Paris: New faces
The French capital is a proven and reliable destination for meetings and events – but still able to surprise. John Keenan reports
Paris hotels and MICE services
Browse MICE and corporate hotels in Paris in the great hotels of the World website – including information on the meeting details, photos, reviews and more.
next event please visit the Great Hotels of the World MICE page.
For more information about events MICE Bernadou contact Corine Paris: Tel: +33 (0) 1 49 52 53 96 / cbernadou@parisinfo.com
You must begin with the Seine. The river is why the city exists and that today provides a lifeline for the commercial life in the French capital. The Bateaux-Mouches tourist are a familiar sight in the interior, as inevitable as an umbrella in April, but owner Didier Spade has taken a hackneyed concept and given it a postmodern twist. Her dresses Paris Clipper Gala with sofas, chairs and stools and more like a trendy club with a boat determination boring. The main deck is 200 square meters each and can accommodate 100 people comfortably for a cocktail reception and 150 people for a seated dinner.
It is an example of how suppliers have to bend Paris traditional formats in ways decidedly up to date. During two days the freeze earlier this year, the company's supervisory Elena Hubert Convention Bureau Paris, I was introduced to a series of renovated, remodeled and restored sites showed that the French capital is capable of surprising that the most competent planner Paris.
In Cité de l'Architecture et du Patrimoine, in front of the Trocadero, Zoe Macedo, director of events, we expertly threaded through examples of French architecture 12th century to the modern age, explaining how the 12 rooms and the auditorium can be put to use for events and conference organizers. The largest area, Galerie des moulage on 3420 meters square, is more suitable for a reception more than anything formal. The Cathedral area is more manageable than 380 square meters; the audience is 250 square meters of meeting space, contemporary design with all the bells and whistles one would require.
Across the road Avenue George Mandel, Mandel 6 is a magnificent 19th century house in Paris tailored to the needs of the 21st century events planner. The rooms are equipped with 95 square meters events space plus a garden of 130 square meters in the light and the shadow of the Eiffel Tower. I used my imagination and represented a perfect evening in a warm summer eve. The house at 6 Mandel once belonged to Jacques Homberg, close associate of Christian Dior, and one can imagine the couple buying gifts in Fauchon Café, near the Madeleine. The store is a tribute to all things tasty, tempting and ever-so-slightly transgressive coffee, condiments and spices to crackers, bakeries and macaroni … Feel your levels of blood sugar up, and heading to navigate through the immaculate aisles. Above, a separate terrace is available for meetings of up to 250 people.
After our visit, Hubert and I work the calories with a walk from the lively Place de la Madeleine in the Boulevard Haussmann Rue La Fayette, to see a blank canvas 120 sqm in the heart of the city. Both L'Apart Lafayette looks elegant, funky or formal is entirely to below the taste and imagination of the customer. Well suited for product launches and press conferences, this is not the place to bring your dancing shoes – the floor is not going to take. But dancing, playing air-guitar and almost any other form of exhibitionism teen positively encouraged in 'rock' n 'luxury' of Murano in the area of the Marais. This is not a hotel, please note: it is an 'urban resort. Meeting rooms are not the first item on the agenda of this property, and if you is the type of client who resists the idea of presenting the tone in a lounge bar to the accompaniment of a track last heard in Ibiza in the late 90s The Murano is not for you. You need not be great to be here, but it probably helps. </ P>
Another hip and happening place of meeting can be found at the sharp point clearly to the northeast of the city. The Centquatre, a former funeral home is a place for events large and bright and home to the largest collection of artists at home in Europe. My visit coincided with a residence for British trip-hop Tricky large wig and equally impressive is the space of 39,000 square meters function. The material includes advertising many comments worthy of the 'production of living thought, but more practical to use the studios, showrooms and workshops that provide Meeting with modern equipment and events.
If Centquatre artistic innovation is your thing, you probably also feel right at home in eccentric environment Mama Shelter hotel near Pere Lachaise Cemetery. This property is literally unique designer Philippe Starck has written all over – The provocative graffiti in the elevator to the masks of comic and Macs in my rooms. Owner Serge Trigano promised me that the traditional values of service in the hotel of 172 rooms have been thrown away with the conventional ornaments comfortable furnishings and decor.
Back in more conventional ground, both literally and figuratively, the Académie Diplomatique Internationale (IDA), Avenue Hoche, near the Arc de Triomphe and the Parc Monceau is a place of prestige, which consists five separate meeting rooms that can be privatized for a total of 350 people. But be careful: give plenty of notice that the building regularly hosts diplomatic events, but can be rented for a few days each month for meetings and special events.
