At Shangri-La, relax with Aqua Yoga
The price ?
45 € for the one hour course.
What experience?
In 1891, the geographer and botanist Roland Bonaparte had a house built on the hill of Chaillot, just in front of the Eiffel Tower erected two years earlier for the Universal Exhibition. There is no doubt that the grand-nephew of Napoleon I would have been delighted to discover what has become a veritable princely palace on the banks of the Seine. Inside the Asian palace, the maze of lounges, stairs and elevators (perfuming Bulgari White Tea) leads visitors to the spa. At the edge of the superb swimming pool of 17 meters by 6 meters, and its Italian mosaic drawing an oriental celadon and white fresco, six yoga mats are perfectly aligned. Fleur, professor at the Parisian Amazons, welcomes the sirens of the day. "
We are here to reconnect with our life energy. To replace stress with patience and judgment with tolerance,
”she announces straight away. The tone is set, and it is on the ground that the course begins, in a series of soft and deep movements. Great attention is paid to breathing, in anticipation of the second part of the session, in (too much?) Cool water. We swap the yoga outfit for a swimsuit, before starting aquagym movements, a lotus posture work in apnea, a few rolls to circulate the energy in the body and a time of relaxation in pairs. A surprisingly liberating experience, in an atmosphere that is neither bombastic nor condescending… To be continued in the hammam.
Chi, The Spa at Shangri-La
, 10 avenue d'Iéna.
Classes offered every Thursday, from 6.30 p.m. to 7.30 p.m., in the spa pool.
Accessible to all levels.
Reservation essential with the hotel or the Parisian Amazons.
Phone.
: 01 53 67 19 98.
Read alsoHotel Shangri-La in Paris, the expert opinion of
Figaro
At the Park Hyatt Paris-Vendôme, dinner at the chef's table
The Chef's table, at the Park Hyatt Paris-Vendôme, can accommodate up to six guests for an intimate experience.
Park Hyatt / Photo press
The price ?
150 € for the 3-course menu.
What experience?
This is an address that lives up to its name. At 5, rue de la Paix, surrounded by prestigious brands, the Park Hyatt is shrouded in a halo of serenity. After an intimate entrance, where the client is greeted by the bronze sculpture of a very Giacomettian couple, the establishment takes on the dimensions of a Greek temple. Under a vast rotunda topped by a dome and surrounded by a colonnade, 35 guests sit down each evening to taste the cuisine of the talented Jean-François Rouquette (Taillevent, le Crillon ...). But the most desirable table in the Pur 'restaurant is none other than the chef's, overlooking the open kitchen, away from the rest of the room. In an unparalleled hushed and intimate atmosphere, the conductor unveils his gastronomic score in a menu that praises travel, seasons and cooking.
Sea almond with tosazu (seaweed and citrus broth) rubs shoulders with prawns from Palamos and pearly scallops, while the onion ravioli is awakened by a black lemon from Iran and pigeon by an acid barberry and a gourmet square pea. “
What continues to thrill me is going to look for things that we have never eaten, that we did not know. And that doesn't necessarily mean going very far,
”explains Jean-François Rouquette, who is keen to present the producers with the elements of each plate. The dessert, a combination of citrus fruits, sweet potato and invigorating black cardamom, is prepared by the pastry chef in front of the astonished guests. Special mention for the tableware signed Isabelle Poupinel. The air of Paris here has a real taste of purity.
Restaurant Pur 'at Park Hyatt Paris-Vendôme
, 5 rue de la Paix.
6-course menu at 175 €, 9-course menu at 210 €.
Up to 6 guests maximum at the Chef's Table.
Reservation recommended at least one month in advance.
Phone.
: 01 58 71 12 34.
Read also Park Hyatt Paris Vendôme: the expert opinion of the "Figaro"
At Meurice, enjoy a tea-time
Le Meurice tea-time, a three-part fairyland.
Dorchester Collection
The price ?
