LUXURYTRAVELER

LUXURY IN PARIS
(Encore Edition)

Paris, luxury and delight. From great classics to the latest trends, luxury is omnipresent in Paris. The year’s calendar is one of prestige events: haute couture fashion shows of course, but also prestigious horse racing events and contemporary art and antiques fairs. Palace and luxury hotels offer increasingly personalized services in sumptuous surroundings, and there is now the new five-star classification, which came into effect in 2009.

For luxury gourmets there is haute cuisine, Michelin-starred establishments, the latest culinary trends, and the creations of top chefs to delight the palate. For relaxation and well-being, the capital has ultra chic addresses, not forgetting the “Golden Triangle” where the greatest fashion designers present their collections in smart showrooms. Ecology is also an important consideration in the luxury sector, as well as creation and innovation — cleverly planned in the respect of traditions and ancestral know-how that have made Paris’s reputation in this field.

FIVE STAR LUXURY

The recent bill for modernizing French hotels (the previous classification dates back to 1986) has begun to reform the Paris hotel industry. This includes the introduction of a five-star category to symbolize the highest qualification.  This new category is a veritable gauge of appreciation and comparison, notably for foreign clientele. The five-star rating is a widely-used standard abroad; it facilitates comparison between equivalent hotels throughout the world and, from now on, enables the French hotel industry to enhance the image of upscale facilities that have given it a world-wide reputation. A dozen Parisian hotels have already been awarded this star and others should follow during the year.

Le Meurice

Le Renaissance 

Le Ritz

Park Hyatt Vendôme

Le Champs-Élysées Plaza

Four Seasons Hotel George V

Hôtel de Sers

Hôtel Fouquet’s Barrière

Hôtel Marriott Champs-Élysées

Le Hyatt Regency Paris-Madeleine

Plaza Athénée  

Hôtel Square  

HAUTE CUISINE

France’s top restaurants can be found in the capital, which has 52 starred restaurants (Michelin Guide), including ten three-starred. Legendary restaurants like La Tour d’argent, Maxim’s and Le Jules Verne boast some of the top chefs: Jean-Pierre Vigato at Apicius, Alain Ducasse at the Plaza Athénée and at Le Jules Verne, Lenôtre at Le Pré Catelan, Guy Martin at Le Grand Véfour, Hélène Darroze, etc.

Three Star Restaurants

 Le Meurice, chef: Yannick Alléno  

 L’Ambroisie, chef: Bernard Pacaud

L’Arpège, chef: Alain Passard

Le Bristol, hotel Le Bristol, chef: Eric Fréchon

Pavillon Ledoyen, chef: Christian Le Squer  

Restaurant Pierre Gagnaire, chef: Pierre Gagnaire

Restaurant Plaza Athénée, chef: Alain Ducasse

Astrance Tel +33 (0)1 40 50 84 40

Pré Catalan  

Guy Savoy, chef: Guy Savoy Tel +33 (0)1 43 80 40 61

Two Star Restaurants

Carré des Feuillants, chef: Alain Dutournier Tel +33 (0)1 42 86 82 82

Le Grand Véfour, chef: Guy Martin   Tel +33 (0)1 42 96 56 27

L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon Tel +33 (0)1 42 22 56 56

Apicius, chef: Vigato Tel +33 (0)1 43 80 19 66

Taillevent, chef: Alain Solivérès Tel +33 (0)1 44 95 15 01

Note: also: Les Ambassadeurs, Le Cinq, L’Espadon, Hélène Darroze – La Salle à manger, Lassere, Michel Rostang, Relais Louis-XIII, Senderens, La Table de Joël Robuchon.
 

THE BRASSERIE SPIRIT

A symbol par excellence of Parisian meals, the brasseries have a special atmosphere: they serve typically French cuisine, served by waiters dressed in traditional long white aprons. On Boulevard Montparnasse, the legendary Le Dôme, where Jean-Paul Sartre spent his afternoons, is located close to La Coupole and its splendid art deco decoration conceived by 32 artists, including Fernand Léger. And the brasserie spirit is particularly apparent around the Café de la paix- with its Second Empire furnishings, around Fouquet’s, the iconic address on the Champs-Elysées, or at La Closerie des lilas, frequented over the years by so many famous people.

