Name: Christophe Laure
Title: Area General Manager Paris, IHG / General Manager, InterContinental Paris – Le Grand
Company, city: IHG; Paris, France
Number of employees: 580
Recent project: The opening last September of the first Hôtel Indigo in France, the Hôtel Indigo Paris Opéra, located next to the InterContinental Paris – Le Grand
First job: Valet at a car park in Monaco
Little-known fact about you: I am a member of the Harley Owners Group.
Your Business
Essential business philosophy: To quote Paulo Coelho, “If you think adventure is dangerous, try routine. It is lethal.”
Best way to keep a competitive edge: Stay ahead of your customers’ expectations.
Yardstick of success: Dedication.
Christophe Laure as a Traveler
What is the most important item you take when traveling? My running shoes.
How do you spend your time on board? I read.
What is your favorite restaurant in the world? The Café de la Paix.
What is your favorite destination in the world? Madrid.
About InterContinental Paris – Le Grand
The InterContinental Paris – Le Grand is located near the Opéra and other Paris icons like the Louvre. What are some of your favorite sites in Paris and near the hotel?
I especially enjoy the Opéra Garnier, the Madeleine Church and the Tuileries Gardens — a true haven of calm in the heart of the city.
Tell our readers about the history of the hotel and the building.
Built more than 150 years ago as the Grand Hôtel de la Paix, the property has preserved the elegance and grandeur of its original era. Its blond stone façades, deep purple draperies, mirrored reflections and gilded details evoke a time when a Parisian hotel strove to resemble a palace to welcome international guests.
At the glittering opening on May 5, 1862, Empress Eugénie reportedly declared, “This reminds me of home! I feel like I am in Compiègne or Fontainebleau.” That spirit of refined hospitality endures. Today the InterContinental Paris – Le Grand offers 470 guestrooms and suites and 19 event rooms arranged around the majestic atrium, La Verrière. The hotel remains a place of welcome, exchange and encounters — like a theatre with its stage and wings, constantly adapting while preserving its timeless character.
What amenities are available for business travelers?
Business guests value the club lounge — a hotel within the hotel — as well as conveniences such as the iPad concierge and complimentary internet access. Looking ahead, guests can expect new, unexpected experiences designed to meet deeper personal needs and enhance their stay.