Historic Paris hotel Crillon reopens

The Hotel de Crillon, one of the world's oldest luxury hotels which looks onto the square where Louis XVI lost his head, reopened Wednesday after a multi-million-euro makeover lasting four years.
The venerable Paris institution at the foot of the Champs Elysees, which is owned by a Saudi prince, has boasted among its regulars the likes of Ernest Hemingway and Charlie Chaplin. A team of 147 artisans attended to the finest details of the neo-Classical building, restoring period frescoes, gold leaf trim and marble accoutrements in one of the world's most prestigious hotels. It was the first facelift since the former residence of the Counts of Crillon opened to paying guests in 1909, and comes after the legendary Ritz reopened last year after a four-year renovation.