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Paris Part 3
Travel Excursion
View of the Champs Élysées, Paris – Photo
By Patrice Raplee
By Patrice Raplee
On a warm and sunny afternoon along the elite, fashion Avenue Montaigne,
a mesmerizing woman steps gracefully out of the House of Chanel carrying
several crisp, white boutique bags. Her elegance personified in a
pink Christian Dior frock and delicate matching pumps, the woman
continues her fluid movement along one of the most celebrated couture
districts in Paris.
The majority of great Paris fashion houses reside on Avenue Montaigne
and Rue Faubourg Saint-Honoré, in the eighth arrondissement. Christian
Dior, Chanel, Max Mara, Louis Vuitton, Prada, Céline, Valentino,
Calvin Klein, Hermes, Yves Saint Laurent, Christian Lacroix, Gucci
and Versace are all located on these two streets. These magnificent
houses are sumptuous dwellings where fashionistas purvey, create,
purchase and dictate the designs that ultimately form the season’s
vogue. These illustrious avenues cater to the “in fashion,” set and
are an essential visit for those interested in haute couture. The
exquisitely designed salons disseminate an aura of luxurious essence.
The gorgeous couture, paired with handbags and accessories, are an
assemblage of dreamy inspiration that captivates the imagination.
Avenue Montaigne, one block south of the Champs Élysées, is a beautiful
place to stroll and shop. Upscale cafes and restaurants are neatly
tucked in between boutiques and splendid hotels, such as the Hotel
Plaza Athénée, the ultimate in taste and refinement. In addition,
visit one of Paris’ most fabulous linen shops, D. Porthault located
at the northeastern end of Montaigne. On par with Frette and Anichini,
D. Porthault’s superb boudoir linens define luxury and design. The
company will ship to the U.S. as well. A bit further down the block
resides the House of Chanel. Chanel’s sophisticated expression has
adorned first ladies and royals, actors and divas. There isn’t a
cultured woman’s closet in Paris that doesn’t boast at least one
Chanel suit.
The House of Prada, located on the southwest end of Montaigne, is a fabulous
enclave of handbags and footwear. The sales associates are affable
and welcoming and dedicated to unobtrusively helping the patron.
The fresh and modern look of Prada is a favorite of women the world
over.
There is a best-kept secret on Saint-Honoré, Anna Lowe. This couture shop,
located on 104 Rue Faubourg Saint-Honoré, sells discounted designer
fashions and accessories. If you want, say a Christian Dior handbag,
but the price is too steep, Anna Lowe may have a last season or resale
handbag at half price or less! The shop is filled to capacity with
lovely designer items and is constantly receiving new wares. The
staff is congenial and they will help you to try to find your couture
heart’s desire.
Another classic French handbag, luggage and accessory shop is Lancel.
Lancel has many locations is Paris, but if you are in the fashion
district, visit the Champs Élysées shop. The workmanship and style
of Lancel is beautiful and many French women embellish their outfits
with these fine leather goods. The prices are much less than the
haute couture houses and the quality is as fine, if not superior
in some cases. Lancel caters to modern and classic tastes and they
carry men’s accessories and luggage as well.
A wonderful area for small and independent fashion shops is Le Marais,
in the third arrondissement by Place De La Bastille. These shops
carry everything from jewelry, fashion and accessories, to artwork.
These shops offer lovely attire, often made in Paris. The prices
in Le Marais are generally much more competitive than the eighth
arrondissement, but a few of the shops still approach embarrassingly
expensive.
If you are looking for everyday ware, the fashionable Printemps Department
Store in Paris is an excellent place to visit. Located north of Rue
Faubourg Saint-Honoré in the eighth arrondissement, this department
store carries fashion, home decorations, makeup and restaurants.
It is a regular department store, but then, nothing is regular in
Paris.
After finding the Parisian fashions for your wardrobe, one essential is
left and that is of course, French perfume. One of the most beautiful
and elegant established perfume houses is La Maison Guerlain, located
on 68 Champs Élysées. The magnificent marble interior and winding
grand staircase are a reflection of Versailles opulence. Even if
you only step inside for a view, this palace of beauty and ethereal
scents is top on the list of shopping sites in Paris. Guerlain presents
numerous lovely fragrances and beauty products in an atmosphere redolent
of dreams. Guerlain’s light and floral Champs Élysées perfume is
a scent that is difficult to find in the US if not impossible; take
a moment to experience this particular scent.
Rue Cler, Paris – Photo By Patrice Raplee
Hotspots & Restaurants
The Buddha Bar, located on 8 Rue Boissy d' Anglais M. Concorde, in the
11th arrondissment, is a trendy bar and restaurant with a decidedly
hip atmosphere. The gold-toned walls reflect candle-glow around the
large Buddha dominating the center interior. The music is from the
Buddha Bar line of CDs, a chill-out lounge, ambient sound. The cocktails
are fantastic, but definitely expensive. The dinner menu is fair,
but the club is best suited for an evening of gorgeous drinks and
lively mingling.
For a South East Asian inspired cocktail bar, try Le Kong, located on
1 Rue du Pont-Neuf, in the second arrondissement. A great place for
the younger crowd, Kong has grown in popularity and even with reservations,
the wait for seating can be long. The cocktails are upscale, but
then again you get the young and beautiful hip Parisian crowd. The
décor is modern with a brash flair. The Asian menu is quite good
and the view of the Seine River is stellar. Make sure to clear room
on your bank card for this establishment.
For an evening of fabulous dining choices and fun cocktail establishments,
try the Latin Quarter, located in the sixth arrondissement. This
area has so many excellent restaurants, it’s hard to choose the best.
Wander around and let your eyes and nose decide which restaurant
takes your fancy. The dining prices are more reasonable in this area
and the Latin Quarter reflects a bit more casual atmosphere.
Actor Gérard Depardieu owns La Fontaine Gaillon, 1 Place Gaillon, located
in the second arrondissement. The restaurant offers modern and traditional
cuisine, such as rabbit terrine en gelee, duck terrine in aspic and
sea bass tartare with anchovies and herbs. The cuisine and wine selection
is superb and it frequently garners rave reviews. This chic environment
takes up residence in an old, stylish hotel, yet the space for dining
tables isn’t crowded. Expect upscale prices.
For a causal environment, try the Victoria, located on 64 Rue Pierre Charron,
in the eighth arrondissement. This is an excellent restaurant for
a late lunch or dinner. The inside is a bit snug between tables,
so vie for outside seating. The exterior seating (heated in winter)
is walled off from the street with a glass partition. It is a wonderful
location to relax and people watch. The food is excellent with substantial
portions. The chicken dishes are succulent and melt in your mouth
and the café au lait and tea menu are better than many of the area
patisseries. The menu features classic cuisine and price is mid-scale.
In Paris, excellent dining is around every corner, yet there is the occasional
horror. If you can’t decide on a dining option, ask your concierge
for a few recommendations.
Paris is the jewel of Europe and offers the visitor a glimpse of a magnificent
life that Parisians extol to themselves everyday. Once you have visited
this enchanting city, it is in your heart forever!
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