We invite you to visit the Trianon Estate in the morning: from 10 a.m. to noon, when it is closed to the public.

This tour, limited to 15 guests, will be led by an official guide appointed by Versailles!

Versailles is grandiose, but what’s even more so is that you now have the choice of visiting one of the estate’s three emblematic sites, presented below:

1) Grand Trianon and Emperor’s Apartments or Grand Trianon and Trianon sous-bois

Stroll through the ceremonial rooms of the Emperor’s Apartments or the refined interiors refurbished under General de Gaulle. A place of elegance and political history.

2) Hamlet and Queen’s House

Cross the romantic English gardens to reach the Hameau de la Reine, a haven of peace created for Marie-Antoinette. Enjoy privileged access to her private residence nestled in nature.

3) Petit Trianon and Petit Théâtre de la Reine or Petit Trianon and King’s Apartments

Pass through Marie-Antoinette’s charming home, where you’ll discover how she lived at Versailles, as well as her exceptional furnishings and illustrious portrait Marie-Antoinette à la rose. Finally, enter her private theater, a rare and intimate space that reflects her love of the arts, where she had 12 plays performed over the course of the six years she spent there.

Exclusive visits of this kind are very rare, so don’t hesitate to contact us now for a timeless experience!

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Step inside the legendary Château de Fontainebleau, a UNESCO World Heritage site and former residence of 34 Kings and 2 French Emperor for over eight centuries. From Francis I to Napoleon III, this architectural masterpiece has been a witness to history, blending Renaissance refinement with imperial grandeur.

With our exclusive VIP tours, gain privileged access to areas typically closed to the public, immersing yourself in the private world of royalty. Walk through opulent chambers, hidden salons, and secret passageways that once hosted emperors and kings.

Ultra VIP tour of Fontainebleau

These unique experiences are available daily outside the château’s official opening hours. Your guests will be guided by expert historians fluent in multiple languages, offering an in-depth exploration of Fontainebleau’s rich heritage. Each visit lasts between 1 and 1.5 hours and is designed for groups of 20 to 30 people.

VIP tour of Fontainebleau

During regular opening hours, we also offer bespoke guided tours tailored to your preferences. For more details, explore our dedicated guided tours section.

Contact us !

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Private visit after hours

Our private museum visits allow you to explore the museum’s exhibitions and creative process after hours, offering an intimate, guided experience in a peaceful, exclusive setting. Accompanied by a professional guide, you’ll delve into the world of Yves Saint Laurent, uncovering the stories behind his masterpieces and the inspirations that shaped his visionary approach to fashion.

Privatization (Breakfast, Cocktail, Lunch, Dinner)

For those seeking a truly exceptional experience, we offer the privatization of the museum—an unforgettable way to host a private event in one of Paris’ most prestigious cultural spaces. Begin your day with a private breakfast or lunch, or host an elegant cocktail reception or seated dinner, all followed by a personalized guided tour of the museum. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or hosting a VIP event, the Musée Yves Saint Laurent Paris provides a sophisticated, unforgettable backdrop for your gathering.

Each of these experiences is designed to offer a unique blend of culture, elegance, and exclusivity, allowing you to explore the world of Yves Saint Laurent in a way that is tailored to your desires.

Contact us today to learn more about these exclusive offers and curate your own private Musée Yves Saint Laurent Paris experience.

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Our Exclusive Tours:

Normandy Tour: Explore the historic sites of D-Day, including Arromanches and Pointe du Hoc, complemented by a VIP visit and fine dining experience.

Champagne Tour: Discover the heart of Champagne with a Michelin-starred lunch, private champagne house visit, private tasting and historical sites.

Burgundy Tour: Dive into Burgundy’s winemaking heritage with exclusive vineyard visits, tastings of prestigious wines, and a curated culinary experience.

Each tours in helicopter offer an unforgettable, tailored journey into France’s finest regions, all from the comfort of a luxury helicopter.

Contact us for more details and price.

