Hôtel de Crillon x Marie-Antoinette: a royal tea time in collaboration with Manolo Blahnik—photos

This autumn, theHôtel de Crillon dons its royal court finery for Marie-Antoinette. The queen is said to have once played the piano in a salon opening onto a terrace with a regal view of Place de la Concorde. The adjoining suite now bears her name, in homage to her historic passage.

For the occasion, the lobby is crowned with a free fashion exhibition by Manolo Blahnik until October 18, 2025. Iconic pumps, original sketches and a capsule collection inspired by the Queen take pride of place as true treasures... in heels.

With a career spanning more than 50 years, Blahnik continues to bring the world to its feet, from his Palais Royal boutique to fashionistas the world over. Already the creator of the shoes in Sofia Coppola's 2006 film - and Carrie Bradshaw's fetish pairs in Sex & The City - he pays a new tribute to the timeless elegance of Marie-Antoinette, echoing the Marie-Antoinette Style exhibition at London's Victoria & Albert Museum.

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The Jardin d'Hiver, meanwhile, serves as Her Majesty's gourmet salon for aroyal tea time from October 9 to November 23. On display is a farandole of sweet and savory delicacies to be savored with your fingertips, of course.
The savory plate offers the classicComté cheese and nutmeg gougère, alobster roll with lime and pomegranate with an almost mischievous freshness that awakens the palate beforethedeliciousblack truffle and spinach shoot croque—a must for truffle lovers, melt-in-the-mouth and perfectly fragrant.

Then it's time for sweet treats. The raspberry and rose religieuse is a real favorite: elegant and delicate, the fruity and floral combination is perfectly balanced, without ever being excessive. The crispy Bolivian chocolate and Williams pear tart plays on intensity, which will delight dark chocolate lovers. The lemon meringue tart with blue Earl Grey tea has awell-balanced acidity anda subtle floral touch; more classic in spirit, but flawless in execution.

And because tea time without biscuits would be unthinkable, next come the pear and Madagascar vanilla boudoir and the chocolate and caramel biscuit, two delicacies to nibble on between sips of tea or hot chocolate. To accompany it all: a milk bread with vanilla butter and fleur de sel, and a blackberry and violet puff pastry brioche.

Depending on your mood, raise your cup—or your glass—to savor a 2014 Rosé Millésime from Maison Rare or a creamy hot chocolate, served in the precious Marie-Antoinette collection from Faïencerie de Gien—because here, every detail counts, right down to the porcelain.

At the Crillon, history is savored, fashion is contemplated, and the queen finds her court - at the feet of Manolo Blahnik.

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