Take an iconic luxury hotel opposite the Jardin des Tuileries and an incredibly gifted chef, Alain Ducasse, then add a sprinkling of luxury à la Versailles (white ceiling adorned with gilding, crystal chandeliers) and – voilà! – you get Le Meurice. This place has not failed to catch the imagination of wealthy foreign patrons, who come to soak up that Parisian je-ne-sais-quoi. The Ducasse brand is cultivated by executive chef Amaury Bouhours: the tasting menus featuring dishes served in small portions are both a tribute to French tradition and a showcase of the chef's creativity. High-profile pastry chef Cédric Grolet creates desserts, images of which do the rounds on social networks.