This festive season, one of the world’s chicest hotels and one of our personal favourites, unveils a secret that feels almost too enchanting to be real. Hidden in the heart of Hôtel Plaza Athénée, behind its iconic red awnings and just steps from Avenue Montaigne, lies one of the most magical destinations in Paris this winter: an intimate Alpine chalet nestled within La Cour Jardin, complete with raclette, champagne, and ice skating beneath the stars.
Until 31 January 2026, Dorchester Collection’s legendary Parisian palace transforms its serene courtyard into a cinematic winter escape—an exquisite contrast to the city’s glittering haute-couture glamour. As dusk settles on the French capital, soft lights shimmer over the private ice rink, where guests, equipped with Plaza Athénée’s elegant skates, glide through the crisp evening air before settling into the warmth of the chalet for dinner.
An Alpine-Inspired Feast in the Heart of Paris
At communal tables, designed to evoke the conviviality of an authentic mountain refuge, guests gather for a gastronomic journey crafted for both romance and refined celebration. The evening begins with a glass of Veuve Clicquot La Grande Dame 2018, setting the tone for an opulent, Alpine-style menu.
The culinary procession includes:
- Chestnuts in tangy sorrel sauce, a delicate prelude
- Scallops marinated with citrus, paired with a silky cauliflower cream
- Traditional raclette served with artisanal charcuterie, melting luxuriously under candlelit ambience
- And, in true Plaza Athénée fashion, a finale dreamed up by pastry virtuosos Angelo Musa and Elisabeth Hot—their couture interpretation of a chocolate fondue, a sweet, theatrical flourish to end the night.
Every dish is presented on bespoke tableware created by Mauviel 1830, the revered French manufacturer whose handcrafted raclette and fondue sets from Normandy are as beautiful as they are functional. Their copper gleam and modern-meets-tradition aesthetic elevate the chalet’s interior, displayed both on the communal tables and adorning the chalet’s timber walls.
The Most Magical Evenings in Paris
The chalet opens Wednesday through Sunday, with daily service during the Christmas holidays, offering one of the city’s most exclusive seasonal experiences. For €225 per person, guests enjoy champagne, a curated Alpine menu, hot drinks, and an hour of private access to the ice rink between 7:30pm and 8:30pm—a rare Parisian luxury.
Reservations require a minimum of two guests, with the option to privately book this enchanting hideaway for up to 24 people, creating unforgettable soirées framed by winter romance and haute Parisian elegance.
In a city famed for its beauty, Hôtel Plaza Athénée has crafted a festive dreamscape unlike any other—a hidden chalet where Paris meets the Alps, where fashion meets tradition, and where winter feels utterly, impossibly magical.
@plaza_athenee | dorchestercollection.com
25 Avenue Montaigne, 75008 Paris, France
