Santa Pulls Up His Sleigh at Le Meurice in Paris

Hot on the heels of Le Meurice’s announcement about the 4th Annual Prize for Contemporary Art,* the Paris palace hotel has revealed their calendar of holiday happenings. Christmas is a magical time to be in the City of Light, and Le Meurice gets all dolled up with white lights (what a sight from the Jardin des Tuileries!) Chef Yannick Alléno is pulling out all the stops for magical Michelin-starred holiday feasts; the Christmas and New Year’s Menu looks absolutely delightful. (Lobster, chicken with truffle and foie gras “in a bottle," and a yule log gilded with gold leaf!) Afternoon Tea is brimming with holiday treats, and there will even be Santa sightings during teatime. Every Wednesday from December 7 to December 21, Santa pulls up his sleigh at Le Meurice and heads to Le Dali restaurant - to hear children’s Christmas wishes and dole out the gifts.

In other festive news: On December 6, Le Meurice will be opening a pop-up boutique by Valmont, the famous Swiss brand behind revolutionary anti-aging spa products. The entire range of skincare products will be displayed, along with pretty gifts for Christmas (like Valmont hand mirrors, candles, and pens). You’ll be able to sample exclusive beauty products like the renowned Elixir des Glaciers serum that costs 587 euros a pop.

*Narrowed from an exclusive group of 50 artists, Paris-born artist Mathieu Kleyebe Abonnenc snagged the 4th Annual Prize for Contemporary Art. Represented by Galerie Marcelle Alix in Paris, Abonnenc received 20,000 euros to share with his gallery for his feature-length film, Looking for Awa.