For practically two centuries, Le Meurice has epitomised Parisian luxurious, drawing royalty, artists and discerning travellers into its world of refined splendour. Nestled between the Louvre and Place de la Concorde, this legendary palace resort blends 18th-century grandeur with modern artistry, all whereas upholding the very best requirements of service. Deputy basic supervisor Christophe Chopineau affords a glimpse into the resort’s distinctive character, from its ties to Salvador Dalí to its Michelin-starred eating experiences and dedication to sustainability.
Inform us briefly in regards to the historical past and particular DNA of Le Meurice?
Le Meurice is strategically situated reverse the Tuileries Gardens and has held its sway as one of many first Parisian luxurious lodges courting again to 1835. Reflecting its uninterrupted attachment to the French artwork of dwelling, Le Meurice is a magical, serene and chic place, the place the refined splendours of 18th-century structure meet the design of Philippe Starck and Charles Jouffre, the French artisan-designer who created the splendid drapes and hangings of the Grand Lobby on the Opéra Garnier. It’s also the place Alain Ducasse, essentially the most Michelin starred Chef on the planet, celebrates the seasons along with his culinary creations. His heavenly delicacies elevates Parisian gastronomy to the rank of artwork. He brings previous and current along with flavour and aptitude. As for Cédric Grolet, elected the world’s greatest Pastry Chef in 2018, the strains in entrance of his store throughout the resort communicate for themselves!
Within the coronary heart of Paris, a minute’s stroll away from Place Vendôme and Rue Saint-Honoré, the place luxurious shops and boutiques showcasing younger designers flourish, Le Meurice steadily unveils its secrets and techniques, as a haven of peace the place you possibly can actually be your self.
Because the deputy basic supervisor, what’s the very first thing you discover once you enter a resort and which particulars do you pay explicit consideration to?
That is tough to clarify as it’s all about emotions and notion. When getting into Le Meurice for instance, you instantly really feel a way of belonging. You get like magically attracted by each place and the nice and cozy welcome of the individuals. That’s what it’s all about! Every palace has its personal story and Le Meurice, which is a part of the enduring lodges of Dorchester Assortment, has at all times stood out because the jewel amongst French palace lodges since 1835. It displays class and stays true to its philosophy of the artwork of dwelling à la française. It’s also the place the place you will be your self, the place there are not any dictates. Perhaps it’s as a result of since its creation, it has nurtured intimate hyperlinks with artists abandoning fantastic tales, all witness to its legendary extravagance.
How do you preserve constant service requirements on the property?
I’d say that our occupation is made from ardour and transmission, each of which have at all times been of paramount significance to us. They’ve undergone a vertiginous evolution lately, not solely by way of service excellence, but additionally by way of visitor expertise and workers improvement due to cutting-edge coaching initiated by Dorchester Assortment. Coaching is constant all through your journey with the Assortment, inside promotions are frequent and inspired, and there are a number of packages tailor-made for junior workers to assist them evolve throughout the Assortment in addition to for extra senior workers members to permit them to grow to be inspirational leaders and/or ambassadors to the Assortment.
Le Meurice is simply a brief stroll from Le Louvre, which to most guests is the must-see Paris artwork establishment. Do you could have different favorite cultural locations shut by?
The Museum of Ornamental Arts (MAD) is correct throughout the road within the northwestern wing of the Louvre. It’s the largest museum of ornamental arts in continental Europe and its assortment is primarily composed of French furnishings, tableware, carpets reminiscent of these from Aubusson, porcelain reminiscent of that by the Manufacture nationale de Sèvres, and plenty of glass items by René Lalique, Émile Gallé and plenty of others. It contains quite a few works within the Artwork Nouveau and Artwork Déco types and trendy examples by designers like Eileen Grey and Charlotte Perriand.
A brief 2 minutes’ stroll away from the resort, on place de la Concorde, is the Hôtel de la Marine, the previous ministry of the French Navy. The constructing was fully renovated between 2015 and 2021 and shows the Al Thani Assortment presenting worldwide and inter-cultural artistic endeavors from the extraordinary assortment of Sheik Hamad bin Abdullah Al Thani, representing civilizations around the globe. The constructing is completely beautiful and the exhibition artwork at its best.
Inform us extra in regards to the distinctive artwork assortment at Le Meurice?
As quickly as you enter the foyer, you’re in entrance of “The Kiss”, a monumental paintings by Zoulikha Bouabdellah who was awarded the very first Meurice Award for Modern Artwork in 2008 and which is now a part of the resort’s creative DNA.
Salvador Dalí could be very current after all, the Suite he occupied for at the least a month yearly nonetheless shows a few of his authentic furnishings he introduced by himself.
In virtually each nook of the resort, you may be discovering smaller or bigger artworks and it’s a actual pleasure sitting in considered one of our eating places or within the bar and let your eyes stroll via the room, coming throughout so many options and recognizing some hidden secrets and techniques!
What can guests to Le Meurice count on by way of eating experiences?
