CHÂTEAU VOLTAIRE has become our home away from home for LOVEWANT during Paris Fashion Week.
Time to read
5 min
Time to read
5 min
Amanda Sanchez photographed at Chateau Voltaire
So some people have their café. Some have their table. But me, I have this hotel. Every season, as the collections begin, invitations pile up at the front desk, and the city shifts into its familiar sublime and chaortic rhythm. This is when I find myself returning to Château Voltaire. Now thsi place is not the grandest hotel in Paris. Quite the opposite, it is petite. And thats what I love about it.
The interiors of Château Voltaire are special because they achieve something remarkably difficult:.
They feel both refined and yet very lived in. Designed by interior architecture studio Festen, the spaces avoid the polished perfection that often defines luxury hotels. The rooms are layered with antiques, custom furniture, rich fabrics, aged timber, travantine and carefully selected artworks that create the feeling of a private Parisian residence. Every corner offers texture, depth and above all, an atmosphere. Light falls across linen curtains, worn velvet absorbs colour beautifully, and the muted palette allows for me, fashion, beauty and portraiture to remain the focus. Nothing feels distracting, yet everything contributes to the image here.
The interiors of Château Voltaire are special because they achieve something remarkably difficult:.
They feel both refined and yet very lived in. Designed by interior architecture studio Festen, the spaces avoid the polished perfection that often defines luxury hotels. The rooms are layered with antiques, custom furniture, rich fabrics, aged timber, travantine and carefully selected artworks that create the feeling of a private Parisian residence. Every corner offers texture, depth and above all, an atmosphere. Light falls across linen curtains, worn velvet absorbs colour beautifully, and the muted palette allows for me, fashion, beauty and portraiture to remain the focus. Nothing feels distracting, yet everything contributes to the image here.
The luxury of Château Voltaire is that it does not feels like a hotel at all. Strange right. Hidden between the Tuileries, the Louvre and Opéra, the property occupies three historic buildings that have been stitched together into something distinctly Parisian: elegant and sophisticated without announcing itself. The hotel was conceived by Thierry Gillier, founder of Zadig & Voltaire, alongside artistic director Franck Durand and architecture studio Festen. It was imagined as a contemporary Parisian house rather than a traditional luxury hotel. Parigi has perhaps far too many of those, so that difference matters.
Joanna Halpin photographed in Room 31 at Chateau Voltaire
Photographing friends of LOVEWANT at Château Voltaire always feels especially meaningful because the hotel possesses that sense of intimacy. When I photographed Joanna Halpin there, it never felt like a traditional fashion shoot. The setting encouraged something more personal. The rooms, the light and the atmosphere allow people to relax into themselves, revealing moments that feel genuine rather than performative. Joanna's effortless grace was perfectly suited to the hotel’s sophistication, and the resulting images felt like a portrait of a friend passing through Paris. That ability to create work that feels both elevated and deeply personal is one of the reasons Château Voltaire continues to play such an important role in the visual world of LOVEWANT.
Joanna Halpin photographed in Room 31 at Chateau Voltaire
Photographing friends of LOVEWANT at Château Voltaire always feels especially meaningful because the hotel possesses that sense of intimacy. When I photographed Joanna Halpin there, it never felt like a traditional fashion shoot. The setting encouraged something more personal. The rooms, the light and the atmosphere allow people to relax into themselves, revealing moments that feel genuine rather than performative. Joanna's effortless grace was perfectly suited to the hotel’s sophistication, and the resulting images felt like a portrait of a friend passing through Paris. That ability to create work that feels both elevated and deeply personal is one of the reasons Château Voltaire continues to play such an important role in the visual world of LOVEWANT.
One of our favourite memories at Château Voltaire took place in Room 31, where we photographed a Chanel Beauty story with Heather Kemesky. There is a particular quality to the light in that room. Soft, directional and unmistakably Parisian. The kind of light photographers spend entire careers chasing. With its muted palette, marble fireplace and residential intimacy, the space felt less like a hotel suite and more like a private apartment suspended above the city.
For Chanel Beauty, that atmosphere was exactly what we were looking for. The story was never about excess. It was about modern femininity, ease and confidence. Heather brought a quiet elegance to the images, while the room provided a sense of authenticity that cannot be manufactured on a set. Some locations simply become part of a publication's visual language. Room 31 at Château Voltaire is one of those places for LOVEWANT. Every time we return, it reminds us that the most memorable fashion and beauty imagery often comes from spaces that feel lived in, personal and real.