68 € with a hot drink, 90 € with a glass of champagne.
What experience?
Is it still necessary to introduce Cédric Grolet, the young pastry prodigy? Awarded the title of “Best Pastry Chef in the World” in 2018, he is one of the most creative French personalities of his generation. Faithful to the palace on rue Rivoli for almost ten years, it is at the restaurant Le Dali that he transmits his art every day, in this spectacular and surrealist place signed Philippe Starck. And if the decor is welcoming, so is the tea-time presented on a three-storey set. English tradition requires, gourmets start with an assortment of
finger sandwiches
, before tasting the scones accompanied by raw cream from the Borniambuc farm in Normandy.
The last level is an ode to contemplation with the emblematic trompe-l'oeil fruits (choice according to the season) which have earned Cédric Grolet his worldwide fame.
As if that were not enough, the members of the staff regularly pass from table to table, their arms laden with platters on which kugelhopf, brioches or madeleines just out of the oven compete in softness.
A moment out of time.
Le Meurice
, 228 rue de Rivoli.
Tea time from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday to Saturday, from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.
Reservation essential.
Phone.
: 01 44 58 10 10.
Read alsoHotel Le Meurice in Paris, the expert opinion of
Le Figaro
At the Ritz, attend the ritual of the stars
The new Ritz Bar, a thousand miles from the vintage decor of the establishment's legendary Hemingway Bar.
Jerome Galland / Ritz
The price ?
From € 26 to € 32 for a signature cocktail.
What experience?
Behind the glass doors of 38, rue Cambon, a strange spectacle is played every day, at 5:30 p.m. sharp. A monumental lantern 2.50 meters high and 80 kilos rises to the top to reveal a circular bar, in a sound and light show set to music by the electro DJ duo Polo and Pan. “
This 80 square meter space, between Salon César and Bar Hemingway, lacked a bit of life. We wanted to bring it back to life by paying tribute to César Ritz, visionary and pioneer in the field of electricity,
”enthuses Marc Raffray, director of the palace. An immersion in the time of the Belle Époque, driven by progress, fantasy and the revival of the divinatory arts and clairvoyance salons.
While the finely chiseled brass lantern projects a fresco of zodiacal constellations on the ceiling, the cocktail menu draws its inspiration from astrology. “
It was difficult to associate a sign with ingredients, so we drew personality traits
», Specifies Romain de Courcy, manager of the Ritz Bar.
Leo is thus flamboyant, Cancer, gallant, Scorpio, erotic, or Aries, impetuous… A crush on the Charmer, associated with Gemini, imagined as a perfume made from fig brandy, lavender, pomegranate, ambrette and incense.
The promise of a deep and intriguing journey, to a distant eastern land.
Also on the menu, nearly 40 references of spirits, 4 non-alcoholic cocktails and tapas to share, including the essential Croq'Ritz with truffles (€ 25).
And since the devil is in the details, we appreciate the Lehmann glasses engraved in echo of the astral signs.
Ritz Bar
, accessible by 15, place Vendôme or 38, rue Cambon.
Open Tuesday to Saturday from 5.30 p.m. to 12.30 a.m. Tel.
: 01 43 16 30 30.
Read alsoThe Ritz: glory and rebirth
At the Peninsula, admire works of art
Chilean Iván Navarro's works are on display in the public areas of the Peninsula until January 15.
The Peninsula / Press photo
The price ?
Free.
What experience?
A stone's throw from the Arc de Triomphe, the establishment does not go unnoticed with its facade of 10,000 m2 of cut limestone. Under the huge glass roof evoking Japanese origami, in front of the staircase leading to the lobby, two lions stand guard. Once the hall and its cascade of blown glass sheets have passed, the Peninsula reveals its new artistic finery. After the success of its traveling exhibition “
Art in Resonance
” in 2019, between Hong Kong and Paris, the palace has just joined forces with the Galerie Templon (3rd arrondissement) to highlight artists.
