Albar - L’Imperator
Historic Art Deco with a contemporary Mediterranean edit. Intimate and relaxed but unambiguously luxurious. Stone, marble, wood throughout — warm tones, not stiff grandeur. The courtyard Ginkgo biloba tree is genuinely beautiful.
DUENDE only serves dinner Thu–Sat and lunch Fri–Sun; book well in advance, it fills up fast
Why It Matters
Awarded a Michelin Key in 2024. Home to DUENDE, a 2 Michelin star restaurant by Pierre Gagnaire (16 stars across his empire). One of the most historically significant hotels in southern France — Hemingway, Picasso, Ava Gardner, and bullfighter El Cordobes all stayed here. Member of The Leading Hotels of the World.
This is Nîmes' most iconic hotel, and it has been for decades. The Art Deco bones date back to 1923, redesigned by Marcelo Joulia in a full renovation that kept the character while sharpening everything else. Hemingway wrote it into 'The Garden of Eden.' Picasso and Ava Gardner slept here. Now it holds a 2 Michelin star restaurant by Pierre Gagnaire, a 350 sqm CODAGE spa with indoor and outdoor pools, and eight freestanding private houses named after the legends who made this place famous.
Where You'll Stay
13 room types available
Deluxe Room
A step up in both size and design. Blue tones, fine materials, and contemporary furniture. Bathrooms feature stone finishes and CODAGE products. 23 sqm — snug by luxury standards but well-appointed.
23 sqm
Executive Room
More space at 29 sqm, with clean contemporary lines and soft colors. Some come with a private balcony — worth requesting. Simple and refined.
29 sqm
Junior Suite
Warm and generous at 30 sqm. Italian shower, balcony on select units. Personalized gourmet welcome included. Good for a romantic city break without splurging on the full suite.
30 sqm
Maison Ava Gardner
100 sqm single-storey house, named after the Hollywood actress who stayed here. Private terrace overlooking French Rome or the garden. Two en suite bedrooms. Fully equipped kitchen. Elegant and sophisticated.
100 sqmMaison El Cordobes
120 sqm duplex house with a garden-view terrace. Two en suite bedrooms. Spacious living room and kitchen. Named for the iconic Spanish bullfighter who once stayed at L'Imperator.
120 sqmMaison Ernest Hemingway
The biggest house at 165 sqm — a four-bedroom duplex named after the writer who famously stayed here. Four en suite bathrooms, large living room, fully equipped kitchen. The one to book if you're traveling as a large family or group.
165 sqmMaison Ginkgo
100 sqm duplex facing the hotel's 100-year-old Ginkgo biloba tree. Two bedrooms with garden-view terrace. Fully equipped kitchen. The garden view here is genuinely special.
100 sqmMaison Imperator
135 sqm duplex with the added bonus of a 50 sqm private garden — the only house with its own outdoor space at ground level. Three bedrooms, fully equipped kitchen. Named for the hotel itself. Private garden access makes this one feel genuinely special.
135 sqmMaison Jean Cocteau
80 sqm single-storey house named after the filmmaker. Spacious living room, private terrace with city or garden view, two bedrooms, and two bathrooms (one with tub, one with shower). Good option for two couples traveling together.
80 sqmMaison Salvador Dalí
The largest duplex at 150 sqm. Three bedrooms, each with its own bathroom. Living room opens onto a dining room and fully equipped kitchen. Named for the surrealist painter. Best for a family or group of friends.
150 sqmSuite 1923
The hotel's most characterful room — a 65 sqm loft on the top floor, designed like a private apartment. A living room, spacious bedroom with en suite, and a view over the garden and rooftops. Named for the hotel's founding year.
65 sqmSuite Imperator
57 sqm with an independent living room, stone bathroom, and a bathtub. Fits up to 2 adults and 1 child. Comes with a Devialet speaker, personalized gourmet welcome, and dedicated housekeeper. The stone bathtub is the star.
57 sqmSuperior Room
The entry-level room, and genuinely comfortable at 20 sqm. Wood, marble, and natural stone throughout. Italian walk-in shower. Some have garden views. Accessible to guests with reduced mobility.
20 sqmThe Property
Eat & Drink
4 venues on property
Restaurant
Spa & Wellness
Treatment Menu
On Property
How you'll actually spend your days.
The hotel leans into Nîmes' famous Feria de Pentecôte (late May/early June) with special programming. The city fills with bullfighting, music, and festivities — the hotel is as close as you can get to the action.
Golf caddies available. An adjacent golf course makes this a viable golf base in southern France.
Kids club available for families staying in the private houses. Activities and supervision for children.
Thursday evening Pilates sessions led by Xavier, sports coach and physical trainer. Held at the spa. €25 per session per person.
Tuesday morning yoga sessions led by Ambre, a specialist in body mobility and physical therapy. Held at the spa. €25 per session per person.
Six meeting rooms accommodating up to 100 guests. Full AV equipment, breakout spaces, and catering by Pierre Gagnaire's team. Suitable for private dinners, workshops, product launches.
Amenities & Practical Info
The details that matter for planning.
Wheelchair accessibility throughout the hotel grounds. Superior Rooms accessible to guests with reduced mobility.
Complimentary WiFi throughout the hotel, including rooms and public areas.
Qualified babysitting service available on request. Additional fee applies.
State-of-the-art fitness center with weight-training machines. Accessible to all guests.
Barber shop within the spa complex.
Property participates in The Leading Hotels of the World Leaders Club loyalty programme.
Splendid internal garden featuring a centennial Ginkgo biloba tree. Used as an outdoor dining and relaxation space.
Valet parking offered to all guests on arrival. Private on-site parking also available.
Dogs and cats welcome in guestrooms. €35 pet fee applies.
Heated indoor pool in the CODAGE Spa. Open year-round to hotel guests.
Suspended outdoor pool in the spa garden. Open during summer season only. Reserved for hotel residents — not accessible to day-spa visitors.
Room service available, including Pierre Gagnaire-curated menus for private house guests.
24/7 concierge service. Particularly noted for tips on Nîmes and the surrounding region.
Jacuzzi in the spa wellness area.
Traditional hammam in the CODAGE Spa wellness area.
BUILD YOUR MAISON ALBAR - L’IMPERATOR PLAN
Rooms, dining, spa, and resort experiences — organized into one trip plan.
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