La Closerie des lilas  
171 bd du Montparnasse, Paris 6th – RER Port-Royal
Tel +33 (0)1 40 51 34 50 –

Le Fouquet’s 
99 av des Champs-Élysées, Paris 8th – M° George-V, RER Charles-de-Gaulle-Étoile
Tel +33 (0)1 47 23 50 00  

Café de la paix 
2 bd des Capucines, Paris 9th – M° Opéra, RER Auber
Tel +33 (0)1 40 07 36 36 –

Julien  
16 rue du Faubourg-Saint-Denis, Paris 10th – M° Strasbourg-Saint-Denis
Tel +33 (0)1 47 70 12 06 –

La Coupole  
102 bd du Montparnasse, Paris 14th – M° Vavin, RER Denfert-Rochereau
Tel +33 (0)1 43 20 14 20  

Le Dôme 108 bd Montparnasse, Paris 14th – M° Vavin, RER Denfert-Rochereau
Tel +33 (0)1 43 35 25 81
 

WORLD CLASS SHOPPING

Some districts of Paris are showcases for fashion hot off the catwalks: precious fabrics and deluxe leather goods can be found in enchanting places. The "Golden Triangle", Avenue Montaigne, the Faubourg Saint-Honoré, the district of Saint-Germain-des-Prés and the elegant arcades of the Palais-Royal are home to the biggest names and reflect the elegance and luxurious atmosphere, which give Paris its reputation.

HIGH FASHION
Paris, the eternal city of haute couture, never ceases to dazzle people with its elegance and timelessness but also by the modernity of its designers. Since the grandeur of the time of Louis XIV and his flamboyant and eccentric court, the French capital has been setting fashion trends; the international renown of French elegance is today well established with the biggest names (Chanel, Dior, Hermès, Yves Saint Laurent … ) and new trendy fashion houses (Chloé, Dominique Sirop, Franck Sorbier … ). And it is no accident that the most famous international talents choose Paris as a place to work.

Chanel 
29-31 rue Cambon, Paris 1st – M° Madeleine, RER Auber
Tel +33 (0)1 42 86 26 00 

Adeline André
5 rue Villehardouin, Paris 3rd – M° Chemin-Vert
Tel +33 (0)1 42 7772 56

Azzedine Alaïa
18 rue de la Verrerie, Paris 4th – M° Hôtel-de-Ville, RER Châtelet-Les Halles
Tel +33 (0)1 42 72 19 19

Sonia Rykiel  
175 bd Saint-Germain, Paris 6th – M° Saint-Germain-des-Prés, RER Saint-Michel
Tel +33 (0)1 49 54 60 60

Chloé 
44 av Montaigne, Paris 8th – M° Franklin-Roosevelt, RER Charles-de-Gaulle-Étoile
Tel +33 (0)1 47 23 00 08 

Christian Dior 
30 av Montaigne, Paris 8th – M° Franklin-Roosevelt, RER Charles-de-Gaulle-Étoile
Tel +33 (0)1 40 73 73 73  

Dominique Sirop  
14 rue du Faubourg-Saint-Honoré, Paris 8th – M° Madeleine, RER Auber
Tel +33 (0)1 42 66 60 57 

Emanuel Ungaro  
2 av Montaigne, Paris 8th – M° Alma-Marceau
Tel +33 (0)1 53 57 00 22 

Givenchy 
3 av George-V, Paris 8th – M° Alma-Marceau
Tel +33 (0)1 44 31 51 09 

Hermès  
24 rue du Faubourg-Saint-Honoré, Paris 8th – M° Madeleine, RER Auber
Tel +33 (0)1 40 17 47 17 

Jean-Louis Scherrer
51 av Montaigne, Paris 8th – M° Franklin-Roosevelt, RER Charles-de-Gaulle-Étoile
Tel +33 (0)1 56 59 98 41

Jean Paul Gaultier  
44 av George-V, Paris 8th – M° George-V, RER Charles-de-Gaulle-Étoile 
Tel +33 (0)1 44 43 00 44   

Lanvin 
22 rue du Faubourg-Saint-Honoré Paris 8th – M° Madeleine, RER Auber
Tel +33 (0)1 44 71 31 73

