Within the realm of French luxury accommodation, artistic quirks have very little wiggle room. There’s a certain expectation one has of a five-star Parisian hotel, for example: light-filled rooms, polished parquet floors, custom-made furniture, gilded woodwork, mirrors and crystal chandeliers. This expectation rarely includes things like smoke machines, sexy nuns, or bondage.

Located in a narrow and otherwise nondescript alley in the Le Marais neighborhood, the new hotel concept from EVOK Hotels Collection lands somewhere between medieval Catholic convent and modern-day dominatrix dungeon. The interiors—by the remarkable and lauded Tristan Auer—feature lantern-lit hallways, cassock-robed staff, doors with suggestively-carved knockers, and a lobby that houses both a confessional booth and a crypt. And don’t forget the smoke machine that blankets everything in a soft, sensuous haze in the evening hours.

The rooms themselves are open, spacious, and modern, with naughty touches here and there, ranging from suggestive photography and all the way to the erotic reading material in the lavatory. (Anatole Desachy, an independent bookseller, collected rare books from various fairs and museums throughout Europe for the hotel’s collection.)

Downstairs, a buzzing bar and restaurants serves patrons late into the night; on weekends, the lobby transforms into a dancefloor, with guests, celebrities and the well-heeled sipping expensive cocktails behind thick velvet curtains.

We spoke with Emmanuel Sauvage, co-founder and Managing Director of EVOK Collection, about the bold design choices at Sinner Paris.

Tell me a little about how the idea for Sinner Paris originated, and how the brand has evolved and expanded since its launch.

When we decided to open a hotel in the heart of Le Marais, the main idea was to capture the energy and vibrance of this historic neighborhood while also making a nod to the elements of society that were once viewed as forbidden or acts of sin. We wanted to create a dedicated space where freedom meets edgy elegance. That is the purpose of Sinner.

Since the launch, we’ve continued to provide unique experiences for visitors to enjoy during their stay through partnerships with like-minded brands and individuals. For example, we’ve begun a new partnership with Swiss skincare brand La Colline to offer rejuvenating face and body treatments at Ablutio to complement our spa’s indoor pool inspired by Greek and Roman baths. We also hosted a special photo exhibition with Michel Giniès last winter, showcasing a curated collection of photographs that captured Paris in the 70s and 80s.

The pandemic has shifted everyone’s view of both work and travel, among many other things. Suddenly, the appeal of Airbnb faded, and hotels suddenly became more desirable because of the security offered by industry-standard hygienic practices. Where do you see Sinner Paris fitting into this back-and-forth shift, in one of the world’s most desirable and frequented cities?

Since the pandemic, we’ve been operating more as a “Maison de Luxe” rather than a “luxury hotel” to provide a “home away home” feel while practicing proper hygienic measures to offer the safest accommodations for our guests. Thanks to our exceptional team, we ensure that all of our spaces remain as clean as possible, with regular attention to high-touch surfaces and conforming to specialized COVID disinfection protocols. We also continue to provide sanitizers in the common areas and guest rooms.

Let’s talk about the hotel’s unique design concept. Can you please walk me through how the concept began with interior designer Tristan Auer, and what it was based on? Is there a historical narrative foundation for the concept?

Tristan Auer was the perfect match to bring Sinner’s daring DNA to life. The inspiration came from the surrounding Le Marais neighborhood, often referred to as ‘Old Paris’ and now a hub of creativity. Tristan was also influenced by the memories of his childhood and the frivolity of the 1970s, favoring an expressive clash in style and era. With the District’s religious and aristocratic history, Tristan incorporates vaulted archways, gothic-inspired candelabras, and stained glass windows to evoke a monastic aesthetic while using clean lines and playful prints in the rooms for a contemporary touch.

The attention to detail in the hotel really is next level. Can you tell me some of your favorite details of the hotel’s design? What is something (an element, a piece, or something design-related) that can only be found in Sinner Paris?

One of my favorite details is that each guest room has a striking red door with a knocker featuring an installation of chained metal pipes hanging by the lifts, inspired by carriage porches. I also particularly love the confessional that sits in the hotel’s lobby. This piece was made custom for the property and is a nod to its name but also to its playful and provocative decor that so skillfully captures a sense of forbidden temptation.

Additionally, throughout the hotel, there are beautiful selections of stained glass windows, inspired by those often found in religious buildings. The stained glass windows particularly in the bar create an intimate atmosphere that encourage locals and guests to sit back and lounge for an evening of refreshing drinks on the cozy pink sofas.

Was there a particularly challenging design concept that required a lot of hard work to figure out? (For example, keeping the hotel in such low light at all times; or the smoke in the lobby, etc.)

Our hallways are intentionally designed with dim lighting and red accents to capture the sultry, mysterious soul of Sinner. In creating this design element, we were challenged to think critically to achieve our atmospheric vision of a space perfectly balanced between sensuality and approachability. We were careful to execute this design detail with precision as, done incorrectly, lighting can turn an individual off rather than draw them in. We’re quite proud that the lighting, paired with all of the design details at Sinner, have served as an attraction for visitors and are what give the hotel its unique and alluring identity.

What about the art chosen for the hotel by Amélie du Chalard? How did Amélie curate the hotel’s collection, and what are some standout pieces?

Amélie du Chalard, who established Maison d’art in 2015, has meticulously curated exquisite contemporary and ancient artworks as well as unique furniture pieces that blend Sinner’s elegance and religious heritage. She has collected special works from all around the world including Spain, Austria and Korea. Some standout pieces include a chair made of oryx’ horn by Helmut Palla and beautiful armor woven with linen and iron threads by Nadine Altmayer. Amelie chose to mix these contemporary pieces with older works of art such as suggestive illustrations from the XVII century and vintage photos by French photographer Pierre Molinier.

What has some of the feedback from guests been like? What do people really love about the hotel, properties and was there ever an instance where feedback inspired you to add/remove an element? (This can be either something practical or something design-inspired!)

Sinner is particularly appreciated for its unique atmosphere and vision. Located in Le Marais, Sinner is in harmony with its neighborhood, both artistic and bold. A place like no other, we often find young couples and friends lounging at the hotel’s bar, for example on Thursday nights, to enjoy the lively music in an edgy, yet elegant atmosphere.

Our design is very specific and every detail is intentional. We haven’t received feedback that would cause us to remove or add design elements; however, we often hear that it is our design and the environment we’ve created within Sinner that brings out a certain energy and lust for celebration in our visitors that they only feel here.

Finally, what’s coming up for Sinner Paris in 2022 and beyond?

For 2022, we can expect Sinner Paris to continue its development as a mansion of art, with more exhibitions to come.