Photo d'un Golden Retriever crème avec lunettes de soleil et béret roses, dans une voiture de collection à toit ouvert rose, devant l'entrée de l'Hôtel Plaza Athénée, à Paris.

Art and culture

Gray Malin’s Dogs at Hôtel Plaza Athénée

March 18, 2023

We’ve teamed up with the talented fine art photographer Gray Malin for a photo shoot like no other. Step into his fantasy world of pampered pooches living the high life in Paris.

The American photographer Gray Malin with three dogs on leash entering at Hôtel Plaza Athénée

Meet Gray Malin

I had great fun shooting this collection at the legendary Hôtel Plaza Athénée. It really was a dream come true with our pick of iconic locations to choose from, including the captivating façade, the grand staircase, and a suite overlooking the Eiffel Tower. This playful series pays homage to the joys of escapism, our furry friends, and the incredible fashion, food, and culture of Paris.

A sense of arrival

From the moment they arrived at the hotel our style-conscious dogs started turning heads. It was so funny to see other people’s reactions to the photoshoot, especially when they saw an immaculately dressed dog in the driving seat of a sports car!

Dogs posing in front of Hôtel Plaza Athénée's entrance: aside luggages with balloons, a luggage cart, and in a white open-top vintage car, as part of Gray Malin's shooting "Dogs of Paris"

Bonjour Paris

Breakfast with a view is always a good idea, especially when shared with the ‘Frenchiest’ golden retriever imaginable. For the ultimate in Parisian living, we styled the shot with freshly baked pastries and the majestic Eiffel Tower added an unmistakable sense of place.

See the Seine

No visit to Paris would be complete without a tour along the Seine. Here’s the chicest poodle to act as your chauffeur for the afternoon to show you the city’s most famous landmarks. Working with animals always requires plenty of patience, but for me the results are so worthwhile.

Six dogs sitting on Tuileries Gardens' typical green chairs in Paris, seen from the back as they are gazing at one of the gardens' fountains, as part of Gray Malin's shooting "Dogs of Paris"

Paws at the Tuileries Garden

One afternoon, we set up a line of chairs in the world-famous Tuileries Garden with these cuties. We arranged them up to look like any groups of locals taking time out by the fountain. It was hilarious to see other visitors to the gardens doing a double-take when they saw us.

Delicious detour

What would Paris be without a bit of café culture? Take a seat, reach for your sunglasses and enjoy the moment just as our dogs did. Anyone for macarons and a café au lait?

Four dogs with sunglasses sitting in a café terrasse in Paris, with cups of water and lit cigarettes, as part of Gray Malin's shooting "Dogs of Paris"

Sixteen Dalmatians posing on the Colonnes de Buren, at Palais Royal in Paris, as part of Gray Malin's shooting "Dogs of Paris"

Spots and stripes

We also discovered the prestigious Palais-Royal’s elegant courtyard surrounded by tall colonnades, which are now home to the distinctive black and white striped columns by artist Daniel Buren. I love the striking mix of stripes with the Dalmatians’ spots.

Fashion forward

Back at Hôtel Plaza Athénée’s Haute Couture Eiffel Suite, the spirit of Haute Couture lives on. It’s the place to be for those with an appreciative eye for bespoke elegance – which these dogs definitely have.

Five dogs sitting around a table in La Terrasse Montaigne, at Hôtel Plaza Athénée's in Paris, with berets, little bags as accessories, and milkshakes in front of them, as part of Gray Malin's shooting "Dogs of Paris"

Glamorous rendezvous

Looking for a front row seat? Rendezvous at La Terrasse Montaigne and make your own fashion statement on the avenue of Haute Couture as we did. Once you’ve explored the boutiques, you’ll be ready for some refreshment and people-watching.

It’s a dog’s life

We all deserve a relaxing break in the Parisian sunshine, while sipping handcrafted cocktails and gazing out across the city. Personally, I can’t think of a more scenic setting in Paris than the private terrace of Signature Eiffel Suite.

Five dogs with sunglasses, sunbathing on pink blue and white long chairs, on Hôtel Plaza Athénée's rooftop terrace with a centered Eiffel Tower view, as part of Gray Malin's shooting "Dogs of Paris"

My Dogs of Paris prints really make me smile and I hope they bring you joy too.
To see more limited-edition prints in this series, take a look at graymalin.com.

All images are courtesy of Gray Malin

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