What kind of title is "Palas Hotel"?
Explore France's highest hotel, Le Meurice

Written by Takanori Nakamura

Among hotels in France, there are hotels called "palaces" that are rated even higher than five stars. The title of ``Paras'' is one of the national rankings recognized by various organizations such as the French National Tourist Board. The "Paras" rating certification program was officially established by the French government in 2009 to certify particularly outstanding five-star hotels in France. Therefore, no matter how luxurious a hotel is, it cannot call itself a ``Palace'' in France.

In order to receive the title of ``Paras'', the hotel must pass a strict examination, and some say there is even a second examination.In addition to being a historical building, the hotel also has a Michelin-starred restaurant within the hotel. It is rumored that there are more than 2.75 employees per room, but according to the official documents of the French National Tourism Board, it is said that: -Good location, historical, aesthetic or cultural heritage value -Customers Services that meet the needs of customers ●Have a fitness facility and spa ●Have multilingual staff ●Have a concierge service ●Have a restaurant where you can enjoy gourmet food ●Have consideration for the environment, etc. are listed. Then, a committee of appointed celebrities will express their opinions based on all of the evaluation items and make the selection. As of April 2022, there are 4 hotels in France that have earned the Pallas title, and nearly half of them are in Paris.

Le Meurice in Paris is a typical hotel. Le Meurice's history dates back to the early 1800s. In 1806 the Rue de Rivoli was laid in front of the Tuileries Gardens, and in 1811 a huge and elegant arcade was built along it. Then, in 1835, Le Meurice opened the building as a luxury hotel. It was named after its original owner, Charles-Agustin Meurice. By the way, Charles Meurice once owned an inn in Calais, a town on the Strait of Dover, and his vision was to provide attractive accommodation for British visitors to Paris.

Le Meurice's customers include royal families from around the world, but its first official visit was to Queen Victoria of England, who stayed there in 1855. At that time, there is a record in the hotel's documents that the first floor was extensively renovated in recognition of the respect she had for her. In 1907, the hotel underwent a two-year renovation and became the first hotel in Paris to have a bathroom in every room, as well as its current restaurant and rooftop garden. In 2007, it underwent a major renovation in collaboration with Philippe Starck. At the official announcement in 2011, he was given the title of ``Pallas'', the first in France. In 2019, 49 rooms, including the penthouse suite, were renovated, and the hotel now has a classic yet modern look.

I recently stayed at Le Meurice, so I would like to report on it. This was my first visit in a while, and my first experience since the renovation.

Needless to say, Le Meurice's location is perfect for enjoying Paris. It's right in front of the Tuileries Gardens, so you can feel like you're in Paris just by walking within the area, and the Louvre and Orsay Museum are also nearby. The long facade, which was built approximately 200 years ago and extends from the first floor of the hotel, is not exposed to the elements and allows you to enjoy window shopping. From the facade to the hotel entrance and the atmosphere that continues inside, you can experience the profound feeling of 200 years of history, and it will liven up your travel spirit. This is a charm that you would never experience at a new hotel.

Beautiful classic and modern guest rooms

The room I stayed in faced the Tuileries Gardens, and I could see the Eiffel Tower from the window. This is one of the rooms that was renovated in 2019, so not only has the usability been improved, but the interior and furnishings have also been modernized. I especially liked the classic/modern aesthetic of the furniture and bathroom with marble. The selection of amenities was also detailed and stylish.

You can also look forward to gastronomy.
The existence of “Le Meurice Alain Ducasse”

Le Meurice lives up to its title of ``Paras'' and is also focusing on the field of gastronomy. The main dining room on the first floor, Le Meurice Alain Ducasse, has been supervised by Alain Ducasse since 2013. Starting in the spring of 2020, Amaury Bouhours will be selected as the chef and will be showing off his skills.

Of particular note is executive patisserie chef Cedric Grolet. The sweets he creates are surprising the gourmet industry with their innovative ideas and expressiveness. His masterpieces, such as the ``Rubix Cake'' and the ``Lemon Cake,'' which is meticulously crafted to look like a real lemon, are not only delicious, but also full of innovation that overturns the concept of traditional French sweets. ing. In recognition of his expressiveness, he received the Best Pastry Chef Award in the 2018 World's 50 Best Restaurants. Currently, his Instagram boasts nearly 240 million followers, but if you have a chance, please take a look at his novelty. It seems that many guests visit Le Meurice just for his sweets.

I want to stay to eat homemade French toast
Breakfast at Le Meurice Alain Ducasse

One thing that impressed me during my stay at the hotel was the breakfast that was served in the space of ``Le Meurice Alain Ducasse'' on the first floor. The luxurious space is said to have been influenced by the Peace Room of the Palace of Versailles, with detailed frescoes painted on the ceiling and large windows facing the Tuileries Garden. Perhaps because Philippe Starck added further direction in 2016, it doesn't feel outdated at all. The chandeliers create a wonderful atmosphere at night, but if you want to fully appreciate the beauty of this space, I think the light in the morning is better.

The breakfast menu has a wide variety of variations, but my personal recommendation is the homemade French toast. As shown in the photo, it is characterized by the circular shape of the bread, and the center is topped with vanilla-flavored cream. The slightly textured bread dough is soaked with the seasoning liquid, and the surface is baked to a crispy texture, creating a fun texture contrast. There was plenty of food for one person, and I would have stayed at this hotel just to have it for breakfast.

The hospitality of the hotel's staff in each section was full of elegance as expected from a long-established establishment, and I often found myself saying "Paras", but what I should add to this premium Japan is the Japanese concierge, Mr. Daisuke Kimura. . Mr. Kimura boasts a history of winning a competition for young concierges in France, and as the face of Le Meurice, he is highly rated by regular customers. He hopes to deliver his interviews someday.

◆Le Meurice
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