August is a wonderful time to visit the City of Light, as many residents have departed on month-long vacances, and Paris quietly revels in the sunshine with joie de vivre. You’ll find concerts galore, the artificial beach by the Seine, and perfect patches of grass for picnics. Parisians take great pride in assembling chic picnic baskets, and with a little help from Le Burgundy, you can enjoy a pique-nique à la française.
Located in the first arrondissement, the luxury hotel is a boutique property, with just 59 rooms, but it’s equipped with a spa and pool. For the summer months, Le Burgundy has enlisted two top chefs (Pierre Rigothier, Michelin-star chef at the Beaudelaire and Stéphane Tranchet, his pastry chef) to design a gourmet picnic with fresh, seasonal products. Think foie gras, artichoke salad with dried tomatoes, gazpacho with mozzarella, smoked salmon, plus Earl Grey-scented chocolate éclairs, divine lemon tarts and strawberries with fresh cream.
The basket is packed with Champagne flutes, glass jars, and tartan rugs, which Le Burgundy staff set up in a prime Paris spot. After you’ve lolled away the afternoon, the staff will pack up the basket. The price is 150 € for two people. For more information, visit www.leburgundy.com