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Cadillac Serie 62 1958

Cadillac Serie 62 1956

Cadillac Eldorado 1976

Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz 1956

NY taxi Checker 70’s

Pontiac Parisienne 1958

Imperial Crown 1955

If you desire to live this memorable and orignal experience please Contact us!

If you dream to discover our other vintage cars click here !

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Embark aboard one of our exceptional boats and discover Paris like you’ve never seen it before!

Fully privatized and tailor-made, our elegant cruise will allow you to explore the emblematic Parisian monuments and the splendid bridges of our capital in a whole new light. An enchanting setting which, day or night, will not fail to seduce you!

Our wide selection of boats adapts to all your desires and ranges from charming and traditional Chris-craft or Riva in sublime mahogany, to chic and authentic yachts, without forgetting of course our range of electric boats, for respectful cruising of the environment.

Our cruises can also be the ideal setting to share a cocktail from the comfort of the boat and to the rhythm of the waves. Depending on your preferences, you can share this unique experience, in privacy, or in a small group of 2 to 15 people.

The departure location and duration of the cruise can be adapted to your wishes. We have a fleet of 12 categories of boats:

– 6.5m mahogany and chrome boat that can accommodate up to 5 passengers

– 9.2m mahogany and chrome boat for up to 8 passengers

– 10 m mahogany and chrome boat that can accommodate up to 11 passengers

– 8m Dutch boat for up to 12 passengers

– 7.6m wooden boat perfect for cruising enthusiasts

– High-end American boat for 8 to 12 passengers

– 9 m black and white boat that can accommodate up to 8 passengers

– 12m Nordic boat that can accommodate up to 12 passengers

– A 12m Celadon green cruiser that can accommodate up to 12 passengers

– 12m racing boat that can accommodate up to 8 passengers

– 24m luxury yacht that can accommodate up to 15 passengers for a sit-down dinner

– 21 m yacht that can accommodate up to 12 passengers and maximum 6 for a seated dinner

ArtLuxury can also organize a dinner, lunch or cocktail cruise on its boats for any special event or occasion (business meeting, contract signing, marriage proposal, family meal, etc.). If your heart is set on a dinner cruise, discover our unique experience now. For larger group requests we have other boats suitable for your events, please contact us directly. Do not hesitate to contact us to tell us about your projects!

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You have always dreamed of discovering the exceptional beauties of the Palace of Versailles thanks to a private visit, the privilege of being able to access other rooms and spaces.

ArtLuxury is proud to organize it so that you live this memorable experience: we offer you the possibility of organizing a tailor-made private tour of the Salons, Royal Chambers and other apartments to which access is confidential.

We propose you to live an extraordinary experience in three distinct forms:

– The Private visit of the king inners apartments:

Private greeting, fast access through a dedicated entrance, personalized accompaniment with your guide!

VIP Tour of different parts of the Palace starting by rooms not open to the general public, such as the Royal Opera or Sainte Chapel, the Private apartments of King/Queen and concluding your tour by State Apartments and the Hall of Mirrors!

– The Private visit of the king inners apartments & gardens:

Private greeting, fast access through a dedicated entrance, personalized accompaniment with an official guide from the castle!

Customized tours of areas that are not open to the general public, such as the Royal Opera or Sainte Chapel, the Private apartments of King/Queen, then access to all the rooms & Salons of the Estate like Hall of mirrors, concluding your visit by the gardens and the Fountains Shows depending on the day of their visit.

– The Ultra VIP privatization: Versailles just for you!

An Exclusive & fully private guided tour of Versailles after the closing time with an official guide from the Castle, Private greeting at your special entrance, dedicated accompaniment, full access to authorized rooms, without anyone else, Versailles just for you far from the crowd!

On specific bespoke request only!

A unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the splendours of this royal universe, the embodiment of the grandeur and elegance desired by Louis XIV, the Sun King, the perfect symbol of our cultural heritage and our French Art de Vivre.

If this is your wish to live such a VIP visit experience, or, even more, to privatize the Château for a memorable event, don’t wait any longer,

 Contact us!

