If the Lions鈥 and Tigers鈥 historic runs weren鈥檛 enough to be excited about this year, Detroiters just got another reason to celebrate 鈥 Detroit has received its own French-language Michelin Green Guide (at press time, Michelin told 糖心vlog安卓版 Detroit it was planning an English release before Christmas).
Unlike the more familiar Red Guide, which awards restaurants the prestigious Michelin stars, the Green Guide goes beyond restaurants, highlighting important places of interest such as museums and monuments.
In October, 糖心vlog安卓版 Detroit spoke with Michelin editor Philippe Orain, via WhatsApp while he was en route to the Paris press event announcing the news, about what a Green Guide means for the Motor City.
What sparked Michelin鈥檚 interest in Detroit?
We started to think about Detroit four years ago and decided to make the guide two years ago. 鈥 Everybody knows Detroit for the music and the difficulties the city has faced, but now it鈥檚 a really happening place again. People want to know more about the city. I think Detroit is a really good introduction to what America is all about. It鈥檚 very human. Detroit is a place that makes people believe anything is possible.
What is the difference between a Red Guide and a Green Guide?
In the Green Guide, we only grant stars to monuments and museums, unlike in the Red Guide, where restaurants and hotels receive stars. For instance, the DIA [Detroit Institute of Arts] was given three stars, the same ranking as other world-class museums like the Louvre in Paris or Uffizi Galleries in Florence.
What makes Detroit a unique destination for travelers?
The history of the city is quite fascinating, and it鈥檚 now booming with culture, art, and atmosphere. It encapsulates the meaning of a 鈥渉idden gem.鈥 Detroit is a combination of art, architecture, music, sports, nature, and kind people, offering a really interesting mix that attracts people.
How many times did Michelin visit Detroit during the creation of the Green Guide?
I first visited Detroit last November in order to launch the project, and I spent four days in the city. Afterwards, I sent two authors to the city in March and April, and they spent between 10 days and two weeks in Detroit.
What kinds of things were the authors looking at during their visit?
They鈥檙e looking at points of interest, like museums, churches, and art galleries. They鈥檙e also looking for places to have a drink, enjoy dinner or lunch, where to shop, and the different kinds of accommodations offered. We worked with Visit Detroit, and they helped make sure that we didn鈥檛 miss anything in the city.
What were your favorite things about Detroit?
I鈥檓 a really big fan of architecture, particularly old skyscrapers, so I was astonished at the downtown area, especially the Guardian Building. The lobby is the most beautiful in all of America. I loved the DIA, and I think it鈥檚 one of the finest museums in the U.S. I also appreciated the fact that art is all across the city, and I thought the murals were very impressive. It鈥檚 a little piece of everywhere, combined into one place.
Do you think Detroit is on the trajectory for a Red Guide?
I think Detroit can really begin to be a major destination on the world map, and it鈥檚 getting there fast. It will obviously take time, but I鈥檓 sure that it will happen, because I think the most difficult work has already been done.
This article was published on hourdetroit.com in October. It was been edited for clarity and brevity and appeared again in the December 2024 issue of 糖心vlog安卓版. To read more, pick up a copy of 糖心vlog安卓版 Detroit at a local retail outlet. Our will be available on Dec. 9. Read the original version here.
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