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France

Great Things to do on the French Riviera

July 16, 2018 by cheriecity

The French Riviera is one of the most picturesque and desirable holiday spots in France with so many must-see towns lining the stunning Côte d’Azur. Whether you’re looking for high-octane glamour in Monaco, the best island beaches or tempting Niçoise specialities fresh from the market, this region has something to please everyone.

Spend your holiday hopping from one town to the next, exploring stately villas and museums, chartering a luxury yacht or soaking up the sun in the outdoor pool of a French Riviera mansion. What could be better than a city-beach holiday in one of the world’s most exciting seaside destinations?

Here are some of the best things to see and do when visiting the French Riviera…

Walk the old quarter of Le Suquet in Cannes

Leave the Cannes Film Festival to the stars and explore the old neighbourhood of Le Suquet, the original Roman site of Cannes. Walk the winding cobbled streets and look around the Église Notre-Dame-d’Espérance and the Musée de la Castre housed in an old castle. It’s also a great spot for charming local restaurants where you can spend a leisurely afternoon people-watching over the Bay of Cannes.

Discover the Picassos of Antibes

Explore the life of the great Spanish painter at the Musée Picasso in Antibes. Picasso spent most of his life on the French Riviera and spent a few months painting at the former Château Grimaldi overlooking the sea. The museum opened in 1966 and boasts 250 paintings, drawings and ceramics by Picasso, as well as artworks by Nicolas de Staël and sculptures by Joan Miró and Germaine Richier.

Shop local in Nice

Shopping at the local markets is one of the best things about a trip to the French Riviera. The Cours Saleya in Nice is a vibrant market selling either flowers, fruits and vegetables or antiques, depending on which day you visit. It’s the perfect place to find products specific to the region such as dried lavender, Provençal soap, preserved fruits, olive oil and truffles.

Of course, a trip to the market wouldn’t be complete without grazing on some Mediterranean street food. Go for rotisserie chicken with crispy potatoes or Niçoise specialities pissaladière, beignets and socca (a thin pancake made from chickpea flour and olive oil).

Listen to classical music in Menton

The Menton Music Festival takes place every year in July and August and is the oldest classical music festival in France. For the past sixty years, it has attracted a stellar line-up of orchestras, ensembles and soloists from around the world in a prestigious venue. Also, look out for the annual Menton Lemon Festival with colourful fruit parades, illuminated gardens and night processions with fireworks, dancers and brass bands.

La vie en rose in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat

Take a tour of Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild, a jewel of the Côte d’Azur in upscale Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat. This rose-tinted (and highly Instagrammable) villa was built in the early 20th century for Béatrice de Rothschild and is filled with antiques, old master paintings and rare porcelain. It also features nine perfectly-manicured gardens, each on a different theme including Florentine, Spanish, Japanese and Provençal.

It’s also the location of the summer festival Opera Azuriales and The Painters Day where artists are welcomed to paint in the gardens for one day in June each year.

Learn about perfume in Grasse

This hillside town, just north of Cannes, is known as the perfume capital of the world. It’s surrounded by sprawling fields covered in local flowers (lavender, violet and mimosa) and is home to a number of fragrance houses such as Galimard, Fragonard and Molinard. However, its most exclusive client is Chanel, whose flowers fields yield a harvest of May roses and jasmine flowers, which make up the main notes of its iconic Chanel No.5 fragrance.

To fully immerse yourself in this fragrant wonderland, delve through 3000 years of perfume history at the Museé International de la Parfumerie. Learn about the process from start to finish, including raw materials, manufacturing, trade and design. You can even visit the museum’s peaceful flower garden.

Swim in crystal clear waters in Porquerolles

The tiny untouched Île de Porquerolles, just south of Saint-Tropez, is one of the most idyllic spots on the French Riviera. An antidote to the glitz and glamour of the region, most of the island is a national park and the Plage de Notre-Dame offers calm azure waters, golden sand and inviting aromas of pine tree and eucalyptus.

Musical Fireworks in Monaco

In July and August each year, the Principality of Monaco hosts spectacular international fireworks competition over the Port Hercules. Monaco Art en Ciel takes place over four evenings and features dazzling pyrotechnics set to classical and pop music with free concerts for the public. Indulge with Bouillabaisse and rosé at one of the restaurants lining the port or take a night-time cruise for a prime view.

Eat Tarte Tropézienne in Saint-Tropez

Paris may be renowned for its fine pâtisserie, but Saint-Tropez is the birthplace of the more rustic Tarte Tropézienne. It was created in 1955 by baker Alexandre Micka and named by Brigitte Bardot when she was filming And God Created Woman. This fluffy, cream-filled brioche can be found in pâtisseries all over the coastal town, but the best are said to be at the original La Tarte tropézienne and Marcel et Cavazza.

Have you been to the French Riviera? Where are your favourite hotspots in the south of France?

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Photos by Chérie City, Villa Ephrussi & Semec Kelagopian

Camping, France, Glamping, Spain

Yelloh! Village – the Finest Open-Air Hotels

April 15, 2015 by cheriecity

With the summer quickly approaching, it’s time to start thinking about where to spend the holidays. If you’re visiting a sunny European destination, why not make the most of the warm weather at a Yelloh! Village high-end campsite?

Yelloh! Village operates more than 65 destinations across France, Spain and Portugal and has been the benchmark in top-of-the-range camping for the last 15 years.

Pitch up with beautiful views of the ocean in The Algarve, stay in a stylish Catalonia chalet where you can cook your own tapas or indulge with a five star stay in a premium chalet complete with swimming pool in coastal Aquitaine.

Years ago, one of my close friends from uni arranged a girls’ weekend in Alghero, Sardinia, ahead of her wedding, staying in chalets in a boutique camping site. It was the perfect alternative to a regular hotel with its beach-side location, good facilities and plenty of space for al fresco dinner and plenty of wine under the stars.

Of course, the camping world has evolved since my last outdoor holiday – who could resist a campsite with heated outdoor pools, spa facilities, tennis courts, an on-site bakery and wifi?

My ideal Yelloh! Village stay would be in France’s Provence Alpes Cote d’Azur region at the fabulous Camping Les Tournels in St. Tropez. I would explore the French Riviera and stroll along the Promenade des Anglais in Nice, enjoy an aperitif at a seafront cafe in glitzy Monaco and retrace the lives of Picasso and Matisse in Saint-Paul de Vence.

