KCR Summer 2024 Magazine FINAL 1 - Flipbook - Page 54
Checking In: Le Grand Mazarin and
Crillon le Brave
There9s something undeniably romantic about hopping on a train,
watching the changing scenery unfolding through your window. The
Eurostar from London St Pancras to Paris is always surprisingly easy
and swift - and the journey9s made even more seamless with Business
Premier, which allows you to skip the main queue on the way in and
arrive in style. You know you9re not far once you9ve reached the Channel
Tunnel, leaving dreary London for sunny France (the contrast in
weather was almost comedic). Then, from Paris Gare du Nord, it9s a
30-minute drive to Le Grand Mazarin, the long-awaited Paris debut
from Maisons Pariente.
Once you9ve checked in, a three-course feast awaits at La Table du
Ventoux, the hotel9s airy restaurant dressed in shades of cream and
beige. Inventive Provençal dishes are made with seasonal ingredients
plucked straight from the surrounding gardens. During springtime, mini
tartlets and fresh salads appear on the menu, packed with asparagus,
peas, strawberries and fresh herbs, as well as sumptuous grilled osh or
slow-cooked beef. For lunch and dinner, there9s a rottional three-course
set menu that arrives in paper form with the starter, main course and
dessert of the day. The parmesan soup with asparagus was a highlight,
followed by a serving of the Conot Skrei cod osh.
Wedged between the many eclectic bars, galleries, and curb-side bistros
of Le Marais, Le Grand Mazarin orst opened its doors to the public last
September. Since then, it has charmed guests with Martin Brudnizki9s
namboyant and playful design. Everywhere you look, there9s something
to admire or get lost in, whether it9s a work of art, a furry lamp or an
upholstered chair with tassels placed in unexpected nooks.
Post-lunch, there9s the option to cool of by the sun-drenched pool
before a game of pétanque or scrabble, while sipping champagne. The
rustic spa could be just as tempting, whether you9re in need of a facial
or a knot-busting massage. For those with sensitive skin, there9s a
Tata Harper range designed for soothing and calming the skin barrier.
The LED mask at the end of the facial has to be the cherry on top, an
instrument that9s used to boost collagen production and enhance skin
hydration. There9s also the option to hop on an e-bike for some local
exploration. Head over to Bédoin, a scenic bike ride that includes a good
mix of road and gravel riding, passing the occasional farmer herding
sheep along the way.
The communal areas downstairs include a bar, restaurant and pastel-hued courtyard that feels far removed from the hubbub of the lively
Marais neighbourhood. Inside the downstairs lounge area, you9ll spot
leopard print details, quirky painted ceilings, and other unexpected
design nourishes that somehow work in harmony thanks to
Brudnizki9s signature touch.
The 61 rooms and suites are just as colourful and multifarious, adorned
with tapestry canopies over the beds, a bold colour scheme, and mismatched patterns. You9ll either nab a room with views over the rooftops
of the Marais or the inner patio, decorated with Tarot-inspired murals
by the artist Sophia Pega. Some rooms even come with spacious wraparound balconies, ofering spectacular panoramic views of the city.
Even on a regular Tuesday night, there9s a buzz in the air at Le Grand
Mazarin9s restaurant, Boubalé. The restaurant9s interior will transport
you to somewhere in Eastern Europe; you could be dining in Prague or
Hungary from the vibrant colour scheme and folksy, eye-catching patterns 3 design elements that add to the restaurant9s joviality and charm.
You9ll want to try a good mix of dishes on the menu, including the goulash and chickpea-topped calamari followed by a generous serving
of the traditional strudel for dessert. The next day, a sprawling breakfast
bufet awaits, including perfectly poached eggs with smoked salmon,
buttery omelettes, and homemade sweet treats you won9t ond at home.
Be sure to make time for a swim beneath the ethereal hand-painted
ceiling, a colourful fresco by the artist Jacques Merle. The treatment
rooms and spa area cater for bespoke requests on demand: if you9d like
to request a specioc treatment, someone will be on the premises by the
time you9ve slipped on one of the hotel9s nufy dressing gowns.
The stylish gym has been designed on theme with the rest of the hotel,
which almost makes it more alluring. Alternatively, pop out to the Luxembourg Gardens across the river for a stroll or a riverside run.
After our one night in Paris, we hopped on board the TGV to Provence,
a journey that zips through the French countryside. From Avignon
station, there9s an hour-long drive to Crillon le Brave, a honey-hued
hideaway perched in the foothills of Mont Ventoux. Far removed from
city life, Crillon le Brave is formed of eight grand houses, which have
been interlinked to form a boutique property in a quaint 17th -century
village. Its elevated location ofers sprawling views of Mont Ventoux9s
rolling hills and the surrounding countryside 3 the very landscape that
inspired the likes of Cezanne, Picasso, and Van Gogh.
Scattered across multiple buildings, each room has been uniquely designed, with windows that bathe the space in natural light. The design,
by Charles Zana, is typically Provençal in style, featuring crisp linens,
antique furniture, and sturdy wooden doors used to partition the room.
In the bathrooms, there are stand-alone bathtubs and twin sinks, not to
mention an array of luxurious Diptyque products.
Wine enthusiasts should segue into a tasting at Chateau Pesquié in the
southeastern Rhône Valley. The Château has changed hands in ownership over the centuries, before the Chaudière family stepped in 50 years
ago. Three generations later, the sprawling estate continues to produce
some of the onest wines in Provence, due to the area9s unique micro-climate. The tours here are thorough, outlining the step-by-step process of
making wine from scratch, followed by a tasting session overlooking the
oelds.
A trip to Provence is incomplete without a ramble around one of the
neighbouring markets. L9Ile sur la Sorgue is a 35-minute drive from
Crillon le Brave, a convivial canalside market selling all of kinds of trinkets and treasures, including artisanal homeware, nowy French linens,
and fresh produce. Locals can be spotted sipping cofee or rosé from
as early as 10:30am, watching the world go by. L9Ile sur la Sorgue is a
twice-weekly market, open on Thursdays and Sundays, when the
antiques come out. Be sure to get there early to score some unique
bargains and, once you9ve snagged your nea-market onds, there are
multiple terraces and cafes for basking in the sun, while you sift through
your new purchases.
Fact Box:
Le Grand Mazarin: www.legrandmazarin.com
Nightly rates from ¬690, B&B
Crillon Le Brave: www.crillonlebrave.com
Nightly rates from ¬350 Euros, B&B
Eurostar
Eurostar ofers seamless city centre to city centre travel, with stations
located in the heart of destinations.
Sustainable travel: 1 night = 14 Eurostar journeys; carbon footprint.
Extra baggage allowance: 2 suitcases and 1 piece of hand luggage
allowed with no weight restrictions and at no extra charge.
Dedicated check-in for Business Premier passengers
Comfortable and spacious on-board experience for work or relaxation
No queues or baggage reclaim upon arrival
Eurostar operates 17 trains each day from London St Pancras International to Paris Gare Du Nord.
Fares start from £39 for a one-way trip (based on a return journey).
Flexible tickets with no exchange fee on changes up to 7 days before
departure. Fastest journey time is 2 hours and 16 minutes.
Tickets are available from www.eurostar.com
By Zana Wilberforce
