For nearly two centuries, Le Meurice has epitomised Parisian luxury, drawing royalty, artists and discerning travellers into its world of refined splendour. Nestled between the Louvre and Place de la Concorde, this legendary palace hotel blends 18th-century grandeur with contemporary artistry, all while upholding the highest standards of service. Deputy general manager Christophe Chopineau offers a glimpse into the hotel’s unique character, from its ties to Salvador Dalí to its Michelin-starred dining experiences and commitment to sustainability.
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Tell us about the history and DNA of Le Meurice?
Le Meurice is strategically located opposite the Tuileries Gardens and has held its sway as one of the first Parisian luxury hotels, dating back to 1835. Reflecting its uninterrupted attachment to the French art of living, Le Meurice is a magical, serene and elegant place, where the refined splendours of 18th-century architecture meet the design of Philippe Starck and Charles Jouffre, the French artisan-designer who created the sumptuous drapes and hangings of the Grand Foyer at the Opéra Garnier. It is also where Alain Ducasse, the most Michelin-starred Chef in the world, celebrates the seasons with his culinary creations. His heavenly cuisine elevates Parisian gastronomy to the rank of art. As for Cédric Grolet, elected the world’s best Pastry Chef in 2018, the lines in front of his shop within the hotel speak for themselves!
In the heart of Paris, a minute’s walk away from Place Vendôme and Rue Saint-Honoré, where luxury stores and boutiques showcasing young designers flourish, Le Meurice gradually unveils its secrets as a haven of peace where you can truly be yourself.
As the deputy general manager, what is the first thing you notice when you enter a hotel and which details do you pay particular attention to?
This is difficult to explain as it is all about feelings and perception. When entering Le Meurice, for example, you immediately feel a sense of belonging. Each palace has its own story, and Le Meurice, which is part of the iconic hotels of Dorchester Collection, has always stood out as the jewel among French palace hotels since 1835. It reflects elegance and stays true to its philosophy of the art of living à la française. It is also the place where you can be yourself, where there are no dictates. Maybe it is because, since its creation, it has nurtured intimate links with artists, leaving behind wonderful stories, all witness to its legendary extravagance.
How do you maintain consistent service standards at the property?
I would say that our profession is made of passion and transmission, both of which have always been of paramount importance to us. They have undergone a vertiginous evolution in recent years, not only in terms of service excellence, but also in terms of guest experience and staff development thanks to cutting-edge training initiated by Dorchester Collection. Training is consistent throughout your journey with the Collection, internal promotions are frequent and encouraged, and there are several programs tailored for junior staff to help them evolve within the Collection as well as for more senior staff members to allow them to become inspirational leaders and/or ambassadors to the Collection.
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Le Meurice is only a short stroll from Le Louvre, which to most visitors is the must-see Paris art institution. Do you have other favourite cultural destinations close by?
The Museum of Decorative Arts (MAD) is right across the street in the northwestern wing of the Louvre. It is the largest museum of decorative arts in continental Europe, and its collection is primarily composed of French furniture, tableware, carpets such as those from Aubusson, porcelain such as that by the Manufacture nationale de Sèvres, and many glass pieces by René Lalique, Émile Gallé and many others. It includes numerous works in the Art Nouveau and Art Déco styles, and modern examples by designers like Eileen Gray and Charlotte Perriand.
A short two-minute walk away from the hotel, on place de la Concorde, is the Hôtel de la Marine, the former ministry of the French Navy. The building was entirely renovated between 2015 and 2021 and displays the Al Thani Collection, presenting international and intercultural works of art from the extraordinary collection of Sheikh Hamad bin Abdullah Al Thani, representing civilisations around the world. The building is absolutely stunning, and the exhibition art is at its finest.
What can visitors to Le Meurice expect in terms of dining experiences?
As you know, we work with Alain Ducasse, and I would consider him a pioneer and visionary. His culture and curiosity allow him to be ahead of the curve always. As a skilled and decisive captain, he federates our teams led by Executive Chef Amaury Bouhours, who constantly takes them up to the next level. His focus is on the product and those who provide it. Alain Ducasse and Amaury Bouhours aim to defend the culinary French heritage, and this is similar to the identity of Le Meurice, where we strive to combine tradition and modernity.
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The dining experience is, of course, about what is on the plate—and Chef Clémentine Bouchon from Le Dalí is a master of this art, sublimating and transforming the best ingredients into tasty dishes—but also about the ambience. Le Dalí is the vibrant heart of the hotel and offers guests a magnificent spectacle of palace life, while elevating the dining experience to another dimension.
Cédric Grolet’s pastry masterpieces are another asset to the hotel and the Michelin Guide obviously plays an important role at Le Meurice, as we have always stood out among the best.
Can you tell us about the spa?
We’ve had a strong partnership with Valmont since 2008, culminating in the opening of La Maison Valmont in 2020, the brand’s Parisian flagship retail store. Valmont is a pioneer when it comes to the continuous cutting-edge training of their therapists, be it for innovative treatments such as Hydrafacial technology, or modern lymphatic drainage by Renata França. Our Spa has four treatment rooms, two of which are double rooms, and all of them benefit from natural light.
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What makes a hotel stay an unforgettable experience?
Le Meurice has an amazing historical background anchored in art and culture. It is all about sophisticated details that are skillfully arranged in each of the rooms and suites, providing a very authentic environment. When you wake up at Le Meurice, you definitely know you are in Paris! Le Meurice has provided a haven of tranquillity to countless important personalities since it opened in 1835. As for distinguishing characteristics, it is not so much about the hotel’s material features as it is about the staff!
For more information on Le Meurice Hotel, visit their website.
This article was first seen on Luxuo.