We’ve been expecting you, Mr Bond
ACCORDING to Ian Fleming’s short story From A View To A Kill, when James Bond stayed in Paris his preferred hotel was the Terminus Nord, opposite the Gare du Nord (‘he liked station hotels…’).
Fifty years on, one imagines that 007 might be less enthusiastic about the hotel. According to TripAdvisor, it rates as the 1,368th best hotel in Paris out of 1,813. ‘Never again!’ begins one recent user review. In fairness, the property is in the midst of extensive renovation.
I would imagine that Bond would now fit in better at Le Meurice on the Rue de Rivoli. This is where Britons on their Grand Tour would stay in great comfort.
In August 1944, the hotel was taken over by General Dietrich von Choltitz, the military governor of Paris. Before pulling out, von Choltitz was instructed by Hitler to destroy the city. Hitler telephoned Le Meurice to check the general had carried out his instructions: ‘Is Paris burning?’ he shouted. Fortunately von Choltitz had disregarded the order.
Another famous hotel guest was artist Salvador Dali, who once had a flock of sheep sent up to his first-floor suite where he fired blanks at them with a pistol. Happy days!
Those staying at Le Meurice more recently include rappers Jay Z and Kanye West… and you could follow them. Le Meurice is one of several deluxe Paris hotels that Eurostar has added to its inclusive packages. A twonight stay, including return rail travel from London to Paris, costs £1,836 for two people during May.
According to Eurostar, the new hotel collection provides travellers with the best selection of high-quality city-centre hotels across all price ranges, grouped into themes to make booking easy.
This is the first in a series of innovations at Eurostar. A range of bespoke experiences is set to be launched covering music, theatre and entertainment.