Christmas Afternoon Tea at Mandarin Oriental Lutetia, a gourmet interlude on the Left Bank
As Paris lights up and shop windows come alive, the Christmas tea-time season becomes a must. Palaces and grand hotels imagine cozy moments, between steaming chocolate, exceptional pastries and soft, hushed warmth far from the hustle and bustle of the streets. On the Left Bank, the Mandarin Oriental Lutetia has established itself as one of the most desirable addresses on the Left Bank with its festive Afternoon Tea, served under the glass roof of the Le Saint-Germain salon and signed by pastry chef Nicolas Guercio.
An elegant savory tea time
The experience begins with a savory score that sets the tone: here, no simple assortment of sandwiches, but genuine chef creations. The mouthfuls play on textures and flavors, between iodized notes, gourmet accords and nods to festive products. For example, salmon, foie gras and citrus fruit are delicately combined to open the ball gently.
Settled into the Saint-Germain’s soft sofas, under the natural light of the glass roof, we savor these first plates as a prelude to dinner, but in the comforting spirit of a chic afternoon tea. Pairing with a selection of teas, a specialty coffee or a glass of champagne prolongs the atmosphere of a Parisian salon, both convivial and couture.
Seasonal sweets by Nicolas Guercio
Then comes the most eagerly awaited moment: sweetness. Nicolas Guercio has created a range of sweets to celebrate winter and the festive season. Mini entremets, seasonal tarts, regressive cookies, flaky brioches and chocolate creations make up a veritable gourmet journey.
The chef plays with the great hallmarks of Christmas – citrus, spices, praline, chocolate, dried fruit – to create pastries that are both comforting and graphic. Each bite is designed to be savored slowly, in the spirit of “Parisian art de vivre” that characterizes the palace. Afternoon Tea starts at around €95 per person, and can be complemented by a glass of champagne.
The ephemeral Christmas boutique: gifts and collaborations
From December 15 to 31, Mandarin Oriental Lutetia will also unveil an ephemeral Christmas boutique, a festive showcase dedicated to the chef’s sweets and exceptional gifts.
Gourmet treats include the iconic LuLu chocolate puppy in its Christmas version, an orange and Jamaican berry cake, a nougat bar and the chef’s signature spread. The major seasonal creations, the Lumière log and the Noisette galette, are presented and available to order via the online boutique.
To accompany the celebrations, the palace is offering Champagne Taittinger Cuvée Lutetia in a limited-edition box. The boutique also celebrates the world of children, with two exclusive collaborations: La Pelucherie, featuring teddy bears, huskies, white rabbits and the plush sharpei LuLu, and Atelier Choux, a French house of textiles and decorative objects with poetic motifs inspired by Parisian architecture.
Finally, a refined selection of gifts inspired by the palace – scented candles, paperweights featuring the Bar Joséphine frescoes, leather goods and other exceptional objects – extend the magic of Lutetia right up to the Christmas tree.
Practical information Mandarin Oriental Lutetia, Paris
- Christmas Afternoon Tea at Salon Le Saint-Germain
- Address: Mandarin Oriental Lutetia 45, boulevard Raspail, 75006 Paris
- Opening hours: Afternoon Tea service (generally from 3pm to 6pm, depending on the season).
- Price: from approx. €95 per person, with optional glass of champagne
- Ephemeral Christmas boutique: from December 15 to 31, in the palace
The perfect place to indulge in a suspended moment of exceptional tea time, refined gifts and holiday magic on the Left Bank.
You might also like to discover our favorite Rive Droite tea time
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