Classical French inspiration at The Parisian Macao

By Rama Gaind.

It was just an overnight stay at The Parisian Macao. The ‘dream experience’ resulted in long-lasting memories. This is the second part of the feature.

Macao’s Vegas-like Cotai Strip is where rapid development transpired on reclaimed land which connects the ‘islands’ of Taipa and Coloane. The Parisian Macao makes for a spectacular sight on this dazzline skyline.

The reclaimed land in Cotai has been used mainly for casino developments and Las Vegas Sands Corporation envisioned that its development of several adjacent properties would comprise an area that would resemble the Las Vegas Strip, albeit on a considerably smaller scale. The layout of the strip has also developed into a grid-like layout with major hotels and casinos.

The Parisian Macao is one such themed destination true to its classical French inspiration where the design seeks to capture the spirit of authenticity, artistic splendor and romance of Paris throughout history. Like the city itself, which owes its beauty to kings, artisans and creators who have transformed it over the ages, The Parisian Macao is layered and rich, recalling a collection of period influences over time that, woven together, tell a story as captivating as the city itself.

Inspired by the evolution of Paris through the ages, a city universally recognised for its exquisite architecture, gardens and unparalleled decorative and fine arts, it was designed to transport the grand halls, state rooms and gardens of Parisian palaces to Macao.

Fashioned on a French chateau, the hotel boasts a half-scale replica of the Eiffel Tower, Montmartre-style red windmill and towering Arc de Triomphe.

From the front entry, built to resemble Paris’s Gare du Nord train station, gilded doors open to a domed rotunda styled on the L’Hotel National des Invalides. Whether surrounded by the lightness of the Louis XVI neoclassical concourses, the rich jewel tones of his beloved Versailles-inspired reception, concierge and casino or delicate gilding, floral motifs and pastels borrowed from Les Jardins des Tulleries, everyone will be immersed in Parisian art and history. At the apex of the Parisian tower, 1930s-inspired Art Deco-inspired spaces reside, overlooking a sparkling Eiffel Tower, a symbol of French ingenuity and modernism. This nod to a turn-of-the-century era pays homage to a city that’s at once ancient and modern, sophisticated yet simple.

With the retail element key, the famous shopping boulevards of Paris are also recreated as accurately as possible. The inspiration for the porte cochère was the famous Paris train station Gard du Nord and the Grand Palais great hall, while the pool deck inspiration was Marie Antoinette’s tower in Versailles.

The Parisian theme runs throughout the property offering the tempting aromas and ambiance of sidewalk cafés, pâtisseries and bistros. When visitors arrive at The Parisian Macao, they will be greeted by a world of fabulous flavours.

There’s a lot to see and do in this integrated resort.

Many highlights

At the heart of The Parisian Macao, the half-scale authentic recreation of the world-famous Eiffel Tower has been superbly reproduced with every possible detail intact. Observation decks and a restaurant ensure this is the must-see sight on the Cotai Strip, complete with a spectacular nightly light show.

One of Paris’ most unique landmarks, The Arc de Triomphe de l’Étoile was built between 1806 and 1836. At 50 metres high and 45 metres wide sitting directly atop the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier from World War I, the original monument stands in commemoration of those who fought and perished for France during the French Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars, with the names of all French victories and generals inscribed on its inner and outer surfaces.

At 30 metres high, the Arc de Triomphe marquee at The Parisian Macao is an exact representation of the original neoclassical design by architect Jean Chalgrin, housing a monumental digital screen nearly 12 metres high.

Fontaine des Mers, Place de la Concorde was created to commemorate France’s maritime trade and industry; the second, Fontaine des Fleuves, for navigation and river trade. Identical in form but not in decoration, the Fontaine des Mers is adorned with sculptures symbolising the Mediterranean Sea, oceans and fishing, while Fontaine des Fleuves is supported by representations of the Rhine and Rhone rivers, grapes and wheat.