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For a bespoke and stress-free transfer, your English-speaking private driver will welcome you at the airport, where he will be ready to assist you with your luggage. Once in the car, enjoy a classic French breakfast, with a freshly baked croissant or pain au chocolat from a traditional Parisian boulangerie, as well as some coffee, fruit juice and mineral water.

Stéphane will start the tour by taking you to the Sacré-Cœur, in the distinctive district of Montmartre, to admire one of the best views over the city of love. From there you will continue your private tour of Paris. You will be able to have a first look at all the monuments and attractions you may wish to see, and all from the comfort of the driver’s luxury car.

At your planned check-in time, Stéphane will then drop you off at your Parisian hotel or apartment.

If you are planning your next trip to Paris, take advantage of this unique airport transfer with city tour! Don’t hesitate to contact us and we’ll be happy to organise a bespoke booking for you!

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What we are promising here is our exclusive and confidential tour “behind the scenes”, an exceptional experience like never before! Our guide, a historian and a specialist of the Palais Garnier, having worked there for ten years, will reveal the mysteries of this exceptional monument’s backstage, guiding you in a unique tour that is not open to the public.

You will marvel at gilded decorations, mirrors, and ceilings painted by illustrious artists such as Marc Chagall, admiring an emblematic monument which lies at the heart of Paris’ high culture. 

With our exclusive tour you will be guided backstage, in particular by exploring some of the hidden gems of the Opéra, such as the “cabestans” room of machineries, the sublime Foyer de la Danse, where dancers still rehearse today before performing, without forgetting about all the other mysteries that surround this magical monument.

What are you waiting for? Choose to have an extraordinary experience, discover with us the memorable secrets hidden backstage at the Opéra Garnier!

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Come and discover the magnificent  city of the lights in an original, romantic or an amusing way. ArtLuxury Experience offers tours in vintage cars such as a 2CV, a Citroën Traction or as well as a convertible Citroën DS.

– An original and romantic city tour in a 2CV

– An amusing and original city tour in 2CV

– An original city tour in a Citroën DS convertible

– A convertible 30s Austin Limousine

– Mercedes Berline 1970

– 1960’s classic Peugeot

– 1960’s classic Volkswagen beetle convertible

– NEW: Several Cadillac cars and other American vintage cars 

For a very original and funny journey, why not enjoying a ride aboard:

– an authentic sidecar replicating a mid-20th-century model.

If you desire to live this memorable and orignal experience please contact us.

If you want to discover ou American Vintage cars, click here !

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Indeed ArtLuxury is pleased to offer you a fully VIP visit of this unmissable museum.

This premium tour includes:

– A VIP greeting in front of the Louvre pyramid by an official Representative of the Louvre and your personal guide

– A fully “skip the line” access to the security checkpoint and then to the entrance.

– A visit lasting one hour and a half, with an official guide expert of the museum, in the language of your choice;

Opening hours: the Museum is open every day (except Tuesday), from 9:00 to 6:00PM or 10:00 PM on night openings (Wednesday, Friday)

We invite you to let us know your thematic preferences among all the collections of the museum, such as paintings from France, Italy, Spain, UK & US, European sculptures, Egyptian art, Islamic art, Antiquities Roman and Greek…

though if it is your first visit, we would ideally advise you the so-called “Masterpieces Tour”.

So, again, do not wait any longer and come admire the architecture of the place, and all these magnificent masterpieces!

If you are willing to live the experience of your life, we are glad to propose you to privatize the Louvre Museum after closing time when it is not open to the public. For details and price please contact us!

Contact us, ArtLuxury invites you to discover or rediscover the Louvre in exclusive conditions.

The post Louvre VIP Tour appeared first on ArtLuxury Experience.

Indeed, Bordeaux is the world’s most renowned wine brand but it is also an exceptional city inscribed on UNESCO world Heritage List. Of course, besides the prestigious wine estates (Medoc, Saint Emilion ….) in its immediate neighborhood we shall not miss also amazing places like Arcachon Bay among many others, then further north the Charente and Cognac regions, as well  as further south the Basque Country.

