WHAT’S NEW IN PARIS?
SUMMER 2022
Featuring a unique scenographic narrative, La Galerie Dior captures the spirit of Parisian Haute Couture while perpetuating the memory of this historic address. The 2,000 sq.m. Galerie Dior pays tribute to Christian Dior’s work as a gallery owner before he took the fashion world by storm. The first esthetic wonder is an extraordinary collection of more than 1,800 3D-printed miniaturized objects from the world of Dior, all in colored monochrome and brightening the stair walls. There are no fewer than thirteen inspirational halls of dresses, accessories, movies, archive images and photos along the fairytale itinerary. Visitors are plunged into the designer’s life and his bustling workshops and shows. They discover the Dior look, the firm’s artistic affinities, the femmes-fleurs with their remarkable models designed by Monsieur Dior and, after him, Yves Saint Laurent, the dresses of stars, travel-inspired influences and those creators and designers who have been and are the guardians of Dior’s signature style, from Yves Saint Laurent to Raf Simons, John Galliano and Maria Grazia Chiuri.
Galerie Dior Entrance 11, rue François-Ier , 8th . €12. www.galeriedior.com
BEAUTY ///
The Dior style spa (by the river)
The Samaritaine department store is just a step away from the Seine and the Dior Spa Cheval Blanc Paris has taken that step. Until July 13, it is organizing special wellness cruises paying tribute to the famous Samaritaine baths, which received the public in the 19th century. During their two-hour excursion on the Dior Spa Cheval Blanc Cruise – which has been revamped in the colors of the legendary fashion house – the fortunate passengers (five persons allowed) comfortably settled in the boat’s four fine suites can choose their treatments from a catalogue especially compiled for the occasion (€650 to €1,500) and enjoy this holistic experience to the full as they sail the river. The five daily trips – which may include cocktails on the terrace of the upper deck – leave from the Port Debilly (opposite the Eiffel Tower) and arrive below the Pont-Neuf bridge.
■ LA SAMARITAINE. 8, QUAI DU LOUVRE, 1ST . THE BOAT CAN BE HIRED FOR PRIVATE EVENTS. WWW.CHEVALBLANC.COM
HOTEL ///
HÔTEL CHÂTEAU VOLTAIRE: TIMELESS PARIS
Thierry Gillier, founder of Zadig et Voltaire, has just opened his first hotel in the 1st arrondissement between the Jardin des Tuileries and the Opéra. Creative director Franck Durand and interior architects Festen gave three buildings with listed façades – former post houses and stables dating back to the 17th and 18th centuries – a contemporary makeover. Each of the 32 rooms has its own unique style. The 40 sq.m. dual-aspect apartment on the fifth and final floor has a dining room, conservatory, and leafy terrace with couch-fainting views over the rooftops of Paris. Celebrating an elegant and timeless art of living, L’Émil, the hotel’s restaurant, and its bar, La Coquille d’Or, are open into the small hours.
■ HÔTEL CHÂTEAU VOLTAIRE. 55, RUE SAINT-ROCH, 1ST. www.chateauvoltaire.com
FAVORITE ///
The first Prix Meurice awarded to the writer Louis-Henri de la Rochefoucauld
One of the last of the literary salons that were very popular in Paris at the start of the 20 century met at the Hôtel Le Meurice. It was organized by the French-American millionaire and patron Florence Gould and brought together such legendary writers as Fitzgerald, Cocteau, Mauriac and Morand. Now, the distinguished Parisian luxury hotel continues that great tradition with the launch of a Prix Meurice this year to celebrate work
