Insider Guide Le Meurice Paris Dorchester Collection

INSIDER GUIDE

E S SEN T I A L I NFOR M AT ION

CHEC K - OU T TIME 12 noon CONC IE RGE

RE STAUR AN T L E DAL Í Breakfast

L A PÂTI SSER I E D U M EUR I C E PA R C ÉD R I C G RO L ET Tuesday to Sunday Opens 11am

Available 24/7

Monday to Sunday 7 – 11am

FRO NT DE S K

Brunch

Available 24/7

Sunday 12 – 2.30pm

M A I SO N VA L M O N T P O UR L E M EUR I C E

Lunch

La Boutique

Monday to Saturday 12 – 2.30pm

Tuesday to Saturday 11am – 7.30pm

Tea Time

Gym

Monday to Saturday 3.30 – 5.30pm Sunday 4 – 6pm

Daily 5am – midnight

GUEST S E RVICE S Available 24/7 IN-ROOM DIN IN G Available 24/7 R ESTAU RAN T LE MEURICE ALA IN DU CAS S E

Treatments

Daily 10am – 8pm Dinner

Daily 7 – 10pm

Breakfast

All-day dining/ Snacks

Monday to Sunday 7 – 11am

Daily 10am – 10.30pm

Dinner

BAR 228

Monday to Friday 7.30 – 9.30pm

Daily 12pm – 1am

Hammam and sauna

Daily 8am – 10pm

Please be aware that opening hours may be subject to change

For any assistance or bookings, please press your 'guest services’ button on your phone. +33 (0)1 44 58 10 10 Le Meurice, 228 rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris

O O

ur incredible heritage and legendary guests make us what we are today. In celebration of this, join us at the hotel

of artists and thinkers on a journey of discovery – taking in historic highlights, famous faces and fascinating facts along the way.

Share your own Dorchester Collection moments with us on social media using #DCmoments.

HIS TORY HIGHLIGHTS

1811 Rue de Rivoli was constructed in 1806 and a few years later, in 1811, elegant arcades were built lining the street facing the glorious Tuileries Garden. These grand buildings were designed by esteemed architects Charles Percier and Pierre Fontaine.

Property developer François Corbie then acquired a stretch of the arcades in order to build what would become Le Meurice.

1835 Le Meurice opened in 1835 and is named after its original owner Charles-Augustin Meurice. His vision was to create a hotel that would be particularly appealing to British people staying in Paris.

This was because the Meurice family originally had a hotel in Calais, just across from the English Channel, before becoming hoteliers in Paris.

1855 Over the years, Le Meurice has often been referred to as ‘Hotel des Rois’ (Hotel of Kings), due to our many royal guests.

In 1855, HM Queen Victoria stayed with us on her official state visit to Paris and in her honour we renovated the entire first floor.

1889 In 1889, Le Meurice became the first hotel in Paris to have a telephone. The owner HenriJoseph Scheurich was fascinated by technology and believed this would attract high-profile guests.

1898 In 1898, the hotel’s new owner Arthur Millon began a major expansion and renovation project. The builders took in a stray greyhound dog which was adopted by the hotel staff and went on to become our mascot and hotel emblem.

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Rue de Rivoli in the 1800s t o p

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An illustration of a party at the former Winter Garden

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The Winter Garden is now known as Restaurant Le Dalí

1997 Le Meurice became a Dorchester Collection hotel on April 29, 1997.

2007 1907 We reopened the hotel in 1907 following a major two-year renovation. It was during this time that the opulent décor in our Ducasse restaurant and Salon Pompadour was created.

We also became the first hotel in Paris to have a private bathroom in every guest room, and launched our roof terrace as an open-air restaurant with glorious views of Paris.

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An advert for our roof garden, 1907 a b ov e

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Our former bar in 1936

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The former reading room is now where Bar 228 is located

1936 We opened our first bar in 1936, next to where Bar 228 is today. It featured an amazing mural which has been carefully preserved and is now on display in our Salon Jeu de Paume event space.

In 2007, we were one of the first hotels to work with esteemed designer Philippe Starck. His new interior design elements were inspired by the creativity and playfulness of artist Salvador Dalí who famously made Le Meurice his second home.

