Photograph Credit score: Kovop/Shutterstock.com
THE 2024 SUMMER OLYMPIC GAMES ARE FINALLY UPON US, AND DARE WE SAY IT, BUT THESE MIGHT BE THE MOST thrilling but. Along with being this yr’s host metropolis — a century after internet hosting for the primary time — the Metropolis of Lights will rework many iconic native landmarks into sporting venues from July 26 via August 11. Unbelievably, there can be seaside volleyball beneath the Eiffel Tower, archery at Les Invalides, skateboarding at Place de la Concorde, marathon swimming and triathlon close to Pont Alexandre III, taekwondo on the Grand Palais, race strolling and biking at Trocadéro, equestrian and fashionable pentathlon on the Palace of Versailles, and aquatic competitions reminiscent of canoeing on the Seine (which is the place, by the way, the Opening Ceremony will happen — an iconic second in itself in that it’s the first time in Olympic historical past the place stated ceremony can be held outdoors of a stadium). With almost 10 million guests — inclusive of the ten,000 athletes competing in 32 sports activities — Paris is projected to be packed, which is why you need to have began planning yesterday. Or, you realize, 4 years in the past. Regardless, it’s a great time to take a look at our haute information, which ought to make it easier to streamline the place to remain, play, wine, and dine as luxuriously as potential in Paris.
HOTELS
Photograph Credit score: The Dorchester Assortment
A number of the most glamorous motels on this planet are, in fact, situated in Paris. Who hasn’t dreamed of staying at The Ritz, Plaza Athénée, George V, Le Meurice, Le Royal Monceau, Le Bristol, or the Saint James? We’re all the time going to be delivery these motels — they’re classics for a cause — however within the spirit of this yr’s video games, which have launched 4 totally new classes with breaking, sport climbing, skateboarding, and browsing, we determined to spotlight the most popular new resort gamers within the Metropolis of Love (sure, it does have a number of monikers). So, expensive Olympic fanatics, could we now current the brand new guard!
LE GRAND MAZARIN
Photograph Credit score: Vincent Leroux
Le Grand Mazarin is, fittingly, a resort as stylish because the neighborhood it’s situated in: Le Marais. Martin Brudnizki was the right designer to create the creative, elegantly over-the-top ambiance, which evokes the Seventeenth-century literary salons of Le Marais, the place excessive society doyennes would host gatherings of their non-public mansions. On website, there are 61 rooms and suites; a restaurant, Boubalé, which serves up Ashkenazi delicacies courtesy of Michelin-starred Israeli chef Assaf Granit; a secret winter backyard; wellness space; cabaret; and swimming pool, all of which replicate the designer’s luxurious and intimate imaginative and prescient by way of vintage furnishings, classic objects, seashells embedded within the wallpaper, or custom-designed rugs with baroque particulars. Within the resort’s foyer, a marriage wardrobe typical of Nineteenth-century Europe units the tone, which Brudnizki himself found in England. 17 Rue de la Verrerie, 75004
MAISON PROUST, HOTEL & SPA LA MER
Photograph Credit score: Maison Proust
Maison Proust, a trendy 23-suite resort in Le Marais, is simply the homage to Twentieth-century literary nice Marcel Proust that Paris didn’t understand it wanted. It’s a Belle Epoque wonderland, however as a result of it’s situated in a six-story townhouse, Maison Proust doesn’t give conventional resort vibes. Every room, as designed by Jacques Garcia, is known as after a muse or pal of the author, from Napoleon to actress Sarah Bernhardt, all adorned with patterned silk, embroidered materials, and crowd pleasing artwork. There are additionally private Proust touches right here, reminiscent of a letter he despatched to Princess Soutzo. It might be a mistake to not point out the property’s stunning glassed-in winter backyard, beautiful bar, lounge — theatrically highlighted with velvet draped curtains, vintage mirrors, and crystal chandeliers — in addition to a second lounge that’s highlighted by a dome ceiling with a gold leaf solar, modeled after the Opéra Garnier. There’s additionally a powerful library with over 1,000 uncommon books, and a Moorish-style spa with a heated pool, hammam, and sauna. So, in honor of Proust’s well-known masterpiece, In Search of Misplaced Time, we are able to solely say that we welcome the possibility to get misplaced right here time and time once more. 26 Rue de Picardie, 75003
