Haut-Brion owner delays restaurant opening after Paris attacks

The owner of Châteaux Haut-Brion and La Mission Haut-Brion, Domaine Clarence Dillon, has put back the opening of its restaurant and fine wine shop for several days in central Paris following the terrorist attacks on the French capital.

Le Clarence was due to open its doors on Saturday evening (14 November), but plans changed following the Paris attacks that took place 24 hours earlier.

Co-ordinated suicide bombings and gun attacks in several locations on Friday evening had left at least 128 people dead and many more wounded by Saturday afternoon.

President François Hollande said the attacks, claimed by Islamic militant group IS, were ‘an act of war’. He announced three days of mourning.

Given the tragic circumstances, a spokesperson for Haut-Brion owner Clarence Dillon said a decision was made to re-arrange the restaurant and fine wine shop opening. It is set to happen this coming Tuesday evening (17 November). ‘Everyone [here] is safe but shocked,’ she said.

Le Clarence, which will be run by Michelin-starred chef Christophe Pelé, is situated in an 18th Century building on Avenue Franklin D Roosevelt near to the Champs-Elysées.

The main sites of the Paris attacks were a little further east, at the Bataclan concert hall and nearby bars and restaurants, and further north of the city near to the Stade de France – where a football match between France and Germany was being played at the time.

Hospices de Beaune to go ahead

In Burgundy, Decanter contributor Panos Kakaviatos reported that discussions were held on Saturday morning over whether to postpone the annual Hospices de Beaune auction, due to take place this weekend.

Organisers and auction host Christie’s have decided to go ahead as planned.

There was increased security at the event, and organisers pledged to give some of the proceeds from the top lot – the presidents’ barrel – to Paris victims and families.