by Editor | Mar 1, 2011 | Europe, France, Paris, Simon and Baker Travel Review
Named for Charles-Augustin Meurice the hotel’s history began in 1771 in Calais, where upper-class British travelers on their way to Paris would arrive after crossing the Straits of Dover. There, an enterprising regional postmaster, Meurice (1739-1820), welcomed them to French shores at his Calais coaching inn and arranging rides to Paris aboard his coach service. It was a 36-hour trip, and Meurice built a second coaching inn in Paris in 1817 to welcome the weary travelers on their arrival. The Hotel Le Meurice moved in 1835 to its present site, one of the most fashionable locales in the city, overlooking the historic Tuileries Garden.
by Editor | Dec 20, 2010 | Europe, France, Paris, Simon and Baker Travel Review
For years we have visited this well situated restaurant in one of the city’s most prestigious neighborhoods and been rewarded with outstanding meals. On our most recent visit to Paris we returned to rediscover the well known restaurant which had a new chef and a new manager.
As in past visits we much enjoyed the beautiful Louis XV style dining room. Although the building facade was under renovation and the windows facing the famed Place de la Concorde were covered the dining room is so lovely we scarcely noticed the absence of the view even though we were seated at a window side table.
by Editor | Dec 1, 2010 | Europe, France, Paris, Simon and Baker Travel Review
Named for the Comte de Crillon who bought it in 1788 the Hotel de Crillon property remained in the family until 1907. We had an opportunity to revisit the property recently and remembered the many reasons we liked it the first time we stayed in the former palace now one of the better known addresses in the European capital.
by Editor | Dec 1, 2010 | Europe, France, Paris, Simon and Baker Travel Review
We knew from a previous visit the view at Maison Blanche would be pretty. We did not know it would be even lovelier in the evening (we had been there for lunch) or that it would be raining that night transforming the rain drops into millions of shimmering lights, like priceless gemstones, as they dropped in front of the huge glass wall of the restaurant.
by Editor | Dec 1, 2010 | Europe, France, Paris, Simon and Baker Travel Review
Since we first visited Ledoyen in 2005, this elegant and well situated restaurant has remained reliable and satisfying. At the same time, when we return we discover new dishes or new variations on classic dishes, keeping novel and traditional options available on the menu.
Christian Le Squer, the talented executive chef, is capable of creating light and flavorful dishes. He maintains a balance between the characteristic flavor of an ingredient and blending simple flavors in harmony.
by Editor | Dec 1, 2010 | Europe, France, Paris, Simon and Baker Travel Review
This small hotel, named to honor Louis II de la Tremoille and the Tremoille Family dating to the time of the crusades, had many pluses and made fans out of us for a second time (we had stayed there several years earlier). In addition to the accommodations and pretty interior, what we liked most was its wonderful location in a quiet street in one of the most exclusive neighborhoods of the city, and within walking distance from the famed Champs Elysees.
