Member Description
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“Through Open Door’s” Crème de la Crème France
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Paris. The very name conjures up unashamedly romantic images of strolling hand-in-hand by the Seine. This may be a cliché, but the appeal still holds true. France is the world’s most popular luxury travel destination, in part because the French approach their world as they do their food– by condensing “flavors” into impossibly rich forms. For both first time and repeat visitors, the architectural beauty, artistic richness and culinary savoir-faire of Paris will seduce travelers.
The sensual “je ne sais quoi” of France is equally profound in the south, where flowering lavender fields infuse the Provence countryside with their overpowering perfume. Dreamy hill towns over look the glistening blue seas. The Cote d’Azur is brilliant, with blue skies, warm seaside beaches and sparkling vistas. Whether you want to shop for haute couture on the side streets of Paris or goat cheese at a hilltop village market in Provence, our Crème de la Crème France features the best of both.
Begin your tour in Paris with three nights at the stylish Hotel Esprit Saint Germain within walking distance to the Louvre, Notre Dame, Ile Saint Louis, and many other Paris landmarks and attractions. One of the city’s newest designer hotels, Esprit Saint Germain is close to the Saint Sulpice Church and surrounded by chic boutiques and restaurants. The intimate interiors are warm, welcoming and refined. The lobby level lounges give one a sense of being at home on the Left Bank.
Reasons to go
- Three-night accommodations in a beautiful Prestige Room that looks out on a delightful garden
- Welcome bottle of Champagne and a treat from Poilane in the room upon arrival
- For your unique behind closed doors event, you will have an appointment with Queen Marie-Antoinette, King
- Louis XVI and the Court. You will come to learn absolutely everything about etiquette and private life in Versailles. We have prepared an unforgettable day of history for you with a specialist on the Queen. The palace, normally closed on Monday, takes pleasure in opening its doors especially for you.
- Private wine cellar tour; a timeless collector invites you to an exceptional soirée of French wines and gastronomy. Our tasting opportunity will include prestigious vintages from this 126 year old cellar.
- The Pierre Bergé-Yves Saint Laurent foundation is now awaiting your visit! This private museum was created to display the history of the house of Yves Saint Laurent.
- A day with your own personal shopper…. a professional expert in antiques, fashion, or decor to guide you around Paris.
Don’t leave PARIS without
- Getting lost in the Louvre
- Walking through Place Vendome and the Place de la Concorde, the largest square in Europe
- Meeting for Fashion High Tea or booking a treatment with the Spa Anne Semonin at Hotel Le Bristol
- Ile-St-Louis boasts the best ice-cream shop in Paris; this is Berthillon, have a taste
- Formal and expensive, the Avenue Montaign and Rue St-Honoré are studded with Hermès, chic designer boutiques and a host of great shopping!
- One last photo stop at one of the finest views of the 117-year old Eiffel Tower
… Style, glamour & beauty
As you arrive on the French Riviera via the TGV, you will be immediately taken in by a land of abundance. Sea, mountains, nature, art and culture — there is something for everyone. Matisse, Soutine, Chagall, Dubuffet and many other artists all had their own way of seeing and portraying its beauty and the riches it contains. Now you will find out for yourself why the area enchanted so many artists with its spectacular quality of light. Nice, with its broad palm-fringed avenues, fine restaurants and outstanding museums, highlight why it has long been an inspiration and gathering place for travelers.
You arrive by private transfer to your acclaimed luxury hotel, Le Chateau du Domaine St. Martin in Vence, overlooking the Mediterranean. This luxurious, private estate offers a park- like landscape containing tennis courts and a petanque court (similar to bocce ball), infinity edge pool, a spa, chapel, helipad, and groves from which olives are harvested and pressed for the hotel’s own oil. Relax and smell the roses that are perfectly at home within this poetic setting. As a Through Open Doors guest, you will be hosted at one the largest palaces overlooking the Riviera. Your private experience at this sumptuous palace will take you into a collector’s paradise, overflowing with a harmoniously elegant blend of rare porcelain, old master paintings and antique furniture.
