The full one-hour presentation can be viewed below.

Part 1 of this series, which examined the creation and evolution of luxury hotels in Paris from 1855 to 1909, i.e. from the era of Napoleon III though the Belle Epoque, can be viewed here.

Part 3, covering the history of luxury hotels on the French Riviera, from the Hotel de Paris in Monaco to the Byblos in Saint Tropez by way of the Grand-Hotel du Cap-Ferrat, the Negresco in Nice, Les Belles Rives in Juan-les-Pins, the Hotel du Cap-Eden Rock on Cap d’Antibes, and the Carlton in Cannes, can be viewed here.

Jean-Pierre Soutric follows in the footsteps of three generations in the hotel industry. His great-grandmother opened a hotel in 1914, just before the outbreak of the First World War. Jean-Pierre has held marketing positions at leading hotel groups, including Four Seasons, with which he worked for 20 years. Passionate about history, culture, art and the evolution of French elegance and style through the centuries, he now works as a Paris-based consultant advising luxury hotels in France on how to live up to the expectations of demanding and well-heeled travelers from around the world.

Gary Lee Kraut has been inspiring and informing travelers to France for three decades. His unparalleled experience as an editor, travel writer, journalist, lecturer, consultant and guide has made him one of the most trusted voices for English-speaking travelers, armchair travelers and travel professionals interested in France.

Part 2 was originally subtitled “From the Roaring 1920s to the Vaccinated 2020s,” but our story actually begins a decade earlier, with two hotel openings in 1910 and 1913, shortly before the outbreak of the war. You’ll learn about the following hotels in this presentation:

Starting time on video – Hotel – Year opened

00:44 – Guess where?
07:56 – Lutetia – 1909
18:36 – Plaza Athénée – 1913
23:37 – San Régis – 1923
25:00 – George V – 1928
35:11 – Raphael – 1925
36:10 – Bristol – 1925
44:46 – Royal Monceau – 1928
49 :04 – The Peninsula Paris – 2014
49 :21 – Shangri-La Paris – 2010
50 :09 – Mandarin Oriental Paris – 2011
52 :01 – Cheval Blanc – 2021
52 :51 – Bvlgari – 2021
53 :20 – Le Grand Contrôle – 2021

Stay tuned for Part 4, coming in the fall.

Invitations to attend future France Revisited conversations and presentations live are sent out through the France Revisited Newsletter. If you aren’t already a subscriber, you can signing up now to receive the France Revisited Newsletter.

© 2021, Gary Lee Kraut. All rights reserved.

The post The History of Luxury Hotels in Paris, Part 2, 1910-2021 (Video) appeared first on France Revisited - Life in Paris, Travel in France.

France Revisited’s “Conversation with an Expert” series has launched with the first part of a 4-part discussion between Gary Lee Kraut, editor of France Revisited, and Jean-Pierre Soutric, a leading French specialist and consultant on luxury hotels around the world, on the history of luxury hotels in Paris, on the Riviera and along the Atlantic Coast.

In Part 1, which can be viewed below, Gary and Jean-Pierre examine the creation and evolution of luxury hotels in Paris from 1855 to 1909, i.e. from the era of Napoleon III though the Belle Epoque, and is illustrated with historical and contemporary images of hotels created during that period that still hold their heads high today within the triangle formed by the Louvre, the Garnier Opera and Place de la Concorde, including the (Grand) Hôtel du Louvre, the Grand Hôtel, the Ritz, the Regina, the Meurice and the Crillon. The difference between a palace hotel, which is the most prestigious category in the official French rating system, and other luxury hotels is discussed. Major historical events and famous figures associated with these hotels are presented as are their contemporary bars and tea rooms.

Jean-Pierre Soutric follows in the footsteps of three generations in the hotel industry. His great-grandmother opened a hotel in 1914, just before the outbreak of the First World War. Jean-Pierre has held marketing positions at leading hotel groups, including Four Seasons, with which he worked for 20 years. Passionate about history, culture, art and the evolution of French elegance and style through the centuries, he now works as a Paris-based consultant advising luxury hotels in France on how to live up to the expectations of demanding and well-heeled travelers from around the world.

Gary Lee Kraut has been inspiring and informing travelers to France for three decades. His unparalleled experience as an editor, travel writer, journalist, lecturer, consultant and guide has made him one of the most trusted voices for English-speaking travelers, armchair travelers and travel professionals interested in France.

Part 2, covering luxury hotels in Paris create from 1910 to 2021, continues here on France Revisited.

Part 3, covering the history of luxury hotels on the French Riviera, from the Hotel de Paris in Monaco to the Byblos in Saint Tropez by way of the Grand-Hotel du Cap-Ferrat, the Negresco in Nice, Les Belles Rives in Juan-les-Pins, the Hotel du Cap-Eden Rock on Cap d’Antibes, and the Carlton in Cannes, can be viewed here.

Stay tuned for Part 4, coming in the fall.

Invitations to attend future France Revisited conversations and presentations live are sent out through the France Revisited Newsletter. If you aren’t already a subscriber, you can signing up now to receive the France Revisited Newsletter.

© 2021. All rights reserved.

The post The History of Luxury Hotels in Paris, Part 1, 1855-1909 (Video) appeared first on France Revisited - Life in Paris, Travel in France.

This launches what will be an on-going series of conversations between editor Gary Lee Kraut and guest experts in various fields with respect to travel, tourism, history and culture in France. We are particularly interested in the interplay between history, culture and points of interest for today’s travelers and armchair travelers. Registration information is sent out through the France Revisited Newsletter.

The series’ inaugural guest is Jean-Pierre Soutric, a leading French specialist and consultant on luxury hotels around the world. Born in Lourdes and based in Paris, Jean-Pierre follows in the footsteps of three previous generations in the hotel industry. His great-grandmother opened a hotel in 1914, just before the outbreak of the First World War. Jean-Pierre has held marketing positions at leading hotel groups, including Four Seasons, with which he worked for 20 years. Passionate about history, culture, art and the evolution of French elegance and style through the centuries, he now works as a luxury travel and hotel consultant.

In three separate Zoom conversations, Gary and Jean-Pierre will discuss the history of luxury hotels in Paris (Parts 1 and 2) and on the Riviera (Part 3). Dates and times of Parts 2 and 3 to be announced.

Part 1 examines the creation and evolution of the first luxury hotels in Paris from 1855 to 1909, i.e. from the era of Napoleon III though the Belle Epoque. The conversation will be illustrated with historical and contemporary images of hotels created during that period that still hold their heads high today within the triangle formed by the Louvre, the Garnier Opera and Place de la Concorde, including the (Grand) Hôtel du Louvre, the Grand Hôtel (and its Café de la Paix, image above), the Meurice, the Regina, the Ritz and the Crillon. We will also discuss major historical events and famous figures associated with these hotels as well as the hotels’ contemporary bars and tea rooms.

Following the 50-minute presentation, participants will have the opportunity to ask questions via the Zoom chat feature.

In May, readers will be invited to attend Part 2 (from the Roaring 1920 to the Vaccinated 2020s) and Part 3 (the French Riviera) of this Luxury Hotel Series. Attendance for this Luxury Hotel Series is free for readers of France Revisited.

Upcoming conversations with other leading experts in their fields will also be announced in May.

The post The History of Luxury Hotels in Paris and on the Riviera appeared first on France Revisited - Life in Paris, Travel in France.