Joyeuse Saint Patrick!

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Joyeuse Saint Patrick!

Joyeuse Saint Patrick!

The City of Light will be The City of Green today.

 Ah, St. Patrick’s Day. For many, it’s a day to wear green and drink Guinness Beer. If you’re in Paris, there are plenty of ways to get in the spirit of Joyeuse Saint Patrick. 

As part of Tourism Ireland’s 7th annual Global Greening initiative, the Sacre-Coeur Basilica and the Roue de Paris (Big Wheel) at the Place de la Concorde, as well as many other buildings in Paris and elsewhere in France will be lit up in green. Take in the light show by walking or perhaps a cruise on the Seine River. (Note: It’s curious that the Eiffel Tower isn’t on the list.)

Paris has plenty of Irish pubs to celebrate the day:

O’Brien’s Irish Pub
77 rue Saint-Dominique
75007 Paris

O'Brien's Irish Pub is always busy.

O’Brien’s Irish Pub is always busy.

Phone: +33 01 45 51 75 87

Hours: Monday – Thursday, Noon – 2:00 A.M., Friday & Saturday Noon – 3:00 A.M., Sunday 5:00 P.M. – 2:00 A.M.

Metro: La Tour-Maubourg or Invalides

Located in the 7th arrondissement a short walk from the Eiffel Tower, O’Brien’s is a reasonably priced pub that was always busy during my last trip to Paris. Besides alcohol, they serve mouth-watering burgers and a different dessert created by their chefs is featured every day.

The Green Goose
19 rue des Boulets
75011 Paris

Phone: +33 09 82 37 73 41

Hours: Lunch: Mon-Fri, 12:00 Noon – 3:00 P.M.; Dinner: Mon-Sun, 6:00 P.M. – 11:00 P.M.; Weekend Brunch: Sat, Sun & Bank Holidays, 11:00 A.M. – 4:00 P.M.

Metro: Rue des Boulets or Nation

Funny enough, this relatively new Irish pub in Paris doesn’t serve Guinness though they do serve handcrafted beers, including……. They also serve a fairly extended lunch and dinner menu, and brunch on the weekends (I have my eye on the Eggs Benedict. Mmmmmmmmm.) The Green Goose is often reviewed as the friendliest pub in Paris.

 

The Harp Bar (see their Facebook page)
118 boulevard de Clichy
75018 Paris

Patrons enjoying a Celtic game at the Harp Bar.

Patrons enjoying a Celtic game at the Harp Bar.

Hours: 5:00 P.M. – 2:00 A.M. Daily

Metro: Blanche or Place de Clichy

Located next to James Hetfeeld’s Pub at 118 boulevard de Clichy, The Harp Bar is a sports pub featuring a Celtic game always showing on the big screen TVs, a pool table downstairs, and plenty of beer and food. This is a must-stop for any Celtic fan.

How about a dessert? Maison Dalloyau teahouses and patisseries will celebrate the day by dressing up the religieuse (“nun”) pastry — a type of eclair — for St. Patrick’s Day, filled with chocolate coffee cream and a bit of Irish whiskey, topped with a chocolate hat and an edible four-leaf clover.

If the religieuse pastry is too rich for your taste, try a pistachio-flavored macaron (“macaroon”), available at patisseries (“pastry shops”) all over Paris.

Au revoir!

References: “Religeuse,” by Wikipedia, CCBY 3.0. “Celebrating Saint Patrick’s Day: What’s On?” Bonjour Paris, March 8, 2016.

Eiffel Tower lit green by Jerome Bon, Flickr, CCBY 2.0. O’Brien’s Irish Pub by Loren C., Yelp, CCBY 2.0. Image of The Green Goose by TripAdvisor, CCBY 2.0. Image of The Harp Bar from their Facebook page, CCBY 2.0. Image of religieuse pastry (made by Dalloyau) from BonjourParis.com, Google search, CCBY 2.0. Macarons (pistachio and cassis) from Laduree by Jamie Anderson, Flickr, CCBY 2.0.

Adding French Flair to Your Home: Antiques and Objets d’Art

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This post is the first in a series on adding a little French influence to your home. The series begins with three venues in Paris to shop for antique and vintage items.

Source: Where to Go Shopping for Antiques in Paris

Several well-placed items can add French flair to your home. This is a vintage French Champagne Gathering Basket.