Reasons to go
- Three-nights accommodation in a beautiful junior suite overlooking the Riviera
- Welcome bottle of wine from Provence and bouquet of roses in your room upon arrival
- Gourmet dinner in the hotel’s restaurant, La Commanderie, including the wines selected by our sommelier
- Visits to: Vineyard of St Jeannet, Maeght Foundation, a museum of modern art at the foot of St. Paul, the Matisse Chapel, and exclusive admittance to Villa Le Rêve, the former home of Matisse, both in picturesque Vence
- Dine at La Colombe d’Or — a famous artist haunt in Saint-Paul de Vence
Don‘t leave the COTE d‘AZUR without
- Strolling along the Promenade des Anglais
- Seeing the food markets that are irresistible - the Cours Saleya in old Nice
- Perched on a rocky spur near Vence, visit Tourrettes-sur-Loup a fortified village renowned for its cultivation of violets
- Pressing your nose against pastry-shop windows or breathing in the freshly made chocolates at Joel Durand Chocolatier
- Visit nearby Eze, a dramatic hamlet clinging to the rocky coast of the French Riviera
- Try a succulent Nicoise salad with a bottle of Rosé to wash it down
- Learn about the fresh and fruity wines of Côtes de Provence, Bandol, Cassis, and the rare Bellet from near by Nice.
- Biot and Vallauris are renowned for pottery and glass; Grasse has perfumes to bring home.
- Head west down the coast for the beautiful beaches and narrow winding streets of Antibes where private beaches offer all the amenities — parasol and mattress, for 15 euros a day.
Our Crème de la Crème France features the best of Paris and the Riviera
- Select rooms and suites with special amenities - three nights each at theHotel Esprit Saint Germain in Paris and Le Chateau du Domaine St. Martin in Vence.
- Continental breakfast daily, two dinners and champagne picnic on TGV
- Private airport and train station transfers
- Private guide and/or driver for half-day flexible touring based on your interests
- A day with Marie Antoinette at Versailles - scheduled Monday’s only
- A personal shopper at your service
- Highly personalized, comprehensive half-day city tour set at your own pace
- Special events in very private places
- First class tickets on high speed trains, TGV to Nice
- Restaurant reservations, shopping recommendations, tickets to cultural events and exclusive access to local activities
Around the edges
Paris, je t’aime ♦ Louvre ♦ Pigalle ♦ Dior ♦ Montmartre ♦ Van Gogh♦ Plats de Jour ♦ Les Deux Magots ♦ Musee de Jacquemart Andre ♦ Legrand Filles et Fils ♦ Eiffel Tower ♦ Colette ♦ Parisian Macaroons ♦ Le Cafe Marly ♦ Latin Quarter ♦ Champagne ♦ Henri Matisse ♦ L’Arpege ♦ Au Bon Marche ♦ St-Germain des Pres ♦ Crème Caramel ♦ Chanel ♦ Chateau Eze ♦ Pistou ♦ Palais-Royal ♦ Pierre Herme ♦ Belle de Jour ♦ Pompidou Centre ♦ Madeleines Chocolat ♦ Carre Rive Gauche ♦ Jean Paul Gaultier ♦ Bandol ♦ Sables Diamant Vanille ♦ Chez Georges ♦ Place Vendome ♦ Guy Savoy ♦ Ratatouille ♦ Soutine ♦ Fauchon ♦ Place de la Concorde ♦ Chagall ♦ Les Puces de Saint ♦ Ouen ♦ La Train Bleu ♦ Saint Sulpice ♦ Yves Saint Laurent ♦ Cassis ♦ Notre Dame Cathedral ♦ Crepes ♦ Obelisque de Luxor ♦ Jesuite ♦ Place des Vosges ♦ La Grand Vefour ♦ La Bastille ♦ Hotel de Ville ♦ Musee Rodin ♦ Dubuffet ♦ Christian Tortu ♦ Bouillabaisse ♦ L’Arc de Triomphe ♦ Côtes de Provence ♦ Spa Anne Semonin ♦ Antibes ♦ Éclairs ♦ Musee D’Orsay ♦ Benoit
