Global Insight Local Knowledge

Breath of fresh air

Who says nature does not necessarily means garden. Some design, precursors hotels have appealed to real artists of the plant world to create beautiful islands of greenery in the heart of Paris. Hotel Pershing Hall (Paris 8th) is the first restaurant to dress a vertiginous wall, carefully lit by a huge glass roof. Lounge atmosphere of course, I love this place late in the day to have a drink and dinner.

On the other side of the Seine River, rue des Saints-Pères, the charming Hotel du Pas-de-Calais (Paris 6ème) gives me a pleasant shopping break in Saint Germain des Prés. Here, against all odds, another inside wall, illuminated by a beautiful glass roof, boasts more than 2,500 plants, including dozens of orchids. A refreshing place to drink tea while contemplating the detailed work of a talented plant composer (José Dos Santos, L’Orangerie).

Hotel Pershing Hall – 49, rue Pierre Charron 75008 Paris France – T. : +33.1.58.36.58.00

Hotel Pas de Calais – 59, rue des Saints-Pères 75006 Paris France – T. : +33.1.45.48.78.74

Confidential

A garden hidden from outside eyes is a rare privilege in the city. For a fashion addict like me, the summer restaurant at the Plaza Athénée (Paris 8th) is as essential as the shops Avenue Montaigne. I eagerly pass through the doors of the hotel, with restraint through the lobby of the palace, to sit as a regular guest in one of the finest table of the French capital. Surrounded by pristine vineyards and red geraniums, rocked by the melody of fountains and birdsong, I finally have a taste of paradise in Paris.

The Hotel Particulier Montmartre (Paris 18th) is my other secret garden. No way you will be able to find it unless you know where it is. Behind the black wrought iron portal, in the unlikely Passage de la Sorcière, stands an impassive Directoire style house surrounded by a garden both elegant and wild, cleverly controlled by Louis Benech, which was before that one the landscape architect from the Jardin des Tuileries. The bar, recently opened on the terrace is frequented by locals and hotel guests, including artists and performers. I know Gwyneth Paltrow is such a fan to mention on her blog the Hotel Particulier Montmartre as one of her favorite addresses in Paris.

Hotel Plaza Athénée – 25 avenue Montaigne 75008 Paris France – T.: +33.1.53.67.66.65

Hotel Particulier Montmartre – 23, avenue Junot 75018 Paris France – T. : +33.1.53.41.81.40

Mini green spaces

Paris 4th - The sunny terrace of the Hotel du Jeu de Paume for the sensitivity of the Ile Saint Louis before joining the tumult of a Sunday afternoon in the Marais.

Paris 6th - The patio of the Hotel d’Aubusson, one shaded stop away from the crowd of Saint-Germain des Prés, the garden of the Hotel de l’Abbaye, silence and meditation under the auspices of the former Benedictine monastery.

Paris 17th – The garden restaurant of the Hotel Ampère for the new menu by Chef Yannick Tessier.

Neuilly sur Seine – The aptly named Hotel Le Jardin de Neuilly for breakfast in the sunny gallery overlooking the garden.

Hotel du Jeu de Paume – 54, rue Saint Louis en l’Ile 75004 Paris France – T. : +33.1.43.26.14.18

Hotel d’Aubusson – 33, rue Dauphine 75006 Paris France – T.: +33.1.43.29.43.43

Hotel de l’Abbaye – 10, rue Cassette 75006 Paris France – T. : +33.1.45.44.38.11

Hotel Ampere – 102, avenue de Villiers 75017 Paris France – T. : +33.1.44.29.17.17

Hotel Le Jardin de Neuilly – 5, rue Paul Déroulède 92200 Neuilly-sur-Seine France T. : +33.1.46.24.22.77