 Therefore ArtLuxury Experience created for you an exceptional bespoke offer to discover the unique Art de vivre in the Bordeaux region, proposing to curate for you fully “à la carte” programs and guided visits around: wine & oenology of course, and also, gastronomy, local history and culture as well as leisure & sport. This exclusive offering is not only focused on Bordeaux but also in the regions surrounding: Charente & Cognac in the north and the Basque country in the south.

All our programs can be tailor-made upon your wishes, your passion and expectation. Our unique motto is to make your dream a reality, thanks to our collaboration with exclusive partners, «la crème de la crème” of experts, historians, private owners …and, last but not least, with the permanent company of a unique VIP guide, Alexandre, both for his descendants of a worldwide famous XVIIIth century French writer, and his highly renown expertise in wines.

Please find here a selection of experiences we could curate for your bespoke journey:

OENOLOGY

WINES IN THE BORDEAUX REGION: The top stars Grands Crus Classés

CULTURE

HISTORICAL CASTLES

HOT SPOTS IN BORDEAUX

HERITAGE & NATURE

UNESCO World Heritage Sites

LEISURE & SPORT

SEASIDE & PRIVATE CRUISES

NATURAL SITES & DISCOVERIES

SPORTS ACTIVITIES

GASTRONOMY

MICHELIN STARRED RESTAURANTS

FINE RESTAURANTS IN AUTHENTIC CASTLES & DOMAINES

GUIDED VISITS

CONTEMPORARY ART, FINE ART & STREET AR T

AROUND FAMOUS SPIRITS IN COGNAC OR JARNAC (~ 120 km from Bordeaux)

OUR SELECTION OF EXPERIENCES FOR A TOUR IN BASQUE COUNTRY

Please contact us to create your dream trip, it can be just a day, a week-end or up to several weeks.

As illustration of bespoke private Tours please find here a selection of typical examples .

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ArtLuxury Experience offers you an intimate and unique way to discover Paris: enjoy a memorable evening on an exclusive cruise in a private yacht, admiring the city’s most iconic monuments along the Seine River.

In a nutshell, we provide you with an unforgettable dinner cruise that combines History, Architecture, Art, Culture, and Gastronomy.

To make this experience exclusive, you can choose between two exceptional yachts, each equipped with restrooms and a heated indoor cabin:

• The 21m Luxury Vintage Yacht: an authentic, vintage yacht with refined wooden decoration, showcasing the timeless charm of Art Deco. Your dinner will be crafted by a private Chef and served by a dedicated hostess for a unique gastronomic experience.
• The 20m Chesterfield Salon Cruiser: a yacht embodying luxury and modernity. With its high-end finishes, Bose sound system, and comfortable spaces such as the salon with its unique fireplace, it can accommodate up to 12 guests for a cocktail or dinner, indoors or outdoors.

Whether for an original experience with friends, a family gathering, a romantic promenade, a honeymoon evening, or a business occasion, we privatize the yacht of your choice to make your time in the City of Lights truly unforgettable!

In a luxurious and exclusive setting, with glasses of champagne and fine dining, we invite you to discover — by night or day — all the magic of the City of Lights along the Seine, admiring the most emblematic and inspiring places, bridges, and monuments.

The post EXCLUSIVE CRUISE IN A PRIVATE YACHT appeared first on ArtLuxury Experience.