If the IDA's emphasis on the formal, the atmosphere in the restaurant at the foot Paiva the Champs Elysees is decidedly unceremonious. The former house of a courtesan of the 20th century, renovated by renowned interior designer Jacques Garcia, is a riot of articles purple and red – check out the stars on the ceiling. It is another example of how places established in the French capital are discovering a contemporary twist.
Room to improve
Located on the rue de Berri, near the Champs Elysees, the Hotel California has no connection with the famous melody Eagles. In fact, the atmosphere is much more chic Parisian West Coast cool. The 18-room (plus 16 suites) property has nine meeting rooms ranging from the Pasedena 1, which at 25 square meters with capacity for 20 people to San Francisco II, which has 120 square meters and can accommodate up to 200 people. As a sales manager Sylvia Pietsch said the property was restored in 2004 retaining the comfortable ambience of the old property for the installation of modern gadgets that planners completely insist today.
Modern equipment and spanking new rooms are the dominant themes at the Meridien Etoile. An established player in the market of Paris meeting and now part of the organization of Starwood, the hotel has introduced two new rooms for meetings list: offer 661 and 484 square meters of space combined with the capacity to 1,200. The global offering includes meetings with 25 meeting rooms with over 2,500 square feet of space. Bang in front of the Palacio de Congresos, the hotel has 1025 rooms – Chic, it may be; boutique that definitely is not. The Park Hyatt Paris-Vendôme, everything is luxury, calme et volupte. It is easy to be intimidated by public areas magnificent, adorned with works of fine art and furniture, but the friendly staff (played during my visit to the marketing communications manager Coralie Malazdra) mixing for a pleasant lack of formality with a professionalism that puts you totally at ease practice. The meeting rooms are equally attractive – 12 in total, from 31 square meters Ballroom beautiful 162 m².
And if you can boot from the hotel, the best shops in Paris are tantalizingly at the gates – as is the charming Hotel Lotti, discreetly hidden by the Rue de Castiglione. The property was the brainchild of the Duke of Westminster and the eponymous M. Lotti, a time maitre d 'at the Hotel Continental. Opened in 1910, retains its old-school atmosphere. Five years ago, the hotel opened a new wing with 44 rooms that have been included along with the facilities brand new conference. Today Lotti has eight meeting rooms with capacity for 100 people. The restaurant – a delicious slice of Italy in the heart of Paris – also available for group rental.
For my money, the most beautiful room hotel in Paris, is located at the InterContinental Paris Le Grand in the Rue Scribe. It is one of 21 (scores) meeting rooms ranging from the smallest that can accommodate 10 people for a banquet in the ballroom itself capable 600. The hotel is a Parisian landmark – which opened amid much excitement in 1862 and remains a byword for lavish events. The Café de la Paix is famous for right own.
The Crown Plaza on the Champs Elysees can not boast such an illustrious history but what it lacks in heritage posed to the peculiar environment. This is not is your standard Crown Plaza – designed by Bruno Borrione (which, almost inevitably, was a student of Philippe Starck) the property is an eclectic mix of natural wood and modern furniture. The room of 300 m² of meeting space to accommodate 260 people.
Last but not least, The Westin Paris, overlooking the Tuileries Gardens, is a lady beautiful tail of a property. Racing with InterContinental for jaw-dropping opulence, this is a shameless class place. Meeting rooms – adorned with frescoes in the style of the Second Empire (1850-1870 it is for those whose French history is a little rusty) – the total of 1982 meters square with capacity for 1,000 people. The Salons de Castiglione, Feuillants, Mont-Thabor, Rivoli, and Saint-Honoré provide a variety of settings for the events, while the Salons Tuileries and Vendôme are most suitable for lunch or dinner. The 19th century is extravagant Imperial Hall is ablaze with golden chandeliers, curtains and red carpets, while the Concorde Room is a huge Grand Ballroom. Style never goes out of fashion.
Feeding Creativity
Any car planner self-respecting event has a couple of Paris-based catering services in your address book. If Butard Enescot is not one of them really need to do something about it. During lunch very impressive, with (among other things) crispy scallops, crawfish strudel, lobster marinated in rum and a dark chocolate truffle, Laetitia Gey is indicates the company's commitment to make each reception "a singular moment. Fine words, but the real passion for cooking was evident in superlative every bite unforgettable. Not exactly a new kid on the block – Butard Enescot was formed in 1997 – the company, however, a challenge laid down restoration services in the city with the dynamism, expertise and supreme skill.
We dined in the beautiful Royal Pavillon in the Bois de Boulogne, and then took a post-prandial stroll another great event space, the Pre Catalan. Long a favorite of the aristocracy, politicians and high society, the place is a fabulous option, but good food is not on the menu – it offers 13 elegant rooms ranging from 32 m² to 800 m² and can accommodate 20 to 1,400 people for a reception.