Several well-placed items can add French flair to your home. This is a vintage French Champagne Gathering Basket.

There are many ways to add French influence to your home. You could buy a piece of furniture, a painting, or an objet d’art in Paris and send it home. You could distress your own furniture to make it look French Country. You could remodel your kitchen or bathroom (or parts thereof) with French accents. Or you could add natural visual elements, like wood, to give your decor for that certain French je ne sais quois (“I do not know what”). This series will cover all of these topics, just in time for spring cleaning and redecorating.

The sign says "Second-hand Antiques."

The sign says “Second-hand Antiques.”

I begin the series with information on purchasing items in Paris and sending them home. Each of the 20 arrondissements in Paris has its shops and markets to shop for antique and vintage items. Look for signs that say Antiquites (“Antiques”) or Brocante (“Second-hand market”) or a combination of the two. The markets featured here are open Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Check their websites for more information.

 

Carre Rive Gauche has a spectacular view of the Seine River.

Carre Rive Gauche has a spectacular view of the Seine River.

Carre Rive Gauche (Left Bank Square)

Metro: Rue du Bac or Solferino

As a child of the 1970s, I associate “rive gauche” with “high class” due to Yves Saint Laurent’s fragrance of the same name, launched in 1971. Saint Laurent was a French couture designer who popularized pret-a-porter (ready-to-wear) for the masses. His fragrance, Rive Gauche, was prominently displayed in a local store that, to me, was the epitome of class. I didn’t care how it smelled: I was intrigued by this product made by a French couture fashion designer who dressed one of my favorite actresses of the time, Catherine Deneuve. Talk about an effective ad campaign. I was 10 years old in 1971.

Ironically, “rive gauche” means “left bank,” an area in Paris known for its hipsters and bohemians — sort of the French version of a Greenwich Village — where Saint Laurent had his design house. Ironically or not, Carre Rive Gauche is a mostly high-end antique and objet d’art shopping area, comprising over 100 shops, on what used to be private gardens of French princess and Queen of Navarre, Marguerite de Navarre. Located in the 6th and 7th arrondissements, rue des Saints-Peres is about a 12-minute walk from Rue du Bac metro. (The shopping area: rue des St. Peres, rue de Beaune, rue du Bac, rue de L’Universite, rue de Verneuil, rue de Lille, quai Voltaire.) Carre Rive Gauche’s close proximity to several museums (Louvre, d’Orsay, Arts Decoratifs) has helped solidify a trusted relationship between its vendors and the museums.

Here are three links to galleries within Carre Rive Gauche that might have that certain French something for your home:

Galerie Altero – Glassware and furniture

Galerie F. Baulme Fine Arts – Paintings, drawings, sculptures

Galerie Francois Paul Belliard – Furniture, art objects, 18th and 19th seats (such as chaise lounges)

 

Le Village Suisse sign in the 15th arrondissement.

Le Village Suisse sign in the 15th arrondissement.

 Le Village Suisse (Website is still under construction)

Metro: La Motte Picquet Grenelle

Le Village Suisse got its name from the mini Swiss village erected in the same spot for the 1900 Universal Exposition, also known as the World’s Fair. After the Exposition, the location evolved into a place for antique shops, gallery owners and decorators to sell their wares. There are roughly 150 shops in Le Village Suisse currently.

The Village is in the 15th arrondissment, and is bordered by avenue de la Motte-Picquet and avenue Suffren. Entrances are located at 78 avenue de Suffren and 54 avenue de la Motte-Picquet.

At present, it looks like once the website is live, you will be able to search individual galleries, search for a particular object, as well as search by keywords.

 

Marche Malassis serves as an entrance to Marche aux Puces in Saint Ouen.

Marche Malassis serves as an entrance to Marche aux Puces in Saint Ouen.

Marche aux Puces de Paris/Saint-Ouen (Flea Market)

Metro: Porte de Clignancourt or Garibaldi

I’ll venture a guess that you can probably imagine a flea market as large as a football field. What about one that is just over 13 and a half football fields? That is the size of the Marche aux Puces de Paris/Saint-Ouen, Paris’s best known flea market, often referred to as “the Paris flea market.” Fourteen markets comprise the Puces de Paris/Saint-Ouen, so if you’re looking for a particular type of item, it would be wise to check the marche website before you go — even if it’s to rule out certain markets. Not only is the marche large, but about 150,000 people visit the market every weekend.

