The historic Hôtel Dieu in Lyon has been transformed into a luxury hotel and complex

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Following an extensive four-year restoration, one of Lyon’s most iconic buildings, the Grand Hôtel Dieu on the banks of the Rhone, has been reopened as a striking luxury hotel and complex.

Grand Hôtel Dieu sits on the banks of the Rhone.

Grand Hôtel Dieu sits on the banks of the Rhone. Image by Eric Cuvillier / IHG

Founded in the 12th century, the Hôtel Dieu was formerly a home for French monks before being sold to the city in 1478. It subsequently became a functioning hospital that treated wounded soldiers during WWI, but fell out of use for many years. Built in the heart of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the building has been revamped over recent years in a project that became the largest private transformation of a historic monument carried out in France to date. Now the Grand Hôtel Dieu, the building includes InterContinental Lyon – Hotel Dieu, as well as a selection of restaurants and eateries, gardens, courtyards, offices and boutique shops set over an expansive 51,500 sq metre space.

The expansive building houses hotel rooms, restaurants, and shops.

The expansive building houses hotel rooms, restaurants, and shops. Image by Vincent Ramet-Vue aérienne Cour du Cloitre

InterContinental Lyon – Hotel Dieu was reimagined by interior designer Jean-Philippe Nuel, who worked to maintain the original aesthetic while creating a contemporary design which is rooted in the history of Lyon and the building itself. Due to open this month, the hotel offers stunning views of the Rhone river and of the complex’s gardens, while guests can gaze at the 26m-high dome dating back to the 18th century from inside Le Dôme Bar, a space that originally housed a chapel.

Inside Le Dôme Bar.

Inside Le Dôme Bar. Image by Eric Cuvillier / IHG

The International Gastronomy Centre is also due to open inside Grand Hôtel Dieu this year, an attraction that will promote Lyon’s reputation as a food-lovers destination as well as striving to teach visitors how to eat well and associate food with pleasure. It will include permanent and temporary exhibitions all about regional food, diverse events, workshops and conferences, areas devoted to demonstrations and interactive experiments and a research laboratory for food and health professionals. It will also include restaurants, cafés and gourmet stores.

More information on Grand Hôtel Dieu is available at the official website.

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