6 experiences for regal living in Le Meurice

Looking down from her frame, Louis XV’s favourite sets the tone for this historic salon whose decor dates from 1907. Amidst a setting of white and gold woodwork, the grandiose past of the “Hotel of Kings” is fully apparent. The queen mother of Jordan was so fond of the salon that she took her tea here every afternoon in the 1970s. Today, the salon serves as an opulent reception venue.

Le Meurice’s most iconic marquis hails from the 20th century: none other than Salvador Dalí! The Palace was his Parisian pied-à-terre for almost 30 years, and the restaurant that bears his name still pays tribute to him. A sweeping drapery stretches across the ceiling, and the armchairs have drawings printed on their backs. Designed by Philippe Starck, the softly lit space feels at once surreal and cosy. In the kitchen, chef Clémentine Bouchon reinvents the great classics of French cuisine with a local, seasonal approach. Think French onion soup topped with melted Comté, langoustine ravioles in a yuzu beurre blanc, or flame-seared salmon. The restaurant also holds the Écotable label, which recognises its commitment to more sustainable gastronomy.

Come teatime, the mood at Le Dalí shifts with an afternoon tea created by Cédric Grolet. The pastry chef puts his own spin on this very British tradition, served in several courses. First up are dainty sandwiches of aged ham and truffle, lobster roll–style brioche and salmon with caviar. Then come his famous trompe-l’œil fruits. Warm madeleines, sugar brioches and scones fresh from the oven round off this indulgent interlude. They’re served with tea, coffee, hot chocolate or champagne.

Le Meurice and Valmont have long shared some illustrious names in their address books, Coco Chanel among them. Today, the Spa Valmont at Le Meurice offers a hushed, cocooning atmosphere across its treatment rooms, relaxation areas and leafy courtyard. One of its signature rituals is an exclusive facial massage that combines hands-on techniques with Gua Sha. This jade or quartz massage tool comes from traditional Chinese medicine and helps boost drainage and revive the skin’s radiance. The spa also offers a Japanese-inspired scalp ritual, in which a massage of the scalp, face, neck and shoulders ends beneath a cascade of warm water.

A tribute to the Salon de la Paix at the Palace of Versailles, the dining room of Restaurant Le Meurice Alain Ducasse is pure grandeur, with gilded panelling, marble pilasters and crystal chandeliers. The two-Michelin-starred cuisine is every bit as dazzling. Overseen by Alain Ducasse and orchestrated by executive chef Amaury Bouhours, the menu features dishes like line-caught sea bass cooked over embers with marsh parsley and green cardamom, or crispy blue lobster with turnip, cherry and tarragon. As evening falls, light dances across the antique mirrors, adding to the enchantment of this Grand Siècle setting. Some of the finest French wines from the Palace’s cellar, home to around 19,000 bottles, can also be enjoyed by the glass in the restaurant and at the Chef’s Table, a private space facing the kitchen.

Bar 228 has always had its loyal regulars, who come to sink into its deep leather armchairs and chat away from prying eyes. Reimagined by Philippe Starck, the décor brings together a Carrara marble bar, touches of copper, brass and steel, dark woods and frescoes inspired by the 18th-century country fêtes at Fontainebleau. In the evening, jazz sets the mood for a cocktail menu created by Le Meurice’s bartenders. Try the “228”, made with champagne, pear, lychee and raspberry. If you’d rather skip the alcohol, the “Jardin de Fontainebleau” blends fresh mint, ginger, lime and pimento. A fine selection of wines and rare cognacs completes the menu.