Until January 10, the Chilean Iván Navarro, known for his sculptures of neon, fluorescent and incandescent lights, will be honored on avenue Kléber.
Five of his works are exhibited in common areas, accessible to all, while five others are placed in hotel suites to provide a privileged experience for guests.
Two round tables will also be moderated by art experts in the coming weeks.
Open to the public (by reservation), they intend to launch a dialogue between different generations of artists and audiences, novices or experts, school students and amateurs.
It only remains to push the doors.
The Peninsula Paris
, 19 avenue Kléber.
Lobby accessible every day of the week.
Phone.
: 01 58 12 28 88.
Read alsoLuxury hotels: the Peninsula Paris expands its services for its reopening
At Crillon, learn about oenology
The exceptional Crillon cellar houses more than 2,000 fine wines.
Guillaume de Laubier / Rosewood Hotels
The price ?
140 € for the lesson and the tasting.
What experience?
Erected at the request of Louis XV, the palace has been contemplating the Place de la Concorde for nearly three centuries. Grandiose and flamboyant, however, it is not the load of gold and marble of the former home of the illustrious family of the Count of Crillon that capsizes the guests. But a harmonious whole where a certain grace reigns, from the lobby to the cellar. It is precisely in this secret part of the hotel that a great trip takes place once a month. Xavier Thuizat, head sommelier at the Hôtel de Crillon, invites his guests to discover the treasures of the exceptional cellar, made up of more than 2,000 references of great wines. For two hours, as an educational and gastronomic aperitif, it offers five tastings of unique and prestigious vineyards, accompanied by ten culinary bites from Executive Chef Boris Campanella.Island of beauty, champagne, sake, biodynamic culture ... The themes are varied, to allow the most fans to come back again and again to this temple of the French art of living.
Hôtel de Crillon, A Rosewood Hotel
, accessible from 10 place de la Concorde or 2 rue Boissy-d'Anglas.
One tasting per month, from 6 to 8 p.m.
Next dates: November 18 and December 16.
Maximum 12 people per session.
Reservation essential.
Phone.
: 01 44 71 15 17.
Read alsoExpert opinion: enchantment of the Hôtel de Crillon, in Paris
At the Mandarin Oriental, gardening with the family
Chef Thierry Marx in his vegetable garden of aromatic herbs, on the terrace of the Camélia restaurant.
Hugo Hebrard / Mandarin Oriental
The price ?
150 € the 45-minute workshop.
What experience?
Going through the doors of 251 rue Saint-Honoré is to enter an oasis of calm and greenery. Under the trees on the terrace of the Camélia restaurant, far from the fury of life in the capital, Parisians and passing tourists discover the “Daily Marx” every day. Chef Thierry Marx's formula, a nod to the traditional “market menu”, gives pride of place to plants and aromatic herbs ... straight from his vegetable garden. Formerly on the roof of the palace, the chef installed it as close as possible to his restaurant for the benefit of visitors, including the youngest!
Supervised by a cook from the brigade, children from 6 years old are invited to discover the different herbs in the kitchen garden, their virtues and their secrets. Starting with the varieties of mints (Moroccan, grapefruit, green, peppery), basil (purple, small fine leaf, classic) and the essential thyme, sage, tarragon, coriander, lemongrass and fragrant verbena. Or the Immortelle, which gives the ingredients a curry scent, and
Persicaria odorata
, a creeping plant from Indochina with notes of coriander and lemongrass. The toddlers will then get their hands dirty to learn how to use them in a dish concocted with the cook. Playful and gourmet.
Mandarin Oriental
, 251, rue Saint-Honoré.
Workshop offered every day, between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m.
From 6 years old, 4 children maximum per session.
Support from a parent.
Reservation essential 48 hours in advance.
Phone.
: 01 43 16 30 30.
Read alsoHotel Le Mandarin Oriental in Paris, the expert opinion of
Le Figaro