Overlooking La Place de la Comédie, one of Montpellier’s most beautiful squares, and neighbouring the Opera Orchestre National, the Grand Hôtel du Midi’s situation, its Haussmanian architecture and its ornate facade set the decorative tone for French interior designer, Julie Gauthron.

Drawing inspiration from the city’s renowned ‘Festival de Danse Contemporain’ and the hotel’s operatic neighbour, Gauthron’s design centres on three abstract concepts : rhythm, melody and movement. Its 41 rooms, 3 suites, bar and café mix traditional Haussmanian architecture (its lavish ceiling mouldings, decorative staircases and stained glass windows) with an unexpected and contemporary decorative beat.

The predominate concept ‘movement’ is reflected in an engaging choice of wallpapers, spontaneous colour and motif associations, the silhouettes of dancers engraved into the furniture and the buoyant form of the bespoke fabric headboards (designed by Julie Gauthron). In the corridors, reception area and bar, the choice of colour is symbolic: Rouge opéra, rouge griotte, rouge incarnat, rouge Médicis…, a symphony of reds differentiate each floor.

The hotel bar, with its contemporary-chic and baroque design, echoes the sumptuous opera house across the street, and provides the ultimate backdrop for a pre- or after show drink…