Paris

Whether you take the time to window shop in front of its boutiques, stop at a sidewalk café or stroll along the banks of the Seine checking out the post cards in one of the legendary book stalls, Paris is a magical, dream like city. Capital of the monarchy, the scene of revolutions and modernization, all you need is a bit of imagination to embark on a journey taking you back in time as you stroll through its old, narrow streets and its wide Haussmann avenues. The highlights of this picturesque city are numerous including the Golden Triangle and Place Vendôme, with their glamorous boutiques, the palace hotels that have remained faithful to the opulence of the monarchy, the literary cafés of the bourgeois-Bohemian Saint-Germain-des-Prés quarter, frequented by intellectuals and an avant-garde population, and the frowning gargoyles on the tower of the Notre Dame cathedral.

The Golden Triangle : luxury at its most luxurious !

With its marble and gold, its elegance and opulence, the “Triangle d’Or (Golden Triangle) of Paris is an incomparable showcase of Parisian luxury. Filled with the most prestigious international names in fashion and French savoir faire, princely palaces, legendary avenues like the Champs-Elysées, Montaigne and Georges V, the quarter imposes an elitist life style, like for example, during Fashion Week with catwalks set up under the magnificent Arch of Triumph. From the Plaza Athenée to Fouquet’s Barrière Paris, and including the Maison des Champs Elysées, le Four Seasons Hotel Georges V and le Prince de Galles, we find a common taste for excellence, sophistication and refinement, guaranteeing the influence of French culture throughout the world.

Place Vendôme : an aesthetic perspective

The Place Vendôme, formerly the Place des Conquêtes, echoes the sophistication of the Golden Triangle. A triumphant Napoleon, sculpted by Etienne Bergeret atop the famous column seems to have breathed magnificence and the folly of grandeur into this legendary site. Most of its facades, classified as historic monuments, are home to the world’s most fashionable jewellers as well as the breathtaking salons and suites of the Ritz Hotel, whose tapestries, chandeliers and silks have stood the test of time before undergoing a complete renovation and restoration. For history enthusiasts, the Hotel Meurice on the rue de Rivoli, with its huge galleries and gilded décor worthy of the Sun King, is an excellent choice. The emblematic Hotel Costes and its neighbor, the Mandarin Oriental Paris are perfect for visitors who prefer a more contemporary decor. On the list of modern palaces, let’s not forget the Park Hyatt Place Vendome on the famous rue de la Paix, the most expensive property in the Paris version of Monopoly, just a few steps from the Opera Garnier.

Saint-Germain-des-Prés : the Paris of philosophers

Sitting on the terrace of Saint-Germain-des-Prés’ legendary Café Flore in good company, is an ideal way to feel the soul of the Paris that has inspired so many great thinkers of the 20^th century like Albert Camus, Jean-Paul Sartre and Simone de Beauvoir. This quarter, bordering on the famous Sorbonne University has preserved its Bohemian charm, its art cinemas and all the other cultural aspects of the Rive Gauche or Left Bank. In addition to this intellectual ambiance, there are high fashion boutiques, exceptional department stores like the bon Marché and the Grande Epicerie de Paris, trendy tea rooms and pastry shops. The Le Bellechasse adjacent to the Orsay Museum, l’Hôtel Montalembert, le Bel Ami and the Lutetia at Sèvres-Babylone are all extremely hospitable places to stay, and if you’re so moved, you can stay in room 13 of L’Hôtel where Oscar Wilde drew his last breath.

Montmartre : Bohemian Paris

Although the hill of Montmartre has become a victim of its own success with an invasion of tourists, it is nevertheless emblematic of a poetic Paris with the pale colors of a watercolor canvas. The steps leading to the Sacré Coeur cathedral possess a panoramic view of all of Paris which has been used as the venue for numerous films. Behind the hill, on the rue Junot, a Directory style villa has been transformed into a luxurious boutique hotel: the Hôtel Particulier Montmartre, a jewel in the collection of Parisian hotels that should be seen at all cost!