The marche is located at Porte de Clignancourt, just north of the 18th arrondissement, and includes antique dealers, retailers, designers, craftsmen and artists. If you exit Porte de Clignancort and walk northwest toward the marche, keep walking past the vendors of inexpensive items (and who generally get in your personal space) to rue des Rosiers on the left, which is the main market street.

Three markets in the marche that could add French flair to your home:

Two chairs wait to be selected at Marche aux Puces in Saint Ouen.

Two chairs wait to be selected at Marche aux Puces in Saint Ouen.

Marche Cambo – 18th and 19th century furniture, earthenware, ceramics, Art Deco items

Le Passage – unusual furniture, chairs, paintings

Marche Malassis – Antiques, oriental stalls, tableware

 

 

 

Get the latest information on second-hand markets, every week in L’Officiel des Spectacles and the Pariscope App and on the websites Brocabrac (with calendar) and Vide Greniers.

Au revoir!

 

 

Reference: “Margauerite de Navarre,” by Wikipedia, CCBY 3.0.

Vintage French Champagne Gathering Basket by Wicker Paradise, Flickr, CCBY 2.0. Second-hand Antique Shop by MetroCentric, Flickr, CCBY 2.0. Carre Rive Gauche by Henri VK, Flickr, CCBY 2.0. Le Village Suisse sign by Monceau, Flickr, CCBY 2.0. Marche Malassis at Marche aux Puces in Saint Ouen by Brett Hammond, Flickr, CCBY 2.0. Two chairs in Marche Vernaison at Saint Ouen by Edsel Little, Flickr, CCBY 2.0.

40 Things To Do In Paris March 2016

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Spring is a time for renewal and trying new things. Grab a light coat, scarf, and umbrella and visit Paris ahead of the crowds. Here are three activities that I recommend.

See Paris by Helicopter on a trip to Versailles.

See Paris by Helicopter on a round-trip to Versailles.

Source: 40 Things To Do In Paris March 2016 | Paris Insiders Guide

 

VIP Helicopter Tour to Versailles

I love the water and being high in the sky. I’ve seen Paris taking a cruise on the Seine River — one of my best memories from my latest trip — and now I can’t wait to have the opportunity to go on a VIP Helicopter Tour to Versailles. You depart from Heliport de Paris in southwest Paris and fly to Versailles, where you soar over the grounds before landing. French law requires all helicopter tours to have a stopover for 1 hour, and you spend it by enjoying a glass of champagne, taking a few photos, and learning a bit about Versailles and your helicopter. You then board for your 10-minute flight back to the Heliport where you started.

Details:

Price: Adults and Children age 3-11: from $471.27 per person (price might vary)

Depart/Return: Heliport de Paris, southwest Paris  (Metro:

Check-in: 30 minutes before departure

Helicopter: 6-passenger Ecureil

Book here

 

Le Grand Orgue (The Grand Organ) and West Rose window of Notre Dame.

Le Grand Orgue (The Grand Organ) and West Rose window of Notre Dame.

Notre Dame Cathedral Special Easter Season Performances

While Easter this year is Sunday, March 27, Notre Dame Cathedral is holding a series of concerts to celebrate the season, including a concert by Notre Dame’s celebrated organ on March 15.

Reservations are required. Prices vary.

View the schedule and book here

 

 

 

Market Tour & Classic French Cooking

Paris Insider’s Guide offers a wide variety of 1-time cooking and baking classes. My two favorites are the Market Tour & Classic French Cooking class (6-hour market and cooking class) and the Secrets of Croissants (2 1/2 – 3 hours).

Price: Market Tour & Classic French Cooking Class is 190 euros per person ($207.70 ), 2 people min. Baking classes are 125 euros per person ($136.65).

View the schedule and book here

 

Au revoir!

 

 

 

Aerial view of Paris by Gabriel, Flickr, CCBY 2.0. Image of Notre Dame organ by JanetandPhil, Flickr, CCBY 2.0. Illustrations by CanStockPhoto.

Destination Wedding in Paris: Additional Information

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There are thousands of websites out there to help you plan a destination wedding. Here are a few that I may not have mentioned in my series that I believe are worth knowing.

