Most likely the most luxurious hotel in Paris at the moment, Cheval Blanc Paris boasts being the only hotel in the city with direct views of the Seine River. Part of the LVMH group, Cheval Blanc is a small chain of hotels catering to the jet set, with locations in the playgrounds of the rich, including St. Tropez, St. Barth, Courchevel, the Seychelles, and Randheli in the Maldives.
Dining and drinking at Cheval Blanc Paris is on a supreme level, with the Michelin-starred Japanese restaurant Hakuba, and the Michelin three-starred Plénitude, where Chef Arnaud Donckele serves exquisite six-course menus that dazzle even the most jaded foodies.
This summer, Cheval Blanc Paris has inaugurated a new pop-up rooftop terrace.
Last week, we visited Céleste, the rooftop bar of the hotel. We entered the hotel and were warmly greeted by staff, one of whom escorted us to the elevator, whisked us up to the 7th floor, and then to another elevator that continued to the 10th floor. Even before we sat down, we were smitten by the panoramic views: the creamy white domes of Sacré-Cœur atop Montmartre, the black, cone-shaped roofs of La Conciergerie, the former royal palace; the limestone towers of beloved Notre-Dame; the quirky architecture of the Centre Pompidou; and finally, the majestic, iconic Eiffel Tower and the glittering, gold-topped dome of the Chapel of Les Invalides, where Napoleon is buried.
We were seated on a plush white sofa with super-comfy cushions and offered fans and hats to shield us from the dazzling sun and 80-degree temperature. (Surprisingly, there were no umbrellas for shade.) The tempting cocktail menu listed Aperol Spritzes, Espresso Martinis, Cognac Margaritas, and Negronis — but we opted for au courant mocktails. A most sophisticated slushie, the Rose Gravity, made with strawberry ice and basil, was perfect for beating the heat. That was followed by a refreshing twist on lemonade, the Lemon Heights, blending tart lemon juice and tangy ginger ale with a dash of pomegranate syrup for a little oomph.
Our drinks were accompanied by a selection of tiny bites: a savory babka with Comté and pecorino served with an eggplant dip; a croque monsieur with turkey, truffle, and Comté; and a mini tartlet topped with stracciatella and crisp green beans.
The Champagne list includes 2019 Ruinart Blanc Singulier, SA Ruinart Rosé – Brut, 2012 Dom Pérignon – Brut, and, at the very top, the 2006 Dom Pérignon “P2” Plénitude Deuxième Brut, priced at €1,200 per bottle.
Top-notch red, white, and rosé wines, along with beer, soft drinks, and bottled water, are also available.
Related Stories
Paris Insider: 4 Fabulous Fashion Exhibits in Paris This Summer
Four Must-Visit Vintage Stalls at the Paris Flea Market
Source link