I would also take some time to try out the campsite’s blissful balneotherapy centre, relax on the nearby Pampelonne beach and cook authentic southern French dishes with ingredients from the markets of Provence from the comfort of my kitchen.

Yelloh! Village continually listens to its guests and has made numerous improvements to site facilities, winning it various awards including ‘Best Camping’ in the Michelin Camping Guide.

Yelloh! Village’s qualified, multilingual staff are on hand to make you feel welcome and get you into the holiday spirit. The clear, concise website makes it easy to find your ideal accommodation and there are plenty of outdoor activities and sports to keep you and the family entertained.

Whether you’re wanting to camp France in style or reconnect with nature in the Balearics, make a Yelloh! Village high quality open-air hotel top of your travel wish list.

Have you ever stayed at a Yelloh! Village campsite? Are you tempted to try luxury camping this summer?

books, Fashion, France, Paris

How To Be Parisian Wherever You Are

September 3, 2014 by cheriecity

Ever wondered the secrets behind the life and style of Parisian women? Their cultural DNA has been decoded by a number of books, but none do it as well as How To Be Parisian Wherever You Are.

It’s a light-hearted guide to adding a little je ne sais quois to the everyday and approaching life’s questions with ‘what would a Parisian do’?

The book is written by four successful, bohemian-cool Parisians that make you wish you were in their gang. Audrey Diwan is a scriptwriter and film director as well as editor-at-large for Stylist magazine, while Sophie Mas is a producer with her own film company.

Author Anne Berest wrote a biography of Francoise Sagan this year and writes for television, cinema and theatre. Then there’s model Caroline de Maigret, the epitome of Parisian cool who is not only an ambassador for Chanel and muse to Lancôme, but also studied literature at the Sorbonne.

Anyone who has known a Parisian woman will attest to how awe-inspiring, captivating and stubborn they can be. My Parisian friend Coralie has always intrigued me – she just seems to instinctively know how to live well and make it look effortless, whether it’s the right beauty regime, a chic accessory or being worldly and opinionated. I recognise so much of her in this book.

Every aspect of the Parisian mystique is uncovered in the book, from fashion and beauty to dating, sex and parenthood.

On the fashion side, we learn the essentials of a Parisian’s wardrobe, their distaste for flashy logos, that the colour navy is always chic and the virtues of a signature item that makes you feel great (as long as it’s not Uggs).

Similarly, Parisian beauty is all about au naturel (or at leasting creating the illusion), so go easy on the make-up, don’t bother blow-drying your hair and save the surgery until your forties – even then moderation is key. Oh, and “always be fuckable: when standing in line at the bakery on a Sunday morning, buying champagne in the middle of the night or even picking the kids up from school. You never know.”

Of course, it’s more than just a style guide – there are witty anecdotes and essays on the contradictions and snobbery of Parisian women and how they interact with men, women and the city. There’s the internal anguish over what to eat on a date at Cafe de Flore, making every kiss cinematic and how to make him think you have a lover.

The book also takes a tongue-in-cheek approach to culture, sharing the books that line a Parisienne’s bookshelf (whether she’s actually read them or not), the feminist icons they connect with and the curious art of speaking politics with the mouth and sex with the eyes.

‘Without her girls gang, the Parisienne is incomplete’, but she also values the simple pleasures of being alone, doing exactly what she wants with stolen moments – a true flâneuse.

The book is also peppered with some useful recipes, iconic films to transport you to Paris and little black book addresses (we all agree upon Hotel Amour for a night out).

The illustrations alone are enough to make you want to move to Paris, with photos of the authors and their impossibly cool Parisian friends including Sonia Sieff, Alix Thomsen, Jeanne Damas, Mathilde Warnier and Caroline’s husband Yarol Poupaud, alongside exclusive prints by So-Me.

How To Be Parisian Wherever You Are is witty, beautifully-written book and a reminder of why we can’t help falling in love with all things Parisian.

How To Be Parisian Wherever You Are is available from 4th September (published by Ebury Press, priced £16.99).

France, Hotels, Hotels - Luxury, Paris, Restaurants

Luxury Dining at Shangri-La Paris

January 23, 2014 by cheriecity

Shangri-La Paris is one of the city’s most exciting luxury hotels for dining and the Michelin Guide has been quick to acknowledge the high standard of its restaurants.

During my stay, I was lucky enough to dine at all three restaurants and enjoy a glass of Champagne at the pop up Bollinger Champagne Bar on the terrace.

L’Abeille

The hotel’s gastronomic, two Michelin star restaurant L’Abeille (paying homage to Napoleon’s bee emblem) is one of the city’s most prestigious new fine dining restaurants and getting a reservation requires advance planning.

The Chef

Executive Chef Philippe Labbé creates exciting, innovative dishes using the freshest ingredients and the dining experience is meticulously choreographed.

The dining room is chic and intimate with well-spaced tables, overlooking the hotel’s picturesque gardens.

The Exclusive Set Menu

Philippe Labbé devised a special set menu for our group, presenting the very best of the late-summer season. We began the meal with an amuse-bouche platter of candied pear, yuzu meringue, cucumber roll and wafer-thin shortbread topped with freeze-dried raspberry, all served on a black slate.

To start, we enjoyed Royal Scampi from Summer Isle – Tartare flavoured Royal Scampi with Verbena Oil and fresh raspberries, mildly cooked with raspberry vinegar from Jean-Marc Montegoterro and with torrefied locust seed (€95). The plump, steamed scampi went perfectly with the sharp raspberry and the fragrant lemon verbena – a dish bursting with freshness.

This was followed with Lamb from Limousin – roasted fillet with cumin and red onions, sweetbread cooked with garlic, mashed spicy eggplant (€164). The dish was presented under a glass bell jar and ceremoniously lifted in unison by our waiters. The lamb was succulent and tender, partnered with a crispy, rich sweetbread and infused with smoky Middle Eastern flavours.

The cheese trolley looked too tempted for us to resist, so we squeezed in a Selection of Cheeses, from Maitres Bernard and Olivier Antony (€26). The cheeses were of the finest standard and deliciously creamy and full-bodied, served with candied dried fruits and bread.

