HOTEL VERNET RESTORES JEAN-MICHEL ALBEROLA’S FRESCO

PRESERVING AN ARTWORK
prolonging a story

Just a few weeks before the 2026 European Heritage Days, Hotel Vernet is restoring the monumental fresco that adorns the ceiling of its bar. The restoration is being carried out by Jean-Michel Alberola’s daughter, under the artist’s supervision.

The project aims to preserve an artwork that has become inseparable from the hotel’s identity. It also reflects a vision of heritage as a living legacy, one that must be cared for so that it can continue to be admired and passed on.

A SIGNATURE ARTWORK
on the bar ceiling

The first thing to do is look up. Above the bar, abstract shapes, geometric lines and bold colours create an unexpected graphic composition.

Jean-Michel Alberola’s fresco covers the ceiling and transforms the entire room. It is not simply displayed in the bar: it was conceived in dialogue with its architecture.

On the floor, a large carpet, also designed by the artist, echoes the same shapes and visual language. The patterns respond to one another from ceiling to floor.

Between the two, the Carrara marble bar designed by François Champsaur, touches of copper, wood panelling and soft lighting create a warm atmosphere. The overall effect is more reminiscent of a collector’s private residence than a traditional hotel bar.

The fresco is therefore far more than a decorative feature. It guides the eye and gives the room its distinctive character.

RESTORING
without erasing time

Restoring a contemporary mural requires great precision. The aim is neither to transform the artwork nor to make it appear new.

The objective is to preserve its composition, colours and visual balance. Every intervention must also respect the relationship between the fresco, the carpet, the bar counter and the historic proportions of the room.

The restoration therefore makes it possible to preserve the artwork without completely erasing the traces of time.

“Jean-Michel Alberola’s fresco is an integral part of Hotel Vernet’s identity. Its restoration is not simply about preserving an artwork: it allows us to pass on the history of the property and keep alive the dialogue between our historic architecture and contemporary creation.” — Stéphanie Pinceloup, General Manager

A TRANSMISSION
as close as possible to the artist

The restoration is being carried out by Jean-Michel Alberola’s daughter, under the artist’s supervision. This collaboration gives the project a particularly meaningful dimension.

It allows the team to work as closely as possible with the original artwork and to respect the artist’s intentions. The colours, lines and different balances within the composition can therefore be restored with direct knowledge of his work.

Born in 1953 in Saïda, Algeria, Jean-Michel Alberola lives and works in Paris. His work encompasses painting, drawing, text, film, neon and installation.

His practice often brings together figuration, abstraction and conceptual reflection. In his murals, architecture is not simply a support. It becomes an integral part of the artwork.

FROM PARISIAN ARCHITECTURE
to the Modern Art Story

Founded in 1913, Hotel Vernet occupies a cut-stone Parisian building designed by architect Albert-Joseph Sélonier.

To mark the hotel’s centenary, François Champsaur was commissioned to reinterpret its interiors. The designer preserved the building’s historic foundations while introducing contemporary forms, distinctive materials and artworks conceived specifically for each space.

Jean-Michel Alberola’s fresco is one of the key elements of this Modern Art Story.

In the bar, its lines and colours interact with marble, copper and wood. At Le V restaurant, the monumental glass roof created by master glassmaker Charles Champigneulle, on a structure attributed to Gustave Eiffel, brings natural light to the contemporary furnishings.

Hotel Vernet therefore stands apart from the grand traditional hotels around the Champs-Élysées. Here, the historic architecture remains visible, while being enhanced by contemporary design and art.

AN ECHO
of the 2026 European Heritage Days

The restoration is due to be completed a few weeks before the European Heritage Days, taking place on 19 and 20 September 2026.

It echoes one of the themes of this year’s edition: “Heritage at risk: revive, resist, reimagine.”

The project serves as a reminder that heritage is not limited to historic monuments. A contemporary artwork integrated into a living space can also become a legacy worth preserving.

Restoring the fresco does not mean freezing the hotel in its past. On the contrary, it allows the artwork to continue living in the present.

Preserving Jean-Michel Alberola’s fresco therefore means extending the artistic history of Hotel Vernet and maintaining the dialogue between Parisian architecture, design and contemporary creation.

DISCOVER
the fresco at Hotel Vernet

The fresco can be discovered at the Hotel Vernet bar, around a five-minute walk from the Arc de Triomphe and just steps from the Champs-Élysées.

The bar welcomes both hotel guests and outside visitors wishing to enjoy a drink or discover its artistic world.

Ideal for

• a cultural break in the Golden Triangle
• a business meeting in a discreet setting
• a cocktail after an exhibition or a day of shopping
• lovers of contemporary art, design and Parisian architecture

Practical information

• Address: Hotel Vernet, 25 rue Vernet, 75008 Paris
• Bar opening hours: daily from 10 am to 11 pm
• Access: George V and Charles-de-Gaulle–Étoile metro stations
• Also worth discovering: Le V restaurant, located beneath the hotel’s historic glass roof

FAQ

Is Hotel Vernet a design hotel?

Yes. Hotel Vernet combines an early 20th-century Parisian building with contemporary interiors designed by François Champsaur. Carrara marble, copper, wood, bespoke furniture and artworks create a dialogue between historic architecture and contemporary design.

Why is Jean-Michel Alberola’s fresco being restored?

The restoration helps preserve the composition, colours and balance of the original artwork. It also maintains the visual connection between the ceiling fresco, the carpet designed by the artist and the bar as a whole.

Can you see the fresco without staying at Hotel Vernet?

Yes. The fresco is located on the ceiling of the bar. The bar welcomes both hotel guests and outside visitors wishing to enjoy a drink, subject to availability.

What sets Hotel Vernet apart from other hotels near the Champs-Élysées?

Hotel Vernet integrates art into its living spaces. Jean-Michel Alberola’s fresco, the artworks displayed throughout the hotel, François Champsaur’s design and the restaurant’s historic glass roof create a constant dialogue between Parisian heritage and contemporary creation.

How far is Hotel Vernet from the Arc de Triomphe?

The Arc de Triomphe is around a five-minute walk from Hotel Vernet. The Champs-Élysées, Avenue George V and the main addresses of the Golden Triangle are also within walking distance.