Living room for the whole world

Hotel Meurice in Paris

Passing the gallery

Text: Varvara Nikitskaya

Magazine: World Hotels N11 (56) 2001

Paris, admittedly, amazes anyone who has been there at least once. A true Parisian, on the contrary, is almost impossible to surprise. Charles Augustin Meurice dared to make such an attempt. He decided to delight everyone - to build a palace in the heart of Paris, to receive guests from all over the world ... Those who thought he had failed, or had never been to Paris, or did not understand anything in it Hotel Meurice is considered the most prestigious hotel in France and is part of the famous Dorchester Group, which includes the most fashionable hotels in the world. And in 1817 it was just a tavern, where the English arrived at Paris. But William Thackeray, in his travel notes, almost two hundred years ago, noted the excellent level of service in this place: "If they tell you where Paris has the best beds, lunches, wines and brandies, do not listen to anyone, but go to Rue de Rivoli, in Meurice! That's where the true comfort! " The English writer was right in his sincere admiration. This opinion is true to this day. The French, as is well known, are ardent Republicans and monarchist overthrowers. At the same time, paradoxically, in architecture and interior they jealously adhere to two main styles - the era of Louis XVI and his hapless descendant - Louis Philippe. The style of the last king of the Bourbon dynasty has always been distinguished by its fanciful pompousness. As for Louis XVI, his era was the time of the true heyday of the state. This was reflected in the architecture of the famous palaces, and their magnificent setting - a truly luxurious and even different in some snobbery. For 183 years of its existence, the hotel was reconstructed three times: in 1907, 1947 and 2000. Architect Jean Loup Roubert and designer Nicolas Papamiltiades, who carried out the redevelopment project, were well aware that Meuris was not just the oldest hotel in Paris. This is part of his story. Roosevelt, Picasso, Kipling and many other celebrities stayed in the hotel’s apartments. King Alfonso XIII of Spain lived here for two years. Do not list the names of the royal persons of Europe who honored with their presence the hotel before the First World War. There was a very dramatic page in the history of the hotel: during World War II, during the years of occupation, Meurice was the seat of the Wehrmacht command. The French are generally conservative, and as for national shrines (Meurice can certainly be attributed to them) - in particular. Skeptical press jealously watched the progress of repair work, ready overnight alive, as they say, to eat Robert and Papamiltiades for any mistake. When the hotel opened its doors to the first guests, there was no limit to the delight of those present. In Paris, replete with magnificent monuments of architecture, curiosities of every kind, in Paris, which can not be surprised with anything, visitors of Meurice admiringly admitted: "This is a true triumph of refined luxury and elegance."

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