Hilton Arc de Triomphe Paris has partnered with Taittinger Champagne to create the “Bubble in Paris” bar that resembles a life-size snow globe.

The translucent bar was conceived by artist Jean-Hugues de Chatillon, who drew inspiration from the mythical realm of Narnia to bottle a miniature winter wonderland.

The 16-foot tall dome will house an all-white, central, circular bar and small lounge that can accommodate 35 visitors at a time and will be open until New Year’s Eve.

With New Year’s just around the corner, The Beverly Hills Cigar Club has compiled its Top 5 Champagne and Cigar Pairings: ideal combinations for ringing in 2011.

BHCC’s pairings were formed by compiling a list of the highest rated champagnes, then selecting a top rated cigar that would complement the beverage.

Selections for both ranged through multiple price categories, ensuring, fairly surprisingly, this pleasurable combination is available for every budget.

China may become the world’s biggest luxury market in some years but cultural challenges to win customers’ hearts for certain types of products remain, industry executives said this week.

Champagne house Taittinger said it could make high-end sparkling wine in China but the market was not ready for it yet…

… while Lamborghini said the country’s tradition of luxury chauffeurs, bigger than sports driving, made expansion there a challenge.

Paris’ famed Hôtel de Crillon – one of the finest of the luxury Paris hotels – has been put up for sale by its American owner – Starwood Capital – for about
€300 million ($420 million).

Built in 1758 as a government building after being commissioned by Louis XV, “Le Crillon” is situated near the Champs Elysées on Place de la Concorde.

Starwood has owned the Crillon since 2005. The company took on the five-star hotel as part of its €2 billion acquisition of Taittinger’s hotel and champagne empire.