About this Stay
I stayed at Le Meurice, one of the most prestigious hotels in Paris. It is classified as a “Palace” hotel, a rank that stands above the standard five-star category.
The building of Le Meurice was originally constructed in 1811 and has undergone several renovations over the years to suit changing times, while preserving its historic character.
The facilities and interior design were sophisticated and elegant, fully reflecting the dignity and refinement of a world-class luxury hotel.
All of the staff were friendly and approachable. Whenever I returned to the hotel, they greeted me warmly, asked if I needed anything, and paid close attention to every detail. The level of hospitality was truly exceptional.
Table of Contents
Hotel Exterior & Interior
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Rue de Rivoli
This is Rue de Rivoli, one of the main streets in central Paris. Lined with shops, cafés, and hotels, it is a lively and bustling area. The sidewalks are covered with arcades like this, and just beyond lies Le Meurice, where I stayed on this trip.
The Hotel Viewed from Outside
This is Le Meurice as seen from outside. The space visible through the windows is likely part of one of the hotel’s restaurants.
The hotel is located in the very heart of Paris, close to the Élysée Palace (the presidential residence) and Place de la Concorde.
Entrance Porte-Cochère
This is the hotel’s entrance porte-cochère. Founded in 1835, Le Meurice has undergone numerous renovations over the years, preserving and evolving its historic character.
Hotel Entrance
The main entrance of Hôtel Le Meurice.
Entrance Hall
This is the entrance hall immediately upon entering the hotel. The intertwined, Greek temple–inspired columns form a striking and unusual sculptural feature.
Beyond the entrance hall is the lobby, and further inside is Restaurant Le Dalí.
Floral Arrangement in the Entrance Hall
A beautiful floral arrangement displayed in the entrance hall.
Lobby
The sofa seating area in the ground-floor lobby. Marble floors, chandeliers, and draped curtains create an atmosphere of refined luxury.
Welcome Drink
I was offered coffee and sparkling water as welcome drinks.
Restaurant Le Dalí
The welcome drinks were served at Restaurant Le Dalí, located at the back of the lobby. The ceiling artwork is truly breathtaking.
Ceiling Artwork
A closer look at the magnificent ceiling painting in Restaurant Le Dalí.
Bar
The hotel’s bar, Le Bar 228, offers a classic and sophisticated adult atmosphere.
Ground-Floor Seating Area (1)
One of the seating areas on the ground floor, furnished with spacious sofas and tables.
Ground-Floor Seating Area (2)
これも1階の別のシーティングエリアです。
Another seating area on the ground floor. As expected of a “Palace”–rank hotel, every piece of furniture—from the sofas and tables to the carpets—is stylish and full of character, as if each item tells its own story. The portrait illustrations on the sofa backs may depict historical figures or members of royalty.
Seating Area Entrance
The entrance to the seating area with the portrait-backed sofas.
Corridor to the Guest Rooms
A corridor leading from the ground-floor lobby to the guest rooms. Throughout the hotel interior, emerald green tones are used as a key design theme.
Guest Room
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Inside the Room
Upon entering the room, I found a bottle of wine chilling in an ice bucket on the table, along with fresh apples. A rose was also beautifully arranged, adding an elegant touch.
Bed (Daytime)
The bed in the guest room. The two chairs placed at the foot of the bed are also wonderfully luxurious.
Refrigerator and Bottled Water
This is the refrigerator and the cabinet above it. A generous number of bottled waters were arranged on top.
After making the hotel reservation, I received an email asking if I had any special requests. I asked for plenty of bottled water, as my travel companion prefers to drink a lot of water, and the hotel kindly accommodated this request.
Vanity Area
The vanity area is spacious and very well designed, with two sinks, which is always a pleasure. The soap, amenities, and slippers are tastefully arranged, and there is also a scale provided.
It is such a comfortable and beautifully appointed bathroom that it instantly makes you feel happy.
Bathrobes
The bathrobes provided in the room.
Bathtub
The bathtub is spotless and elegant. Both the walls and floor are finished in marble.
Television
The television is positioned near the center of the room.
Welcome Macarons
Shortly after settling in, a bellman brought welcome macarons to the room. These are the welcome amenities arranged on the table:
- • Macarons
- • Wine
- • Apples
- • White roses
Room Atmosphere
The overall atmosphere of the room, photographed while sitting on one of the twin beds.
View from the Window
The view from the room’s window. Parisian apartment buildings can be seen, complete with chimneys, white shutters, and balconies adorned with flowers.
As the room does not face a main street, it is wonderfully quiet and peaceful.