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The lobby features numerous artworks installed by Starck

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'The Kiss' statue in our lobby

Our Executive Rooms were restored in 2019

Philippe Starck returned in 2016 to bring additional design embellishments to our restaurants and bar.

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Restaurant le Meurice Alain Ducasse

2008

2011

To highlight our great love and appreciation of art we proudly launched our Meurice Prize for contemporary art, which ran for 11 years and supported a series of emerging artists. ‘The Kiss’ statue in the lobby is the work of our first winner, Zoulikha Bouabdellah.

In 2011, we were the first hotel to be awarded official ‘Palace’ status and received the Luxury Hotel Label from the French Ministry of Tourism.

2019 In a celebration of French craftsmanship, we restored all our rooms and suites overlooking the Tuileries Garden in 2019.

This included our spectacular penthouse suite, marking the start of yet another exciting new chapter in our rich history.

2012 In 2012, we were named a Living Heritage Business by the Ministry of Craftsmanship, Trade, Tourism and Productive Recovery.

2013 Multiple Michelin-starred chef Alain Ducasse took on his role of overseeing all dining at Le Meurice in 2013.

2016

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The Executive Suite, Park View was restored in 2019

FA MOUS FACE S

s a lva d o r da l í

coco chanel

In 1950, the Surrealist painter stayed

The legendary French fashion designer

for the first time at Le Meurice and

hosted several glittering receptions

made it a tradition to return for a

and fashion shows in the ornate

month every year for over 30 years.

Salon Pompadour in the 1930s.

pa b l o picas so

king e d wa r d VIII

Pablo Picasso celebrated his wedding

Following the abdication of King Edward VIII

to Russian ballet dancer Olga Khokhlova

in 1936, he and Wallis Simpson became known

at Le Meurice on July 12, 1918. Salon

as the Duke and Duchess of Windsor and took

Pompadour was the setting for their

up residence at Le Meurice. Their favourite

wedding lunch.

meal was said to be a club sandwich, which is still on our menu today.

n el son m a n del a While staying at Le Meurice, Nelson Mandela met with the Springboks to congratulate them on winning the 2007 Rugby World Cup.

b e yo n c É In 2011, Beyoncé took to the terrace of our Belle Etoile Penthouse Suite to film her 'A Spring Afternoon in Paris’ video.

g r ac e jon es

a n dy wa r h o l

In 2010 the US singer performed for

On a trip to Paris in 1972,

Dutch fashion label Viktor&Rolf in our Salon Pompadour to celebrate the fifth birthday of their signature Flowerbomb fragrance.

US Pop Artist Andy Warhol came to Le Meurice, where he met with fellow artist Salvador Dalí.

DID YOU K NOW ?

DI D YOU K NOW ?

In the 1840s, Napoléon III is rumoured to have created a secret underground tunnel from the Tuileries Garden to Le Meurice in order to discreetly visit his mistress, Harriet Howard, when she visited Paris.

DI D YO U K NOW ?

In 1929 the famous international Golden Keys association, which all concierges aspire to join, was created at Le Meurice

by Ferdinand Gillet.

DID YO U K NOW ?

Our interior designer Charles Jouffre created the sumptuous drapes in the grand foyer of the world-famous Opera Garnier and designed the reception room at the prestigious Elysée Palace.

DI D YO U K NOW ?

The design of our first lobby lift was inspired by the sedan chair used by Queen Marie Antoinette in the 1700s.

DID YO U K NOW ?

If you’re wondering what the wonderful aroma you can smell at the hotel is it’s our Le Meurice candle, which is reminiscent of freshly cut grass to remind you of the Tuileries Garden.

DID YO U K NOW ?

Our La Maison Valmont pour Le Meurice is the only Valmont spa in Paris. You can also indulge in their lauded Swiss skincare products at La Boutique, where art, beauty and fragrance combine to create a living embodiment of Valmont’s vision.

DID YO U K NOW ?

For a memorable behindthe-scenes dining experience, we have a Chef's Table located in the heart of the kitchens of Restaurant le Meurice Alain Ducasse. It’s only accessible via a hidden entrance but our team will be your guide.

