A hundred years
A rich history
From Orléans, France, to San Francisco — and a hotel restored one room at a time.
-
1910
Built by A. W. Pattiani
The building goes up on Bush Street, a few years after the earthquake and fire of 1906 that had ravaged the area. It is later registered on the National Register of Historic Places as part of the Lower Nob Hill Apartment Hotel District.
-
1970s
The Lamberts arrive from Orléans
Claude and Micheline Lambert come to San Francisco from their native Orléans with their five-year-old daughter Sabine, in pursuit of prosperity in America. They start work for room and board in a dilapidated establishment — which they then diligently renovate, and eventually buy.
-
Over years
A true labour of love
They redecorate every room, one by one. They collect and frame the French art prints that still hang throughout the hotel, and add the endless small touches that give the place its European flavour. Turning it into a slice of France in the middle of San Francisco takes a very long time.
-
1994
Claude and Micheline Lambert Day
On 14 July — Bastille Day — the Mayor of San Francisco names the date in the Lamberts' honour, for their ongoing contribution to the Franco-American community. Mr Lambert has by then held an important position at the local French school, the Petite École Française, and taught at the Alliance Française.
-
2019
Chevalier de l'Ordre du Mérite
On 26 September, Mr Lambert receives the Insignia of Chevalier de l'Ordre du Mérite from the French Government, in recognition of his contributions to the French community in America.
On the walls
A different artist on every floor
The hallways carry fine prints from a different avant-garde artist on each floor — Modigliani, Matisse, Chagall, Gauguin, Toulouse-Lautrec. They were collected and framed by the Lamberts over many years, and they are the reason the building feels the way it does.
The architecture is French Colonial, and the aim throughout has been the experience of a hotel on the Rive Gauche. Extensive renovations over the years have added modern comfort while keeping the original character intact.
See the rooms
Come and see it
50 rooms, breakfast in the morning, and a hundred years of someone else's care.
Check availability