Dessert was as spectacular as I could have hoped for in a two Michelin star restaurant in the city of divine pastry. Philippe Labbé’s unique take on a Bourbon Vanilla Millefeuille (€28) was filled with light vanilla cream, cloud-like meringue, caramel cream, sticky vanilla syrup and pieces of gold leaf.

To round off an exquisite meal, we were treated to a selection of petit fours – chocolates filled with yuzu, ginger and chili, yuzu lollipops and light biscuits accompanied with chocolate, lemon meringue and strawberry pâte de fruits.

We had the chance to meet Philippe Labbé at the end of the meal and we were generously presented with a large pot of Shangri-La honey from Corsica before leaving.

L’Abeille is haute cuisine at its very best and the experience is truly magical.

Shang Palace

One Michelin star Shang Palace brings the art of Cantonese fine dining to Paris, serving authentic Chinese dishes created by Shenzen native, Chef Frank Xu. The spacious dining room is Chinese elegance at its very best with Jade panels, vases and artwork sourced directly from Chinese artisans.

We enjoyed lunch at Shang Palace as we arrived in Paris and feasted on the Chef’s selection of traditional dim sum, barbecued meats and comforting soups.

We started by sharing baskets of delicious Siu Mai Shrimp and Pork Dumplings with Crab Roe and slices of Barbecued Duck, Pork and Chicken, which were placed on rotating glass at the centre of the table.

I particularly liked the Red Rice Flour Rolls with Shrimp, which included mixed vegetables and shrimp in a crunchy batter covered in a soft, sticky red rice flour roll – a signature dish at Shang Palace.

This was followed by a tasty, comforting Crab Meat Dumpling in a superior clear soup. Deep-Fried Prawns with Crispy Garlic and Chili were plump and flavoursome with a generous coating of potent garlic crumbs.

Wok-Fried Sliced Beef with Black Pepper Sauce was indulgent with a sweet and tangy sauce, while Braised Eggplant with Diced Chicken and Salty Fish in a Claypot was full of interesting flavours. These dishes were accompanied by tasty Egg-Fried Rice with Pork and Shrimp and our Chinese green tea was constantly refilled.

Luckily after such a decadent lunchtime feast, dessert was a light and refreshing Chilled Mango Cream with Pomelo and Sago.

La Bauhinia

La Bauhinia, with its glass cupola and Murano glass chandelier, serves afternoon tea, light bites and a dinner menu of French and South East Asian specialities. We enjoyed a relaxed dinner there and I loved being able to choose dishes from two different types of cuisine for each course.

To start, I ordered the Pan-Seared Prawns with Coriander, Guacamole and Mango Salad (€26). Not only was the dish beautifully presented but every mouthful was an absolute delight. The pan-seared prawns were plump and succulent and went perfectly with the cool, smooth avocado and the fresh, juicy mango salsa. It’s a great dish to order if you feel like something light and exceptionally tasty.

It was very tough trying to decide on a main course, as everything sounded so tempting, but I was drawn to a classic French Beef Tenderloin with Home-made French Fries and Béarnaise Sauce (€48). The lean tenderloin was tender, succulent and nicely charred on the outside while the French fries were crispy and golden and the creamy béarnaise sauce was topped with fresh tarragon.

For dessert, I was tempted by the Chocolate Cake with Cacao Nibs and Chocolate Sorbet (€14). The exquisite cake was rich and velvety with dark chocolate mousse packed between layers of chocolate sponge and topped with a thin gold crisp. The chocolate sorbet with biscuit crumbs was a fresh and light accompaniment, much better than ice cream.

Shangri-La Paris is a real treat for foodies, whether it’s enjoying an elegant afternoon tea in La Bauhinia, an authentic taste of China in Shang Palace or a memorable two Michelin star dining experience in L’Abeille.

For more information, visit: www.shangri-la.com

Read more about my magical stay at Shangri-La Paris:

Chérie City was invited by Shangri-La Paris

Photos by Chérie City and Shangri-La Paris

France, Hotels, Hotels - Luxury, Paris

A Luxury Stay at Shangri-La Paris

December 9, 2013 by cheriecity

Shangri-La Paris is one of the city’s most refined new luxury hotels, combining French elegance with warm Asian hospitality.

The five star hotel occupies the former home of Napoleon Bonaparte’s grandnephew, Prince Roland Bonaparte, and was previously known as Palais Iéna.

Location

Nestled discreetly in the prestigious, leafy 16th arrondissement, Shangri-La Paris is on the doorstep of cultural delights such as the Trocadero, Palais de Tokyo, Galliera Museum, Musée national des arts asiatiques Guimet and the Avenue Wilson food market.

It’s also conveniently close to the Seine, Eiffel Tower, Champs-Elysées and the designer stores on the chic Avenue Montaigne and Avenue George V.

Design

The mansion house has been thoughtfully restored with many of it original features revived and the interiors have been designed by the inimitable Pierre-Yves Rochon. The stately marble lobby is decorated with elegant chandeliers, Ming Dynasty vases, integrated monograms of Prince Roland Bonaparte and elaborate floral displays – during our stay there were large vases of vibrant sunflowers.

The lobby leads seamlessly to the grand staircase and private salons where tea and exquisite cakes and are served in refined surroundings.

If there are no private events being held, it’s worth walking up the staircase for a peek at the opulent Louis XIV style Grand Salon with its gold-leaf appliqué walls, the mahogany panelled Salle à Manger and the feminine Salon de Famille with its ceiling painted with an orb of sphinxes and plants. Close your eyes for a moment and it feels like the Château de Versailles has arrived in the heart of Paris.

The south-facing hotel features 101 rooms and suites, including the impressive Suite Shangri-La with its dazzling interiors and outdoor terrace boasting breath-taking panoramas of the city. This summer, the hotel opened a brand new botanically inspired Garden Wing with 20 rooms and suites overlooking a perfectly landscaped garden and courtyard.

The Room

My beautiful Eiffel Premier room was very spacious and elegant, designed in an ‘Empire meets luxury minimalist’ style, in a palette of blue, white and ecru. Its custom-made furnishings have luxurious textures such as silk-threaded wallpaper, soft velvet seats, crystal hardware and an elaborate patterned carpet.