DISCOV ER

HOT EL M A SCOT Look out for the beautiful mosaic in front of the hotel entrance, which highlights our name and showcases our much-loved greyhound mascot.

S WA N & ROCK I NG CH A IR We’re known for our quirky touches, for example if you look closely you’ll find a single intricately decorated swan chair and a rocking chair in Restaurant Le Dalí.

DISCOVER

T HE A RT OF PAT IS SER IE Indulge in the bold creations of Cédric Grolet, 2018 winner of the ‘World’s Best Restaurant Pastry Chef’ award, who has his very own patisserie shop at Le Meurice. He’s known for his innovative style, technical prowess and creative flair.

His famous trompe l’oeil sculpted ‘fruits’ make afternoon tea a must.

L AUR EL LE A F The laurel leaf motif on the mosaic floor of our restaurants is an attractive original feature that has a wonderfully timeless appeal.

Every detail has been carefully chosen by design studio Lally & Berger, to create a breathtaking setting and complement the incredible view of all the major city landmarks.

Le Meurice’s crowning glory has undergone a total transformation.

Let us introduce you to Parisian apartment living as you’ve never seen it before.

DISCOVER

BELLE ETOILE PENT HOUSE SUIT E W IT H T ER R ACE

Together the suite and terrace garden cover an impressive 620m²/6,674ft², including up to three connecting bedrooms, making it one of the most spacious suites in Paris.

Woody Allen’s romantic comedy Midnight in Paris (2011), contains key scenes shot on the terrace overlooking the city.

Back in 1907, the terrace was a rooftop restaurant where the crème de la crème of Parisian society would gather.

DISCOVER

SA LON POM PA DOUR This magical ballroom has been classified as a place of cultural heritage.

It is said that during Picasso’s wedding celebrations in this room a champagne cork made the dent you can still see today in the painting of the Marquise de Pompadour.

Carvings depicting musical instruments adorn the ceiling in honour of the Marquise de Pompadour, who was a patron of art and music.

DISCOVER

T HE DA LÍ DAYS We became a second home to the famous Surrealist painter Salvador Dalí, who was a regular visitor.

He often brought his pet ocelots with him, which had a habit of ruining our carpets with their claws!

Dalí once gave several employees an autographed lithograph of his work as a Christmas tip to thank them for looking after him.

He would always host 5pm teatime in his suite and invite friends, journalists and socialites to join him.

OPPOSITE

Dalí in the Presidential Suite LEFT

Dalí with his 'Glass Jacket' artwork hanging in the background of his suite

OPPOSITE

Presidential Apartment Dalí BELOW

Dalí-inspired chair

Salvador Dalí took up residence in the Presidential Suite for a month every year, for more than 30 years.

He always insisted on this suite because it was where King Alfonso XIII of Spain had stayed when he was ousted from power in 1931.

Dalí’s suite became the famous backdrop for many of his exploits and exhibitions. There was one much talked about incident when he threw paint out of the window, not by accident as we first thought but marking the beginning of his explosive art era.

WINING & DINING

WINING & DINING

RESTAUR ANT LE MEURICE ALAIN DUCASSE

Our Michelin-starred restaurant celebrates Ducasse’s culinary philosophy under the mastery of executive chef Amaury Bouhours.

Here you can discover a reinterpretation of classic cuisine, dedicated to great subtlety and technical skill, where exceptional ingredients remain true to their authentic flavours.

Our spectacular dining room was inspired by the grand Salon de la Paix at the Château de Versailles. The impressive frescoes date back to 1907 and are the work of esteemed painter Théophile Poilpot.

In recent years the interior has acquired a modern twist by acclaimed designer Philippe Starck. Playful touches include the iconic Eero Saarinen Tulip chairs and a sculpture capturing the suspended movement of water by Murano artist Aristide Najean.

WINING & DINING

Inspired by Salvador Dalí and designed

by Philippe Starck, Restaurant Le Dalí serves colourful French cuisine, prepared with ingredients sourced from the finest local producers.

Gaze up at the incredible handpainted canvas created by artist Ara Starck, which makes a truly breathtaking setting.