 

WeddingMusicInFrance.com
13 Cite Dupont
75011 Paris

Phone: +33 06 31 27 61 75

Metro: Rue Saint-Maur

As a brick-and-mortar business in the internet ocean, they stand out immediately. Fluent in English, French and Spanish, they have been supplying international clients (Oracle, Hilton, Hotel de Crillon) for over 10 years. They provide advice on repertoire, instrumentation, location, amplification, and arrange pieces of your choice upon request. They offer six packages to choose from. Complete their Contact form on their web page to contact them.

Minimum price for a duo for 1-2 hours is 850 Euros ($929); for a trio, 1200 Euros ($1311); and a quartet, 1650 Euros ($1803).

 

En.ParisInfo.com

Email:internet@parisinfo.com

This is official website of the Convention and Visitors Bureau. They can help you navigate Paris and offer you a lot of in-country deals in the process.

 

BridesWithoutBorders.com

Contact Page


Brides Without Borders offers a wealth of information for the DIY destination wedding bride. They offer a list of proven destination wedding professionals for any location you want to tie the knot. They also offer an advice column and a blog to help you through the process. If I was planning a DIY destination wedding, this would be my go-to site for the nuts-and-bolts details.

 

FrenchWeddingStyle.com

Email: info@FrenchWeddingStyle.com

If Brides Without Borders helps you with the nuts-and-bolts details of your Paris wedding, French Wedding Style helps you to immerse yourself in French culture as it relates to weddings in France. From explaining what “couture” means to learning French wedding traditions to bridal accessories by featured (French) designers, you’ll feel like a real French bride by the time your big day arrives.

Raph & John with their Rolls Royce.

Raph & John with their Rolls Royce.

(Pssssssssttttttt. Check out Locarolls on French Wedding Style’s website for a Rolls Royce for your wedding day. A Rolls is a French bride’s go-to vehicle.)

 

Au revoir!

 

 

 

Image by CanStockPhoto. Image of Raph & John by Agence Tophos, Flickr, CCBY 2.0.

 

I am featuring photos of Raph & John’s wedding in Paris for this series. I want to make it clear that I do not know this couple: I selected their photos from an album on Flickr because I love their theme and the photos are available for use under the CCBY 2.0 license. If I married in Paris, I would want a theme somewhat similar to theirs–in terms of colors and formality.

For Men Only: Getting to Paris

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Ever wonder why women the world over often dream of French men? Because they have an air about them. From the tops of their heads to their well-cut pants to their polished, non-sneaker shoes, they’re confident, put together, ready for anything. In other words: they have a sense of style, and they wear it with confidence.

The essence of men's French style: sleek lines, good quality, good grooming. Even an unshaven look has a style about it on French men.

The essence of men’s French style: sleek lines, good quality clothing, good grooming. Even an unshaven look has a style about it on French men.

If there’s one situation that many men lack confidence in, it’s packing for a European trip; otherwise, why would there be so many suggested packing lists available on the internet? My travel experience has taught me would-be travelers concentrate too much on following someone else’s packing list instead of formulating their own. You have to pack for you — your habits, your needs, and what you plan to do while in Paris: in other words, you should pack from the inside out — while taking in consideration you’ll be in a foreign country where men are, for the most part, well-groomed and well-dressed.

What do I mean by packing from the inside out? Let’s focus first on your toiletries and personal items. What do you use every day? Write down which personal items you use from the time you wake up until you go out the door: brush/comb, shampoo, body soap, washcloth or similar item in the shower, razor, shave cream, after shave, cologne, toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, deodorant, blow dryer (with a 2-round-pin adapter for France). Occasionally you cut yourself shaving, so add band-aids and Neosporin to your list. Do you get a sore on your foot from time to time? Add whatever you use for that. Do you use any other products on an occasional basis that you wouldn’t want to live without? Add them to the list. While many grocery and large-chain drug stores have a travel section for personal products, here are two resources for products:  AllTravelSizes.com and Sephora Sets for Men.

Let’s assume you’re going to Paris for a week in the fall with a friend. Talk about what the two of you plan to do together before you pack: You’ll want your wardrobe to be in-sync with your friend’s. (Okay, guys, I’m not suggesting you tell your friend why you’re asking. Just find out nonchalantly.) After all, if your friend wants to take a dinner cruise on the Seine River (or eat at any nice restaurant), you’ll want to be properly dressed: most fine cuisine restaurants in Paris still require men to wear a jacket and tie. Say you’re planning to sight-see (think: lots of walking), visit the Eiffel Tower and other attractions, a dinner cruise, a trip to Versailles. You’ll need a good pair of walking shoes but not tennis shoes: GQ recommends rubber sole shoes by John Lobb, but since they can cost as much as air fare (or more), check out the rubber sole loafers available at Zappos. 