For true authenticity, Pierre-Yves Rochon researched archive documents and photos of the original Palais Iéna interiors and translated the motifs and fixture for a contemporary luxury hotel.

Room features include a large LCD TV with cable and movie channels, executive writing desk complete with stationary drawer, a comfy seating area and free wifi. At the entrance to the room is a separate drawer unit with a Nespresso machine, a kettle with a selection of fine teas, a well-stocked minibar and refined china cups and saucers.

A Welcome Treat

I was welcomed with a fine bottle of Château Le Borderon Haut-Médoc 2009 and a fruit bowl, placed next to the prettiest flowers that brightened the room.

The Terrace

The highlight of staying in an Eiffel Premier Room is the expansive terrace with sun loungers and a stunning view of the Eiffel Tower. What could be more magical than enjoying a glass of Champagne on the terrace while watching the evening Eiffel Tower light show?

The walk-in wardrobe is a wonderful feature, with extensive storage space, a floor-to-ceiling mirror and a vanity desk. I made use of the complimentary shoe shine service, leaving my shoes in a basket in the wardrobe and returning later to find them looking fresh and renewed.

I found the king-size bed extremely comfortable, covered in sumptuous linen with a silk-trimmed throw and blue cushions. At evening turndown, complimentary bottles of mineral water were placed by the bed with a Shangri-La bookmark and the room was prepared for sleeping.

The Bathroom

The elegant marble bathroom with heated floors features a rainfall shower, deep soaking tub, double sink, a mist-free mirror with flat-screen TV and a drawer filled with bathroom essentials. There are plenty of large, fluffy towels, face cloths and plush embroidered bathrobes and slippers.

The bathroom is stocked with a generous amount of BVLGARI White Tea bathroom amenities plus bath salts and a reed diffuser with the Shangri-La signature scent – a blend of vanilla, sandal, musk, bergamot and tea spiced with ginger.

Breakfast in La Bauhinia

In the morning, we enjoyed breakfast served in La Bauhinia, the hotel’s stunning all-day dining restaurant. To begin the day well, La Bauhinia offers a selection of substantial American, Chinese, healthy and Continental set breakfasts. As this was a real foodie trip, I ordered lightly from the à la carte each morning and loved the fluffy pancakes with maple syrup, crepes with sugar and home-made apple compote topped with fresh berries.

I was kindly offered a newspaper or magazine to read and was brought some bircher muesli and fresh green apple as an amuse-bouche. Breakfast service can often let down even the best of hotels, but at Shangri-La Paris, the efficient staff make it easy to start the day in a good mood.

Swimming Pool

Shangri-La hotels and resorts are known for their superior health and leisure facilities and Shangri-La Paris really wows with its stunning 15x6m indoor pool. Not only does the pool look heavenly with its tiny mosaic tiles, grand pillars and hand-painted blue sky ceiling, but it has a great sense of calm and the water is just the right temperature. I enjoyed a leisurely morning swim and took in some sun on the serene outdoor terrace with a pot of green tea.

CARITA Spa

I was kindly treated to a fantastic facial at the hotel’s chic CARITA spa, which left my skin glowing and deeply hydrated. There is also an excellent fitness centre with state-of-the-art equipment.

Shangri-La Paris features three fabulous restaurants, an indoor and outdoor bar and intimate lounges. La Bauhinia, with its glass cupola and Murano glass chandelier, serves afternoon tea, light bites and a dinner menu of French and Asian specialities.

Shang Palace

The one Michelin star Shang Palace brings the art of Cantonese fine dining to Paris, serving authentic Chinese dishes and excellent set lunch menus with traditional dim sum, barbecued meats and comforting soups.

L’Abeille

The hotel’s gastronomic, two Michelin star restaurant L’Abeille (paying homage to Napoleon’s bee emblem) is one of the city’s hottest fine dining restaurants and during our dinner there, it was a full house. Executive Chef Philippe Labbé creates exciting, innovative dishes using the freshest ingredients and the restaurant’s doors open to the garden in the warmer months.

Bollinger Champagne Bar

Before dining at L’Abeille, we had a Champagne apéritif at the pop up Bollinger Champagne Bar on the first floor outdoor terrace. Le Bar is a cosier spot with expertly-mixed cocktails served in an Empire style room with oil paintings of horses adorning the walls.

Service at Shangri-La Paris is at the typically high level that you can expect from the renowned hotel group and I found the staff friendly, meticulous and polite. Head Concierge Tony Le Goff arranged for us to visit the beautiful Château Vaux le Vicomte and suggested we take a private tour of the Seine on a Venetian water taxi and lunch at the nearby Chalet des Iles.

Shangri-La Paris is an exquisite hotel that brings back to life the opulence of a 19th century palace, balanced with understated contemporary French and Asian design. With a heavenly pool, indulgent food and magnificent views on the doorstep, it’s easy to get lost in the charming world of Shangri-La while the city awaits.

A double room at Shangri-La Hotel, Paris starts from 750 Euros per room per night (room only). Price includes tax and service. To book, visit: www.shangri-la.com or call 0800 028 3337.

Chérie City was invited by Shangri-La Paris

Photos by Chérie City and Shangri-La Paris

Designers, Fashion, France, Paris, Shopping, Stores

Le Jardin du Palais Royal – Paris

September 22, 2012 by cheriecity

Le Jardin du Palais Royal in Paris’ 1st arrondissement is a quiet, refined haven that often slips under the tourist radar, being overshadowed by the Louvre, Tuileries and Place Vendôme.

Established in 1639, the Palais Royal has been owned by copious royalty and has hosted the most lavish society parties and its fair share of debauchery. Today, the Palais Royal is occupied by the more sober council and government organisations, but the understated glamour of the gardens and the galleries still thrives.

Well-heeled Parisians dine at the opulent, historic Le Grand Véfour and the Restaurant du Palais Royal, overlooking the manicured gardens. Under the ornate arches are galleries housing artisan and designer boutiques such as renowned vintage dealers Didier Ludot and Gabrielle Geppert, glove-makers Maison Fabre, alongside high end designers Rick Owens, Stella McCartney, Marc Jacobs, Colto Moltedo and Acne.

