Tuesday, September 06, 2011

Hotel Crillon


Due to its location (facing the Place de La Concorde), the hotel Crillon is probably one of the most luxurious hotels in Paris. The actual building was constructed in 1758 by architect Jacques-Ange Gabriel, then it was later bought to be used as a private home (yes a private home!) in 1788 by the Count of Crillon. It was confiscated during the revolution period (in 1791) then becamee a hotel in 1907 (read the whole story here is you're interested). What you see on the left is not the actual building, it's a fake facade which purpose is to hide the real one while it's being redone. Cool isn't?

14 comments:

  1. The fake facade is used to wonderful effect. So much better than a timber hoarding

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  2. I LOVE the facade. (Can they just put those in front of ugly buildings to hide them permanently? Because THAT would be awesome.)

    And can you even imagine if this were a private home? Gorgeous.

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  3. I just spent 1/2 an hour on their website. I can only imagine how wonderful the restoration is going to be. What a beautiful hotel. What a history. What a shining example of French refinement. (And two of the suites are currently 30 % off, which quite shocked me -- perhaps due to the economy.) I only hope a PDP reader has the time and the means to enjoy the discount!

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  4. I agree with Christie! I look forward to visiting this hotel for afternoon tea when I'm there! What a beautiful building, facade or not!

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  5. wow... that is a great facade for a building reconstruction!

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  6. I always stay here. I can see my imaginary suite on the imaginary facade.

    Carrie, 30% off a lot of money is still a lot of money!

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  7. I'm sure I'll never get to stay in this wonderful hotel - it's way out of my league.

    These facade hiders are really clever. I wish they would use them in Denmark as well.

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  8. C'est vrai, Drummond - and my last visit to Paris I stayed for a month for what 3 nights would cost here - at the reduced rate. But think of it this way: E1000 a night is also a whole lot better than E1500 a night! Why its like getting the third night free!! Whoopeeee!! ;) (Need any American sales and promotion people, Crillon - I could moonlight for a just few free nights?!)

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  9. Wondering how Crillon compares to the Bristol, which was featured in Woody Allen's Midnight in Paris......

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  10. Lovely...isn't that where Roniece is staying?? ;) @Becky...the Bristol is in a different quartier and has a gorgeous interior garden where you can have tea or luncheon...I can't afford any of them but I did stay at the Bristol once many years ago and I have to admit that I did not want to leave.

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  11. Sorry...actually same quartier..8eme, but the Crillon is more dramatically placed and more high profile. I think Le Bristol has more of a literary, artistic following as opposed to a more high profile following at the Crillon...like Madonna or Michael Jackson...oh well, must be nice...

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  12. Love the false façade. My cousin's son is attached to the American embassy in London, and he brought his mom to Paris—where they stayed here (embassy employees get a HUGE discount). I'd like to get a piece of that action myself!

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  13. Alexa, my traveling companion to Paris (one of them) in June is also attached to the American embassy in London. Bet they might know each other, huh? Of course we daren't say their names but it's such a small world.

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