MEMBERS OF TEN CHOOSE PARIS TO:
- Go on a weekend away (romance almost unavoidable)
- Enjoy the food: from casual bistros to Michelin-starred fine dining, Paris is one of the world's gastronomic capitals
- See the latest styles during the fashion weeks
It's not just lovers that Ten arranges Parisian breaks for; our members travel there for business, culinary trips, shopping, fashion weeks (February and September) and short breaks in luxury hotels. Ten can provide advice on everything from the best hot chocolate (A La Duchesse Anne in Montparnasse) to the hottest new party bar (Belushi's on Rue Crimée). Ten's travel expert Ana Costello says:
HOTELS
The most popular hotel among members is the Four Seasons George V near Champs Elysees. It's a classic Parisian hotel with ornate, traditional decor and exceptional service. It also has a spa and private-dining facilities so it's a great place to whisk someone away to for a romantic weekend: we've organised private jets to fly members from London to Le Bourget Airport airport and transfer them to the George V, where they've been greeted with cocktails in their private suite before indulging in a gourmet meal.
The Hotel Bourg Tibourg is a fashionable choice. It's a boutique hotel that has a ‘pop-gothic' feel: dark corridors, and small, intimate, stylish rooms. It's located in the centre of the historic Marais district, so it's well-placed for access to museums, shops and restaurants. The deluxe rooms and suites are bigger than the standard rooms, so ask Ten if you want more space.
Ask Ten for more advice on where to stay, whether you want a super-trendy urban spa resort, such as the Murano, or somewhere with a bit of history - Oscar Wilde passed away in suite 16 of the luxury L'Hotel (then the Hotel d'Alsace), famously blaming his death on the wallpaper ('My wallpaper and I are fighting a duel to the death. One or the other of us must go.') and declaring that he was ‘dying beyond his means'.
RESTAURANTS
Paris is one of the world's restaurant capitals, and whether you want a quick lunch in a fashionable bistro or a Michelin-starred fine-dining experience, we can book a venue to suit any occasion.
For a traditional Parisian institution, members recommend La Tour D'Argent (Silver Tower). This 400-year-old landmark is as splendid as it is expensive, with views of Notre Dame. Its speciality is duck, which it rears on its own farm. Dinner for two is around €440 including the mandatory 15% service charge, making it a special occasion venue.
Le Georges, a Costes brothers venue, is a more modern restaurant. Located on top of the Pompidou centre, the dining room has four bubble-like spaces decorated in aluminium and rubber. Large bay windows and a terrace make the restaurant airy and bright, giving diners a view over the entire capital (which members say is particularly striking at night). Dishes include crab and mushroom in filo pastry, and duck in a caramel and coconut sauce. Don't forget to leave room for the classic chocolate mousse.
Back down to earth, the Le Saut du Loup is inside the Musée des Arts Décoratifs and has a beautiful courtyard. It's a fashionable place with black and white décor that's augmented by sharp lines. Chef Emmanuel Danne's cooking, using only market-fresh produce, has won praise from members, who recommend Le Saut for a business lunch, dinner with friends or a romantic tryst. The brasserie-style menu offers a wide range of dishes, including steak tartare, scallops and hamburgers.
Our restaurant team also recommends chef Philippe Legendre's Cinq, which members say is ‘amazing', and Guy Savoy, which has won praise for its food and exceptional service. Whether you want to dine with clients, go on a romantic date or celebrate with your family, call Ten for help with navigating the French capital's overwhelming restaurant scene.
NIGHTLIFE
Members describe the Ice Kube Bar as ‘enchanting'. Located inside the Kube Hotel, it's the city's first ice bar and the entrance fee buys drinkers a parka and gloves as well as unlimited vodka. The ice bar itself reflects the purple and green neon lights to create an aurora borealis-effect. The Kube is, however, located in a fairly rough area of Paris and it's not close to the centre: ask Ten to arrange transport to and from the venue if you're planning a visit.
Le Bound, on Avenue George V, is a bar and sushi restaurant that has become one of Paris' coolest hot spots. Its decor is ‘glam rock' : it has a huge pink metallic bar, alcoves with pearl curtains, plasma screens displaying post-modern art, crocodile leather armchairs and Venetian chandeliers. At night Bound lights up and house DJs take to the stage. As soon as the weather turns warm, it sets up a terrace on the sidewalks of the avenue George V so you can enjoy some Parisian sun.
The VIP Room in the Champs Elysees is popular with members but it's closed at the moment. Our sources at the club tell us that it will open at a bigger venue on Rue de Rivoli this November. We have full access to the club and can reserve VIP tables, organise private events, and gain entry to its VIP events, which in the past have included parties hosted by both Karl Lagerfeld and Timbaland. If you want to be among the first to see the new venue when it opens this autumn, let us know and we'll arrange a booking.
EVENTS, SIGHTSEEING AND UNUSUAL ATTRACTIONS
Paris is one of the world's most stylish cities, and during fashion weeks (February and September) models parade the latest designs on the French capital's catwalks, while industry figures and fashionistas clamour to get a first look at the next season's collections. Ten can arrange tickets to the shows and after parties, and members often like to book stylists and personal shoppers when they attend.
If you're more into Top Gun than Top Shop, then the International Paris Air Show Le Bourget will get your adrenalin racing. It's among the most prestigious air shows in the world, and attracts all the major international manufacturers who flock to Paris to exhibit their commercial and military aircraft. Next June will be its centenary, so call Ten about booking tickets and accommodation in advance.
The Cinema Festival from 1 to the 12 July includes free open-air events, cinema master-classes, and cinema-based tours. Members also enjoy the street parties of The Fete de la Musique from 21 June, the national holiday of Bastille Day on 14 July which culminates in a fireworks display and the spontaneous street parties on New Year's Eve.
Beneath the Quai d'Orsay on the Left Bank is the Paris Sewers Museum (Musée des égouts de Paris) which includes the Belgrand gallery. The catacombs, an underground network of stacked bones near the Left Bank's Place Denfert Rochereau, are also worth a visit. Ten can organise private tours of these quirky attractions, and all the sights of Paris, with a limousine, driver and tour guide. Private tours of museums and members' favourite galleries can also be arranged at short notice.
If you want to see the city from the Seine, then we can charter a yacht and arrange the catering so you can spend a day sailing past the famous sights in comfort and style.
GETTING THERE
Flights to Charles De Gaulle airport are frequent and operated by most major airlines, but Ten recommends the Eurostar, which takes around two hours and 20 minutes, for a more relaxed journey. First-class tickets are usually cheaper if they're booked one or two months in advance. They include a three-course meal, offering an excellent wine list and more comfortable seats. Talk to Ten and we can arrange.