Louis Vuitton 
101 av des Champs-Élysées, Paris 8th – M° George-V, RER Charles-de-Gaulle-Étoile
Tel +33 (0)810 81 00 10  

Yves Saint Laurent 
7 av George-V, Paris 8th – M° Alma-Marceau
Tel +33 (0)1 56 62 64 00

Franck Sorbier
6 rue Jean-Pierre-Timbaud, Paris 11th – M° Oberkampf
 

FASHION FOOTWEAR
Paris, luxury fashion capital, devotes a special place to shoes — the fashion accessory par excellence. And Paris gives them the red carpet treatment!  Artisanal shoe designers use all their expertise and perfectionism to create exceptional models. Fine materials like leather are used to create timeless and original shoes and unique collections, like the red soles of Louboutin shoes. And the interiors of these luxury shops offer all the comfort for finding the right shoes for your feet.

J. Donegan  
38 rue Saint-Dominique, Paris 7th – M° Invalides, RER Invalides
Tel +33 (0)1 45 51 69 15 –

Christian Louboutin 
68 rue du Faubourg-Saint-Honoré, Paris 8th – M° Madeleine, RER Auber
Tel +33 (0)1 42 68 37 65 

Michel Vivien 
8 rue Royale, Paris 8th – M° Madeleine, RER Auber
Tel + 33 (0)1 40 20 01 33 

Roger Vivier 
29 rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, Paris 8th – M° Madeleine, RER Auber 

Espace Chaussures des Galeries Lafayette (Jimmy Choo … )
40 bd Haussmann, Paris 9th – M° Chaussée-d’Antin, RER Auber 
Tel +33 (0)1 42 82 30 25 

Delcros Chausseur 
3 rue Benjamin-Franklin, Paris 16th – M° Trocadéro
Tel +33 (0)1 45 20 53 12 
 

LUXURY FRAGRANCES & SCENTS
Modern perfume was born in France in 1889, with "Jicky" by Aimé Guerlain (the company of the same name had existed from the begining of the 19th century). Since then, numerous famous perfume makers have ensured the reputation of French perfume, always synonymous with refi nement and good taste. Chanel (“N°5” in 1921), Lanvin (“Arpège” in 1927) and Patou (“Joy” in 1930) then followed Guerlain, and today most couture houses also have one or two of their own perfumes as well as lines in cosmetics and make-up that are always at the cutting edge of the latest trends. The very top in luxury is certainly “Parfum-Couture” by Jean Patou, a bespoke perfume carefully preserved in a Baccarat crystal perfume bottle.

Chanel 
31 rue Cambon, Paris 1st – M° Madeleine, RER Auber
Tel +33 (0)1 42 86 26 00  

Guerlain 
2 pl Vendôme, Paris 1st – M° Opéra, RER Auber
Tel +33 (0)1 42 60 68 61

Jean Patou 
5 rue de Castiglione, Paris 1st – M° Tuileries
Tel +33 (0)1 42 92 07 22 

 Serge Lutens Les Salons du Palais-Royal Shiseido 
142 galerie de Valois, Paris 1st – M° Palais-Royal, RER Auber 
Tel +33 (0)1 49 27 09 09 

 Lanvin 
22 rue du Faubourg-Saint-Honoré, Paris 8th – M° Madeleine –

FINE JEWELRY
Paris is home to the biggest names in jewellery. Most of them showcase their wonderful creations around the famous Place Vendôme or in rue de la Paix.  The most precious metals are combined with the rarest stones for jewelry full of timeless elegance and design. The state-of-the-art is to be found at Mauboussin, with a cellar of diamonds for you to choose your stone yourself before it is set according to your wishes. For a more private approach to one of the most luxurious jewellery workshops, Paris Privé invites you to Boucheron for an exceptional visit.

