Jean Imbert au Plaza Athénée, the most chic
Teatime in La Galerie of this famous luxury hotel on Avenue Montaigne is something to experience at least once in your life, whether you're a Parisian or just passing through; cakes and savoury delicacies are served in a truly sublime setting. The hardest part is choosing between the famous Croque-Plaza and the club sandwich, and the array of pastries on offer. There are three afternoon tea options: 'Le Goûter du Plaza Athénée', 'Le Goûter d'Angelo Musa' and 'Le Goûter de La Galerie', priced from €74.
Burgundy, the most refined
The brand new 'Goûter du Burgundy' menu by Léandre Vivier, Head Pastry Chef at the One MICHELIN Star restaurant Le Baudelaire, is served in the glass-clad internal patio here. It comprises a viennoiserie, an ice cream and a selection of five pastries, accompanied by a hot chocolate, chai or any other drink recommended by the young chef, who is present on the restaurant floor at teatime. The 'Goûter du Burgundy' costs €55.
Hôtel de Crillon, the most American
Is there anything better than the Butterfly Pâtisserie's cookie trolley? Matthieu Carlin, Head Pastry Chef at One MICHELIN Star L'Écrin, offers a selection of delicious cookies to go with his signature hot chocolate. Creative flavours and combinations abound include corn, caramel or popcorn, along with gianduja and hazelnut or buckwheat and caramelised buckwheat. A wonderful experience in a legendary venue, priced at €18 without a drink and €28 for three cookies with hot chocolate.
Le Grand Contrôle, the most royal
Afternoon tea at Versailles is an opportunity to soak up the atmosphere of a place steeped in history, and is decorated with gilding, heavy curtains and furniture designed in the unadulterated 18th century tradition. Marie-Antoinette, a big fan of pastries, is the inspiration behind and the namesake of the hotel's teatime offering. Her favourite drink was hot chocolate and the delicious house-made version courtesy of Le Chocolat Alain Ducasse can be relished as is, or flavoured with orange blossom as the French queen preferred. The sweet treats are created by Pastry Chef Aymeric Pinard and are worthy of their own royal warrants. 'Les Délices de Marie-Antoinette' afternoon tea at the Palace of Versailles is priced at €60 and is served on Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 3.30pm to 5pm.
Bulgari Hotel Paris, the most Italian
Italian Chef Niko Romito and the hotel's Pastry Chef Guillaume Smagghe have concocted an Italian-style afternoon tea for guests to enjoy in the sumptuous Bulgari Lounge. Their reinterpretation of the English tradition starts with a scone flavoured with orange, followed by three savoury delicacies and five Italian pastries. 'Le Tea Time du Bulgari Hotel Paris' is available Friday to Sunday from 2.30pm to 5.30pm and is priced from €55.
Le Trianon Palace, the cosiest
Pastry Chef Eddie Benghanem has come up with a seasonal offering served fireside. His take on afternoon tea is an ode to chocolate and includes a crunchy delicacy featuring Oabika (a concentrate made from cacao pulp juice) and cacoa nibs, a Provençal almond cake, milk chocolate, a sablé biscuit made with chocolate from the Malagasy Plantation Millot and a savoury component. Treat yourself for €49, including a hot drink of your choice, at weekends from 3pm to 6pm in the Bar Galerie.
Hero Image: Versailles Grand Contrôle Tea Time