LA RÉSERVE PARIS
Photograph Credit score: Gregoire Gardette
On a scale of fabulousness, La Réserve Paris is a ten. Only a block away from the Champs-Élysées and the Grand Palais, its location can’t get a lot better. Plus, this stunner, one other gem conceived by world-famous designer Jacques Garcia, is housed in a Nineteenth-century constructing that was as soon as owned by the household of the Duke of Morny, the stepbrother of Emperor Napoleon III. It’s accordingly elegant, with marvelous marble fireplaces and wealthy material wall hangings. It’s discreet, too, in that it homes 15 rooms and 25 suites solely. La Réserve Paris can also be dwelling to Le Gabriel restaurant, helmed by 3 Michelin-starred chef Jérôme Banctel, in addition to a surprising Nescens spa with a 52-foot indoor pool. 42 Av. Gabriel, 75008
CHEVAL BLANC PARIS
Photograph Credit score: Alexandre Tabaste
Something LVMH touches is principally gold, and that’s definitely the case at Cheval Blanc Paris, the luxurious group’s beautiful city Maison within the coronary heart of the Metropolis of Lights. As imagined by architects Édouard François and Peter Marino, the resort is an artwork deco daydream, with a concentrate on meals and leisure (and who doesn’t love that?). The property, which overlooks the Seine, is dwelling to chef Arnaud Donckele’s 3 Michelin-starred restaurant Plénitude, Parisian brasserie Le Tout-Paris, Italian eatery Langosteria, the brand new Japanese-focused Hakuba, and rooftop sky backyard, Le Jardin. It additionally hosts the beautiful and unique Dior Spa Cheval Blanc Paris, which affords a holistic immersion into the world of Maison Dior, in addition to a surprising curved swimming pool adorned with mosaics for a real sensory escape. 8 Quai du Louvre, 75001
BULGARI HOTEL PARIS
Photograph Credit score: Bulgari Lodge Paris
Situated on the Avenue George V, within the “Golden Triangle” between the Seine and the Champs-Élysées, the Bulgari Lodge Paris totally brings the bling to the Metropolis of Gentle — however make it Italian. The interiors of the resort, totally designed by the Antonio Citterio Patricia Viel Italian architectural studio, are quietly luxurious, as one has come to anticipate of the Bulgari model. Like its sister properties, the resort is dotted with beautiful Italian-made marble, silk wallcoverings, granite, tapestries, and varnished eucalyptus woodwork. Equally, followers of the model will discover continuity in its signature eatery, Il Ristorante – Niko Romito, a Workshop Gymnasium, Bulgari Bar, and 82-foot, semi-Olympic swimming pool. The spotlight right here, nevertheless, is its Bulgari penthouse. The Eiffel Tower, Sacré Cœur, and Grand Palais all appear to be inside touching distance of this 4,300-square-foot palace, which options glowing glass and gold chandeliers, two kitchens totally clad in Arbescato marble, a hammam, pantry, non-public studio with its personal cigar cellar, health room, and — better of all — a personal 6,450-square-foot out of doors terrace with 360-degree views of the town. 30 Av. George V, 75008
CHÂTEAU VOLTAIRE
Photograph Credit score: François Halard
