The Eiffel Tower is one of the world’s most recognisable structures. No matter how many times you see it, it never fails to take your breath away especially at night when it is bathed in golden floodlight and the white strobe lights flash rythmically, turning it into a giant sparkler, which it does on the hour.
The Eiffel Tower is overlooked by the art deco styled Palais de Challiot in which resides the legendary Cafe de L’Homme - where the best tables have the fantastic sight of the floodlit tower in front of them.
More champagne was poured into an already full tummy, followed by a beautifully light tuna carpaccio, a delicate slice of sea bass and a luscious chocolate bombe. Superb quality wines accompanied the meal though sadly I passed on the red, it had been a long day and I was flagging.
One of the owners of the restaurant is the elegant Coco Eiffel, great granddaughter of the legendary Gustave Eiffel, creator of France’s most iconic symbol.
I slept well after all that food I promise you, and in the morning met with Isabella Maurin, the hotel’s director of communications. She gave me a guided tour of the building from the Dior spa on the lower ground floor to the very best suites on the 8th with their un-rivalled views of the Eiffel Tower - including one from the bath through a two way window.
One of the hotel’s gems tucked away discretely is the restaurant Alain Ducasse, and I had a booking there for that night.
One night’s stay in these top rooms is three times the price of my first house
but it really is the type of place we should all try to stay in once in our lives for that special occasion or anniversary, and besides, it was much more affordable on the sixth floor.
The Michelin Star chefs of Paris were presented one by one with medals and stood in a massed rank at the Hotel de Ville