I love all things related to luxury and I travel around the world to have the best experiences luxury can offer. Just last weekend I returned to Paris because, as Audrey Hepburn once said, “Paris is always a good idea”. I believe so to, and travelling to the City of light every once in a while is something I like to treat myself with. Let me share with you the highlights of my Parisian luxury experiences over the previous weekend.
Luxury shopping
Oh Place Vendôme. Gorgeous!
The architecture of the buildings is marvelous. You look around and you feel the real Parisian luxury way of living. Originally built as a setting for the equestrian statue of King Louis the 14th, the square was designed by architect Jules Hardouin-Mansart who wanted to make it a grandiose venue devoted to major government institutions. During the French revolution, the statue was destroyed and, in 1810, Napoleon had the Vendôme column erected on the same spot as a souvenir of the Battle of Austerlitz. It is the one we see there now.
The luxury fashion, jewelry and watch stores at Place Vendôme you definitely should visit:
Louis Vuitton – 23, Place Vendôme
Cartier: 23, Place Vendôme
Chanel: 18, Place Vendôme
Boucheron: 26, Place Vendôme
Chaumet: 12, Place Vendôme
Van Cleef & Arpels: 22, Place Vendôme
Hublot : 10 Place Vendôme
Place Vendôme is a nest of luxury fashion, filled with some of the world’s top luxury brands. If you want to experience luxury in the fashion world, this is the place you definitely must go to.
A charming coffee shop
After all the shopping it’s time to relax and have a drink. I love the Castiglione Café at 235 Rue Saint Honoré, just at the exit of Place Vendôme.
The charming luxury coffee shop is the perfect spot to take a break and have a drink. My personal advice: Just take a seat outside and enjoy the view to Place Vendôme in all its splendor if you can take the cold November breeze blowing in the already Christmas decorated Parisian streets.
An historic luxury hotel
If you are looking for a place to stay, I would like to suggest the Hôtel de Vendôme at 1 Place de Vendôme. The intimate luxury Parisian boutique hotel was built during the Roi Soleil’s kingdom (Louis 14th) by architect Armand-Claude Mollet, who also built the Palais de l’Élysée.
The rooms are fabulous and the restaurant, headed by chef Josselin Marie is superb! His Bretagne origins do a lot for this cozy and luxurious atmosphere crowned by an authentic and gourmet experience.
Place Vendôme is definitely a place to see is Paris. Not only for its historic origins but also for the true luxury environment we feel when we’re at its center. Definitely one of my favorite Parisian spots! This tour is definitely worth making!
Your’s faithfully,
Katherine Hugues, Interior Designer and Luxury lover