 EXCLUSIVE GOLF and WINE TOUR

• 8 nights in 5* Hotels (prestige or supérieure rooms, including breakfast)
  • 4 nights in 5* Fauchon L’Hôtel, exclusive boutique hotel in Paris
  • 4 nights in 5* Les Sources de Caudalie, a contemporary hotel with Vinotherapie Spa
• 5 dinners in 1* and 2* Michelin Star Restaurants (including wines)
  • Le Grand Véfour – Chef Guy Martin – 2*Michelin – Paris Palais Royal
  • La Grande Maison – Chef Pierre Gagnaire – 2*Michelin in Bordeaux
  • La Grand’Vigne, Chef Nicoalas Masse – 2*Michelin, admist the Graves vineyards
  • Lasserre – Chef Michel Roth – 1*Michelin – Paris XIII Champs Elysées
  • La Grande Cascade – Chef Frédéric Robert – 1* Michelin – Paris Bois de Boulogne
• 3 private visits and wine tasting of Grands Crus Classé in Bordeaux
• 5 Green Fees (Golf National/Albatros course- Ryder Cup 2018; Golf Parc Robert Hersant; Golf du Médoc Resort; Golf du Grand Saint Emilionnais)
• All local transfers in VIP Minivan, including at the arrival at Paris CDG Airport to the hotel

For full detailed program of this Golf and Wine Tour please refer to our brochure

For prices and booking contact us

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Le Louvre recèle mille et un secrets : depuis son origine médiévale et grâce aux fouilles qui ont été faites dans les cours de l’ancienne forteresse de Philippe Auguste, puis lorsqu’il a été transformé en une luxueuse résidence royale par Charles V. Notre guide, historien de renom, vous emmènera pour un voyage dans le temps à travers les salles de l’aile Sully, l’escalier Henri II, la salle Louis XIV et les salons de réception victoriens et vous ne pourrez qu’être enchantés par ses anecdotes croustillantes, son humour et son ton divertissant.

Découvrez ou redécouvrez le Louvre comme vous ne l’avez jamais imaginé, sur les pas des rois de France, de l’époque médiévale, aux réceptions fastueuses de la cour de Napoléon III. Si vous souhaitez que nous vous dévoilions les secrets du Louvre…contactez-nous !

NOUVEAU : Nous pouvons désormais vous proposer une visite privée guidée VIP au Musée du Louvre, contactez-nous.

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Exclusive City Tour in a vintage 2CV, an invitation to discover the Paris that everyone dreams of, a universal, magical, timeless city… for a romantic getaway or an original ride in the City of Light.

Your driver will meet you at your hotel or any other place of your choice and will suggest an itinerary to discover, from one side of the river to the other, passing by the islands of Saint Louis and the Cité, the main historical sites and monuments that make the glory of Paris.

From Montmartre and its panorama to the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame de Paris, the Louvre, and the Pantheon, Paris will have no more secrets for you. Your trip will take you through districts full of history and treasures such as the Marais or Saint-Germain-des-Prés, symbols of Parisian magnificence.

Depending on your preferences, your driver will be able to suggest the itinerary of this tour lasting one or two hours (or more for a customised tour!)

If you would like ArtLuxury Experience to organise this for you, please contact us.

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If you want to be part of the game, contact us here.

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Your driver guide, passionate about the Parisian heritage, will take  pleasure if you wish, to share with you the history of the main monuments with anecdotes about the rich history of the capital. Whether it’s for an hour or two ride, or for a whole day if you wish, treat yourself to an escape to the heart of Paris aboard this exceptional car, but also to Versailles, Giverny, Vaux le Vicomte, Chantilly and much more.

By day and by night, from the Marais to the Ile de la Cité, passing by the Jardin du Luxembourg and the iconic Latin Quarter; you will come back from this unforgettable getaway with stars in your eyes, after having experienced the unique magic of Paris.

Know that we have other DS models, as well as other collectible vehicles.

Our selection of vintage cars in Paris !

If you want to live an unforgettable dream moment contact us here. We will be delighted to organize everything for you so that you take full advantage of this unique opportunity.

The post City tour of Paris in a vintage Citröen DS appeared first on ArtLuxury Experience.

Interested? Do not hesitate to contact us very soon.

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The Imperial Palace is a private mansion originally built in 1706-1710, for the personal secretary of king Louis XIV, the Sun King. Located at the very heart of Paris, this palace has been through many major Noblemen’s hands, such as the Duke of Montmorency and later, during the French “Restauration”, Duke of Orleans, son of King Louis-Philippe. Now owned by a worldwide famous collectionneur of exceptional personal Napoleon belongings and paintings, it has been recently renovated and publicly opened late 2016, for the first time.

