As I’ve previously announced, in partnership with Engage!23, we will bring the top wedding industry leaders from around the world to the City of Love for the first time! This event will be held on July 24-27th, 2023 in Paris and I’m very excited to introduce to you one of the properties it will be hosted at – Hôtel Plaza Athénée. This hotel is located on the “The avenue of Haute Couture” at our doorstep, step outside and walk right into luxury fashion boutiques such as Dior, Chanel, Louis Vuitton, and Prada.

History of Hôtel Plaza Athénée

At this fashionable location, in 1946 iconic designer Christian Dior opened his first boutique on the same avenue. He chose this location with the idea of attracting guests from the hotel. To show his love and appreciation for the hotel, his collections included creations called Plaza and Athénée. As a regular visitor and honored the partnership between the two properties regularly. He held many fashion shows and photoshoots at Hôtel Plaza Athénée. This partnership set the trend for avenue Montaigne to become the famous “Avenue of Fashion”.

In more recent history, in 2010, the hotel received the prestigious Living Heritage Company award. This is in recognition of its long-standing legacy on the avenue and the fine dining options. The following year, Hôtel Plaza Athénée was one of the first hotels to receive the official ‘palace’ distinction, along with Le Meurice. This sister Parisian hotel is the second location for the Engage! 23 and I have written a feature on Le Meurice as well. The history and legacy of the hotel are only preceded by the three Michelin star restaurant – Alain Ducasse au Plaza Athénée.

Restaurants & Bar

Of the five restaurants, Alain Ducasse au Plaza Athénée has three Michelin stars and offers exquisite dining options. Chef Jean Imbert’s vision is to bring back the glory of classic French cuisine, with new energy and bold passion. Also, working in the famous hotel kitchens, Angelo Musa was crowned World Pastry Champion and ‘Meilleur Ouvrier’ of France. Both chefs bring a unique level of French gastronomy to Hôtel Plaza Athénée and are not to be missed. If fine dining isn’t what you are looking for, Patrick Jouin redesigned the bar in 2014 and made it one of the most popular destinations in Paris. The legendary Dior Bar welcomes many chic women shopping on “The avenue of Haute Couture”.

Sites Around Paris

While attending the event, you are close to many sites in Paris including –

In fine weather:

• Parc de la Villette (park)
• Jardin d’Acclimatation (leisure park)
• Vincennes: woodland, flower gardens, and zoo
• Disneyland Paris

In rainy weather:

• Cité des Sciences (science centre) – Palais de la Découverte (science museum)
• Muséum d’Histoire Naturelle (natural history museum)
• Fondation Louis Vuitton – Picasso Museum

The Dior Spa

If tourist sites aren’t for you, while attending the conference, look no further than the on-site luxurious Dior Spa. Dior & the Spa share an homage to the avenue’s heritage by utilizing The Rose de Granville lined walls of the Dior Villa. These exquisite flowers continually bloom, despite the harshness of the seaside climate. After they mature for approximately five years, the rose is cold pressed to extract the potent oil used in Dior’s products. It is also a main feature used by the spa’s aestheticians. After taking in all the conference has to offer during this three-day event, spend your evenings enjoying a massage or facial that the spa offers.

I am very excited to be co-hosting this event, in conjunction with Engage! 23, at a historical and stunning location in Paris. Hôtel Plaza Athénée is an ideal venue in the heart of Paris!

Photo Credit: Hôtel Plaza Athénée