Hôtel Barrière Le Fouquet's

Hôtel Barrière Le Fouquet’s is situated right in the heart of Paris’ Fashion District on the corner of Avenue Georges V and the Champs-Elysées. The legendary Fouquet’s has been one of Paris’ top restaurants since 1899 and now features the three Michelin starred chef Pierre Gagnaire at the helm but the hotel has other delights to entertain their guests including a large 15 metre private swimming pool in its depths with a range of aqua activities and a circuit, alongside a whirlpool, steam, Hammam, a fully equipped gym and the Spa Diane Barrière to pamper and soothe within five serene treatment rooms. Behind the Hausmann exterior lies 101 elegantly contemporary rooms and suites designed by Jacques Garcia, clothed in neutral tones of beige and gold enlivened by a studded leather signature headboard, accented by dark wood and containing all the toys we enjoy today – Nespresso makers, minibars, tablets to control the key systems, Air Play sound systems, safes, the services of a butler, 24/7 and more. Room sizes are generous for the city with entry level rooms starting at 37 square metres for Superior & Deluxe Rooms with the Junior Suites taking it up a notch to 50 square metres with the Prestige Champs- Elysées Junior Suite enjoying high ceilings and large floor to ceiling windows letting the light flood in. The higher up the suite types you go, the more you see Garcia’s design evolve with the Grand prestige Champs- Elysées Suite covering 85 square metres with balcony views of the famous boulevard and a 30 square metre living room. 

There are four signature suites – the top tier of accommodation – with the largest being the two-bedroom Harcourt Paris Suite at 200 square metres of living space, in homage to the famous photographic studio which has immortalised the greatest figures of the age since 1934. This suite sits under the rafters with sloping ceilings and wonderful views out over Paris and the Arc de Triomphe, the colour palette offering greys mixed with gold and splashes of Harcourt red with the lounge turning into a pop-up photography studio if inspiration strikes. There are black and white images of the great and the good of the silver screen; a large balcony with dining and seating areas; a magnificent master bedroom featuring red velvet curtains; a dining room; a library study; a makeup salon for photo prepping; a fitness room and a large sitting room. Any stay includes a portrait session along with other goodies such as complimentary airport runs; breakfasts; a spa treatment; a dinner; laundry; dry cleaning etc. Other than the historic Fouquet’s for dining with its two large terraces for al fresco dining, head to Le Joy for book-lined interiors leading out into an interior garden and a fresh, modern menu full of seasonal produce with a live DJ set on Thursday to Saturday. When it comes to bars, there are three – the cosy, wood panelled L’Escadrille dating back to the 1900s and now Fouquet’s Bar with black and white photos paying homage to the pioneers of aviation and Le Marta – two venues with the first lying hidden behind a secret door and the other set up on the rooftop serving innovative cocktails to a backdrop of a live DJ.