Whether the imperial suites, terrace rooms and other sumptuous private apartments remain reserved for frankly provided purses, no need to display the salary of Elon Musk to afford an experience in a Parisian palace .
A 5-star brunch , an aperitif facing the Eiffel Tower , a dinner or lunch covered in a garden, a luxury breakfast : you will remember for life these gourmet moments in these temples of Parisian luxury. It remains to book well in advance and put on an elegant outfit for a totally assumed show.
Dinner in the Shangri-La garden
The place: the restaurant La Bauhinia sets up its superb Terrace-Garden all summer long with a view of the Eiffel Tower , in a lush, timeless decor, with plants as far as the eye can see. Executive Chef Christophe Moret offers a summer menu of French cuisine with Asian touches that take guests on a journey to this haven of peace .
The delicacies: to share, there are crunchy Asian specialties for an aperitif such as an assortment of poultry, shrimp or vegetarian Dim Sums (€32), crab spring rolls and shiitakes (€26). As for the main courses, the Chicken Aiguillettes with satay sauce will delight sweet and savory lovers (€42), unless they prefer an anthology Pad Thai prawns (€40) or a Crying Tiger (€52). Not to be missed: the fabulous desserts of Pastry Chef Maxence Barbot , including the vanilla-caramel Millefeuille (€22) and the Strawberry Vacherin (€20).
The added plus: well-chilled cocktails (€28) perfect for celebrating a great occasion, such as the Clear Mojito (mint-infused rum, lime cordial, soda), the Platano (Reposado tequila, coffee liqueur, banana, agave) or the Nysa (aperitif with white wine, nutmeg, cardamom, pear brandy, Chardonnay grape juice).
Opening hours : lunch from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m., snacks and drinks from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. and dinner served from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., subject to weather conditions at La Bauhinia restaurant at Shangri-La Paris , 10 avenue d'Iéna, Paris 16th.
© Maëlle Saliou / Louise Marinig
Breakfast in the courtyard of the Plaza Athénée
The place: it's hard to get more glam than the Plaza Athénée , recognizable among a thousand and appearing in all our favorite films and series, from Emily in Paris to Sex & The City via The Devil Wears Prada . If Jean Imbert has taken over the reins of the kitchens, displaying a full lunch, we are also thinking of booking a luxury breakfast to wake up gently, pampered by a palace service.
Delicacies: on the menu, you will have to choose between chakchouka eggs (€26), homemade cooked ham (€18), pancakes , crepes, waffles (€18), acai bowl (€22), truffle omelette (€60), perfect gluten-free granola (€20), Plaza avocado, quail eggs, bread croutons, avocado (€18), classic eggs Benedict or with smoked salmon (€34). Or, to avoid going over budget, stick to the classic American Breakfast, a Continental (pastries, drinks, sandwiches) upgraded with yoghurt, fruit salad, porridge, cereals or ham of your choice, as well as a choice of main course or eggs (€64).
The extra thing: in fine weather, the possibility of having your breakfast served in the Magic Garden Courtyard with its ivy and mythical geraniums, rather than in the dining room of the gourmet restaurant.
Breakfast served daily from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Plaza Athénée , 25 avenue Montaigne, Paris 8th
Have an aperitif on the Peninsula rooftop
The place: near the Etoile , in the accessible 16th arrondissement, the Peninsula stands out as a breathtaking setting of sophistication, especially once you arrive on the 6th floor and its exceptional rooftop with a breathtaking view of the Eiffel Tower and a divine rose garden which gives the impression of a veritable hanging garden, as an extension of the two-starred L'Oiseau Blanc table . If it is impossible to reserve a table there, we advise you to arrive as early as possible and with two people, no more, so that we can find you a place easily.
Delicacies: from 6 p.m., chefs David Bizet and Antoine Guichard get busy live from the terrace, at bar level, to serve up their small seasonal dishes to share. Not to be missed: tempura vegetables (€24), violin courgette carpaccio (€22), kabu turnip carpaccio (€22) or crispy rice, vegetable tartare with wasabi and purple shiso (€20), to accompany divine Depressurization cocktails – gin, white Lillet, vanilla, lemon, almond milk – and Therese – Amaro Montenegro, cognac, vanilla, passion fruit, champagne – (€32), all pimped with herbs and edible flowers from the vegetable garden hidden on the rooftop.
The extra thing: the impression of hovering above Paris, installed on maxi armchairs far from the neighbors, for a romantic evening as you wish.
Tapas from 6 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. at the Peninsula , 19 avenue Kléber, 75116 Paris - 01 58 12 28 88
Lunch in the Bristol Gardens
The place: to push the door of the Bristol is to offer yourself a share of madly Parisian dream. The most family-friendly palace of all is inaugurating its sublime summer garden , an extension of the Café Antonia, ideal for lunch both professionally and as a couple, between the fountains, the lawn and the flowers.
The delicacies: the 3-star chef Eric Frechon himself signs a perfect lunch menu, gourmet and light. Don't miss the extraordinary salad of green beans and artichokes with hazelnuts, light and addictive (€48), tomatoes and watermelon with fresh mint and feta (€38) and the iconic grilled bacon club sandwich (€54 ). The highlight of the show: Anaïs strawberries “ to peck at your fingertips ”, which pastry chef Pascal Hainigue has decided to enhance with his batch of accompaniments: raw cream, vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, vanilla sugar and strawberry syrup. A certain idea of happiness.
The added bonus: take the opportunity to pick up some superb take-away cakes from the palace grocery store (vanilla flans, canelés, brioches, etc.) and a “ living bread ” of the day (€8) made from wheat produced in the Bristol mill, to make palace sandwiches at home.
The French Garden, open every day from 12 p.m. to 11 p.m. Reservations on 01 53 43 43 42.
Le Bristol Paris 112 rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, Paris 8th
Brunch in the Ritz's summer lounge
The place: after a few years of absence, the mythical palace on the Place Vendôme is once again the popular Sunday meeting place to celebrate a great occasion! The rendezvous is taken under the glass roof of the summer lounge with a grandiose, very Gatsby feast where the pianist reigns a poetic atmosphere worthy of the fanciest places in New York. The highlight of this enchanted interlude: the garden for an unforgettable lunch on the grass.
The delicacies: at the table, champagne, coffees galore and sharp teas. For the rest: let yourself be caught up in the lush counters, a real gastronomic show between the extraordinary shelling stall (sea urchins, whelks, oysters, crab claws, whelks, gray and pink shrimps...), eggs on -measurement, the variations of Mediterranean buffets between Lebanese mezes, Greek tzatziki and dolmas, Italian antipasti and pasta, Spanish Bellota-Bellota, without forgetting the cult salad bar of the house (César, Niçoise, etc.), pieces of simmered meat or the traditional dim sums.
The added plus: the most desirable dessert buffet in Paris by François Perret , ultra-bankable and super-talented pastry chef from The Chef in a Truck on Netflix. The opportunity to test a summary of all the signatures that make the aura of the sweet chef, starting with his famous madeleines, pies, seasonal desserts, teddy bear cakes, but also his marbled dessert.
A taste of the Ritz Paris: Le Grand Brunch, served every Sunday from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m., €170 per person until June 19, then resumes from Sunday August 28. Ritz , 15 place Vendome, Paris 1st.
© Frédéric Stucki
Also discover the best palace afternoon teas and Justine Piluso's terrace .
