Experience Paris
There couldn’t be a more romantic way to experience Paris than by taking a stroll along the River Seine. After all it was here that famous painters such as Sisley, Turner, and Monet got their inspiration. A walk alongside the Seine, its bridges and quays, will have you pass several of the city’s monumental buildings including the Louvre Museum and the Notre Dame Cathedral. There are 37 bridges across the Seine in Paris. Of these, four are pedestrian bridges, three links to the Île Saint-Louis, eight links the Île de la Cité with the mainland and one links the two islands. The oldest bridge is the Pont Neuf; built in 1607 as the first stone bridge in Paris.
The banks are littered with nomadic artist’s showcasing their art works, bookstalls and souvenir stalls selling postcards and miniature Eiffel Towers.
You can easily spend a good hour or two gently strolling up and down the river, enjoying a romantic stroll or a power walk. There truly is something magical about the River Seine, which defines the center of Paris and offers a focal point for all visitors. If you would like to see and experience more, there are also several boat cruises on offer.
Pampering in Paris
Located a stone’s throw away from the Champs-Elysées and in Paris’ famous Golden Triangle, the Spa at the Four Seasons George V has been voted the Best Spa in Europe four consecutive times by Travel and Leisure Magazine. The lush Spa sits on the basement level of this Grand Dame of Parisian hotels, and can be directly accessed through its own dedicated lifts. The Spa décor, design and ambience are traditionally Parisian with a lobby made of sumptuous marble columns and flooring and stunning flower arrangements by flower sculptor Jeff Leatham.
Several signature treatments are available including the ‘Stroll through Versailles’, inspired by Marie Antoinette’s beauty treatments at Versailles, infused with her favorite scent: orange blossom. Guests will be treated to a relaxing orange blossom body scrub followed by a soothing massage with warm shea butter before finishing off with a milky facial and some delish macaroons. The George V Facial is also popular, aimed to energize your body by restoring flexibility and freedom to muscles and joints. A healing experience using anti-stress techniques, it is Ideal for stressed and tired guests
Other facilities include an indoor pool, Jacuzzi, saunas and a fitness suite. Relaxation loungers surround the pool which is adorned with trompe l’oeil murals of the gardens of Versailles. Several other massages, facial treatments including Spa journeys are on offer making the Spa an ideal wellness retreat. Expect to run into some celebrity guests including David Beckham and Pamela Anderson.
[Four-Seasons]
Dining in Paris
The Restaurant Le Meurice, by the highly-acclaimed multiple Michelin-star chef Alain Ducasse, is one of the finest dining establishments in the city today. The restaurant sits in a beautifully-restored salon and offers authentic French cuisine while overlooking the Tuileries Garden. The restaurant recently put in place new tableware, original creations by Pierre Tachon and valuable pieces of Japanese craftworks by Shinichiro Ogata.
The restaurant is overseen by Chef Christophe Saintagne, who believes in following a ‘raw’ menu with focus on the product earned him a reputation as a dedicated locavore. While the menu is refreshed each season, Chef Saintagne winter menu includes plenty of black truffle, served with Scallops, Guinea Foul, Lobster or Roast Poultry using classical Escoffier vintage culinary techniques.
[Dorchester-Collection]
