InterContinental® Paris Le Grande’s famous ballroom- the Salon Opera, has hosted thousands of suitably grand events in its time. The Grande Dame of Parisian ballrooms has recently undergone a huge restoration to return it to its former glory. A work of art and labour of love by some of the finest craftsmen helped restore this jewel in the capital’s crown.The restoration of InterContinental Paris – Le Grand’s Salon Opera had been years in the planning. A great deal of care was required to address the underlying causes behind the refurbishment: the metro vibrating underneath, the moisture in the atmosphere from hosting up to 800 guests at a time and the building’s great age. Admired since the Napoleonic palace style hotel opened in 1862, the team decided to close Salon Opera for six months and restore the fortunes of this World Heritage Site.
A meeting room of similar size and in much need of a make-over called Salon Berlioz; lay directly beneath the Salon Opera ballroom. In order to stem losses from the closure of the grand Salon Opera, Salon Berlioz was also renovated, challenging IHG’s design and engineering team with further budget and time constraints.
50 of the finest craftsmen from across Europe were enlisted to carry out the work which involved re-working paintings, sculptures and adorning the walls and features of the Salon Opera with 70 kilos worth of gold leaf. Historical décor artists worked meticulously alongside gilding specialists, woodworkers and a master glassworker to begin the historic renovation.
Upon its re- opening earlier this summer, Salon Opera immediately played host to some of the capital’s most prestigious and glamorous events, notably the Maison Balmain show at Paris Fashion Week in September. The superb renovation has ensured the legacy of this unique site, with its famous Café de la Paix and La Verriere Restaurant, will remain.
