
No doubt about it, Paris is one of the most luxurious, elegant cities in the world. But sometimes, it’s hard to enjoy that luxury when you have to share the moment with 1,000’s of other tourists. Luckily, Paris has enough spellbinding boulevards, museums, and monuments to go around. If you love good architecture and design, then this Paris tour guide is for you. Explore our top 5 most luxurious yet under-the-radar things to do in Paris for design and luxury lovers.
Paris Tour Guide for the Luxurious Paris Lover
Ogle The Petit Palais:
Situated near one of the most famous boulevards in the world — the Champs-Élysées — the Petit Palais isn’t exactly tourist-free. But you are guaranteed plenty of breathing room … something you can’t say about the Louvre!
We'll always have Paris. ~Howard Koch in the movie Casablanca Click To Tweet
Built in 1900 for the Universal Exhibition in Paris, along with the neighboring glass-domed Grand Palais, the Petit Palais boasts elegant proportions, awe-inspiring ceiling murals, and an exceptional collection of art. Explore the collections of art and decorative pieces, from paintings by Eugene Delecroix to sensuous art deco jewelry. As a City of Paris museum, entrance is free.
Pop in for a visit and enjoy a cup of coffee in the garden after a stroll down the Champs-Élysées.
Take a Day Trip to Fontainebleau Chateau:
Versailles gets all the glory … and all the busloads of tourists.
“If you are lucky enough to have lived in Paris as a young man, then wherever you go for the rest of your life, it stays with you, for Paris is a moveable feast.” ~Ernest Hemingway
Skip the Sun King’s abode on your next visit to Paris and instead head to Fontainebleau Chateau, an easy train ride from the city. The palace has been housing French royalty since the 1100’s. Don’t miss Marie Antoinette’s Turkish boudoir or the red-draped room where Napoleon officially abdicated the throne. The gates to the chateau grounds open a half hour before tickets go on sale.
Arrive early to have practically all of the gardens to yourself. That’s one way to feel like royalty on your Paris vacation!
Picnic in the Parc Monceau:
Located in the 8th arrondissement, a visit to the Parc Monceau — picnic basket in hand — is one of the most relaxing things to do in Paris.
What makes a picnic in this park so luxurious, though?
Parc Monceau is ringed by some of the most handsome mansions in the city. Inside the park’s wrought iron gates, you’ll find architectural follies strewn through beautiful gardens, like a renaissance archway and a jaunty pyramid. And unlike the Luxembourg Gardens, you’re welcome to lay out your picnic blanket pretty much anywhere in the park.
No Paris tour guide is complete without a mention of this elegant park. [Photo by BikerNormand via Flickr]
Visit Musée Missim de Camondo:
Still got some energy after your stroll through Parc Monceau?
Then head just down the rue to the Musée Nissim de Camondo. This elegant house museum is a treasure trove of luxury touches, and a monument to one man’s ardent love for the decorative arts. During the Belle Epoque, Moïse de Camondo collected a vast fortune of French furniture and art from the 18th century. He installed his collection at his mansion overlooking the Parc Monceau, which he hired an architect to remodel after the Petit Trianon in Versailles. From soaring ceilings to glittering chandeliers, this museum is a luxury Paris must-see.
Dine at the Centre Georges Pompidou:
The Louvre is at the top of everyone’s list of things to do in Paris — but don’t skip one of the greatest collections of modern and contemporary art in the world, at the Centre Geoges Pompidou. Plus, you can indulge in an incredible fine dining experience in the museum’s restaurant, Le Georges. Minimalist decor meets the most incredible city views for a destination dining experience. Nothing beats sipping a glass of champagne in this very special top-floor space. Le Georges is proof that when art and food mingle, magic happens!
Have you been to Paris before? What would your “must-sees” include in your Paris tour guide?
Itching to Embark on Your Own Parisian Adventure?
If our Paris tour guide for design and luxury lovers has inspired you, get in touch with the travel experts at Southern Travel Agency in Augusta, GA and our online travel advisors to start planning!