Hôtel de Crillon revives its Marie-Antoinette afternoon tea

Few figures are as bound to the Palace's history as Marie-Antoinette, whose presence still lingers in this culinary rendezvous, an immersion into her world, where heritage and haute pâtisserie meet contemporary craft. Legend has it the young queen once took her piano lessons in the salon that now bears her name, making Hôtel de Crillon one of the Parisian addresses most intimately linked to her legacy.​

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This celebration takes on a couture dimension through a collaboration with Manolo Blahnik, whose designs have long paid homage to Marie-Antoinette's aesthetic. The renowned designer created the shoes for Sofia Coppola's 2006 film Marie Antoinette. Here he lends his singular universe to this exclusive experience, bringing fashion, artisanal craft, and gastronomy into dialogue.

Conceived by Pastry Chef Matthieu Carlin, this tea-time pays homage to the flavors and elegance of the 18th century. Through a selection of sweet and savory creations inspired by the sovereign's own tastes, he reinterprets her world with all the inventiveness of contemporary pâtisserie. Among the sweet creations, chocolate was a favorite of Marie-Antoinette's. It takes center stage in a Marie-Antoinette waffle, made from chocolate laminated brioche and served with house-made hazelnut praline. Seasonal fruit finds its place too, with green cardamom fig and blueberry with almonds, while a Saint-Honoré with toasted vanilla pays tribute to the great classics of French pâtisserie served on Faïencerie de Gien's Marie-Antoinette collection.​

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Hôtel le Crillon has chosen Maison Rare Champagne, which was originally inspired by Queen Marie-Antoinette, when in 1785, Florens Louis Heidsieck envisioned creating a “cuvée worthy of a Queen”. Here, Rare Rosé Millésime 2014, with delicate bouquet of roses, violets and red fruits, expresses itself with elegance. ​

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Through this gourmet rendezvous, Hôtel de Crillon invites guests to rediscover Marie-Antoinette, an emblematic figure of French art de vivre. By bringing together Matthieu Carlin's pastry artistry and Manolo Blahnik's creative eye, the Palace offers a contemporary interpretation of her legacy. One where gastronomy, fashion, and exceptional craftsmanship celebrate the sovereign's timeless elegance.