Latest news with #ChampsÉlysées
South China Morning Post
a day ago
- South China Morning Post
Paris' Hôtel Balzac offers old-world French glamour, newly renovated suites, a Japanese-inspired spa – and a Champs-Élysées location with access to the city's best neighbourhoods
As a long-time and frequent visitor to Paris, I've become a creature of habit. The first arrondissement, near the Palais Royal and Louvre Museum, is where I always stay. The area is ideal for exploring nearby neighbourhoods, such as the Marais and the Left Bank across the river. It also makes for a perfect base during busy fashion week So the idea of staying near the Champs-Élysées – the touristy and often maligned shopping boulevard that runs from Place de la Concorde all the way to the Arc de Triomphe – had never crossed my mind. The façade of Hôtel Balzac, which is located on a side street off the Champs-Élysées. Photo: Matthieu Salvaing Advertisement On my recent visit to the City of Lights for the autumn/winter 2025 haute couture shows, however, I decided to base myself there for a couple of days before the rest of the fashion crowd touched down. My choice of accommodation was Hôtel Balzac, located just off the busy Champs-Élysées. The hotel, which reopened last year after a lengthy renovation and redesign by French design firm Festen Architecture, is housed in a historic building where 19th-century writer Honoré de Balzac lived, and is located on Rue Balzac, also named after the scribe. At Hôtel Balzac, Spa Ikoi will transport you to Japan. Photo: Handout The refurbishment added a Japanese-inspired subterranean sanctuary, Spa Ikoi, which offers treatments ranging from shiatsu massage to signature facials such as Kobido and Hoshin. Tatami mats and shoji-style sliding doors make you feel like you're escaping Paris for the far eastern nation. A member of Relais & Châteaux, the property is discreet and quiet. Tucked away from the happening Champs-Élysées, it makes for a great spot to unwind after a long day checking out the area's boutiques and attractions. A bedroom at Hôtel Balzac that marries comfort and elegance. Photo: Handout Hôtel Balzac's 58 rooms and suites – some of them offering views of the Eiffel Tower – are elegant and well-appointed, their decor inspired by 1930s French design. Unlike hotels that often lose their souls after renovations by relying on unnecessary technology and bells and whistles that often add nothing, Hôtel Balzac has retained its old-world charm while still catering to the needs of modern-day luxury travellers.
Washington Post
4 days ago
- Politics
- Washington Post
France holds Bastille Day military parade that, years ago, inspired Trump
PARIS — The City of Light decked itself out in red, white and blue on Bastille Day for the yearly military parade and fireworks show that commemorates the French Revolution and the history of the Republic — and which inspired President Donald Trump to stage his own military procession. About 7,000 people, plus 200 horses, marched down the Champs-Élysées in Paris on Monday as more than 100 aircraft flew overhead in an elaborate display of France's military strength, global alliances and strategic priorities.
The Independent
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Gisele Pelicot awarded France's highest honour as country marks Bastille Day
Gisele Pelicot has been given France 's highest award as part of Bastille Day celebrations that included a traditional military parade and fly-past. Ms Pelicot – a global symbol in the struggle against sexual violence – was named knight of the Legion of Honour on a list published ahead of the national holiday. She waived her right to anonymity during the trial of her then-husband, who had drugged and raped her and invited dozens of strangers to also abuse her over the course of years. Following the three-month trial, her husband and the 50 other abusers were sentenced to a total of 428 years in prison. Nearly 600 other people were also given the award, including Holocaust survivor and French Resistance fighter Yvette Levy, and musician Pharrell Williams who has designed a collection for Louis Vuitton. Celebrations were taking place across the country on Monday culminating in fireworks in nearly every French town. The heart of the festivities was in Paris, where 7,000 participants marched on horseback or armoured vehicles in a military parade along the cobblestones of the Champs-Élysées. The annual event commemorates the storming of the Bastille fortress and prison on 14 July 1789, a pivotal moment that ignited the French Revolution and led to the overthrow of the monarchy. This year's event returned to Champs-Élysées after being moved to Avenue Foch by last year's Olympic Games. The French Army, Navy and air force paraded in front of French officials and visiting political leaders including Indonesia's President Prabowo Subianto who is representing the world's biggest Muslim country. Indonesia contributed 451 soldiers to the parade, including a drum band of 189 musicians. For the first time, a prison dog was part of the Bastille Day parade, alongside his handler. The Belgian Malinois shepherd, Gun, is specialised in weapons and ammunition detection. Beyond the military spectacle in Paris are growing concerns about an uncertain world. On the eve of Bastille Day, Mr Macron announced €6.5 billion ($7.6 billion) in extra French military spending in the next two years because of new threats ranging from Russia to terrorism and online attacks. The French leader called for intensified efforts to protect Europe and support for Ukraine. 'Since 1945, our freedom has never been so threatened, and never so seriously,″ Mr Macron said. ''We are experiencing a return to the fact of a nuclear threat, and a proliferation of major conflicts.″ Many parts of France celebrated on Sunday evening, including in parts of Paris were 176 arrests were made in the metropolitan area according to Laurent Nuñez, prefect of police for Paris.
France 24
5 days ago
- Politics
- France 24
France enters race to mass-produce drones
01:56 14/07/2025 REPLAY - France celebrates Bastille Day with a military parade on the Champ-Élysées France 14/07/2025 France announces an extra €6.5 bn in military spending France 14/07/2025 France is the main military power in the EU, but is it ready for the future? France 14/07/2025 The 'Bleuet de France' play a newly composed song to remember veterans France 14/07/2025 France Bastille Day: Youth volunteers at centre stage of military parade France 14/07/2025 Bastille Day parade: France's annual show of military might France 14/07/2025 France Bastille Day: 5,618 troops march on the Champs-Élysées France 14/07/2025 Troops from all over the world parade alongside the French army on Bastille Day France 14/07/2025 French military parades on national holiday after a ramp up in defence spendings France
France 24
6 days ago
- Politics
- France 24
Bastille Day parade: France's annual show of military might
14/07/2025 France Bastille Day: 5,618 troops march on the Champs-Élysées France 14/07/2025 Troops from all over the world parade alongside the French army on Bastille Day France 14/07/2025 French military parades on national holiday after a ramp up in defence spendings France 14/07/2025 France Bastille Day: Military troups start arriving at Place the la Concorde France 14/07/2025 France Bastille Day: Indonesia opens military parade as the guest of honour France 14/07/2025 Bastille Day: French-built rafale jets soar over Paris France 14/07/2025 French national holiday: Emmanuel Macron rekindles flame of unknown soldier France 14/07/2025 Bastille Day: What are the origins of the French national holiday? France 14/07/2025 France: Crowds gather to witness spectacular military parade on national holiday France