The Fontaine des Mers at The Parisian Macao is located at the centre of the lobby rotunda and is constructed from more than 20 tonnes of clay. A team of specialist artists took more than a year to painstakingly replicate the Paris icon.

Shoppes at Parisian

Located in Shoppes at Parisian on levels three and five, Avenue des Champs-Élysées provides a truly Parisian experience, dotted with boutiques and upscale shopping.

Located at the centre of Shoppes at Parisian, the 620-square-metre Place Vendôme is constructed from more than five tonnes of clay, with the 57-metre-long relief containing over 1,352 figures.

Located on levels three and five, The Parisian Macao’s Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré is home to a myriad of unique and compelling stores.

Here at The Parisian Macao, spanning more than 60 metres on levels three and five of Shoppes at Parisian, Avenue Montaigne offers more than 30 coveted fashion labels and boutiques.

Endless family fun

At The Parisian Macao, there are a wide range of fun-filled activities for the whole family. Splash around at Aqua World, a water theme park designed for all ages with an outdoor pool deck and amazing water slides. This includes the Jules Verne Airship, complete with water guns, tipping buckets, climbing nets – and a 370sqm pool.

Drop the children off at the Qube Kingdom which offers over 1,800sqm of indoor and outdoor fun, including a castle climb, a slide, a ball pool, game consoles, carousel and much more for both adults and children.

The Marie Antoinette Tower – Aqua Slides, with its two spiral waterslides, stands 13 metres tall, and is constructed using concrete, painstakingly recreating the details of the original from over 200 years ago.

Jules Verne Airship: reminiscent of the air balloon from the 1956 movie Around the World in Eighty Days by famed French writer Jules Verne, the Airship at The Parisian Macao, ‘Albatross’, is actually modelled after the ship of the same name in his 1886 novel Robur the Conqueror. It is over 15 metres long, and seemingly carried through the clouds by over 50 propellers and a rudder. The iconic red and white balloon and Montgolfier basket are over five metres high.

The Aqua Play area also contains an aqua tube, swinging wood bridge, a net climb, 12 water jets and nozzles and two slides, making it the perfect play area for youngsters.

Located adjacent to the pool deck at The Parisian Macao, is yet another eye-catching attraction with the Windmill. The windmill tower stands over nine metres high and over five metres in diameter at its base. Each of the four meticulously crafted blades is more than six metres long, giving the windmill a span of more than 12 metres.

Must visit

Take a landscape shot of the dramatic sculptures and smooth marble pillars of the 35-metre-high rotunda, reminiscent of the Galeries Lafayette. The hotel reception and concierge areas feature inspiring hand-painted renderings of significant moments in the life of Napoleon. All the images are based on original masterpieces in the Louvre that creates an extraordinary ambience and authentic French experience for visitors.

Why not try one of the egg tarts from the pastry stand in the main lobby? I was told they are an all-time favourite of sporting superstar David Beckham.

French-themed entertainment

The visit to Shoppes at Parisian will be surrounded by the chic elegance of five of the French capital’s most stylish precincts; Avenue des Champs-Élysées, Galerie Vivienne, Rue du Faubourg, Saint Honoré and Avenue Montaigne.

Walk around The Parisian Macao and you will encounter the daily ‘street’ entertainment of artists, opera singers, caricaturists, mimes and buskers from the French-themed Streetmosphere.

Stop by Place Vendôme and watch the fascinating kaleidoscope performance on the beautiful ceiling. This changes from sunrise to daytime and from dusk to starry night.

All good things, unfortunately, have to come to an end. Heading to the ferry terminal, it was lovely to meet Maleeh and Oscar Lay. A last look over to the Parisian Macao … and it’s time to say bon voyage!

We should never lose our sense of wonder. “The world is full of magic things, patiently waiting for our senses to grow sharper.”

Rama Gaind was a guest of The Parisian Macao.

DETAILS BOX

The Parisian Macao

Estrada do Istmo, Lote 3, Cotai Strip, Macao SAR, P.R. China

T: +853 2882 8833

E: [email protected]

W: www.parisianmacao.com