Le Bristol Hotel in Paris Has a Hidden Chocolate Factory

"Tucked in Paris’s 8th arrondissement, this 100-year-old hotel epitomizes luxury across its 190 suites, glittering rooftop pool, and five distinguished dining and drinking venues that collectively hold four Michelin stars. Beyond plush public rooms, its most remarkable features are hidden below ground: an extensive set of ateliers and a vast wine cellar where bakers mill their own wheat to produce “100% living bread,” cheesemakers age classic French fromages in a brick-lined cave, chocolatiers craft thousands of small confections each week, and chefs experiment with fresh pasta and other handcrafted goods. The property emphasizes traditional French craftsmanship—celebrated cheesemakers and award-winning chefs helped shape its program—and its cellar holds an enormous selection of primarily French wines, including many grand cru reds and Champagne. Many of these items are available for purchase in the hotel’s shop, and guests can request a tour of the lower-level workshops and cellars to see the artisanal operations firsthand." - Stacey Leasca