Jaquet Droz – Paris

It’s been 225 years since Jaquet Droz opened its first watchmaking workshop in the French capital of Paris.

History sometimes does repeat itself. Jaquet Droz recently inaugurated its first Parisian boutique at 8, rue de la Paix.

Jaquet Droz is well known for its luxury watch products, and rich watchmaking tradition.

Located at 8, rue de la Paix – the new Parisian boutique is characterized by sleek lines, a palette of black, enamel colors and gray as well as contrasting matte and glossy surfaces.

Founder Pierre Jaquet Droz, was fond of Paris and he created a workshop there in 1785.

Then in the early part of the 21st century, Jaquet Droz launched the “Elegance Paris” Collection, which included luxurious timepieces that were influenced by the glamor and femininity of fine, Parisian fashion.

Jaquet Droz has moved into one of the world’s most prestigious addresses. The new Jaquet Droz Parisian boutique is just a stone’s throw from Place Vendôme.

Number 8, rue de la Paix pays tribute to a sense of French style, that’s characterized by a rich taste for perfection and pure luxury.

Le Meurice, Paris

The Le Meurice hotel is located in scenic and romantic Paris, France. Enough can’t be said of the magnificent hotel terrace that provides direct views of Paris’ key sites.

You’ll feel as though you can reach out and touch some of the most famous Paris landmarks, including: the Louvre museum, Arc de Triomphe, Place, de la Concorde, and Eiffel Tower.

The Charles X-style decor contains finely crafted marquetry, a trove of art and rare antiques.  The decor is in the style of a mini Versailles. It is elegant and sophisticated.

The luxurious Belle Etoile Suite is 2,250 square feet, plus a 3,200 square foot terrace.

Rate: $18,500

Le Meurice
228 rue de Rivoli
75001 Paris, France
Tel: +33 1 44 58 10 10
Fax: +33 1 44 58 10 15

Paris is known all around the world as the “city of lights and “romance”. Visiting Paris can be a lifetime experience and is the ideal blend of civilization, travel, and cuisine.

There are a lot of wonderful places you can see in Paris, in addition to numerous other things you can do during your stay in Paris.

First of all, you should visit the Cathedral Notre Dame which is located in the heart of Paris. This is a truly a work of art when it comes to the French Gothic architecture. It has amazing rose windows and the interior is absolutely enormous. For those who love architecture, there is also the Sainte Chapelle, which is a beautiful attraction based on Gothic architecture.

Any trip to Paris must include a visit to the Louvre. Here you can find the most prominent works of art from all over the globe. There are also pieces of art that were formerly collected by the French Royalty and were later donated to the museum.

If you are an art enthusiast, you don’t want to miss the Musee d’Orsay, which houses a large collection of paintings, sculptures, and many other artistic items.

While in Paris, you can also experience the famous French cuisine which is exclusive. The finest restaurants in the city are the Les Fontaines, Au Bistrot de la Sorbonne, Les Degres de Notre-Dame, Au Jardin des Pates, and many others. In addition there are also great Paris bars and clubs including Batofar, La Locomotive, and Mustangs.

There are some very nice parks and gardens in Paris which have fantasy landscapes and open spaces where you can take a stroll, rest on a park bench, and also have an enjoyable picnic.

When it comes to shopping in Paris, it is one of the things the city is famous for. There are large designer shops as well as small shops that sell everything from antiques to other local products such as clothes, pottery, wine, and books.

Of course, one of the greatest attractions in Paris is the mighty Eiffel Tower. If you are lucky enough to stand on top of the Eiffel Tower, you are able to get a fantastic view of the city in all directions. Inside the Eiffel Tower is also a cinema, a bar, and several restaurants.

Another grand museum that is a must see is the Musee du Quai Branly, which has works from Africa, Oceania, America, and Asia. You can see costumes, music instruments, masks, and other artifacts from various continents.

There is also the National Picasso Museum which has all the phases of art by Pablo Picasso – from his preparatory sketches to large sculptures.

Nicknamed “The Hotel of Kings”, the Meurice has played host to everyone from Queen Victoria and the Maharajah of Jaipur to the King and Queen of Spain. For more than a hundred years the Meurice has been, for many, the quintessential French hotel.

Reflecting its uninterrupted attachment to the French art of living, Le Meurice is a magical, serene place, where the refined splendours of 18th-century architecture meet the latest in contemporary comfort and elegance. It was the place you went to for Brillat-Savarin-esque banquets and to sip tea in the red velvet salon.

And since its renovation, the Meurice has taken French-ness to new heights. Waiters swish by with their noses in the air. If you order a simple piece of toast, expect it to come on an enormous silver trolley.

Here, too, as the seasons pass, are born the creations of Yannick Alleno, the chef of the renowned restaurant, Le Meurice. Drawing his inspiration from the gastronomical treasures that abound in the Parisian region, this young French chef adds a daring touch to traditional dishes, creating a delicious, and whimsical link between past and present. The spa meanwhile offers treatments using grapeseed oil from nothing less than Château Lafite grapes.

Purists still prefer the slightly dilapidated elegance of its former reincarnation but it’s hard not to be impressed by the massive entrance across from the Tuileries and the marble interior with its chandeliers and priceless mosaic floors. The restaurant is one of the most beautiful in the city, three-tiered candelabras illuminating the heavy damask tablecloths and Limoges porcelain.

And every room is packed to the gills with an excess of old master paintings, Oriental rugs, Louis XV, XVI and Empire furniture. Bathrooms are enormous and marble, with tubs that fill in the blink of an eye, and super-sized showers that sport high speed jets.

You’ll find that the French-ness of the Meurice extends to the staff as well. Service is Gallic in both efficiency (very efficient) and in attitude (a lot). Doormen and porters who guard the door are intimidating figures who, with ineffable snobbery, act as hotel bouncers, deciding who belongs to the Meurice and showing others firmly out.

Meanwhile, the concierge will fetch your dry cleaning, fix your cellular telephone, and reserve your theatre tickets. Nonetheless, breakfast in bed at the Meurice is guaranteed to cure any ill. A white-sheeted trolley, a rose on the tray, a lot of silverware and truly ethereal croissants, while the daylight streams gently in. It’s the ultimate Parisian experience. Source: TabletHotels