Look out for the petite boutiques of shoe-makers Pierre Hardy and Rupert Sanderson and experience a bespoke service at the exquisite, jewellery box salons of Serge Lutens and Les Parfums de Rosine.

All photos by Chérie City

Featured, France, Hotels, Paris

A Carrie Bradshaw Moment at Hôtel Plaza Athénée Paris

June 5, 2012 by cheriecity

Hôtel Plaza Athénée is one of Paris’ most stylish and romantic five star hotels with an unrivalled fashion heritage. Located on the chic Avenue Montaigne, this Art Nouveau palace hotel has been epitome Parisian luxury since 1911.

I was recently invited to spend the night at Hôtel Plaza Athénée as part of a luxury trip to the Hermès Atelier and Hermès Left Bank store. Staying at Plaza Athénée has always been a dream and pulling up to the hotel in our taxi, seeing the iconic red awnings was a real ‘wow’ moment.

Sex and the City filming

This is a good point to mention that Hôtel Plaza Athénée was the backdrop for Carrie Bradshaw’s Paris adventures for ‘An American Girl in Paris’, the last two episodes of Sex and the City. The lobby is elegant, intimate and filled with beautiful floral arrangements. It is in fact cosier than in the TV series (a trick of the camera), yet just as spectacular.

Arrival

Throughout the hotel there is a luminous warmth, making you feel enveloped in a cashmere cocoon of luxury. The friendly, attentive staff impressed by learning to pronounce my name perfectly, addressing me as ‘Madame Alimohamadi’ for the duration of my stay. It’s these small touches that keeps Plaza Athénée, a member of the prestigious Dorchester Collection, at the top of its game.

The Room

My Deluxe Room on the first floor overlooking the Avenue Montaigne was simply exquisite. It was designed in a Parisian style with a colour palette of pink, silver grey and light beige. The stunning Louis XVI-style chairs and the heavy silk drapes were made of the finest fabric and I loved the antique lamps and marquetry writing bureau.

A Welcome Treat

I was welcomed with a delicious lemon cake, large bottle of mineral water and fresh fruit.

The spacious room also featured a separate dressing room with two wardrobes, a full-length cupboard and a vanity dresser.

The king-size bed was ever so comfortable and covered with crisp hypo-allergenic linen. There is also a pillow menu, so you choose between de-stressing, osteopathic, beautifying, wheat, synthetic or horsehair. I didn’t have time to select my pillows before dinner, but the pillows selected for me were perfect (I’d like to think they were the beautifying ones).

When I first arrived, it took a while to find the TV. I searched the cupboards and tables for a sign of a screen and eventually discovered that the large gilded mirror turned into a plasma TV!

Other room features include remote-control air conditioning, internet access (for a fee), DVD player, twice daily housekeeping (including evening turn-down), complimentary shoe shine and a minibar stocked with 80 items.

The Bathroom

The marble bathroom was also suitably luxurious with a marble bath, walk-in shower, double sink and embroidered bathrobes and slippers. The chic bathroom amenities resembled Chanel No.5 bottles and were specially developed for the hotel by natural skincare brand, Plantation.

Breakfast

In the morning, we had an early start, so I ordered the American Breakfast – Poached Eggs on Toast with bacon, a selection of Viennoiserie, cereal, red berries, fresh orange juice and English breakfast tea. The breakfast was excellent and beautifully presented on a full-size table with silver service.

The Carrie Bradshaw Suite

We were given a tour of the hotel, starting with the Eiffel Suite, also known as the Carrie Bradshaw suite. The suite has since been redesigned, however, we stood on the balcony where a Sonia Rykiel-clad Carrie screams at the Eiffel Tower.

On this one rare occasion, I felt slightly more fortunate than Carrie Bradshaw, as I had the pleasure of spending my time there with Hermès and fabulous fashion bloggers, rather than Aleksandr Petrovsky! However, wearing her mille-feuille couture gown to dinner would have been most welcome.

Dining at Plaza Athénée is an absolute delight. You can enjoy tea and cake by renowned pastry chef Christophe Michalak in the elegant Galerie des Gobelins (where Carrie met Petrovsky’s daughter Chloé) or summer outdoor dining at La Terrasse Montaigne or the romantic Cour Jardin.

For something more traditional and typically Parisian, try Le Relais Plaza with its steak and seafood focused bistro menu by Alain Ducasse. The interiors are inspired by the Art Deco liner Le Normandie and the entrance is lined with photographs of celebrity guests at Le Relais Plaza.

Dinner at Alain Ducasse au Plaza Athénée

The jewel of the hotel, however, is the three Michelin star restaurant, Alain Ducasse au Plaza Athénée. We enjoyed a long, multiple course dinner at The Chef’s Table – an experience for special occasions that cannot be bought.

Le Bar du Plaza Athénée

An apéritif or a cocktail at Le Bar du Plaza Athénée is an absolute must. The hip bar is designed by Patrick Jouin, a former protégé of Philippe Starck and has cool features such as a sculpted glass bar and iPads for ordering cocktails. Recently, the Plaza Athénée mixologist Thierry Hernandez collaborated with perfumer Sophie Labbé on L’ELIXIR DE PRINTEMPS, a unique cocktail and perfume experience. With each cocktail, guests receive a limited edition bottle of L’ELIXIR DE PRINTEMPS perfume.

Dior Institut

Another perk of staying at Hôtel Plaza Athénée is access to the stunning Dior Institut. Opened in 2008, the Dior Institut pays tribute to the long-standing relationship between the hotel and Christian Dior. In 1947, Christian Dior opened his first shop on Avenue Montaigne, so that he could be close to his beloved Plaza Athénée and his well-heeled clients. In fact, Monsieur Dior even named some of his collections ‘Plaza’ and ‘Athénée’.

This stylish, peaceful sanctuary offers a relaxation lounge, tea room, steam baths, saunas and fitness centre. Luxurious Dior Beauté skin and body treatments are offered in private rooms designed to reflect Christian Dior’s iconic geometric lines and signature colours, white and grey.

Hôtel Plaza Athénée continues its strong fashion legacy by hosting the Dorchester Collection Prize 2012. The judging panel, from different sectors of the fashion industry, includes Kenzo Takada, Lorenz Baumer, Bruno Frisoni, Nathalie Rykiel, Chantal Thomass, Alexandra Golovanoff, Harumi Klossowska de Rola and Jean-Jacques Picart.

