Wines

A Wine Cellar Rich in History

One of the most compelling narratives from Four Seasons Hotel George V, Paris is undoubtedly that of its world-renowned Cave Roc that houses some of the finest wines in the world. Few wine enthusiasts have had the privilege of crossing its threshold. Located in the heart of the Palace, it was designed in 1928, concurrently with the Hotel’s construction. The cellar earned its nickname Cave Roc because of its 6-metre-high (19.7-foot-high) vault and location in a former limestone quarry, whose stones were used to build the Arc de Triomphe. Since its earliest days, the cellar has been stocked with Bordeaux grands crus, Burgundies, old ports and rare cognacs.

At the outbreak of World War II, the cellar was immediately walled up to prevent enemy intrusion. When the Hotel closed for renovation in 1997, the iconic cellar nearly vanished, as architects sought to fill the space with concrete. It is fortunate that the Hotel’s management saved it in time. Stripped of its grands crus that were auctioned off a few months earlier, the cellar was left with barely a hundred bottles. To restore it to its former glory, the Hotel turned to Eric Beaumard. Driven by his passion, he undertook numerous trips to vineyards, personally connecting with producers. His extensive knowledge of the trade, coupled with the relationships he built with winemakers in the competitive circuits, were instrumental in his search for the most exclusive wines. Some winemakers even parted with bottles from their own collections to have their labels represented by their old friend in a legendary hotel. Over the course of nearly a year and through countless tastings, Eric has meticulously rebuilt the collection, offering guests of Le Cinq a truly diverse selection of rare vintages.