Prestige stay Paris
InterContinental Paris Le Grand Renaissance of a legend
The InterContinental Paris Le Grand is a sumptuous “luxury liner” docked along the side façade of the Opéra Garnier, just steps away from some of the capital’s most well-known tourist attractions, famous department stores, and the luxury boutiques of the Place Vendôme.
ts history, rich in lore and prestige, dates from that day in May 1862 when it was inaugurated with great pomp and ceremony by Empress Eugenie, accompanied by the lyrical genius of Offenbach and his orchestra.
Exuberant reds and gilding, majestic drapes: this place of exception proudly sports its flamboyant Second Empire style. Filled with its rich past, it carries in its soul the genuine and eternal Parisian spirit.
The hotel has 398 rooms and 72 suites, among the most sumptuous in Paris. Opulently decorated, they afford breathtaking views over the Opéra and its surroundings. The 4 presidential suites are genuine top-class apartments. Here also is the only spa, in the centre of Paris, to offer the benefits of thalassotherapy with revitalizing and relaxing sea water treatments developed through cutting-edge research by the specialist Algotherm.
In addition, the establishment features
21 conference and reception rooms accommodating between 10 and 1,600 people, including one of the most famous ballrooms in Paris, listed on the supplementary inventory of Historic Monuments: the Salon Opéra.
Its imposing 800sqm central winter garden, La Verrière, is a luminous haven of peace surrounded by the feaver of the city. Listed monument, its restaurant, the extremely famous Café de la Paix, is a mythical place of the area. Its Chef, Christophe Raoux, formerly with Ducasse's, makes the best of seasonal products and proposes Trendy Pastries created by big names of Fashion.
Business as well as leisure travellers benefit from round-the-clock special attention and care. As for the most demanding guests the Club Lounge is at their disposal: It is truly
“a hotel within the hotel” providing services that are even more personalized and rival those of the best establishments in Paris.
From Victor Hugo to Mata Hari, from Marlène Dietrich or Liza Minnelli, to, more recently, Jean Reno, James Cameron, Christian Lacroix, the Black Eyed Peas, the Corrs and John Galliano, long is the list of prestigious guests who succeeded in this haven of luxury, peace and voluptuousness...
Café de la Paix
The revival of a Paris institution
After some 145 years of existence, this mythical institution, known world-wide, has undergone a veritable metamorphosis, having been sumptuously renovated in 2003. Back amongst the top tables in Paris, the historic establishment is resumes its original spirit, the one of a highly fashionable establishment that is an essential part of life in Paris.
On the corner of Place de l’Opéra, the Café de la Paix opens into a luxurious reception lobby leading to the spectacular panelled salons with gilded columns, that were restored with the guidance of Bâtiments de France. If the interior of the restaurant favours an airy and light outlook, elegant alcoves furnished with red wall seats create an intimate and welcoming atmosphere.
A covered terrace with seating for 70, bordering the Boulevard des Capucines, offers drinks and light food. A spectacular oyster counter, presided over by the frequently honoured oyster chef, embellishes it. On the gleaming zinc of the bar, cocktails and glasses of champagne are available throughout the day.
In parallel, the Paris institution, also has a new wine list with more than 180 wines of exceptional quality. It offers an extremely wide choice of wines ranging from those from small properties right up to the Grands Crus Classés. Another sign of the high standards now set in this legendary establishment.
An outstanding wine menu
Wine connoisseurs will be delighted to have the opportunity to freely browse through more than 180 different references of châteaux and top-quality producers, on an opulent list offering an array of second wines, great vintages from Bordeaux and Burgundy and less well-known wines from rising regions such as the Languedoc-Roussillon and Provence.
Preference has been given to products bought directly from the estate. These wines are full of character and often only available in small amounts, thus creating an opportunity for constant renewal on a wine list above all lively and open to changing tastes. A few fine vintages -more than 20 years old- add the finishing touch to this striking selection.
Quality, however, remains the key requirement, from wines produced by small estates to great classed vintages.
Christophe RaouxA new chef : Christophe Raoux
It is a team of over 110 people, with 12 Sous-Chefs, that Christophe Raoux supervises now everyday. A challenge that is within the capabilities of this “Compagnon Cuisinier du Tour de France” who has a genuine sense of humility, whose career has passed through several leading establishments –not less than seven with 2 Michelin stars– and professional collaboration with outstanding chefs, such as Manuel Martinez, Guy Legay, Michel Roth, Gérard Besson and Alain Ducasse.
His motivativation to advance along an already illustrious career, he says he draws it from the people he has met:
“They encourage me to make progress and to surpass myself. They all have that mixture of rigour, high standards and deep humility. Whenever I need advice, I have no hesitation in calling my former masters. I also attach great importance to relations with my suppliers: I share with them their love for the land, their profession and their products…”. At the Café de la Paix, he offers a cookery that he calls “The cooking of a cook: simple, tasty and unpretentious, with emphasis on quality products”. He loves dishes that have been worked, gravies that have the real taste of gravy, products that exhale their authentic savours … The menu changes rapidly according to the seasons and depending on the arrivals of meat, fish and other vegetables.
Despite such passion, know-how and experience, Christophe Raoux remains discreet, almost in the shadow…
”I found my pleasure and recognition at the serving hatch, when the team feels proud of the work accomplished, and they respect me for my contribution. Being under the spotlights is not necessarily my cup of tea. The place where I prefer to express myself is, above all, in the kitchen!”. Dominique PEYRAL-BON
InterContinental Paris Le Grand
2, rue Scribe,
75009 Paris
Tél : 01 40 07 32 32
Fax : 01 42 66 12 51
paris.reservations@ihg.com
