Everyone who knows Paris associates it with luxury. In fact, the French do luxury better than almost any other culture. While its possible to enjoy Paris as a starving teenager camping out in youth hostels, if you are able to splurge, there is no finer place to do it than in the City of Light. Everything from small to eye-popping luxury awaits you. Here are some of my favorites.
1. Take the $5000 a night duplex suite at the new Shangri-la Palace hotel. The 500 square foot patio that stares directly at the Eiffel tower is perfect for a small soiree or for sitting with your lover and sipping martinis as la tour sparkles.
2. Small luxury: bring home an armful of Diptyque candles after a stop at their shop on Boulevard St. Germain. Nothing can make you feel more pampered and opulent than lighting one of these enticing smelling candles before guests arrive. Hint: try the figuier (fig tree).
3. Have a limo service whisk you around while you are hitting the shops. A driver can take you from Merci to Colette and beyond and your packages will be safely stored in the back. Imagine how much time you will not be wasting in the metro.
4. Stay at the Fouquets Barrirre Palace hotel and enjoy a $100 credit towards your visit to their U spa or at any of their restaurants. I love the gigantic outdoor terrace for a caf and a macaron in the afternoon.
5. Watch a ballet performance at the Opra Garnier, sit up close and stare at the Marc Chagall painted ceiling. Enjoy champagne at intermission.
6. Take home your own bespoke couture perfume, styled just for you. Eva Erikkson Events can help you book this very special experience.
7. Take a load off as you sit down in the private rooms of the Christian Dior showroom, not open to the public. Have a personalized fashion show designed exclusively for you. Rachel at French Links Tours can pull this miracle off.
8. Close down the Flte bar for your own private party and order one of each of their 22 different Champagnes by the glass for yourself and your guests.
9. Take a stroll and visit every store in the Place Vendme from Mauboussin to Chanel to Boucheron and pick up a little bauble.
10. Luxury we can all afford: take a step back in time and enjoy a hammam (a Turkish steam bath) and a gommage (a good scrubbing) and then a massage at the Mosque de Paris. Sip mint tea afterwards and relish your glowing skin.
11. Small scrumptious luxury: stop by Patrick Roger and fill up on his
exquisitely wrapped chocolates. Try out the 20th parallel sampling chocolate from Indonesia, the Caribbean, Africa and South America.
12. Score a seat at Verjus near the Palais Royale and indulge in their spectacular six-course tasting menu with the perfect wine pairings. Laura and Braden who hail from California have recently opened this hot spot after their huge Hidden Kitchen success.
