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 lodge blends 18th-century grandeur with up to date artistry, all whereas upholding the best requirements of service. Deputy basic supervisor Christophe Chopineau gives a glimpse into the lodge’s distinctive character, from its ties to Salvador Dalí to its Michelin-starred eating experiences and dedication to sustainability.

Inform us briefly concerning the historical past and particular DNA of Le Meurice?

Le Meurice is strategically positioned 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 stylish 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 luxurious drapes and hangings of the Grand Lobby on the Opéra Garnier. Additionally it is the place Alain Ducasse, probably the most Michelin starred Chef on this planet, celebrates the seasons together 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 inside the lodge converse 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 step by step unveils its secrets and techniques, as a haven of peace the place you’ll be able to actually be your self.

Because the deputy basic supervisor, what’s the very first thing you discover while you enter a lodge and which particulars do you pay explicit consideration to?

That is tough to elucidate 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 folks. 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. Additionally it is the place the place you could be your self, the place there aren’t any dictates. Possibly it’s as a result of since its creation, it has nurtured intimate hyperlinks with artists forsaking great tales, all witness to its legendary extravagance. 

How do you keep constant service requirements on the property?

I might say that our occupation is fabricated from ardour and transmission, each of which have at all times been of paramount significance to us. They’ve undergone a vertiginous evolution in recent times, not solely by way of service excellence, but in addition 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, inner promotions are frequent and inspired, and there are a number of applications tailor-made for junior workers to assist them evolve inside the Assortment in addition to for extra senior workers members to permit them to change into 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’ve different favorite cultural locations shut by?

The Museum of Ornamental Arts (MAD) is true 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 similar to these from Aubusson, porcelain similar to that by the Manufacture nationale de Sèvres, and plenty of glass items by René Lalique, Émile Gallé and plenty of others. It consists of quite a few works within the Artwork Nouveau and Artwork Déco types and fashionable examples by designers like Eileen Grey and Charlotte Perriand.

A brief 2 minutes’ stroll away from the lodge, on place de la Concorde, is the Hôtel de la Marine, the previous ministry of the French Navy. The constructing was solely 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 all over the world. The constructing is totally beautiful and the exhibition artwork at its most interesting.

Inform us extra concerning the distinctive artwork assortment at Le Meurice?

As quickly as you enter the foyer, you might be in entrance of “The Kiss”, a monumental art work by Zoulikha Bouabdellah who was awarded the very first Meurice Award for Up to date Artwork in 2008 and which is now a part of the lodge’s inventive DNA.

Salvador Dalí may be very current in fact, the Suite he occupied for no less than a month yearly nonetheless shows a few of his authentic furnishings he introduced by himself.

In virtually each nook of the lodge, you’ll 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 by 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 recognize, we’re working with Alain Ducasse and I might take into account him as a pioneer and visionary. His tradition and curiosity enable him to be at all times forward of the curve. As a talented and decisive captain, he federates our groups led by Govt Chef Amaury Bouhours who takes them always as much as the subsequent stage proposing new challenges. His focus is on the product and those that present it; he at all times would like 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 just like the id of Le Meurice the place we try to mix custom and modernity.

The eating expertise is in fact about what’s on the plate – and Chef Clémentine Bouchon from Le Dalí masters this artwork at its most interesting by sublimating and reworking the most effective elements into tasteful dishes – but in addition concerning the atmosphere. Whereas Le Dalí is the colourful coronary heart of the lodge and gives the visitor an impressive spectacle of palace life, the gastronomic restaurant elevates the eating expertise to a different dimension.

After all, competitors on this subject is rising always in Paris, however I imagine we now have strong property to be aggressive. Our gives between the tremendous eating restaurant, the Dalí restaurant, the Bar 228 and the banqueting replicate an excellent selection permitting to fulfill each visitor’s expectations. Cédric Grolet’s pastry masterpieces are one other asset to the lodge and the Michelin Information clearly performs an vital function at Le Meurice, as we now have at all times stood out among the many greatest.

How vital is sustainability in your culinary method and the way will you replicate this throughout the lodge’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 decreasing our environmental affect as a lot as we will. We wish to play our half in contributing to lower noxious emissions.

Each time we will, we course of domestically 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 lodge 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 terms of steady innovative coaching for his or her therapists, be it for revolutionary remedies similar to Hydrafacial know-how or the fashionable lympathic drainage by Renata França.

Our Spa has 4 therapy rooms, 2 of that are double rooms, and all benefiting from pure mild.

The lodge has hosted many famend artists prior to now, most famously Salvador Dalí. Had been any of the present workers round when he was nonetheless an everyday?

Sadly not. The staff with the 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 bike 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. At this time the Suite bears his title.

What makes a lodge keep an unforgettable expertise?

Le Meurice has an incredible 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 surroundings. If you get up at Le Meurice, you positively know you might be in Paris! 

Ideally positioned reverse the Tuileries Gardens, between Place de la Concorde and the Louvre, Le Meurice offers a haven of tranquillity to numerous vital personalities because it opened in 1835. As for the distinguishing traits, it isn’t that a lot concerning the lodge’s materials options, it’s extra concerning the workers!

Le Meurice is a part of Dorchester Assortment. What sort of worth does this convey to the property?

Friends have references they usually know prematurely that the staff will care for 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” method, and our leitmotiv is treasured by friends, cherished by workers, celebrated worldwide. That claims all of it! The particular approach to create a house away from residence on your friends can solely consolidate your relationship and improve loyalty. Now we have friends 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 progress for the property and what’s the key focus for the property in 2025?

2024 has been an distinctive yr for Paris, the affect of the Olympics was very constructive by way of picture (bear in mind the nice views of Paris’ iconic landmarks throughout the sport occasions!), organisation and safety. A lot 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 prefer 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 pattern will proceed all year long. At Le Meurice, everybody is ready and we’re trying very a lot ahead to welcoming common and new friends from all around the world as we now have been doing for 190 years!

For extra data on Le Meurice Resort, click on right here.

For extra on the most recent in property and lodge reads, click on right here.