In contrast to the formalism of the Royal Pavilion, the Boeuf sur le Toit is a sharp Art Deco gem in the heart of the city. Brasserie Le Boeuf takes heart on his sleeve and full tables local families, are testament to the enduring appeal. Diners in Chiberta are also local, but probably will be more recognizable to anyone who maintains an eye on the French press. Michelin-starred kitchen of the restaurant and wine seemingly bottomless be a favorite with the powerbrokers, media celebrities connoisseurs – and aspiring celebrities.
A traditional pillar of the typical French cuisine, the Lassere is as French as foie gras – and what is your reaction to that idea this facility will tell you if you strike as inspired or unbearable – to be decided by the first, won by the courteous and informative, and unexpected eccentricity sunroof.
On my last night in the capital Helen Hubert and I ate at La Grande Cascade in the Longchamp Allee, once again in the Bois de Bologne. A beautiful Belle Epoque, the restaurant has a number of private rooms that can be taken only for groups. We toured the rooms after a long and very Gallic dinner hunting participation, truffles, and, bien sur, foie de canard ras Poivre et sel. Paris has many different faces, but some things never change.
Study case
Towards the end of last year, Paris-based Carlson Wagonlit Travel (CWT) was asked to produce an exceptional event for 80 of the best customers of a financial institution known. It was to be an event tailor-made all-inclusive, assistance will be provided to each attendee, and the on-site coordination will place in a place known for its sophisticated cuisine.
CWT was accused of event management from end to end, including the place of supply, delegate welcome on-site assistance, and service throughout the day. </ P>
The chosen site was Pavillon Ledoyen. The Pavilion was built in 1791 by Pierre-Michel Doyen, heir of a famous family of catering. It was redesigned in 1842 and is in the midst of brown with a peaceful lawns and fountains within a facade elegant neoclassical style.
CWT account manager CWT Meetings & Events in France, Christophe Colvin says: "Our objectives were to create an experience great for these important customers and introduce new products. The event had to be original and of high quality. The French delegates were employees of a large U.S. based company. For the French, the food is very important – and our presentation reflects this. The delegates were treated like stars, good food, good wine, good conversation.
"The budget is devoted entirely to the case – not spent on transportation and accommodation. By focusing on the exact customer needs we have been able to create a memorable event. For me the two pillars of a successful event are re-invention and creativity. "
A few words
We asked a business destination Management based in Paris in response to a brief scenario: a pan-European company must retain and strengthen their personal luxury brand image internally. The program includes a two-day conference break-out sessions include a keynote address by the President and a gala dinner on the final night.
Michele Hensley, Allied France
The arrival and departure can be arranged through different types of vehicles, from luxury motor coach, van or private car to transfer the bike. A conference two days can be enhanced with activities during the morning and afternoon coffee such as the distribution of trees for babies, massage, cartoonists, activities kitchen or a competition in Paris. The activities are selected according to the demographic evolution of the attendees. For the evening's farewell dinner, depending on the audience demographic and the budget we suggest the following: themed dinner in one of the pavilions of Paris, or a dinner cruise with entertainment for participants to explore the city while dining, or dinner a fun and interactive museum or amusement park, finally the best in classical terms for dinner one night at the Palace of Versailles, after the visit of the State apartments privately to participants, followed by a dinner in the gallery of battles, along with music and period entertainment and costumes.
Vital indicators: Paris
Value for money – 3
Paris ranks with London and New York as a world class capital – with world-class prices. Recipients do not need a big budget to get the best out of town – but it certainly would not hurt.
Infrastructure – 4
The French capital has been drawing crowds since Napoleon Bonaparte launched his first European tour. He knows how to deal with all groups of scale and size.
The X-factor -4
Some might argue that customers have seen, done and bought the Eiffel Tower T-shirt – but Paris has ways to reinvent itself should not tax the imagination of enthusiastic organizer.
Access – 4
Charles de Gaulle airport is the Europe active in the bar at Heathrow – with all that that implies. Not the most centrally located downtown, which means demand transfers much forethought. The British, with Based in southern England has the option of Eurostar – a quick and easy, if not cheap, alternative. </ P>
Luxury Investment – 3
It's been two years since the Rive Gauche Marriott shook things up with its Renaissance-style '60s. The five-star hotel industry has been pretty quiet since then. </ P>
Conclusion
Paris regularly tops the league table short-range most of the European event planners. Continue being well positioned to capitalize on its strengths, when its neighbors and its own economic destiny are revived.
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