To help you understand what clothes to bring, I recommend tracking trending weather conditions there for 2 weeks prior to your trip. For the record, temperatures in Paris average 61 degrees Fahrenheit (16 degrees Celsius) in September, and 54 degrees Fahrenheit (12 degrees Celsius) in October: cool but not cold. Layering is your best strategy in case it gets significantly warmer or colder than average. This means take 2-3 short-sleeved shirts, 2-3 long-sleeved shirts, 2-3 V-neck sweaters, 1-2 dress shirts (even better: shirts made to order by Proper Cloth), a wind-breaker, a heavier jacket (take this with you on the plane), a scarf. For evening, you’ll need a pair of dress pants (you’re on your own; they should fit well and be wrinkle-resistant). For sightseeing, I recommend pickpocket-proof pants from Clothing Arts or Bluff Works (being mindful the color you order works with your shirts and sweaters). Add to this list accessories: dress belt, underwear, socks, and cuff links if you plan to be really dressy. (You’ll fit right in.)

Don’t forget your technological needs, such as your smartphone charger and ear buds. Think twice before taking your laptop: unless you absolutely have to have it for work, leave it at home.

The best packing list for men traveling to Europe I’ve seen is this one from Ken’s Travel Tips. In case you like lists. Also, see GQ’s 8 Best Items for Traveling Light.

Hartmann Expandable Spinner in Olive.

Hartmann Expandable Spinner in Olive.

For a suitcase, I will always love Hartmann luggage because of how well the luggage is made and their lifetime guarantee; my favorite is the Hartmann Expandable Spinner in Olive. Whatever you purchase, do yourself a favor and buy anything except black luggage. Why? Because everyone buys black luggage. When I came back from Kazakhstan some time ago, two of my four bags went missing (the tags were ripped off); Delta Airlines told me the only reason I got them back was because they stood out in their warehouse. The Delta employee told me: “You should see our warehouse…it’s nothing but a sea of black luggage.” Sure, black is sophisticated and under-stated; but if it goes missing, you might not see it again. Purchasing luggage in a color that will stand out from everyone else’s black luggage is almost as good as buying travel insurance.

Vacuuming out air of a travel bag sounds good, but where will you find a vacuum for your return trip?

Vacuuming out air of a travel bag sounds good, but where will you find a vacuum for your return trip?

If you pack right, you’ll be able to get more in your suitcase than you think. I use travel-size Ziploc bags to conserve on space. I don’t like the “envelopes” that you put several items in because I don’t find they conserve space, and I don’t recommend the bags that you vacuum air out of because…where will you find a vacuum for your return trip? Ziploc bags also protect your clothes in case your bags are searched: TSA agents can shake them to their hearts’ content, and your socks and underwear won’t fall to the ground and mop up the floor. Put items you will wear together in one bag, zip the bag three-quarters of the way, then roll the bag to extinguish the air.

You’ll want to be your best self in Paris. With a little help from experts, you’ll do just that.

 

Bon voyage!

 

 

All images except Hartmann Spinner from CanStockPhoto. Hartmann Spinner from Hartmann.com, CCBY 2.0.

Author’s note: The model pictured is of Indian descent and exhibits a Frenchman’s style perfectly.

Packing from the inside out is adapted from “Organizing From the Inside Out,” by Julie Morganstern.

For Men Only: Travel Gear that Thwarts Thieves

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Get to Paris with your wallet and passport intact. Then, keep them close to you in crowded areas with these pickpocket-deterrent pants.

Today I’m sharing an article about two types of gear to keep your stuff safe.

Source: Gear that thwarts thieves: Top picks – IOL Travel Tips

A professional pickpocket can snatch a man's wallet and be gone in a moment.

A professional pickpocket can snatch a man’s wallet and be gone in a moment.

I wonder which is harder: A man keeping his valuables safe in his pants, or a woman keeping hers safe in a handbag? Sounds like a sociological question for the ages. One thing is certain: Pickpockets are a real problem for men while traveling.