This place is not only exceptional as regards its history, architecture and magnificently decorated salons, but also has become today a unique showcase featuring the unique collection of original art pieces, jewelries and furniture of Emperor Napoleon.

Thanks to its privileged partnership, ArtLuxury is delighted to offer you the opportunity to visit this amazing mansion, guided by its owner. Do not miss this opportunity to wander through the luxurious salons and enjoy this incredible historical palace at the very heart of Paris. A truly unique experience.

Marvel at a collection of more than 2000 art objects and original pieces that belonged to Napoleon Bonaparte, such as the Imperial Seal in Gold, the wedding certificate with Empress Josephine and the Throne of the Tuileries Palace!

Click here to discover our presentation of the Imperial Palace

Contact us for more information.

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Have you ever dreamed of visiting Paris’ most emblematic monument with a passionate and dedicated member of the Eiffel Tower staff?

ArtLuxury Experience can make your wish come true with a VIP tour of the Eiffel Tower!

Meet your guide at the very foot of the Eiffel Tower, and discover the incredible history of this majestic monument built by Gustave Eiffel in 1889. Thanks to this VIP tour of the Eiffel Tower, tailor-made just for you, you’ll have the unique and exclusive opportunity to enjoy one of the finest panoramic views of the City of Light…

This VIP tour of the Eiffel Tower includes:

• A 2h00 private tour for 1 to 6 people

• VIP welcome by your personal guide at the dedicated entrance, Avoid every queue at : security checkpoint with your guide, at the first elevator to access the second floor, at the second floor to access the elevator to the top floor, and at the top floor to start your descent

• Personalized accompaniment with a Tower guide, just for you

• Visits to the gardens and square

• Access to all floors, with a complimentary glass of champagne at the top

• The privilege of discovering the backstage areas – closed to the public – of the Eiffel Tower and the historic machinery created by Gustave Eiffel

• A shopping stop in the official boutiques

• An “Exclusive Eiffel Tower Collection” gift for each member of the group (Special selection for children)

• Bonus Jules Verne reservation (Additional charges may apply): With this VIP experience, ArtLuxury can offer you the exclusive privilege of booking a table, before public reservations open, for lunch or dinner at the 2nd-floor Jules Verne restaurant, with Michelin-starred Chef Frédéric Anton.

Do not miss out on this exceptional opportunity: contact us for more information!

In order to offer you this VIP offer, please contact us in advance, as we are unable to honor last-minute requests.

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We propose to discover the recently renovated Museum Rodin, with its new museography, preserving the essence of the museum’s soul: the historical link between the collections of this famous sculptor and the Hôtel Biron.

In 1908, part of this estate was first occupied by Auguste Rodin to use it as his studios, then in 1911, the complete building and gardens, finally in 1919 the museum was officially opened.

Authentic example of the rocaille architecture that was fashionable in the early 18^th century, listed as a historical monument in 1926, the Hôtel Biron had been chosen by Rodin to make it an open place for work and creation as well as for exhibition.

In this renovated museum, you will find many works of art that have never been presented before in a display that enables a more comprehensive, coherent and accessible view of Rodin’s creation, showcasing his works in a contextualized and a more understandable manner.

With a new look at the artist, guided by your conférencier, this tour will therefore focus on Rodin’s work in all its facets, and will be finished by visiting the magnificent garden.

Last, a very sophisticated lighting system, unique in Europe, has been installed that create a warm and intimate atmosphere that will encourage your encounter with each work of art: over the hours and the seasons the lighting changes according to the daylight. This will magnify your discovery of internationally known masterpieces such as “The Thinker”, “The Kiss”, “The Walking Man”…

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We venture into a place that most Parisians as well as most visitors forget: a colorful immigrant neighborhood in northern Paris, where Luxury is extremely present. There outstanding craftspeople and young designers take advantage of the affordable rents to create for great couturiers and to develop their own collections.

