Le Château des Lys

A castle in the heart of Montmartre

Le Château des Lys occupies a listed 13th century building, turret included, at 103 rue Marcadet in the 18th arrondissement. Before taking this name, the address lived two libertine lives, first as Le Donjon, then as Don Juan. Which tells you the place has been welcoming couples and libertines for a long time.

The ground floor brings together a restaurant area with buffet, a bar and a large mirrored lounge where a DJ animates the dance floor. The upper floors house several cuddle lounges reserved for libertinage, spread across the building's different levels.

Decor and atmosphere

Red drapes and sofas, dim lighting, chandeliers, masks and mirrors: the decor plays the intimate castle card to the hilt, rather than going for the standardized club look. The resulting atmosphere is warm, hushed, designed to put both first time couples and regulars at ease.

Themed evenings punctuate the calendar, like a cowboy night with chili on the menu. This kind of event changes regularly and gives each visit a different flavor.

Hours, access and rates

The club is open Wednesday to Saturday, from 9pm to 3am on weekdays and until 5am on Friday and Saturday. The buffet is included from 9pm to 11pm on those same evenings. Entry rates aren't listed online, it's best to call the club directly at 01 42 58 13 01 or write to chateaudeslys@hotmail.com to find out the conditions for the evening you have in mind.

A valet service is available on Fridays and Saturdays, quite handy given the neighborhood. Access is reserved for adults aged 18 and over, within a mixed clientele of swinging couples and libertines who know the place well.

What the regulars say

Feedback unanimously praises the setting: the historic building and its careful decoration come up in almost every review, along with the elegant, discreet atmosphere. Many consider this club a benchmark of Parisian libertinage, even the best address in the region.

A few critiques point to a welcome deemed a bit formal, less easygoing than in other, more relaxed clubs. That doesn't stop most visitors from leaving convinced by the overall quality of the place and its clientele.