Two companies, Clothing Arts and Bluff Works, make pickpocket-deterrent pants. Clothing Arts’s version has been called “the CIA-version of khakis” by Forbes. Among the safety features is a hidden, zippered passport and money pocket that seals with a snap and button. Buff Works also makes pants with a hidden zippered pocket. The logic is simple: It takes long enough to unzip a zipper that a pickpocket can’t snatch your wallet and run.

Although a zipper is a safety feature in pants, oversized zippers on luggage can be vulnerable to thieves by using a simple pen to pry them open. GripAZip is a combination business card-holder and security device (compatible with TSA locks) that you attach to the handle of your carry-on bag to “deadbolt” the zipper. A determined thief could still access your bag but can’t reseal it to hide the crime.

Au revoir!

 

Adventure pants $109.95 on Clothing Arts.com. Khaki Chino $125.00 on Bluff Works.com. GripAZip Ultimate $35.50 on GripAZip.com.

 

Top image of pickpocket by CanStockPhoto. Images of Adventure pants by Clothing Arts.com, CCBY 2.0. Images of Khaki Chinos by Bluff Works.com, CCBY 2.0. Images of GripAZip by GripAZip.com, CCBY 2.0.

Destination Wedding in Paris: A Hotel For You and Your Guests

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Here are 7 factors to consider when booking your destination wedding in Paris hotel for you and your guests, as well as 4 recommendations.

Raph & John at Le Grand Hotel, Paris.

Raph & John at Le Grand Hotel, Paris.

1. Price. Whether you or your guests are paying for their rooms, the price or a room or a suite is an important factor. It is also likely negotiable if you have enough guests staying in the same hotel. Look at search sites such as TripAdvisor Price Finder or Trivago to find the best price for the type of room you want. Then call the hotel and tell them you have ‘x’ number of guests coming on ‘y’ date, and the best price you found online is ‘z.’ Ask them if they have a group rate, and if not, if they can do better than that price. Even better, before you call the hotel you really want, do the same for at least two other hotels; no matter if the other hotels two have enough rooms to accommodate you, your dream hotel will never know. It’s possible your dream hotel will give you a better price than the one you’ve quoted. If they give you a group rate, you will likely have to pay a deposit based on the total number of guests. Notes: It is important to do this in a phone call rather than an email. Also, if you are considering to hold your ceremony and/or reception at your hotel, be sure to give this information at the time of booking.

2. Type of rooms available – single/double/suite. Consider not just your needs, but the needs of your guests. Is anyone coming with a child? Will you have guests who are elderly or have special needs? Some guests will likely be more comfortable in a suite (with additional seating and space to move around) than a single or double room.

3. Location near ceremony and/or reception. It is said that while in Paris, you are never more than a 10-minute walk from a metro stop. Still, in the event of foul weather, you would want to be close to metro if that is your mode of transportation, or, if your ceremony/reception is on the outskirts of Paris, you will want to stay as close as possible to your venue. If it is important that you stay near your reception, search the address on Google and click on “Maps.” From there, use the Nearby search and search for hotels close to it. There will be many, most likely. At least it will help you narrow down your search.

4. Location in view of favorite landmark(s). Have you always dreamed of staying in the 7e in full view of the Eiffel Tower? You will pay handsomely for that view, regardless of what kind of room it is. Again, use Google Maps to locate your favorite landmark, and search Nearby for hotels.

5. Hotel also to be your ceremony and/or reception venue. If you hold your ceremony and/or reception at the hotel, it will certainly make it easier on your guests, if not yourself. Try to find a hotel with gardens or other public spaces so your guests won’t get bored with their surroundings.

6. Level of Luxury desired, including Wi-Fi (pronounced “wee-fee” in France). Gardens, restaurants, furnishings, all will have an impact on how you remember your wedding in Paris.

7. Close to metro and/or parking. Try to make it easy to get there. Check out the parking situation (if important) and tell your guests.

 

Le Bristol Paris
112 rue du Faubourg Saint-Honore
75008 Paris

Phone: +33 01 53 43 43 00

A Mercedes parked outside Le Bristol Hotel.

A Mercedes parked outside Le Bristol Hotel.

Email: reservation@lebristolparis.com

Amenities: 3 restaurants (a 3-Michelin star and 1-Michelin star) and a bar; Spa Le Bristol by La Prairie, one of the world’s most luxurious skin care names; Swimming pool; Fitness Centre.

