The Nissim de Camondo Museum is the name of an 19th century aristocratic residence built from 1911 to 1914 on the edge of Parc Monceau, in the 8th arrondissement of Paris. A passionate collector, Moïse de Camondo (1860-1935) brought together furniture, paintings, carpets, tapestries, porcelain and goldwork from the 18th century in France of exceptional quality. Go back in time: discover all the modernity of a private mansion from the beginning of the 20th century and immerse yourself in the intimacy of a dynasty tragically extinguished during the Second World War. The Nissim de Camondo Museum is the name of …
Haussmann
Travellers arriving at the Gare du Nord train station will probably recognize the experience. As soon as you leave the gigantic arrival hall and witness the stately apartment blocks on the other side of the street, you realize and even feel it: I am in Paris. Those monumental, six storey high buildings, consisting of big, grey stones with cast iron balconies and lay roofs, are so typical of Paris, that they almost singlehandedly define its identity. You will encounter them all over the city, in every arrondissement. They give the city a unity, not equalled in other cities (certainly no other …
Lockdown
Today it is the tenth day of the “confinement”. That is the French word for lockdown and it literally means something like being locked up. The word truly describes our reality. During the sanitary emergency – another fancy term – we are trapped in space and time in Paris. You may go outside to stretch your legs, but it should not extend an hour a day and you’ll have to stay within a mile of your home. To make matters worse, even our smile is permanently locked behind a mask. Would France still be France without widespread fraud? This time …
Versailles
Louis XIV built it, Louis XV enjoyed it, Louis XVI paid for it… with his life because, like his wife Marie-Antoinette, he was guillotined during the French Revolution. In the 17th the Sun King (the XIVth) built the gigantic and magnificent palace and the equally impressive garden in a time span of more than 50 years. Visiting this palace means being overwhelmed by marble, gold and mirrors …and that was exactly what is was meant to do. Some people wonder why they should choose to have a guide when a guidebook could do the job. These guides tend to be so …
LOCKDOWN in Paris
Spring 2020 Paris went into lockdown. Soon after that announcement the internet was flooded with beautiful pictures of an eerily empty city. People from the Netherlands were wondering how I felt about those deserted streets. Well, impossible to say for since we were only allowed to go as far as 1km from our homes there was no way for me to see the Louvre or the Eiffel tower. As they were too far out of reach for me I never got to experience the beautiful and monumental empty Paris. The lockdown was tough for us, both mentally and physically. The …
Montmartre
There is a way of escaping the hustle and bustle of Paris without ever leaving town. That’s what the feeling of visiting Montmartre does to me. The people that live in Montmartre even call themselves “Montmartrois” instead of Parisians, although this has been part of Paris since 1860. Montmartre became famous for both its nightlife as for being a painters’ hub. You can book a tour with us and enjoy a slow walk through this part of town. In the meandering streets around the famous Place du Tertre where you can have your portrait painted, we will find one of …
Quartier Latin
Students have discussed and partied here for over a thousand years. The main part of roman Lutetia was right here on this spot and the first monastic schools were built in the midst of its ruins. Very quickly the Latin Quarter (from the language spoken here) became the leading intellectual center in Europe. And still today loads of students are crowding the medieval cobblestoned streets and the boulevards. This neighborhood – a small city in itself – is an absolute must do.
Marais
Once home to the aristocracy and later the Jewish Community of Paris, this district has changed a lot in the last 60 years. Some of the aristocratic mansion’s were then being used as warehouses but after an historic preservation project it has changed into a buzzing neighbourhood not only with plenty boutiques café’s and galleries but also great history woven into the fabric of it’s small streets, hidden courtyards mansion’s and musea.
Covered Passages
At the end of the 18th century, town planners in Paris created a labyrinth of hidden passages across the city. They offered the shoppers of the day a safe haven from the rain, mud and filth of the streets as well as the disorderly traffic of the time There are around 20 of them left. These arcades created by piercing through buildings are all different and often beautifully decorated, with glass roofs, sculpted wooden decor, mosaic floors and aligned with fashion shops, theaters, tearooms, wine bars restaurants, flower and bookshops.
Rodin
Musee Rodin If you ask people about the most famous sculptures they know, most of them mention The Thinker. A sculpture made by the 19th century sculptor Auguste Rodin. He really revolutionized the art of sculpture. He was a tremendously gifted sculptor and he could transform clay into any desired form within minutes. His assistants would cast these models into real bronze and marble statues. In the beautiful house in the equally gorgeous garden, some of his most famous sculptures are on display, including the Thinker and the Gates of Hell. Donated to the state after the Rodin died, this splendid …