Chilling Champagne
I purchased a bottle of champagne near the hotel. I asked the hotel staff to bring ice, and chilled it in this ice bucket to enjoy later in the evening.
Bed (Nighttime)
The bed after nightfall, softly illuminated and inviting.
Full-Course Lunch
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Restaurant “Le Dalí”
This is the entrance to the hotel’s café restaurant, Le Dalí. Lunch was served here.
Taking My Seat
I decided to enjoy a full-course French lunch on my own at the hotel restaurant.
The restaurant is officially named Restaurant Le Meurice Alain Ducasse, operated by the world-renowned chef Alain Ducasse, who owns and manages restaurants around the globe.
Inside the Restaurant
The interior of the restaurant is breathtaking. Crystal chandeliers, paintings reminiscent of medieval noblewomen, and palace-like wall decorations convey a strong sense of grandeur and tradition.
In the background, a service cart stocked with baguettes and various breads is visible.
Champagne
This is the bottle of champagne I ordered, labeled “Alain Ducasse.” It bears the name of the chef himself, making it especially fitting for this restaurant.
In the background, I noticed what appeared to be a Japanese couple dining as well.
Menu
I was presented with the menu. This time, I chose the “Menu Déjeuner”, a lunch set consisting of three courses, followed by a cheese course and a dessert.
Amuse-Bouche
The amuse-bouche served with the aperitif.
- • A vegetable fritter-like bite presented on a wooden plate
- • Two white, round morsels served in a small wooden vessel
Bread Service Cart
The bread service cart. A large loaf of rustic bread was sliced right in front of me.
This alone was enough to elevate the dining experience.
Amuse-Bouche and Bread
The table was set with:
- • Amuse-bouche
- • Freshly sliced bread with a large butter knife
- • Two types of butter (likely salted and unsalted)
- • Rock salt
- • Champagne
First Course: Seasonal Vegetable Salad
The first course. A salad of seasonal vegetables—such as Swiss chard, rhubarb, and spring onions—served in a pedestal-style dish.
Salad and Dressing
The salad in progress. The green element in the foreground is the dressing.
White Wine
White wine was served. I opted for wine pairing, allowing the restaurant to select wines that complemented each course.
Second Course: Lobster and Turnip
The second course, served with the white wine.
- • Lobster and turnip wrapped in a jelly-like layer, finished with a citrus sa
Second White Wine
After finishing the second course, a different white wine was poured in preparation for the next dish.
Main Course: Fish
The main fish course.
- • Sautéed white fish with warm vegetables
Soup Presentation
What appeared to be a consommé-style soup was presented in a very unusual way. The soup was gently heated from below, while fresh green herbs—possibly mint—were placed above, allowing the steam to infuse them.
The process was demonstrated right in front of me, making it a fascinating experience.
Color-Changing Soup
As the soup warmed, extracts from the herbs infused the liquid, and its color visibly changed.
Finished Soup
The completed soup was poured into a conical glass.
I’m not entirely sure why the color transformation occurred, but it was an idea I had never seen in Japan—truly inventive.
Cheese Cart
The cheese cart service. Cheese lovers will find this irresistible, as you can select any combination you like.
A spiral-shaped bread can also be seen below.
Cheese Plating
Cheese being plated directly from the cart.
Sweet Wine
A sweet wine served with the cheese:
- • Vin de Paille
Selected Cheeses
I sampled all of the cheeses available. They were accompanied by spiral-shaped bread and a dark fruit-studded bread, making for an exceptional cheese course.
Waiting for Dessert
After finishing the cheese, I waited for dessert.
Preparing the Dessert
Fresh oranges were brought to the table.
They were cut on the spot, and their juice was combined with syrup and other ingredients to create an orange sorbet right before my eyes.
Dessert (1)
- • Orange sorbet
- Served in a bowl filled with crushed ice
- • Roasted strawberries
- Topped with vanilla sauce and chocolate sauce
Dessert (2)
A close-up of the roasted strawberries with vanilla and chocolate sauce.
Dessert (3)
Finally, a box of chocolates and a sweet, sesame-studded, cracker-like confection with a chocolate flavor were served.
This appeared to be a palate-cleansing, post-dessert treat.
Chocolates
A close-up of the chocolates and the sesame confection.
The chocolates were created under the supervision of Alain Ducasse himself.
After the Meal
The restaurant after the meal concluded. A calm, refined atmosphere lingered in the dining room.
Receipt
The receipt for this lunch. The total was 235 euros, which at the May 2019 exchange rate amounted to approximately 28,000 yen.
Alain Ducasse Chocolates
The chocolates were boxed and sealed for me to take home as a souvenir, to be enjoyed later.
