Ask a concierge: Paris

Business travel tips for the City of Lights.

 

At the Hyatt Regency Paris Etoile, concierge Olivier Mordelet has spent two decades advising visitors about how to make the most of their visit to the City of Lights. Here he offers expert guidance for business travelers.

What should business travelers pack when visiting your city?

The weather varies in Paris; bring warm clothes and an umbrella, even in summer. It’s useful to have an electric adaptor with you to charge mobile phones and computers, but our hotel also has them available for guests. Have cash ready if you’ll take a taxi on arrival; only a few drivers accept credit cards.

What are your top restaurant recommendations for a business lunch or dinner?

Dessirier (9 Place du Maréchal Juin; Ph: 01 42 27 82 14) is a pleasant and modern restaurant specializing in fish and seafood dishes created by well-known chef Michel Rostang. It’s possible to reserve a private dining room. Bourgogne Sud (10 rue Montrosier 92200 Neuilly sur Seine; Ph: 01 46 24 86 37), a local Parisian bistro, has reasonable prices and a business-friendly atmosphere.

What’s one thing that always surprises guests about your hotel?

The hotel was built on the site of one of the first amusement parks in the world, Luna Park, which operated from 1909 to 1948. Also, guests are always delighted by the view from our Bar La Vue on the top floor of the hotel; it’s a great perspective on the City of Lights.

If business travelers only have a few hours for leisure, what must they see in your city?

You must see the Louvre Museum. Our hotel offers a fast-pass ticket so guests can spend less time in line and more time viewing famous works of art. The Mona Lisa is waiting for you! Also, a hop-on/hop-off bus tour gives a great overview of Paris in just 90 minutes.

What’s the best option for outdoor exercise in your city?

During daylight hours, go jogging, cycling or boating in the Bois de Boulogne, a large park that once was the hunting grounds for French kings.

Business know-how

Concierge Olivier Mordelet’s top tips for getting business right in Paris:

  1. Understanding some local geography can help you get to appointments on time. In general, address numbers start at the end of the street that’s nearest the Seine River—so they move from the center of the city toward outlying areas.
  2. Wear business attire, even on Friday. The concept of ‘casual Friday’ is not widely adopted in the French workplace.
  3. Keep your hands on the table while dining. And be prepared for a long lunch. French business lunches are usually formal and take time.

 Olivier Mordelet portrait
Concierge Olivier Mordelet

 

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