Winter Warm-Ups: A Perfume-Inspired Teatime at Le Bristol

Horse-drawn carriage rides, twinkling lights, and a Christmas tree decorated in Baccarat crystal… There’s no place better to celebrate the holiday season than Parisian palace hotels like Le Bristol. But even if you missed the yuletide revelry, this elegant address on rue du Faubourg-Saint-Honoré makes for a great winter warm-up—particularly with a new teatime experience which celebrates the opening of the Grand Musée du Parfum across the street. (For more details on this exciting new museum, read our article here.) Reserve the “Perfumes of Tea” ritual, a new sensory experience at Café Antonia (15 euros). Just like the master “noses” who create perfumes, you’ll be invited to smell a selection of tea leaves before making your choice. Named for Marie Antoinette (whose portrait hangs on the wall), the Café Antonia was opened last year—after a renovation and expansion. It’s a chic and intimate space, decorated with all the big names in French design (Frey fabrics, Louis XV furniture by the maison Taillardat). The hotel’s award-winning bar is another fabulous spot to ward off the winter chill, enjoying great cocktails and people watching. Mark your calendars for a number of themed soirées like the upcoming “Alpine Evening” which will recreate the alpine chic of sister hotel L’Apogée Courchevel (January 17). All guests arriving in fashionable skiwear will be rewarded with a complimentary 3 Vallées cocktail, handcrafted by Le Bar du Bristol’s bartenders. Needless to say, Le Bristol’s two award-winning restaurants will be pulling out all the stops for Valentine’s Day. Both Epicure—the Michelin three-star restaurant helmed by Eric Frechon—and 114 Faubourg (one Michelin star) will be designing special menus for the occasion. At 114 Faubourg, there will be a prize drawing so that three lucky couples will have the chance to win a night at Le Bristol Paris, a future dinner at 114 Faubourg, or a treatment at Spa Le Bristol by La Prairie. Le Bristol Paris, 112 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, 75008 Paris. Tel: +33 (0)1-53-43-43-00.