Boucheron 
26 pl Vendôme, Paris 1st – Tel +33 (0)1 42 61 58 16 

Chanel 
Joaillerie-Horlogerie 1Paris 1st  Tel +33 (0)1 55 35 50 05

Chaumet  
12 pl Vendôme, Paris 1st -  Tel +33 (0)1 44 77 26 26

Mauboussin  
20 pl Vendôme, Paris 1st –  Tel +33 (0)1 44 55 10 10

Van Cleef & Arpels 
22 pl Vendôme, Paris 1st – Tel +33 (0)1 53 45 35 50

Cartier 
13 rue de la Paix, Paris 2nd – Tel +33 (0)1 58 18 23 00

Montblanc 
7 rue de la Paix, Paris 2nd

Poiray 
1 rue de la Paix, Paris 2nd –  Tel +33 (0)1 42 61 70 58

Paris Privé  Tel +33 (0)1 42 56 27 59
 

UPSCALE DEPARTMENT STORES

These temples of shopping have the advantage of housing the biggest brands in fashion, cosmetics, accessories, jewellery, decoration, etc. On the Left Bank, near to the Hôtel  Lutétia and Saint-Germain-des-Prés, Bon Marché boasts Parisian chic and is always at the cutting edge of fashion trends. Near the Opéra, Galeries Lafayette and Printemps are leading retailers of luxury goods. Galeries Lafayette is again extending its luxury and designer fashion department in 2010, by 1,500 m², whilst Printemps has unveiled the first phase of renovation work to transform itself into a mecca for luxury and fashion. Not forgetting the very chic Franck & Fils, in the 16th. 

A WORLD OF INDULGENCES
Where to find a passion-fruit eclair (Fauchon), the best selection of cigars (Boutique 22), a rare bottle of vintage Armagnac (Maison Ryst Dupeyron),   outstanding caviar (Caviar House & Prunier, Petrossian) or the most eminent delicatessens (The Grande Epicerie at Bon Marché, Lafayette Gourmet) ... A small selection of the most refined stores for food, alcohol, and the finest and rarest cigars.

La Grande Épicerie du Bon Marché  
38 rue de Sèvres, Paris 7th – M° Sèvres-Babylone
Tel +33 (0)1 44 39 81 00

Maison Ryst Dupeyron (wine, champagne, alcohol) 
79 rue du Bac, Paris 7th – M° Rue-du-Bac
Tel +33 (0)1 45 48 80 93 

La Pâtisserie des rêves  
93 rue du Bac, Paris 7th – M° Rue-du-Bac

Petrossian (caviar, salmon, foie gras ... ) 1
8 bd de La Tour-Maubourg, Paris 7th – M° Invalides, RER Invalides 
Tel +33 (0)1 44 11 32 22

Dalloyau   (caterer, patisserie, chocolates)
101 rue du Faubourg-Saint-Honoré, Paris 8th – M° Saint-Philippe-du-Roule 
Tel +33 (0)1 42 99 90 00 

 Fauchon  (caterer, fine foods ... )
 26 pl de la Madeleine, Paris 8th – M° Madeleine, RER Auber
Tel +33 (0)1 70 39 38 00  

Hédiard   (caterer, fine foods ... )
21 pl de la Madeleine, Paris 8th – M° Madeleine, RER Auber
Tel +33 (0)1 43 12 88 88

Ladurée  (patisserie, chocolates)
75 av des Champs-Élysées, Paris 8th – M° Franklin-Roosevelt, RER Charles-de-Gaulle-Étoile  Tel +33 (0)1 40 75 08 75

Maison de la truffe 
19 pl de la Madeleine, Paris 8th – M° Madeleine, RER Auber 
Tel +33 (0)1 42 65 53 22

Lafayette Gourmet  (fine foods)
40 bd Haussmann, Paris 9th – M° Chaussée-d’Antin, RER Auber
Tel +33 (0)1 42 82 34 56 

Boutique 22  (cigars)
22 av Victor-Hugo, Paris 16th – M° Charles-de-Gaulle-Étoile, RER Charles-de-Gaulle-Étoile  
Tel +33 (0)1 45 01 81 41

Lenôtre  (caterer, patisserie, chocolates, delicatessen ... )
48 av Victor-Hugo, Paris 16th – M° Victor-Hugo, RER Charles-de-Gaulle-Étoile
– Tel +33 (0)1 45 02 21 21
 

THE PARISIAN LIFESTYLE
Parisian stylishness goes beyond haute couture. The French savoir faire is world -renowned, and some names date back several hundred years. Christofle has been a symbol of high-class goldsmith and silversmith ware since 1830; the brand has been able  to adapt to each major design trend and also has decoration accessories and jewellery. Bernadaud is also a top brand in tableware and table decoration and each year creates wonderful new porcelain dinner services. Crystal glass houses Lalique, Daum and Baccarat are world-famous and need no introduction. All of which will give your home a Parisian touch.

