“The Seine on Show”: Cheval Blanc Paris has opened its doors

by Aude Camus

As travel restrictions start to ease internationally, I’m starting to grow hope that Hong Kong’s government might eventually drop the insane zero-COVID policy and open up the city to the world again.  Where there is life there is hope as they say. And I’m also a big believer in the power of visualization so here I am, making travel plans and wishing for them to come true. If you are in the mood to start dreaming about your next international getaway, I’ve got you covered and I will be sending travel inspo your way in the next few weeks/months. Which better country to take you on our first trip abroad in a while that my home country? Pack your bag guys, we’re going to Paris!
 
Well, I’m complaining about the travel restrictions when I am actually traveling myself at the very minute I’m writing this piece. I’m currently based in Paris from where I’m working remotely, spending time with my family after not seeing them in 2.5 years and eating my weight in croissant and foie gras. I’m a living French cliché and I’m enjoying every single minute of it. Among the exciting news and happenings of this trip was the opening of Cheval Blanc Paris. The latest addition to Cheval Blanc hotel collection – St-Tropez, St-Barth, Randheli, Courchevel-, Cheval Blanc Paris is also LVMH’s very first five-star accommodation in the City of Light and a cornerstone of Paris iconic department-store La Samaritaine’s renovation project.
 
 

Contemporary art meets heritage

Opened in 1870, La Samaritaine closed its doors in 2005. Cheval Blanc Paris occupies the south side of the compound, an Art Deco heritage building designed by French architect Henri Sauvage in the 1920’s and boasting panoramic views of Paris and the Seine.
 
Architect Édouard François has been missioned the difficult task to redesign the building and give it a more contemporary dimension while bringing back its Belle-Époque glory. François has partnered with award-wining designer Peter Marino to revive the Art Deco masterpiece.
 

Contemporary and avant-garde artworks bring a touch of cool to beige and white interiors reminiscent of a plush cocoon. From Samsun, the monumental abstract blue canvas from 1978 by French artist Georges Mathieu, and the two Eiffel-Tower-inspired colourful photo assemblages by Brazilian-American artist Vik Muniz welcoming you in the lobby to the paintings by Sonia Delaunay and sculptures by Philippe Anthonioz lining the hallways of the upper floors, Cheval Blanc Paris serves as a window to the world of artistic creation.
 


Everything the light touches

With most Parisian five-star properties being located in the 8th arrondissement, also known as the Golden Triangle, or between Rue de Rivoli and Place Vendome, Cheval Blanc offers a different, more lively and definitely more authentic, experience to its visitors, on the banks of the Seine.

One of the standout features of the hotel are the views, without any doubt. Nothing surprising given that “creating an immersive panorama through the bay windows on the façade with a staggering view of the horizon from the 650m2 landscaped terrace” was the number one priority architect Édouard François adhered to. Wherever you are in the hotel, be it your room, a restaurant or the rooftop terrace you can expect iconic views of the City of Light.

The Seine and the Pont-Neuf, which despite its name meaning “New Bridge” is actually Paris’ oldest standing bridge, unveil at your feet, on your left is Notre-Dame de Paris, on your right are Les Invalides and the Eiffel-Tower, at your back is Montmartre and as far as the eye can see are Paris’ signature grey zinc roofs.
 


Gastronomic delights

True to its French DNA, Cheval Blanc Paris is as much of a gastronomic destination as it is of an hotel. With four dining outlets, the hotel invites you to savour the day from dusk till dawn.
 
Sitting next to the lobby, Limbar is a perfect meeting place at the edge of the quay and the Seine. Under the guidance of pastry chef Maxime Fréderic, the restaurant reinvents the art of baking and plates up simple yet delicious dishes such as the Garden Salad, the Thin Tomato Pie or the Pont-Neuf Croissant with white ham and comté cheese.

Le gouter is a very French tradition not to be missed at Limbar where each member of the team has elevated a traditional cake from its region to create the frenchiest of all pastry stands.

The first-floor gastronomic restaurant Plénitude is helmed by Michelin-starred chef Arnaud Donckele. With 30 seats only, it is an intimate venue inspired by the rhythm of Nature and rural traditions. At the very heart of the gastronomic experience lie chef Donckele’s Absolues, the precious sauces such as Velours n°1 – bonito belly filets, prawn consommé, Lambrusco-and-Chardonnay vinegar, chestnut honey and citron essence, rosemary infusion, roasted fish-head oil and Java pepper - the chef has imagined as the main element of each plate. Other ingredients such as fishes and vegetables are here to complement the sauces.

On the 7th floor, adjacent to the 650m2 terrace, you’ll find Le Tout-Paris, a contemporary brasserie with a large marble-bar inviting you to soak the venue’s buzzing atmosphere. Last but not least is Langosteria, the very first international outpost of the Michelin-starred Milano restaurant.
 


Wellness and relaxation

With only 26 rooms and 46 suites, Cheval Blanc Paris is a confidential haven of peace designed to create a sense of home and a sentiment of tranquility.
 

 
The hotel includes and underground Dior spa with six treatment rooms dedicated to bespoke treatments. Speaking of Dior, all in-room amenities has been imagined by Francois Demachy, Maison Dior’s perfumer.
 

There’s also an indoor swimming pool in a room where a video installation by Franco-Israeli artist Yorame Mevorach projects floor-level views of the Seine, the views you would see if the room had windows.
 
 
https://www.chevalblanc.com/en/maison/paris/