at its current location, at the entrance of the main avenue in the Bois de Boulogne.
It thus creates a decorative perspective along the entire length of the avenue through which all walkers and riders go to the woods, and is positioned in front of the station that will give it its name: the Pavillon Dauphine.
On the occasion of its reconstruction, the Chinese Pavilion was transformed into a ‘café-restaurant’. He then worked mainly in the summer months due in particular to his location near the Bois de Boulogne. It quickly gained a wide reputation for the exotic and picturesque appearance of the pavilion.
1912
The Belle Epoque Pavilion
In 1912, the architect Guillaume Tronchet was hired to completely reconsider the building in order to create a new dining room, the current Salon Dauphine.
He built a new monumental stone facade in the Belle Epoque style, combining decorative art with the grand classical style.
All the architectural elements of the former Chinese Pavilion then disappear and are returned to the City of Paris.
The outdoor spaces have been completely redesigned to allow tables to be set up outside during the summer months.
1931
Art Deco inspiration
The Pavillon Dauphine, until then aimed at a summer audience, underwent a complete restructuring in the 1930s in order to receive customers in all seasons.
To the north and south of the current Dauphine salon, two new rooms were built by architects Auguste Prunier and Raymond Delaître in an Art Deco style, the trend of the time. The emphasis is on the decorative aspect of the materials, but also on natural light with glass roofs and a succession of large bay windows.
The current Salon Maillot is positioned as a banquet room, while the winter lounge, the current Salon Passy-Maïté, receives the restaurant's winter clientele thanks to its southern exposure.
The new facades are also worked in a Belle Epoque architecture, similar to that of Tronchet, in order to unify the building and create a true harmony.
1950 - 1975
Arrangements for events
In 1950, the landscape designer Henri Pasquier completely redesigned the exterior spaces and accesses to the Pavillon Dauphine in order to enlarge the terraces and adapt to the development of the automobile to improve the comfort and arrival of customers.
Subsequently, the café-restaurant will become a fully-fledged event reception venue, thus transforming the activity of the Pavillon Dauphine.
In 1975, the interior fittings were modified in order to create a new reception room on level -1, the Salon Longchamp.
2015
The reception house of Saint Clair
The concession for the Pavillon Dauphine was entrusted to Saint Clair in 2015, which undertook major renovation and restoration work the following year.
The exterior spaces offer a new landscaped setting, while the interior living rooms have been completely redesigned for more modularity and adaptability.
A new salon was created, the Salon Foch, as a flexible link between the Passy-Maïté and Maillot salons.
The new decoration of the Passy-Maïté, Foch and Maillot lounges is part of a contemporary spirit, inspired by the original Art Deco style. It pays homage to it through lighting and carpets, but also thanks to the found overhead lighting.
The Salon Dauphine has been restored with the help of the Versailles School of Mural Art in order to restore it to its former beauty.
New modern and high-performance equipment is installed and integrated in each lounge to anchor the Pavillon Dauphine in its time: air conditioning, wifi, sound system, projection screens, lift for people with reduced mobility ...
The Pavillon Dauphine then regained all its original splendor and became the reception setting for Saint Clair, crystallizing nearly 40 years of know-how and expertise in the organization of high-end events in Paris.
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