Le Bristol Paris' Hotel Manager Leah Marshall Talks French Heritage & the Gabriela Hearst Pop-up

INTERVIEW

Since 1925, Le Bristol, Paris has brought together a love for French culture and passion in the heart of the city of light. Filled with history, arts, 18th-century interiors and Michelin-starred restaurants by Chef Eric Frechon, this restaurant has firmly grounded its sophisticated presence in this city. A stay at the hotel means a journey of luxurious comfort, hospitality and French gastronomy.

Along with world-class designer Gabriela Hearst’s pop-up in September 2022, featuring a careful selection of handbags, accessories and beautiful ready-to-wear pieces, every step of Le Bristol, Paris is a lyrical ode to the timeless French elegance.

We sat down with Leah Marshall, hotel manager of Le Bristol Paris for a little insight into the mind behind this masterpiece.

1. What makes Le Bristol unique?

Le Bristol Paris is a hotel of 190 keys, including 100 suites, meaning we have more suites than rooms. All these rooms and suites are unique, filled with an abundance of light and offer a harmonious blend of freshness, elegance and intimacy. Our first category – with rooms of 40 square meters (430-square-foot) – offers the biggest rooms compared to all the other Parisian Palaces.

Le Bristol Paris’ courtyard garden, Le Jardin Français, is also one of the city’s best-kept outdoor secrets and where Parisians and travellers in the know flock during the spring and summer months to enjoy lunch, teatime, a glass of wine in unmatched beauty and quietude.

In addition, and to enhance the hotel’s family feel, Le Bristol Paris welcomed a new permanent resident in October 2021: Socrate, a sacred cat of Burma who definitely add joy to our guests’ experience.

2. How does Gabriela Hearst’s pop-up add to the guest experience at Le Bristol?

We always want to propose exclusive experiences to our guests, Gabriela Hearst’s pop-up is one of those as it is the first-ever Parisian boutique of the designer.

The hotel’s ground-floor boutique hosts a standalone House for the first time. It has been entirely reimagined for the occasion with natural-toned linen wall coverings and reclaimed oak display shelves, echoing the Gabriela Hearst flagship store designs in both New York and London. Custom furniture and fixtures were designed in collaboration with French sculpture and furniture design maker Antoine Dumas and woodworking artisan Benjamin Gavron.

3. How did you prepare for the pop-up boutique with Gabriela Hearst?

Gabriela Hearst has nurtured close ties with Le Bristol Paris and considers the hotel to be her Parisian residence. This collaboration was evidence for both of us.