Paris is without doubt one of the world’s most trendy cities, and Château Voltaire performs to its sartorial strengths in that the 32-room-and-suite property was conceived by proprietor Thierry Gillier, the founding father of vogue label Zadig & Voltaire. The resort is comprised of buildings from the Sixteenth, Seventeenth, and 18th centuries, a brief jaunt away from the Tuileries Gardens, and, appropriately, near the glamorous Galeries Lafayette buying middle (the place, in fact, Zadig & Voltaire is carried). There’s a blended esthetic right here: it’s each opulent and old-world because of Louis XIII-style armchairs, fringed velvet furnishings, liberal trompe-l’oeil, and heavy tapestries, but it surely’s additionally ethereal and up to date with particulars like seashell lighting fixtures and a delicate shade palette all through the rooms. It’s F&B — the attractive L’Emil brasserie, with picket banquettes, marble tabletops, and stained glass — and sultry La Coquille d’Or bar are already Parisian sizzling spots. 55 Rue Saint-Roch, 75001
HÔTEL MADAME RÊVE
To sleep, perchance to dream. You’ll be doing each at Hôtel Madame Rêve (rêve that means, in French, “to dream”) close to Les Halles in Paris’ former solely 24-hour publish workplace, a Haussmanian constructing relationship again to the late Nineteenth century. There’s definitely an elegant, horny vibe right here that makes this really feel particularly saucy at evening, and that vibe extends from the rooms to the 2 eating places — particularly on the resort’s signature eatery, La Plume, a darkish and sensual French Japanese hybrid with moody lighting (although its Kitchen by Stéphanie Le Quellec exudes a carnal ambiance, too). Its rooftop, the aptly named “ROOF,” is really the pièce de résistance of the resort. This can be a 10,000-square-foot oasis, overlooking Notre-Dame, the Panthéon, and Beaubourg, amongst different landmarks, that affords a 180-degree view of the Metropolis of Lights. It can’t be missed. 48 Rue du Louvre, 75001
LA FANTAISIE
Photograph Credit score: Jérome Galland
We love a great Martin Brudnizki design, and, as his first entry into the Parisian resort scene, La Fantaisie doesn’t disappoint. The whimsical designer has created fantastical designs for his inaugural property, nestled within the bustling Faubourg-Montmartre neighborhood within the coronary heart of the ninth arrondissement. The resort’s idea and raison d’être, its heroes, are Sixteenth-century gardener brothers Jacques and Jean Cadet. Brudnizki has made positive that the late green-thumbed siblings are outstanding all through the resort, from the palette of greens, heat yellows, and coral touches he makes use of all through the rooms to the ceilings coated with floral wallpaper. This fantastical resort additionally uniquely marks the homecoming of three Michelin-starred French chef Dominique Crenn, the proprietor of San Francisco’s L’Atelier Crenn, who, right here, together with her zero-waste restaurant, Golden Poppy, showcases a menu wholly centered round native and sustainable fare.24 Rue Cadet, 75009
CHÂTEAU DES FLEURS
Photograph Credit score: Mr. Tripper
There are flowers masking the home windows at Château des Fleurs, situated inside a 1910 constructing within the eighth arrondissement, however the “fleurs” in its title truly confer with a former well-known place for Nineteenth century, Belle Epoque-style dance events. What we do see is purple. There are touches of the hue all over the place, not oppressively nor subtly, however the shade does set the tone for the keep to return at this 37-key resort on the high of the Champs-Elysées. Given that there’s a boudoir room on website, effectively, you get the drift. That stated, we’re completely obsessed by each crimson contact on website, be it by way of the Korean eatery, Restaurant by OMA, or its beautiful Omnisens spa. 19 Rue Vernet, 75008
HAUTE CUISINE
Photograph Credit score: Air France
This yr’s Michelin Information named 121 Parisian eating places as worthy of a Michelin star, which isn’t tremendous shocking provided that, effectively, haute delicacies originated right here. Listed here are a couple of of our favorites. Pierre Gagnaire’s eponymous eatery can be one of the crucial beautiful meals you’re prone to eat on this lifetime. Le Gabriel at La Réserve, only a block from the Champs-Élysées, is Jérôme Banctel’s opulent eatery, set in a Nineteenth century Napoleon III-style mansion with Versailles parquet flooring. There’s Épicure, Éric Fréchon’s Louis XVI-furnished restaurant at Le Bristol; Plénitude, helmed by Arnaud Donckele at Cheval Blanc Paris; L’Ambroisie, Bernard Pacaud’s merely good eatery in a Place de Vosges townhouse; and Kei Kobayashi’s eponymous Japanese restaurant by the Louvre. Architect Pierre-Yves Rochon created the magical ambiance of Le Pré Catelan, helmed by chef Frédéric Anton on the well-known Bois de Boulogne; Yannick Alléno continues to impress at his restaurant on the primary flooring of the very good, néo-classical mansion Pavillon Ledoyen; and the pairing of chef Christian Le Squer and award-winning sommelier Éric Beaumard at Le Cinq, situated at 4 Seasons Lodge George V, is one for the books. Hélène Darroze, the grasp chef who impressed Colette within the animated movie Ratatouille, evokes excellence at Marsan par Hélène Darroze on Rue d’Assas, whereas LVMH darling Jean Imbert impresses at Plaza Athénée. Probably the most adorned chef on this planet, Alain Ducasse, does the identical at Le Meurice, amongst his seven different eateries. And final, however definitely not least, we all the time stand by our favourite: Jean-Georges Vongerichten, whose Christian Liaigre-designed restaurant Market on avenue Matignon close to the Champs-Élysées, serves up eclectic, Asian-French delicacies.
There’s additionally now a 3 Michelin starred expertise within the sky. So, when you should fly business, it isn’t a horrible factor… must you select to not fly non-public, Air France makes the expertise extra palatable — actually — because of Dominique Crenn, the solely 3 Michelin star feminine chef in America. Crenn has now developed an beautiful menu for first and enterprise class vacationers. Crenn has created 12 authentic dishes for the airline, which is able to provide two signatures each month in each cabins, reminiscent of lobster, pico de gallo, and tea sauce and root vegetable mille-feuille with truffle sauce.
BEST BRASSERIES
Photograph Credit score: Little Purple Door
You’re principally spoiled for selection in the case of iconic Parisian bars. Our high spot is Little Purple Door, which earned the sixth spot on the 2023 World’s 50 Greatest Bars checklist. It’s, in fact, outlined by its — you guessed it — little purple door, a nod to speakeasies discovered in the course of the Prohibition period within the States. Every cocktail at this cozy, snug brasserie receives a two-page menu illustration by an area artist, with solely the drink’s title listed. However do belief them to work their magic. Then, head to Rue du Faubourg Saint-Denis for the sip-worthy stylings of Le Syndicat, the epitome of French bars. This den of cool prides itself on its patriotism, highlighting all the things from French substances to French tunes, even not too long ago making a menu of cocktails based mostly on essentially the most well-known Parisian monuments. We additionally love the beautiful artwork deco-inspired daydream that’s Bar Nouveau in Le Marais, the Brooklyn vibes of Danico in Saint-Germain, and Bar Hemingway, a basic homage to former patron Ernest Hemingway, at The Ritz.
BEST OF THE REST
Photograph Credit score: Dennis van der Water/Shutterstock.com
You’re in Paris! Discover! Remember that, in the course of the Olympics specifically, spots just like the Arc de Triomphe, the Eiffel Tower, and the Louvre can be completely overrun with vacationers, however that it’s nonetheless potential to wander with out function and get misplaced within the cobblestoned streets of the town, to discover a beautiful neighborhood bistro (with out there seats) in one of many 20 arrondissements, with a view to discover your personal private slice of the town, no matter that will seem like. That being stated, we do suggest visiting the Louvre to take a look at its new exhibit on the creation of the Olympic Video games, which launched in April and runs via September. And on that observe, we’re undecided if we must always say “santé”… or “bonne likelihood!”
