As the spring of 2014 will mark the bicentenary of the death of the Empress Josephine Bonaparte, the Shangri-La Hotel, Paris will offer a special Tea celebrating the subject of a special exhibition at the Musée du Luxembourg in Paris from March 13th to June 29th, 2014.
The “Josephine” Exhibition at the Musée du Luxembourg will retrace her extraordinary destiny, from Josephine’s native Martinique to the turbulent years of the Revolution, followed by her meeting with General Bonaparte who propelled her to the top of the empire.
On the occasion of the exhibition, the Shangri-La Hotel, Paris will be offering a “Josephine”-themed ARTea Time in its glass-domed La Bauhinia restaurant, that combines the culinary delights of François Perret , the hotel’s famous head pastry chef, with the opportunity to see one of the city’s top art exhibitions.
For the tea, Perret has created a subtle and refined pastry with gourmet flavors of passion fruit and raspberry. The delicate opaline petals bring to mind the Empress’s love for roses. This unique dessert, accompanied by the traditional “Tea Time” will be served every Wednesday under La Bauhinia’s glass dome. To finish on a high note, a “beat-the-queue” ticket will be handed to each guest after the ARTea Time, allowing them to discover the extraordinary destiny of the Empress at the Musée du Luxembourg.
The Shangri-La, Paris is a fitting location for such a celebration, as the landmarked building was originally the private home of Prince Roland Bonaparte, grand-nephew of Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte. Located in the 16th arrondissement, the Shangri-La Paris is now restored to its original splendor. The building retains its residential heritage, offering 101 rooms including 36 suites, nearly half of which enjoy direct views over the Seine and the Eiffel Tower.
Josephine’s relationship with fashion and arts made her a great benefactor of paintings, but especially of applied arts, reflecting the luxury and refinement which she loved. A great art collector, she contributed to the promotion of the antiquities, but also of the great Dutch masters. Her passion for botany and especially for roses will be celebrated by launching a fragrant-less rose entitled “Remembrance of Josephine” which will find its place in the rose garden at Malmaison, the Empress’s last residence.
ARTea Time will be available every Wednesday afternoon from March 19th to June 25th 2014 from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. ARTea Time includes a classic Tea Time, a “Josephine” pastry and a “beat-the-queue” ticket per person to the exhibition (valid for the duration of the exhibition) at 49 euros per person (approx. US$67.26).
For reservations, call (33) 1 5367 1991. A limited number of places are available.
Photo Credit: Courtesy of Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts
