The Dazzling New Suites at Hôtel Barrière Le Fouquet’s Paris

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The Dazzling New Suites at Hôtel Barrière Le Fouquet’s Paris

The 28th November, 2019, le tout Paris (especially stars of the cinema) were invited to Hôtel Barrière Le Fouquet’s to celebrate the inauguration of four sumptuous new Suites d’Exception (George V Signature, Champs Elysées Signature, Arc de Triomphe Signature and Suite Harcourt). With décor by Jacques Garcia, these suites were created as perfect Parisian apartments in collaboration with Studio Harcourt.

Suite Harcourt, dining room, Hôtel Barrière Le Fouquet’s Paris. Photo: Fabrice Rambert

From Josephine Baker to Edith Piaf, from Gabin to Tarantino, Molière to Caesar, Le Fouquet’s is the eternal rendezvous of the world of arts and cinema, and Harcourt’s fabled photography adorns the walls.

Suite Harcourt at Hôtel Barrière Le Fouquet’s Paris. Photo: Fabrice Rambert

The 200m² Harcourt Suite, complete with private gym, sits beneath the rooftops with sweeping views, from the fifth floor, of the Arc de Triomphe, the Champs Elysées and the Louis Vuitton flagship store. Decorated in grey and gold tones, with splashes of red velvet, the luxurious suite combines the charm of a chic Parisian apartment with the unique plus that the sitting room becomes a pop-up studio, transforming the space into a photographic studio for an unforgettable shoot – complete with pro hair and make up corner. Smile! Say cheese! Reveal your inner Jean Gabin or Carole Bouquet.

Suite Harcourt, bathroom, Hôtel Barrière Le Fouquet’s Paris. Photo: Fabrice Rambert

The story of Le Fouquet’s begins at the end of the 19th century, in 1899, when Louis Fouquet acquired Café Criterion, later renamed Fouquet’s, in line with the apostrophied Maxim’s (the competition), and with a nod to the British style of the epoch. In 1903, Brazilian aviation pioneer Alberto Santos-Dumont celebrated landing his plane on the Champs-Élysées in Fouquet’s bar, immediately dubbed Bar l’Escadrille (Aviation bar) and Le Fouquet’s became “the place to be”.

Suite Harcourt, bedroom, Hôtel Barrière Le Fouquet’s Paris. Photo: Fabrice Rambert

When Louis Fouquet passed away, Léopold Mourier– chef, restaurateur, philanthropist and creator of “Lobster Thermidor”– took over. He showcased elaborate cuisine that attracted and satisfied the political, social, artistic and military of the time. Mourier was the first chef de cuisine to receive the Légion d’Honneur.

With the 1930s and the invention of talking movies, Raimu, Marlene Dietrich, Fernandel, Gabin and directors such as Carné, Clouzot, Guitry came to Fouquet’s to schmooze, sign contracts etc. During the fifties, the Nouvelle Vague, embodied by Truffaut, Godard and Chabrol, made it their headquarters.

Suite Harcourt, living room, Hôtel Barrière Le Fouquet’s Paris. Photo: Fabrice Rambert

In 1976, the restaurant was taken over by Maurice Casanova who was, with Georges Cravenne, at the origin of the César and Molières (the French equivalents to the Oscars). And, in 1998, Groupe Lucien Barrière acquired Le Fouquet’s and, famously, not without controversy, former bling bling president Nicolas Sarkozy chose Fouquet’s as the venue to celebrate his 2007 election victory.

After suffering catastrophic damage by violent anarchists who mixed with “Gilets Jaunes” protesters, Le Fouquet’s Barrière has picked itself up, brushed itself down, and looks forward to 2020 with optimistic delight.

Restaurant Le Joy, Hôtel Barrière Le Fouquet’s Paris.

Lunch at Fouquet’s Brasserie by Pierre Gagnaire, Brunch and Dine at Le Joy with chefs Bruno Guéret and Raymond Nordin. Tea-Time’s very special thanks to the incredible imagination of Nicolas Paciello. And at Bar L’Escadrille, for “ze after work,” there’s sublime croque monsieur and signature cocktails.

PS. Find original gifts at the Jacques Garcia-designed Legacy Concept Store by Sebastien Chapelle.

Hôtel Barrière Le Fouquet’s Paris
46 avenue George V, 8th
Rooms & Suites from €630-€20,000 + breakfast €49
Metro: George V,
Tel: +33 (0)1 40 69 60 00

Bar Le Joy, Hôtel Barrière Le Fouquet’s Paris.

Lead photo credit : Suite Harcourt at Hôtel Barrière Le Fouquet's Paris. Photo: Fabrice Rambert

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Born in Hampton, Middlesex, UK, Margaret Kemp is a lifestyle journalist, based between London, Paris and the world. Intensive cookery courses at The Cordon Bleu, London, a wedding gift from a very astute ex-husband, gave her the base that would take her travelling (leaving the astute one behind) in search of rare food and wine experiences, such as the vineyards of Thailand, 'gator hunting in South Florida, learning to make eye-watering spicy food in Kerala;pasta making in a tiny Tuscany trattoria. She has contributed to The Guardian, The Financial Times Weekend and FT. How To Spend It.com, The Spectator, Condé Nast Traveller, Food & Travel, and Luxos Magazine. She also advises as consultant to luxury hotels and restaurants. Over the years, Kemp has amassed a faithful following on BonjourParis. If she were a dish she'd be Alain Passard's Millefeuille “Caprice d'Enfant”, as a painting: Manet’s Dejeuner sur l’herbe !