The owners of these establishments receive us personally. Exceptionally, they explain their backgrounds, projects and techniques. They take us into their workshops, which are impressive – sometimes for their materials and equipment, and sometimes by revealing what a skilled craftman produces with merely a table and expertly-wielded tools.

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“I think I’ll be comfortable here,” wrote Marie de Rabutin-Chantal, marquise de Sévigné (c. 1670), about the palace-like dwelling that is now the Carnavalet, Paris’s City museum. Our visit begins with that famous owner, whose letters from the Sun King’s time are pearls of French literature: we read some of the famous passages.

Then we explore the three floors of – mainstream – Parisian history. Particularly memorable: the reconstructed settings of aristocratic salons, the moving portrait of  courtesan Virginia Oldoini, Countess of Castiglione in old age, paintings of privileged life in the Belle Époque and the rooms devoted to the Revolution.

And – as with all history – some things are highlighted, others hidden away. We’ll show corners that most visits miss, because they are  literally and figuratively dark.

You will leave this extremely rich museum with a view of the city’s past, as its leaders do – and don’t – want it told.

NOTA: Since october 2016 this visit is no more available due to the closing of the museum for renovation purpose, but is likely to re-open mid 2020!

Carnavalet, Paris’s City museum: 16, rue des Francs-Bourgeois 75003 Paris
http://www.carnavalet.paris.fr/en/homepage

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Here in Paris, African immigrants come from all the metropolitan region for imports, hairdressers, tailors, embroiderers and memories of home. We call this place ” Little Africa “…

Discover two outstanding couturiers: one is at the heart of “sapeur“ attire – that of African dandies who make overdressing an art. The other has made prototypes for Kenzo and Paco Rabanne and is now creating his own collection.

The area hums with small businesses that deal with “looks:” hairdressers’ posters show dozens of styles, shops sell the exuberant prints worn all over Africa, tailors’ street-level workshops produce festive attire. Surprising to Europeans is the indifference to decor: clients come for the owner, and to chat.

One senses another philosophy. The innumerable coiffures in the posters suggest individuality within a group. Tailors’ outfits are superlatively personal. Friends hang out in the beauty salons and workshops.

The neighborhood is almost unknown.

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Glamorous young Louis XIV changed the itinerary of royal processions to publicize his power (in 1660). The route passed by the first straight street, which led to the first royal square, with the first royal equestrian statue at its heart. It swept over a unique bridge, built to unify crowds and ruler (long story). And it passed by a church whose unprecedented architecture and decor implied that obedience to the king was the way to salvation. Unique to Paris, some of these innovations became templates that have been used ever since, and are the reason for the city’s majesty.

We follow Louis’s route, discover these changes, explain their lasting importance – and suggest a reason why the city’s beauty is rarely credited to the kings.

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The 19th-century opera house is at the sumptuous heart of a new neighborhood of banks and luxury establishments. It is now a home of the city’s distingué high culture, but contrary to what the guides may lead one to think during opera tours this was not so at the beginning.

Questions about l’Opéra with surprising answers… Why is a superb colonnade of sensual nudes never cleaned? Why does it surround a huge, expensive open space in the heart of the most elegant part of town? Why does the audio guide dismiss as a “restaurant” a salon decorated by an orgy?

Our visit looks behind the Opéra’s jolting affirmation of culture to show the financial and erotic preoccupations of Paris’s “Gilded Age” priorities that today are concealed.

The post What Opera tours won’t say appeared first on ArtLuxury Experience.

We begin with the edifice itself. To discover the grandeur of the former palace, The Louvre, we see how it is part of the giant perspective that cuts through the city and culminates with the Champs Elysées and Arc de Triomphe. Why?

After viewing the originals of works that you have known since childhood, we concentrate on paintings that are part of France’s image and of the French sensibility.

Why does the art commissioned in France between the 16th and late 19th centuries so often feature mythology? Why do so many deities adorn Parisian buildings – and with the  Statue of Liberty, the New York harbor? Is the  heroine of the iconic Liberty leading the People (1831) a goddess, or does a detail reveal a woman of flesh and blood?

