“Some places give, at the first glance, at the first moment, the impression of capturing the spirit of the place, the truth of time… “. When I read these words, I immediately realized that this thought was perfectly suited to the Hotel Le Meurice, so much the oldest of the Parisian palaces (since 1835) seems out of time and yet so anchored in our time.
Facing the Tuileries between Place Concorde and the Louvre Museum, the five-star hotel has remained true to its values of French art de vivre. Entering the lobby of the hotel is like entering a magical place, a haven of peace and elegance where the splendors of the Louis XVI style and contemporary comfort are blended in a perfect harmony of refinement and elegance. Many artists, painters and writers have marked the history of Le Meurice, which has been, and will remain, a place of expression of French genius. From Salvador Dali to Colette, via Louise de Vilmorin, the Meurice has brought together within its walls the greatest artists and the most famous writers. In the 1950s, the billionaire Florence Jay Gould, who loved luxury and culture, instituted a literary luncheon every Thursday that brought together such contrasting personalities as Arletty and François Mauriac, Léautaud and Paul Morand. This was the beginning of the Meuriciades.
Today, Le Meurice has decided to bring back the honor of literary salons by adding glamour and humor. And it is within the framework of the year of Russia in France that this new season of the Meuriciades opens on the theme of the Russian muses. The first thematic evening on May 25, 2010 was articulated around young emblematic women of the Russian scene, on a setting in words signed by Vladimir Fedorovski, who also came to speak about his last work. Vika Gazinskaya, a Russian designer, came specially from Moscow to present us her next Fall-Winter 2010-2011 collection between contemporary minimalist and graphic silhouettes on the rhythms of Vitaly Koza, famous Russian dj. We were also able to admire the beautiful Murano glass coffee tables displayed in the hotel gallery by Russian designer Liana Yaroslavsky. The Castiglione space hosts the photographic exhibition “Tolstoi seen by Tolstoi” of Count Dimitri Tolstoi, a tribute of a great-grandson for his grandfather in the form of photographic conversations.
The Russian Salon also symbolizes the launch of a thematic fortnight from May 26 to June 09, 2010 at Bar 228. William Oliveri, the Head Bartender, has created ten delicious Russian cocktails based on Russian Standard vodka. Among the most famous: the Saint-Petersburg with watermelon cream, the Balalaïka with Cointreau or the Tzarine with a delicate peach liqueur. But my palate was captivated by one cocktail in particular: The Kusmipolitan made with Anastasia tea syrup and Kusmi Tea. If Carrie Bradshaw had been Russian, I’m sure she would have adopted the Kusmipolitan too. Its sweetness delighted me and sublimated the different flavors of the zakouski proposed by Yannick Alléno. These small appetizers imagined by the triple starred chef are available in two versions, savory or sweet for the pleasure of the taste buds. To be enjoyed completely curled up in one of the comfortable armchairs!
So, notice to all lovers of Russia, come and pay tribute to him at Bar 228!
Cocktails 24€.
Plate of salted zakouskis 38€.
Plate of sweet zakouskis 32€.
Le Meurice
228, rue de Rivoli 75001 Paris
Phone: +33 (0)1 44 58 10 75
Marie-Odile Radom
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