Tea time at Marie-Antoinette's court: a royal experience at the Hôtel de Crillon

Queen Marie-Antoinette is currently the focus of an exhibition at London's Victoria & Albert Museum, entitled Marie-Antoinette: Style. Fashion designer Manolo Blahnik is a partner in this exhibition, which traces the influence of the sovereign. As part of this tribute, the Hôtel de Crillon has teamed up with the designer to create a refined tea time in Paris.

A collaboration between gastronomy and fashion

Until November 23, enjoy a tea time signed by the palace's pastry chef Matthieu Carlin, in collaboration with Spanish fashion designer Manolo Blahnik, in a symbolic location.

Built in 1758, the Hôtel de Crillon is a witness to modern history. It is said that Marie-Antoinette took piano lessons here between 1789 and 1792, while her residence was in the Tuileries, a stone's throw away.

In addition to the salon and suite named after her, the palace now pays tribute to her with a tea time inspired by her tastes. The menu is served in the Marie-Antoinette collection from the Faïencerie de Gien, and is offered in the Jardin d'Hiver in a refined atmosphere worthy of the queen.

A menu inspired by the queen

On the menu: comté and nutmeg gougère, truffle croque, Bolivian chocolate and Williams pear crumble, lemon and earl grey tart, pink raspberry religieuse, pain au lait and vanilla butter with fleur de sel... All accompanied by hot chocolate or a glass of Maison Rare champagne (extra charge).

Royal activities

To accompany this tea time, the hotel has also programmed activities to immerse guests in the life of the queen's era: private tours of Marie-Antoinette's apartments at the Petit Trianon in Versailles, an exhibition of Manolo Blahnik shoes inspired by her outfits, visits to craft workshops and 18thᵉ century savoir-faire...

• Where? Hôtel de Crillon, A Rosewood Hotel, 10, place de la Concorde, 75008 Paris
• Thursday to Sunday, 3 pm to 6 pm, until November 23
• 88 €, by reservation only