As you already know, we’re working with Alain Ducasse and I’d think about him as a pioneer and visionary. His tradition and curiosity permit him to be at all times forward of the curve. As a talented and decisive captain, he federates our groups led by Government Chef Amaury Bouhours who takes them always as much as the following stage proposing new challenges. His focus is on the product and those that present it; he at all times would favor seasonal culinary experiences to unique creations and is adept of genuine style whereas providing a worldwide expertise the place each element counts. Alain Ducasse and Amaury Bouhours intention to defend the culinary French heritage that’s much like the id of Le Meurice the place we attempt to mix custom and modernity.
The eating expertise is after all about what’s on the plate – and Chef Clémentine Bouchon from Le Dalí masters this artwork at its best by sublimating and remodeling one of the best elements into tasteful dishes – but additionally in regards to the atmosphere. Whereas Le Dalí is the colourful coronary heart of the resort and affords the visitor an impressive spectacle of palace life, the gastronomic restaurant elevates the eating expertise to a different dimension.
In fact, competitors on this discipline is rising always in Paris, however I consider we now have strong belongings to be aggressive. Our affords between the superb eating restaurant, the Dalí restaurant, the Bar 228 and the banqueting replicate an incredible selection permitting to satisfy each visitor’s expectations. Cédric Grolet’s pastry masterpieces are one other asset to the resort and the Michelin Information clearly performs an necessary function at Le Meurice, as we now have at all times stood out among the many greatest.
How necessary is sustainability in your culinary strategy and the way will you replicate this throughout the resort’s eating venues?
At Le Meurice, each outlet – from the Michelin-starred Le Meurice Alain Ducasse to the workers restaurant – focuses on native and seasonal merchandise. That is considered one of our high ESG priorities: we intention to be proactive in lowering our environmental influence as a lot as we are able to. We wish to play our half in contributing to lower noxious emissions.
At any time when we are able to, we course of regionally grown merchandise. All of our suppliers are requested to signal our ESG constitution to make sure our and their dedication to sustainability and accountable procurement and cultivation. We’re additionally the primary Palace resort to be awarded three stars from the Ecotable label for our gastronomic restaurant, a French distinction for sustainable F&B administration of which we’re very proud.
How a lot of a spotlight has your spa product been?
We’re having a robust partnership with Valmont since 2008, culminating within the opening of La Maison Valmont in 2020, the model’s Parisian flagship retail retailer. Valmont are pioneers in relation to steady leading edge coaching for his or her therapists, be it for revolutionary therapies reminiscent of Hydrafacial expertise or the trendy lympathic drainage by Renata França.
Our Spa has 4 remedy rooms, 2 of that are double rooms, and all benefiting from pure gentle.
The resort has hosted many famend artists up to now, most famously Salvador Dalí. Have been any of the present workers round when he was nonetheless an everyday?
Sadly not. The workers with the very best seniority – practically 40 years – arrived simply after Dalí’s final stick with us. Nonetheless, once I arrived, there have been nonetheless some individuals who had recognized him. For greater than 30 years, he spent a least one month per yr at Le Meurice, bringing his personal furnishings, typically his pet, an ocelot referred to as Babou, or perhaps a Harley Davidson motorcycle into the lounge! He at all times rented the identical Suite, as he heard that King Alfonso XIII of Spain had been there as soon as. As well as, Dalí was a monarchist. His excentricity was considerably exhausting, however he turned out to be good and pleasant with the workers, even providing them lithographs he produced right here. Right now the Suite bears his identify.
What makes a resort keep an unforgettable expertise?
Le Meurice has a tremendous historic background anchored in artwork and tradition. It’s true to the 18th century French spirit with no show of favor, however with true class and stylish. It’s all about refined particulars which are skilfully organized in every of the rooms and suites offering a really genuine setting. Whenever you get up at Le Meurice, you undoubtedly know you’re in Paris!
Ideally situated reverse the Tuileries Gardens, between Place de la Concorde and the Louvre, Le Meurice offers a haven of tranquillity to numerous necessary personalities because it opened in 1835. As for the distinguishing traits, it’s not that a lot in regards to the resort’s materials options, it’s extra in regards to the workers!
Le Meurice is a part of Dorchester Assortment. What sort of worth does this convey to the property?
Company have references and so they know upfront that the workers will maintain them, be at all times out there for particular requests and make them really feel safe. Dorchester Assortment focuses on the human dimension with our “We Care” strategy, and our leitmotiv is treasured by company, cherished by staff, celebrated worldwide. That claims all of it! The particular technique to create a house away from residence in your company can solely consolidate your relationship and improve loyalty. Now we have company who’ve been coming to Le Meurice for greater than 30 years, passing on their ardour to their youngsters and grandchildren.
What’s your outlook on development for the property and what’s the key focus for the property in 2025?
2024 has been an distinctive yr for Paris, the influence of the Olympics was very optimistic by way of picture (bear in mind the good views of Paris’ iconic landmarks through the sport occasions!), organisation and safety. Lots of those that didn’t journey over the last summer season and who noticed the gorgeous footage of Paris and its environment on TV would now wish to catch up their stays. The reopening of Notre Dame in December was one other spotlight: visits of the rebuilt cathedral are skyrocketing (I used to be fortunate to have the ability to go and should admit that it’s completely beautiful!). Therefore reservations enhance steadily and I’m assured that this development will proceed all year long. At Le Meurice, everybody is ready and we’re wanting very a lot ahead to welcoming common and new company from everywhere in the world as we now have been doing for 190 years!
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