Salut!: Paris is for (wine) lovers
Credit to Author: Aleesha Harris| Date: Fri, 21 Feb 2020 19:00:24 +0000
Paris is consistently ranked as one of the top destinations to visit in Europe.
From art aficionados to history buffs, to foodies and fashion fans, the French city is a magnet for international tourists. (More than 89 million people reportedly visited the city in 2018.)
But what about for wine lovers? You’re in luck — the City of Light also happens to boast a plethora of options for sipping and discovering wonderful French wines. It’s also a perfect jumping off point for extended sojourns to the country’s various renowned wine regions, including Bordeaux and Burgundy.
If you have Paris on the brain, here are a few ideas for where to stay, sip, shop, and more:
The Executive Suite at Le Meurice in Paris.
Stay
Le Meurice — 228 rue de Rivoli
Considered to be the “original palace hotel in Paris”, this luxury Dorchester Collection destination perfectly blends 18th Century extravagance with modern hotel touches.
Situated across from the Tuileries Garden and within steps of the Louvre Museum, the hotel provides access to the city’s must-see sights, as well as five-star service and amenities.
Twenty nine of the hotel’s rooms have recently been renovated — including the formidable top-floor Belle Etoile Penthouse Suite, which offers 360-degree views of Paris, including an enviable vantage point of the most iconic landmark in Paris, the Eiffel Tower.
Sip and savour
Vantre — 19 Rue de la Fontaine au Roi
A trip to Paris wouldn’t be complete without a few memorable meals. With Canadian sommelier Marco Pelletier at the helm, this bistro-style eatery has earned a reputation among foodies and wine lovers alike for offering quality dishes, an extensive wine list and top-notch customer service.
“For me, the main motivation is to be on the floor and be with the client … to take care of them. For me, that is the most important thing,” Pelletier, who is originally from Montreal and counts positions at Taillevent and Le Bristol among his previous sommelier posts, says.
With a new chef recently installed in the kitchen at this 11th arrondissement eatery, Pelletier says diners can expect a new level of dishes — and accompanying wine pairings — in the coming months that are sure to draw even more visitors to the lunch and dinner-hour sittings. If you plan to visit, reservations are highly recommended, as Vantre is typically fully booked.
Shop
La Cave at Lafayette Gourmet — 35 Boulevard Haussmann
Across the street from the historied Galeries Lafayette on the Boulevard Haussmann where shoppers can peruse and purchase a variety of fashion items, beauty finds, souvenirs and more, is Lafayette Gourmet.
A unique destination for home decor and food finds (the dining hall is a must visit for gourmet fare on the go), the department store is also home to a wine lover’s paradise: Duclot La Cave.
Open since 2010, when it was dedicated to wines from Bordeaux, the cellar has since expanded to include 3,500 bottles of wine, Champagne and spirits. The three-level cellar comprises 450 sq m and includes a wine tasting room for personalized wine tours organized through Galeries Lafayette.
At the heart of the impressive space is a piece of art created by the “master carpenters of Paris,” and it is home to an astonishingly large selection of “the finest Bordeaux wines” dating back to a Château d’Yquem from 1899.
Sojourn
For those who are in search of discovery during their wine-themed vacation, there are a wide variety of options available to visitors at all times of the year — from day trips to visit the Moet et Chandon cellars in Reims or boutique winery stops in Chablis, to multi-day trips to Bordeaux or Burgundy.
But, you don’t have to leave the city limits in order to enjoy a good glass of vin français. There are many options for urban wine tours and market stops available through travel websites like Viator, many of which also see said wines paired with the delicious flavours of France. And, yes, pastries are often featured, too.
Prepare to sip, swill and be very satisfied.
Soothe
Valmont Spa — 228 Rue de Rivoli
After all that wining, dining and discovering, the final itinerary item may well be a day at the spa.
This luxurious wellness destination features a complete menu of body-benefiting procedures — from facials to full-body massages. All of this, of course, means it’s the perfect place to debrief (and de-puff) after the itinerary of wine tasting and tours.
In May, the location will become home to the first Maison Valmont boutique in France, which will be familiar to many Vancouverites as the city boasts its own Maison Valmont destination. Here, though, loyal users of the Swiss company’s creations can get a sneak peek of Valmont new releases two months before they’re available at other locations. Magnifique!
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