We’ll be in the middle of stories, to finish in the magnificent Palais-Royal gardens – which because buildings hide them from the street, many visitors ignore.

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Become aware how trees, flowers and wild plants teach us to better appreciate the city. Notice how nature springs from sidewalks, spans walls, flourishes on balconies and lets itself be choreographed on squares, in parcs and in hidden passages. We begin with secret gardens in the Marais and continue with the most romantesque of the city’s parks, the Jardin des plantes across the Seine.

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All France’s kings (except three) are buried in the Basilica of Saint-Denis, a one-day march from Paris. As well, it is the first example of Gothic architecture.

The site is awe-inspiring and the funerary sculptures, which stretch over centuries, are varied and splendid. Some carry a message: why do the deceased recline with their eyes wide open?

The Basilica of Saint Denis is an excellent family visit, because of the stories connected with the tombs, because of a sculpture of the martyr holding his outsize head, and because children love stepping out of the car onto the site of a medieval fair ground, which a huge, raucous market occupies now.

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Seeing the originals of works that have been familiar since childhood is just a start in Orsay Museum.

We begin with the social transformation that led to modern art and impressionism, and the symbolically appropriate decision to place the museum inside a former railway station, of all places.Then we start with the ground floor, which harbors the conventional paintings that young artists dared challenge. We continue with key works by Courbet, Manet, Monet, Van Gogh (…) to show the stages by which a new art emerged.

We’ll be in the middle of stories, which we’ll finish in the magnificent Tuileries gardens, which are just across the Seine.

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It was on sparsely-populated marshland – “marais” – that the monarchy built the first royal square, c. 1600. Today as elegant as ever and known as Place des Vosges, it’s where we begin.

We describe its salons, the city’s first. There noblewomen drew up the Carte (Map) du Tendre, to show their rowdy partners how to woo them. On one level, it’s about sex. On another, it illustrates the code that remains at the heart of the French conception of courtesy.

We continue through streets whose sculptured portals make them a spectacular outdoor art gallery and gain a first-hand view of aristocratic taste and life style in the small, little-known small Cognac-Jay museum, once a noble’s townhouse. We discover the grounds of an impressive townhouse, now the Carnavalet museum (the City museum).(Nota: closed in october 2016 for full renovation, it will re-open mid 2020)

We tell stories. Of courtesan Ninon de Lenclos and her line-up of “payers, caprices anjd martyrs.“ Of gorgeous Madame de Montespan, future royal mistress, honing the style that would soon lend éclat to the Sun King’s court. And of brilliant, penniless Françoise Scarron, learning to gracefully bend her will to the powerful…

The visit reveals the heart of France’s unique civilization.

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This established painter and teacher will greet you in her studio near the Etoile and the Champs Elysées. She will then take you on a trip from the classical trends to the more contemporary styles.Finally, she will explain the whole process surrounding the creation of a painting: from inspiration to completion. This historical, technical, practical and creative approach is based on the reproductions of well-known works.

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In the heart of Paris, near the Etoile, you will be accompanied by an artist in her own atelier to discover the colored worlds of painters who left a mark on Paris’ history: Raoul Dufy, Robert Delaunay, Henri Matisse, Manet… This ludicrous and pedagogic approach will enable your children to leave with their own paintings and/or posters.

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Slopes, nature and Romantic sculpture make “the garden of the dead” a place for meditation rather than sadness. The great number of famous men and women who rest there (Chopin, Edith Piaf, Jim Morrison, Oscar Wilde…) let us build a walk around your interests in the cemetery : Père Lachaise…

For history buffs: we explain how the layout reflects social and political upheavals of the 19th and first part of the 20th centuries.

The site particularly appeals to children because the sculptures speak to their imaginations. We choose a few, and tell their stories. One example: the reclining figure of Theodore Géricault, painter of the iconic Raft of the Medusa, an adaptation of which is engraved at its base

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