The location is another part of the hotel's appeal. Tucked away on Rue Saint-Roch in Paris's 1st arrondissement, Château Voltaire sits at the crossroads of some of the city's most iconic neighbourhoods. The Tuileries Gardens, Palais Royal, Place Vendôme and Rue Saint-Honoré are all within walking distance, making it an ideal base during Fashion Week and beyond. What we love most is that despite being in the very heart of Paris, the surrounding streets retain a sense of calm and intimacy. It feels connected to everything, yet somehow removed from the noise, allowing you to experience the city as both a visitor and a local.
A special mention must go to the team at Château Voltaire.
In an industry built around hospitality, truly memorable service is surprisingly rare. What makes Château Voltaire exceptional is not simply the beautiful interiors or perfect location, but the people who bring the hotel to life. There is a genuine warmth that runs through every interaction. The team somehow manages to strike that uniquely Parisian balance of professionalism, discretion and effortless charm.
Season after season, they welcome us back as though we are returning friends rather than guests. They remember the details that matter, anticipate needs before they arise and create an atmosphere that feels deeply personal. For a publication constantly moving between cities, shows and deadlines, that sense of familiarity is invaluable.
Hotels are often defined by their architecture. The great ones are defined by their people. Château Voltaire belongs firmly in the latter category, and it is one of the many reasons we continue to return whenever we are in Paris.
As you fairly surely know, Paris Fashion Week is a strange theatre. Days are spent moving between show venues, appointments, dinners and chance encounters. The city becomes crowded with people all chasing the same thing. In that environment, the last thing we want is another scene. Château Voltaire offers an escape from the performance. The lobby is the living room of an impossibly well-travelled friend. The rooms are individual rather than uniform. Nothing feels over-designed. There are velvet sofas worn in just enough, books that appear to have been chosen , the odd copy of LOVEWANT tucked into a chair, and a sense that every object has earned its place. The 32 rooms were designed to feel personal.
Heather Kemesky shot in Room 25
Heather Kemesky in Room 25 remains one of those rare photographs where everything aligned perfectly. The room possesses an almost cinematic vibe, with soft natural light pouring through the windows and settling gently across every surface throughout the day. Heather brought a rawness and confidence that felt entirely at home within the space. There was no need for elaborate production or excessive styling. The beauty came from the simplicity of the moment: exceptional light, an extraordinary subject and a room that is in all respects more a private Parisian apartment, not a hotel suite. Looking back at the images, what stands out is their sense of friendship and trust. They capture the kind of Paris we are always searching for, intimate, sophisticated and effortless. Room 25 has become something of a lucky charm for LOVEWANT, but it was Heather who transformed it into a truly unforgettable image.
Heather Kemesky shot in Room 25
Heather Kemesky in Room 25 remains one of those rare photographs where everything aligned perfectly. The room possesses an almost cinematic vibe, with soft natural light pouring through the windows and settling gently across every surface throughout the day. Heather brought a rawness and confidence that felt entirely at home within the space. There was no need for elaborate production or excessive styling. The beauty came from the simplicity of the moment: exceptional light, an extraordinary subject and a room that is in all respects more a private Parisian apartment, not a hotel suite. Looking back at the images, what stands out is their sense of friendship and trust. They capture the kind of Paris we are always searching for, intimate, sophisticated and effortless. Room 25 has become something of a lucky charm for LOVEWANT, but it was Heather who transformed it into a truly unforgettable image.
The Chateau is where meetings happen over breakfast, in Brasserie L'Émil downstairs. Writers drift through the restaurant.. Photographers stop by for coffee. Friends appear unexpectedly at the bar.. By the second day in Paris, it feels like home again. From Château Voltaire, Paris unfolds in every direction.
Yilan Hua photographed by Bartolomeo Ceelstino
Yilan Hua photographed by Bartolomeo Ceelstino
In Room 25 at Chateau Voltaire
In Room 25 at Chateau Voltaire
One of the unexpected pleasures of staying at Château Voltaire is the people watching. Creatives, designers, editors, artists and cultural figures. On any given visit, you might find yourself sharing the lobby, restaurant or terrace with some of fashion and culture's most influential names.
