Awarded for a period of five years by the Ministry of Crafts, Trade and Tourism and by the Ministry of Industrial Renewal, this mark of recognition distinguishes French companies who have developed excellence in craftsmanship and traditional techniques. Le Meurice joins a circle of some one thousand companies in seven areas of expertise which include tableware, culture and leisure, fashion and beauty, and gastronomy. Thanks to this distinction, Le Meurice will receive support for its creation and innovation projects over the next five years.
Since its opening in 1835, staff at Le Meurice have worked to ensure that guests enjoy an exceptional and unique experience. Awarded the title of "palace hotel" in May 2011 and with three Michelin stars for its gastronomic restaurant, Le Meurice is at the forefront of world-class hospitality. Each day, Le Meurice's 400 employees, who represent over 200 professions including housekeeper, cook, painter and decorator, porter and parking valet, draw on the skills that set them apart, and contribute to a certain expression of French genius for the art of living. Many of the hotel's talented staff have been singled out for prestigious awards, among them Head Sommelier Estelle Touzet, who in 2012 was made a Chevalier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres and named Head Sommelier of the Year by Le Chef culinary magazine, and François Lenne, voted International Receptionist of the Year in 2010 and now President of the French section of the AICR (association of front office managers).