Staying at Hôtel Plaza Athénée is a dreamy, awe-inspiring experience, where luxury is a fine art. A more stylish Paris address simply cannot be found.

A Deluxe Room is priced at €995 per night. Suites start from €1,255. For more info and booking, visit: www.plaza-athenee-paris.com

Chérie City was a guest of Hôtel Plaza Athénée

All photos by Chérie City

Designers, Fashion, France, Paris, Shopping, Stores

Hermès Rive Gauche & Lunch at Le Plongeoir

May 5, 2012 by cheriecity

My trip to Paris with Hermès started with an indulgent breakfast at Hôtel Plaza Athénée, followed by a private tour of the atelier to see the maison’s handbags, leather goods and accessories in production, so of course the next step was to see the shiny finished pieces in their natural surroundings.

Location

We visited the spectacular Hermès flagship store on the rue de Sèvres, just a few steps from the iconic Hotel Lutetia, in the heart of Saint Germain.

Located in the what was once the Hotel Lutetia’s art deco swimming pool, this is the very first Hermès store on the Left Bank.

Designed by architecture agency RDAI, the three-floor concept store contrasts original 1930s features with Denis Montel’s intricate wooden cocoons and wave furnishings, reflecting the building’s original purpose.

Baptiste Pitou Flowers

The front of the store features an adorable flower shop with stunning arrangements and bouquets by renowned Parisian florist Baptiste Pitou.

After a fragrant entrance to the store, there is the silk scarf counter, a book store with a well-edited collection of art, fashion and coffee table books and Le Plongeoir tea salon and restaurant.

Home collection

Downstairs is the recently launched interiors collection featuring re-issued numbered furniture designs by Jean-Michel Frank. I loved the monogrammed ‘H’ cushions and cashmere throws and the zesty lime green candle holders complete with leather tags.

The wooden cocoon structures showcase home furnishings, tableware, ceramics and beachwear.

There is also ready to wear for men and women, a tie counter, childrenswear, fragrances, jewellery, accessories and shoes.

Perfume counter

The perfume counter features the full range of fragrances from the luxurious Collection Hermessence. The sales assistant kindly offered me a beautiful Hermès orange paper pouch with two large complimentary samples of my two favourite fragrances. I chose the light and fresh Rose Ikebana and the sweet, smoky Ambre Narguilé. Both come in sleek glass bottles with a stitched leather top with the option of adding a leather bottle sleeve. They are also offered as mini fragrances in a bespoke gift set.

Le Plongeoir

Le Plongeoir, translated as the ‘diving board’ is the cool, 30-seat in-store tea salon and restaurant. Minimally decorated, Le Plongeoir is all about the small details, showcasing the exquisite Hermès tableware that can be found in the store.

The menu focuses on light bistro dishes, club sandwiches and salads with an extensive collection of rare and exotic teas by Le Palais des Thés.

The Food

We started with a few sharing platters of Bellota-Bellota Ibérico dry-cured ham with crisp focaccia slices. The strong flavours complimented each other perfectly and it’s easy to see why this is regarded as the best cured ham in the world.

For my main dish, I ordered the roast duck with a carrot and citrus purée – a French classic with a twist. The meat was juicy and expertly cooked and the carrot purée was a something different to the usual potato gratin usually served with duck. The dish was delicious and comforting, but not too heavy.

Dessert

The pâtisserie table was too tempting to resist, so we tried a selection of cakes and macarons to share. The dense chocolate cake was a highlight and other treats included a sticky almond cake, pistachio and honey brioche, chocolate macaron and a vanilla and mint macaron.

Of course, with cake must come tea. I ordered a pot of Montagne Bleue – a fragrant black tea blended with honey, lavender, blueberry, strawberry and rhubarb. It was fruity and lightly perfumed and came served in a cast-iron teapot.

The Hermès Left Bank flagship store is the perfect place to see the the extensive Hermès collection in an inspiring, creative environment. Le Plongeoir is delightfully peaceful and a discreet alternative to Saint Germain’s ‘people watching’ terrace cafes such as Café de Flore and Les Deux Magots. So if you’re on the Left Bank, looking for a luxurious afternoon treat with room for your shopping bags, step inside…

Hermès, 17 Rue de Sèvres 75006 Paris

Chérie City was a guest of Hermès

All photos by Chérie City

Accessories, Designers, Fashion, Featured, France, Paris

A Rare Look Inside Les Ateliers Hermès Paris

April 29, 2012 by cheriecity

Les Ateliers Hermès is a hallowed temple of tradition and craftsmanship to which a select few are granted access. I had the enormous privilege of being among a group of the first bloggers ever to be invited to see behind the scenes of the iconic leather maison.

Located in Pantin, on the outskirts of Paris, the Hermès atelier is a central hub of artisans, craftsmen and head office staff – the place where ideas are born and developed. Originally above the Faubourg St Honoré store (back in the early days of 1837), there are now ten ateliers in France, each containing ten workshops.

The exterior of the building is unassuming, yet inside it’s a sparkling, minimalist hive with splashes of Hermès colour, designed by artistic director, Pierre-Alexis Dumas. I expected more of a cluttered workshop environment, but in fact, the Hermès aesthetic is present throughout the production stages, not just a glossy finish for the customer.

We visited the Atelier Petits Sacs where smaller bags such as the Constance (my personal favourite), Illico, Birkin, Kelly and a few other designs are produced. The room was filled with the sound of hammering and the intoxicating scent of leather.

Dotted around the spacious workshop were the personal work stations of the craftsmen and artisans, each personalised with their own photos, mementos, books, mascots and little Hermès emblems.

Apprentices train at the Hermès leather school for one year, learning to create the core designs such as the Birkin and Kelly in different leathers. When they begin to work in the atelier, they build on their skills, making more complex bags with difficult skins such as croc and python. At present, Hermès uses 30 different skins and 300 colours. After ten years at Hermès, they have earned the titled of ‘artisan’.

Each craftsman sees their own bag through all stages of production and every bag bears a subtle signature mark inside. They are each able to make three to four bags per week, depending on the complexity of the specific bag. For example, a Birkin can take 12-14 hours to make and around 25 hours in an advanced skin such as croc.