Metro: Saint-Phillippe-du-Roule

Le Bristol came to my attention when it was featured in Woody Allen’s Midnight in Paris. I fell in love with the plush interiors of the rooms, the flowers, the elegant look of the place. And get this — what really did it for me was the trim moulding on the walls; that detail just speaks luxury to me. History? Le Bristol was built in the 18th century and features furniture in the Louis XV and Louis XVI styles, along with paintings and fine fabrics reflecting the eras. Chef Eric Frechon is a recipient of the “Meilleur Ouvrier de France” (“Best Craftsman in France”) title for his 3-Michelin star restaurant Epicure.The hotel makes many Top Hotels in Paris lists. Located in the 8th arrondissement, it’s located in-between the Champs-Elysees and boulevard Haussmann, two luxury shopping areas. Le Bristol is a 5-minute walk from Saint-Philippe-du-Roule metro.

 

 

Intercontinental Le Grand Hotel Paris
2 rue Scribe
75009 Paris

Phone: +33 01 40 07 32 32 (Hotel)

Raph & John's reception at the Opera Ballroom.

Raph & John’s reception at the Opera Ballroom.

Email: parhbevent@ihg.com

Amenities: Cafe, Bar & La Verriere Restaurant (set in a winter garden); Spa treatments; Sauna; Shoe shine; Private limousine; Business Center.

Metro: Opera

The Intercontinental Le Grand Hotel Paris, also known as “Le Grand Hotel,” opened in 1862 and is classified as historic. The 9th arrondissement is mostly known as the home of the Opera House, and Le Grand Hotel offers floodlit views of it. The hotel’s Opera Ballroom, which Raph & John rented for their reception, is said to be the most renowned ballroom in Paris, and is so stunning it took my breath away the first time I saw it.

 

Four Seasons George V Hotel Paris
31 avenue George V
75008 Paris

Phone: +33 01 49 52 70 00

Courtyard at the Four Seasons George V Hotel.

Courtyard at the Four Seasons George V Hotel.

Email: Contact Page

Amenities: Spa (Massages, facials, hair salon); Health Club; Pool & whirlpool; Saunas & steam rooms; 24-hour Business Centre; Multilingual Concierge; Complimentary standard WiFi; Babysitting services; Internet access in meeting rooms; Family activities.

Metro: George V

I became familiar with the Four Seasons brand by the chain’s DC hotel where I used to have tea. Luxurious and elegant, I always felt at home there. The Four Seasons George V Hotel came into my radar when it was featured in the movie “French Kiss.” As you might imagine, it’s a 10-minute walk to the Arc de Triomphe via the Champs-Elysees, the most famous shopping district in Paris. Other than shopping, the 8th arrondissement is known for the Place de la Concorde and the Elysees Palace, the official residence of the President of France.

 

Les Jardins de la Villa & Spa (Boutique Hotel)
5 rue Belidor
75017 Paris

The Les Jardins de la Villa is modern and ultra chic.

The Les Jardins de la Villa is modern and ultra chic.

Phone: +33 01 53 81 01 10

Email: info@jardinsdevilla.com or Contact Page

Amenities: Garden terrace; Sauna; Steam bath; Massages; Fitness room; unlimited Wi-Fi; balcony with upgraded rooms; children under age 2 stay free.

Metro: Porte Maillot

This boutique is small with 33 rooms but has a lot of character and class; it is considered a small luxury hotel. Located in the 17th arrondissement, a relatively quiet living area for mostly upper-class and middle class young couples and families with children, it is a 10-15 minute walk to the Arc de Triomphe, and very close to Porte Maillot metro.

 

Au revoir!

 

 

 

Raph & John at the Intercontinental Le Grand Hotel by Agence Tophos, Flickr, CCBY 2.0. Mercedes SLS outside Le Bristol Hotel by Ian McWilliams, Flickr, CCBY 2.0. Raph & John’s reception at the Opera Ballroom by Agence Tophos, Flickr, CCBY 2.0. Courtyard at the Four Seasons George V Hotel by Calwhiz, Flickr, CCBY 2.0. Les Jardins de la Villa by TripAdvisor.

I am featuring photos of Raph & John’s wedding in Paris for this series (see above). I want to make it clear that I do not know this couple: I selected their photos from an album on Flickr because I love their theme and the photos are available for use under the CCBY 2.0 license. If I married in Paris, I would want a theme somewhat similar to theirs–in terms of colors and formality.