Daum  
4 rue de la Paix, Paris 2nd – M° Opéra, RER Auber –
Tel +33 (0)1 42 61 25 25

Bernardaud  
11 rue Royale, Paris 8th – M° Madeleine, RER Auber –
Tel +33 (0)1 47 42 82 66

Christofl 
e 9 rue Royale Paris 8th – M° Madeleine, RER Auber –
Tel +33 (0)1 55 27 99 13 

Lalique 
11 rue Royale, Paris 8th – M° Madeleine, RER Auber
Tel +33 (0)1 53 05 12 12 

Baccarat 
11 pl des États-Unis, Paris 16th – M° Boissière, RER Charles-de-Gaulle-Étoile
Tel +33 (0)1 40 22 11 22 
 

ANTIQUE DEALERS & AUCTIONEERS

In Paris, a historical city and a city for the arts, you have the luxury of being able to buy a work by the latest in vogue contemporary designer and an authentic Louis XV chest of drawers on the same day. The Louvre des Antiquaires houses more than 250 antique dealers in a magnificent 19th century building, situated between the Grand Louvre and the Palais-Royal. On the other side of the Seine in the beautiful old little streets between quai Voltaire and rue de l’Université, the Carré Rive Gauche, on the former site of the garden of Queen Margot, also brings together art gallery owners and art dealers. Further to the east, not far from the Eiffel Tower, the Village Suisse is a vestige of the Universal Exhibition of 1900, and houses antique dealers, decoraters and galleries,  with a selection going from primitive art to contemporary art. Renowned auction houses regularly hold prestigious auction sales: Drouot Montaigne, Tajan, Christie’s, Sotheby’s and Artcurial.

Louvre des Antiquaires  
2 pl du Palais-Royal, Paris 1st – M° Palais-Royal, RER Auber
Tel +33 (0)1 42 97 27 27 

Carré Rive Gauche 
quai Voltaire et rues des Saints-Pères, de l’Université, du Bac, de Lille, de Beaune, de Verneuil, Allent, Paris 7th

Artcurial 7 
rond-point des Champs-Élysées, Paris 8th – M° Franklin-Roosevelt, RER Charles-de-Gaulle-Étoile Tel +33 (0)1 42 99 20 20 

Christie’s 
9 av Matignon, Paris 8th – M° Franklin-Roosevelt, RER Charles-de-Gaulle-Étoile – Tel +33 (0)1 40 76 85 85

Drouot Montaigne  
15 av Montaigne, Paris 8th – M° Alma-Marceau
Tel +33 (0)1 48 00 20 80 –

Sotheby’s    
76 rue du Faubourg-Saint-Honoré, Paris 8th – M° Miromesnil, RER Auber
Tel +33 (0)1 53 05 53 05

Tajan    
37 rue des Mathurins, Paris 8th – M° Havre-Caumartin, RER Auber
Tel +33 (0)1 53 30 30 30

Village Suisse 
78 av de Suffren and 54 av de La Motte-Piquet, Paris 15th – M° La Motte-Piquet-Grenelle

GALLERY CHIC
Paris has always been a major centre for art. The best galleries are concentrated in certain districts: among the most famous are the avenue Matignon (modern and contemporary art), the Marais (modern and contemporary art), Saint-Germain-des-Prés, the 13th district arrondissement (contemporary art).   Galleries in the Marais rue Vieille-du-Temple, rue Quincampoix, rue des Francs - Bourgeois, rue de Turenne, rue Saint-Claude and all neighboring little streets.  Galleries in Saint-Germain-des-Prés.  A hundred or so galleries between the boulevard Saint-Germain and the quai de Conti, between rues Bonaparte and rue Dauphine Galleries on the avenue Matignon, Paris 8th.