We met a number of artisans who allowed us to watch them working on their bag. They were welcoming and appeared pleased to show off their skills, remaining unfazed while we zoomed and clicked away. We watched Stefan hand-stitch the brand new Kelly bag design with contrasting broguing. He listens to music while he works to keep his concentrating.

All bags are hand-stitched to make them stronger and more durable than bags stitched by machine. The bags are sewn by saddle-stitch using two needles and just one piece of thread, so it’s imperative to get the length right from the start.

Martine showed us how she sands down the edges of the leather with a hot tool to remove the excess glue and to get a smooth edge. When she’s satisfied that the edges are perfect, she then adds a layer of lacquer to seal them.

There are many other stages in the production of the bags, such as nailing the hardware onto the leather and clipping it down by hand, creating a curve on certain bags and coating the leather in beeswax to make it last longer and bring out the full colour.

In addition to the key pieces, Hermès bags from previous eras are often taken out of the archive and re-edited, creating exciting new challenges for the craftsmen. A recently revived design is the Sac a Depeche, a handsome briefcase in super smooth leather with a buckle clasp.

There is a tense moment as the hand-stitched bags are turned the right side out. If the bags are anything less than perfect, they can’t be finished and sold, so hours of work are wasted. However, there are no horror stories of rejected bags being destroyed, as the bags with tiny imperfections are available for Hermès staff to buy at a discounted price.

Also, Hermès has recently launched Petit H Creative Lab, a project where unfinished bags are transformed into imaginative new pieces by artists. Located close to the atelier, the Petit H lab is a place for re-imagining the classics, not just for art’s sake, but for future innovations at Hermès.

Visiting Les Ateliers Hermès was not only a rare fashion experience but also a real education. Coming from a family of professional craftswomen (my grandmother was a tailor and my mother is a quilter with her own fabric store), I understand the skill and ability involved, but this was entirely another level of perfection.

Now that I’ve seen the care, time and soul that goes into Hermès bags, the pursuit of a Constance bag has become a life-long mission.

Chérie City was a guest of Hermès.

All photos by Chérie City

Accessories, Christmas, Designers, Fashion, France, Hotels, Hotels - Luxury

Repetto’s Ballet Themed Christmas Tree At Grand Hôtel de Bordeaux & Spa

November 22, 2011 by cheriecity

For the festive season, fashionista ballerinas can pirouette around the magical Christmas Tree at The Grand Hôtel de Bordeaux & Spa, designed by Repetto, the makers of France’s original ballet shoe.

The elegant Christmas tree will be the centrepiece of the hotel lobby and will be adorned with Repetto delights including pink and black satin ballet shoes, gold medals and Repetto-wrapped presents.

Designed by Victor Louis, the 18th century luxury palace hotel is located in a prestigious spot at La Place de la Comédie, overlooking le Grand Théâtre. Repetto’s Bordeaux boutique is just a stone’s throw away on the Cours de l’Intendance, making the Christmas tree a very neighbourly collaboration.

Here’s a preview sketch of the Repetto christmas tree before the grand unveiling in the lobby of The Grand Hôtel de Bordeaux & Spa…

Founded by Madame Rose Repetto from a tiny Paris studio near the National Opera of Paris in 1947, Repetto ballet shoes have graced the nimble feet of dancing greats from Kirov to Cendrillon.

Since then, they have become synonymous with understated French style and have been a wardrobe staple of Brigitte Bardot, Catherine Deneuve and Kate Moss.

Chérie City has long been a fan of Repetto’s exquisite ballet slippers, but on a recent trip to the Selfridges Shoe Galleries, I recently discovered Repetto’s heavenly ballet-inspired handbags.

A Repetto Besace ‘Adage’ bag under the Repetto tree at The Grand Hôtel de Bordeaux & Spa would be the ultimate Christmas dream!

For more info, visit: www.ghbordeaux.com and www.repetto.com

Art, Exhibitions, France, Paris

Murakami, The New King of Versailles

November 2, 2010 by cheriecity

As if the Château de Versailles wasn’t magical enough already, Coralie Aude Grassin explores Takashi Murakami’s palatial wonderland…

For centuries, Versailles has symbolised French royalty – think Louis XIV with his decadent feasts, Marie-Antoinette and her ladies in splendid gowns and wigs.

Even now, its reputation remains untouched with 70% of the visitors coming from abroad. It is all about the grandeur – even the roofs are decorated with gold leaves, the rooms are magnificent with paintings up to the ceilings, and gardens so huge it takes more than a day to see everything they have to offer (including a farm and rowing on the main canal).

However, the younger generation tends to find it pretty boring and often ignore the site. Versailles started fighting back a few years ago. Too classical a background? Not trendy enough? Better then, to mix both worlds: historical and modern.

Jeff Koons was the first to present his collection – try to imagine his famous balloon dog, giant size, in the gallerie des miroirs! Xavier Veilhan followed last year, with intricate creations, the favourite one being a carriage with horses made with origami like pieces.

This year, the castle is turning to kawai-land. Murakami had already helped Vuitton in the past to show a younger image with his bright and colourful world. His manga style makes it difficult to believe he studied traditional Japanese art for 8 years!

A scholarship gave him the opportunity to go to New York where he discovered the work of Andy Warhol – a turning point in his career. It is easy to see the pop art influence in his latest collection.

So how do these cartoon characters fit in the royal chambers? Amazingly enough, pretty well. The very first room is probably the most impressive with Tongari-Kun at its heart.

The colours have been matched to the surrounding décor and after circling it a few times, it almost feels… natural.

The following 14 rooms present a retrospective of his art. The sizes are more adequate to the rooms. The Alice in Wonderland effect on the visitors is obvious, as if they had stepped in another dimension.

The more you admire them, the more you go further than the flashy side of them and discover a multitude of fun details (the eyes, for examples often are of different colours). Even better, photos are allowed and everyone just want to capture a little memory of the event.

Suddenly, you step in the hall of mirrors – a stunning effect with its crystal chandeliers reflecting to infinity. You can almost hear music, laughs, glasses clinking, as if you could superpose two pictures.

This is the perfect atmosphere for Murakami’s most iconic work, Flower Mantago: a firework of cheerful flowers.