We've spotted figures such as Baz Luhrmann and Anna Wintour passing through, yet what makes the hotel special is how understated it all feels. There are no velvet ropes, no grand entrances, no sense of spectacle. Everythigb happens under the watchful eys of the front desk. Everyone simply becomes part of the rhythm of the house. It creates a uniquely creative atmosphere where remarkable conversations, chance encounters and unexpected inspiration feel entirely possible.
One of the unexpected pleasures of staying at Château Voltaire is the people watching. Creatives, designers, editors, artists and cultural figures. On any given visit, you might find yourself sharing the lobby, restaurant or terrace with some of fashion and culture's most influential names.
We've spotted figures such as Baz Luhrmann and Anna Wintour passing through, yet what makes the hotel special is how understated it all feels. There are no velvet ropes, no grand entrances, no sense of spectacle. Everythigb happens under the watchful eys of the front desk. Everyone simply becomes part of the rhythm of the house. It creates a uniquely creative atmosphere where remarkable conversations, chance encounters and unexpected inspiration feel entirely possible.
It has perhaps become one of Paris fashion's preferred addresses while somehow retaining the warmth of a private residence. Perhaps that is what keeps drawing us back. In a city built on spectacle, Château Voltaire understands restraint. It understands that privacy is important. It is about how a place makes you feel when nobody is looking too. And every season, somewhere between the first espresso of the morning and the last conversation at La Coquille d'Or, we are reminded why it remains our Paris address of choice.
As editors, we are incredibly selective about where we photograph. A location has to do more than look beautiful. It needs to support the story, respect the creative process and consistently deliver. Château Voltaire has earned our trust because it does all three. The interiors are timeless rather than trend driven, the light is exceptional, and every space offers a sense of authenticity that translates effortlessly on camera. Just as importantly, the team understands the needs of photographers, stylists, talent and editors. There is a calmness to the hotel that allows creativity to flourish. Whether we are producing an intimate beauty story, a fashion editorial or a portrait session, we know Château Voltaire will provide the atmosphere, flexibility and elegance required to create meaningful work. In a city filled with beautiful locations, that reliability is rare, and it is why we return season after season with complete confidence.
As editors, we are incredibly selective about where we photograph. A location has to do more than look beautiful. It needs to support the story, respect the creative process and consistently deliver. Château Voltaire has earned our trust because it does all three. The interiors are timeless rather than trend driven, the light is exceptional, and every space offers a sense of authenticity that translates effortlessly on camera. Just as importantly, the team understands the needs of photographers, stylists, talent and editors. There is a calmness to the hotel that allows creativity to flourish. Whether we are producing an intimate beauty story, a fashion editorial or a portrait session, we know Château Voltaire will provide the atmosphere, flexibility and elegance required to create meaningful work. In a city filled with beautiful locations, that reliability is rare, and it is why we return season after season with complete confidence.
Another memorable chapter in our relationship with Château Voltaire was photographing Amanda Sanchez within its quietly cinematic interiors. Where the Chanel Beauty story with Heather Kemesky was defined by softness and intimacy, Amanda brought a different energy. There was a confidence and modernity that felt perfectly suited to the hotel's understated elegance. The worn velvet, warm timber, filtered Parisian light and layered textures created a backdrop that never competed for attention, allowing the personality of the subject to remain at the centre of the frame.
What we have always loved about Château Voltaire is its ability to transform with each story. The same room can feel romantic one season, intellectual the next, and effortlessly sensual the season after that. Amanda's story captured that versatility beautifully. The images felt less like a fashion shoot and more like a glimpse into a moment in Paris, which is often the feeling we are searching for at LOVEWANT. It is why we continue to return. Beyond being our preferred address during Paris Fashion Week, Château Voltaire has become woven into the visual history of the publication. From our favorite portrait sessions, to some of our most enduring images have been created within its walls.
What I appreciate most is that the interiors possess character without imposing themselves on an image. They provide a sense of place. You know immediately that you are in Paris, but not in the clichéd sense of the city. It is a more intimate, intellectual and residential vision of Paris, a place to rendevous. I never work with assistants or large teams, so you'd be mistaken that even seing me and a friend walk through the foyer that we where making a picture. For LOVEWANT, that authenticity is invaluable. The Chateau is my assistant and collaborator in the creative process. Bringing warmth, history and a distinctly Parisian sensibility that cannot be recreated in elsewhere, allowing every picture captured privately and discretely behind its walls to feel both timeless and deeply connected to the city itself.