Prepare to be delighted over which ‘sculpted fruit’ our famous pastry chef

RESTAUR ANT LE DALÍ

Cédric Grolet has created for you to enjoy over afternoon tea. It’s no wonder he’s been voted

An irresistible invitation to relax and enjoy a delicious array of delicacies throughout the day.

the ‘World’s Best Restaurant Pastry Chef’ – cameras at the ready!

WINING & DINING

BAR 228 The place where discerning Parisians gather to listen to nightly live jazz.

Originally the hotel’s reading room, our bar is decorated with paintings by Alexandre Claude Louis Lavalley.

They date back to 1907 and depict a garden party at the famous Château de Fontainebleau.

This is one of the few places in Paris where you can order Dom Pérignon champagne by the glass. It’s also said that we serve the best club sandwiches in the city.

Sophia Loren famously claimed that we make the finest Bellinis.

A RT TREASURE T RA I L

the pi a no As a boy, Salvador Dalí was in awe of grand houses with pianos. Our piano is a tribute to him and sits half in the bar and half in the restaurant.

suspen ded f ra m e At our reception desk, look up at the unusual portrait hanging from the ceiling. This delicate hand belongs to 19thcentury Parisian socialite Madame Regnaud, whose portrait is on display in the nearby Louvre.

m ir ror f i r e pl ac e This is a unique composition of hand mirrors and candles.

If you look closely you’ll also see Dalí’s eye looking back at you from our bar.

f roz en m ir ror As soon as you enter Le Meurice, the eagleeyed amongst you will spot our frosted mirror.

Dalí’s playful spirit inspired this piece where you can create a fresh canvas each day.

the kiss Created by artist Zoulikha Bouabdellah, ‘The Kiss’ Greekstyle pillars in our lobby represent the intertwining of past and future.

c on v e r sat ion chair Dalí created many ‘conversational pieces’ as he liked to call them, so this double-seated chair is very much his style.

iber ius c u be s Created by Italian artist Fausto Salvi, our Iberius cubes were inspired by the Greek legend of Narcissus.

THE H OT E L I N NUMBERS

28,000 T H E NU MBER O F BOT T LE S OF F I N E W I N E K EP T IN OUR W EL L-STO C K ED C EL L A R

3 W E ’ R E J U ST A T H REE- M I N UTE WA L K F RO M T H E FA MO US

18 ON A FI N E D AY Y OU C A N

T UI L E R I ES G A RD EN A N D MO ST

S EE 18 OF TH E C I TY ’S

OF OUR RO O MS A N D S U ITE S

I C ON I C LA N D M A R K S FR OM

OV E R LOOK T H I S G LO RI O U S SIG HT

OU R S P EC TA C U LA R B ELLE ETOI LE P EN TH OU S E S U I TE W I TH TER R A C E.

17 AS TH E H OTE L OF A RTISTS A N D TH IN K E RS, W E ’ RE PROUD TO B E H OME TO 1 7 PIEC E S OF E XC E PTION A L A RT

170 T H R O U G H O U T THE

EN T I R E H O T E L W E HAV E A SELECTION OF OVER 170 DI F F E R E N T FA B R I CS, AL L C H O S E N T O E N H ANCE T H E B E A U T Y O F O UR ENTICING INTERIORS

228 OUR A D D RE S S IS 2 2 8 ON TH E PRE STIG IOUS RUE D E RIVOLI A N D IT’S A LS O H OW OUR BA R 2 2 8 G OT ITS N A ME

NOW YOU K NOW ALL OUR SECRETS, YOU ’ R E OF F IC I A L LY A N

MEET THE FAMILY

INSIDER. BE SURE TO LET US K NOW W H AT EL SE YOU DI S C OV E R .

DORCHESTER COLLECTION

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Synonymous with style and glamour

Strolling through our summer meadow is unforgettable

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Popular with Hollywood stars for over 100 years

London

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45 park lane

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Where art meets contemporary style

Starring role in Sex and the City and The Devil Wears Prada

Spellbinding 180° views accompany your breakfast

Adored by Marilyn Monroe and loved by Grace Kelly

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