The origins of Concorde Hotels & Resorts date back to 1855 when Baron Haussmann commissioned Emile and Isaac Pereire to build the Grand Hôtel du Louvre in readiness for the Exposition Universelle of 1889. At the same time Alfred Chauchard founded Fare, Chauchard et Compagnie, a fashion store within the same building complex as the hotel. Over time, as Alfred Chauchard's company grew and expanded, it was re-named the Grands Magasins du Louvre, one of the largest and most famous stores of its time. The hotel was then moved to an adjacent building where it stands today as the Hôtel du Louvre, a proud member of Concorde Hotels & Resorts.

Following the opening of the Hôtel Terminus Saint-Lazare (today the Hôtel Concorde Saint-Lazare), built to provide accommodation for the massive influx of prestigious visitors to the Exposition Universelle, the Grands Magasins du Louvre was re-named Societé du Louvre.

In 1906, Societé du Louvre embarked upon its most prestigious project, the renovation of the Hôtel de Crillon from a private home to become one of the most esteemed hotels in the world.

In 1954, shareholders of the now publicly quoted company invited Pierre Taittinger (of the famous French family best known for their champagne) to take the helm as Managing Director. In 1973, the Concorde Hotels & Resorts brand was created by Guy Taittinger, bringing together the luxury hotels of the group. During the 1980's and 1990's the company continued to expand and diversify and today Louvre Hotels (a division of Societé du Louvre), with its four hotel brands, is the second largest hotel conglomerate in Europe.

In 2005 Starwood Capital acquired Societé du Louvre and its associated companies, including Compagnie des Cristalleries de Baccarat.

Starwood Capital Group is one of the most active and successful real estate investments firms in the world, having acquired a highly diversified portfolio totalling more than $15.9 billion in real estate assets.

Starwood Capital has brought a new dynamism to Concorde Hotels and Resorts in order to satisfy the most demanding of leisure and business travellers. Today, Concorde Hotels and Resorts offer an international network of 4 and 5 Star hotels whose location and architecture give them their unique character. The brand owns, manages and represents more than 35 hotels around the world, including:

• The Hotel de Crillon in Paris, ranked amongst the best palaces in the world for nearly a century, the temple of Luxury Hotel Expertise, of French Style and art-de-vivre
• The Hotel Lutetia in the heart of the literary and artistic Paris
• The Hotel du Louvre, a remarkable example of second empire architecture
• The Hotel Martinez, the legendary Art Deco palace Hotel on the French Riviera