CLASSES FOR THE EPICURE
Learn the secrets of French cooking from the greatest chefs (Ecole Ritz-Escoffier, Le Cordon bleu), become a model of refinement and elegance or improve your skills in flower arranging to make the most distinguished bouquets (La Belle Ecole): chic and trendy, courses in the art of living Paris-style!

École Ritz-Escoffier 
15 pl Vendôme, Paris 1st – M° Opéra, RER Auber
Tel +33 (0)1 43 16 30 50 

Ô Château 
 52 rue de l’Arbre-Sec, Paris 1st – M° Louvre-Rivoli, RER Châtelet-Les Halles

École française de la courtoisie 
22 rue de Vaugirard, Paris 6th – M° Odéon, RER Saint-Michel –

Atelier Guy Martin 
35 rue de Miromesnil, Paris 8th – M° Miromesnil, RER Auber

Lenôtre  
10 av des Champs-Élysées, Paris 8th – M° Champs-Élysées-Clemenceau, RER Invalides 

Le Cordon bleu  
Paris 8 rue Léon-Delhomme, Paris 15th – M° Vaugirard
Tel +33 (0)1 53 68 22 50 

École de cuisine Alain Ducasse  
64 rue du Ranelagh, Paris 16th – M° Ranelagh 

NIGHT LIFE
For glamour and trendiness, the most stylish places in Paris organize VIP evenings and offer the best in Parisian nightlife. The startling colored futuristic decor at Le Cab, the club L’Arc, housed in an opulent former private mansion house in the 16th district, the select Castel right in the heart of Saint-Germain-des-Prés, the Ritz Club at the famous Parisian place Vendôme hotel, the VIP Room relocated from the Champs-Elysées to the arcades on the rue de Rivoli.

FITNESS & SPORT
Many renowned places offer the best in sporting facilities: high-tech designer gyms  (L’Usine, Ken Club, the new Kay club), opulent swimming pools and fitness centres in deluxe hotels (the Clarion Saint-James & Albany, the Ritz Health Club, both open to clients not residing at the hotel), and other world renowned clubs (Paris Golf & Country Club, Polo de Paris, Racing Club de France).

LIMOS, VINTAGE & CLASSIC CARS

Cars of the past, vintage cars, limousines, convertibles, minibus … For a simple airport hotel transfer or daily journeys, the range of services is impressive, and getting from one place to another in the capital suddenly becomes a remarkably luxurious affair.

CAB Service Prestige  – Tel +33 (0)8 25 56 19 19 

Chabé Limousines 

Gasnier Service Limousine   – Tel +33 (0)1 48 22 18 18 

Limousines Club   – Tel +33 (0)1 40 75 01 01

Paris Major Limousines   – Tel +33 (0)1 44 52 50 00

Starlimos  – Tel +33 (0)1 39 56 18 48

ART OF THE BRAND
Art and luxury complement each other to great effect. Luxury brands have understood this. Louis Vuitton has created his exhibition area on the top floor of his flagship store, on the Champs-Élysées, and the Galeries Lafayette department store has opened its gallery to provide a showcase for the latest contemporary design trends; the Montblanc boutique on rue de la Paix showcases a monthly exhibition by contemporary artists. As for Dior, it has commissioned contemporary artists chosen from among young talent to design experimental changing rooms.

Montblanc 
7 rue de la Paix, Paris 2nd – M° Opéra, RER Auber 

Dior Homme  
25 rue Royale, Paris 8th – M° Madeleine, RER Auber

Espace Louis Vuitton  
60 rue de Bassano, Paris 8th – M° George-V, RER Charles-de-Gaulle-Étoile –

Credits & Acknowledgements

Editor's note:  We are delighted to acknowledge the Paris Convention & Visitors Bureau as the creator of this article.  Indeed, it is their intimate involvement that made this article so attractive to present to our readers: obviously, the PCVB must be considered a thoroughly credible authority on all things Parisian.   Our involvement was limited to preparing this article for online presentation and slight editing for presentation to a primarily American audience.. 

Photos Credits ©: Paris Convention & Visitors Bureau / Marc Bertrand, Amélie Dupont, David Lefranc, Stéphanie Rivoal, DR.