A further room is dedicated to them. Hypnotised, it is not unusual for tourists to sit on this amazing carpet, commenting on its feel-good effect…

Don’t forget to visit the gardens for the perfect finale, with Oval Buddha – the artist represents himself as a manga Sun King. One side for good days, another for rainy ones! He is said to be manic about every single detail of his creations and he is known for his angry storms if the finish is not perfect…

Of course, such an exhibition bring its share of polemics. Like Marmite, some will fall in love with the mix, others will abhor it. At least, everyone gets a chance to discover a new world.

Takashi Murakami at the Château de Versailles runs until 12 December 2010.

Coralie Aude Grassin writes the blog Tea Time in Wonderland.

France, London, Paris, Restaurants

Le Fooding celebrates 10th anniversary

October 18, 2010 by cheriecity

French restaurant guide Le Fooding has been leading the revolution against Michelin Guide snobbery for a monumental 1o years and to celebrate a decade of defiance, they hosted a 72-hour cook-off in a pop up restaurant in Montmartre with a stellar line-up of Paris’ most respected chefs.

I was invited by Air France to come to Paris and attend a sitting of the cook-off and to experience the cutting-edge cooking of Le Fooding’s top recommended restaurants.

Founded by French journalist Alexandre Cammas, the name ‘Le Fooding’ is derived from ‘food’ and ‘feeling’, a philosophy that French food can be full of passion and emotion when it isn’t restricted by convention or the Michelin Guide.

Yves Camdeborde, former chef at palace hotel, Le Crillon, shocked Paris society by handing back his Michelin stars and setting up his own, unpretentious neo-bistro, La Régalade and most recently, Le Relais de Saint Germain. With Alexandre’s support and uncompromising vision, many of France’s top chefs have broken away from the most prestigious and have set up restaurants on their own terms.

On arrival in Paris, we checked in to the Pavillon Nation in eastern Paris that was well-located, near some of our chosen restaurants.

The morning after an indulgent night at Stéphane Jego’s bistro L’Ami Jean, we went to Galerie W in Montmartre for the much-anticipated breakfast session of Le Fooding’s 72-hour cook-off.

Renowned chef Christian Etchebest took to the stove for the four hour slot and prepared a four-course breakfast for a communal table of foodie guests and us, the UK press. Etchebest is at the helm of La Cantine du Troquet, an informal Basque restaurant in Montparnasse that is a regular favourite of Le Fooding.

We were joined by Le Fooding founder Alexandre Cammas, who gave us some background on the revolutionary guide, and Constance Jouven, our host who accompanied us to the best Fooding restaurants.

A surprise guest was Jalouse founder Alexandra Senes, who took a break from her manic Paris Fashion Week schedule, while being followed around by a film crew, to come to the cook off. It was amazing to meet the woman behind my long-time favourite French magazine, who not only predicts but creates major trends in fashion and lifestyle.

We started with a soup of onions, smoked eel and cubed apple, served with fresh baguette – a nice light start to the meal, although I couldn’t quite handle the chunks of eel at 9am.

All courses were matched with a wine and a short demonstration from a petite, eccentric wine buff representing wines from the Côtes du Rhône. She told us to swish the wine around our mouths before tasting the food, to release the full strength and flavour of the wine.

The next course was a typical Parisian breakfast – a slice of grilled baguette covered in dulce de leche, on top of a glass of chocolate milk. The dish was simple, delicious and perfect for breakfast – I could have easily polished this off twice!

Over the course of the trip, we discovered that these small glass tumblers are the way to serve anything from water to beer and wine in the Paris bistros.

The main breakfast meal was a deconstructed piperade of scrambled egg with pig’s ear, a tomato and onion compote, a slice of cooked ham, a jalapeño pepper topped with a piece of crispy bacon.

Those well-versed in cooking (thank goodness Janine of Olive magazine was in our group) will know that a piperade is a kind of hash of all of these components, but being something of a food separatist, I enjoyed the more DIY approach.

Everything went exceptionally well together and the flavours were extraordinary, although I wasn’t so sure on the cartilage-like texture of the pig’s ear mixed up in the scrambled eggs, but hey, at least I’ve now tried oreille de cochon.

The dessert was a Chèvre Brebis – a fluffy brioche filled with sweet whipped goat’s cheese, slices of sheep’s cheese, topped with Coco Pops and a fig coulis. This was an interesting mix of sweet and savoury flavours and the fig coulis was a real highlight, but the cheese filling saturated the brioche.

After our indulgent breakfast, we had a chance to look around Galerie W – a wonderful space with a well-curated exhibition of eye-catching and intriguing pieces.

The purpose of the trip was to gain an insight into the unique food movement and to experience the magic of Le Fooding’s events first hand.

Air France have teamed up with collaborated with Le Fooding on The Definitive Food Guide – a little black book full of insider tips on the city’s most exciting restaurants, artisan food markets and recommended hotels.

This can be found on the Air France website and is a ‘must read’ for anyone wanting a change from the traditional soupe à l’oignon, steak frites and crème caramel set menu of regular Paris bistros.

My experience with Air France was incredibly breezy and enjoyable, from the check-in at Heathrow to touching down in Paris. It’s easy to be put off flying such a short distance with all the airport restrictions, but the terminals at each end are so calm and zen.

The Charles de Gaulle Air France departure lounge even has a Ladurée boutique selling the whole collection of macarons, perfumes, candles, stationery and bags. It’s worth the visit just for that!

After an indulgent weekend of innovative taster menus in unpretentious surroundings, I found that my preconceptions of what makes an outstanding restaurant were truly altered. Le Fooding has enabled chefs to cook with pride and passion and its influence goes far beyond a year guide book…it’s a movement, a way of life.

Have you been to Le Fooding favourites Le Chateaubriand, L’Ami Jean or Yves Camdeborde’s Le Relais Saint Germain? Is Le Fooding your Paris dining bible? Please comments and share your French food experiences…

AIR FRANCE flies up to eight times daily to Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) from London Heathrow airport and return fares start from as little as £119*.

* Prices are per person including all taxes and online booking fees. Fares quoted are based on return flights in economy class departing from London Heathrow. See www.airfrance.co.uk for more details.

* Cherie City was a guest of Air France & Le Fooding.

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