OT - Paris visit (short) suggestions requested and Milan

Locopsu

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Oct 7, 2021
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Visiting in August for couple days, want to be in city.

We are traveling in August with out two Autistic boys (16 and 22). Only staying a couple nights, my son is a fashion student, just graduated from local CC with degree in Fashion. Hitting London and Milan. I speak German (near fluent), Spanish (conversationally), ASL, I can ask a question or two and answer I do not speak French. Looking at ABNB.

Thoughts…on neighborhoods to target, being close, but reasonably quiet.
 
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Midnighter

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Visiting in August for couple days, want to be in city.

We are traveling in August with out two Autistic boys (16 and 22). Only staying a couple nights, my son is a fashion student, just graduated from local CC with degree in Fashion. Hitting London and Milan. I speak German (near fluent), Spanish (conversationally), ASL, I can ask a question or two and answer I do not speak French. Looking at ABNB.

Thoughts…

No advice or tips on an ABNB. But, have a few favorite 'boutique' hotels on the Left Bank (6th arr.) - we like the cafe culture and more neighborhoody feel of the area as opposed to the mobs of tourists and high end shopping on the Right (that said, we do go there and do spend a lot of money on 'bags'...;). But, if you're looking for some other recommendations, let me know. I haven't been to Paris in a few years (we are taking the kids next year though!) so some info might be outdated; still, let me know.

As your son is a fashion student, I'd recommend visiting the following fashion/design museums:

The Palais Galliera​

Palais Galliera muse de la mode paris


A legendary Parisian fashion museum, the Palais Galliera is housed in the palace of the Duchess of Galliera, who in 1978 decided to build a museum that could host the collections of art she envisaged coming to the Paris scene. Architect Léon Ginain helmed the project and in 1894, the building officially opened its doors in the 16th arrondissement. However, it was only in 1977 that the Palais Galliera became the fashion museum in Paris and worldwide, thanks to exhibitions such as Alaïa, Dalida, Les Années 50 and Margiela-Galliera 1988-2018. Currently closed for renovation, the museum will reopen its doors at the end of 2019, with new permanent exhibition spaces baptized The Gabrielle Chanel Rooms, made possible by an exclusive partnership between Chanel and the museum. The institution will shed light on collections, tracing the history of fashion since the 18th century, in the underground tunnel spaces sponsored by the Parisian fashion house. Spanning 7,200 square feet and designed by architect Dominique Brard, Palais Galliera, currently under the command of Miren Arzalluz will become the only permanent fashion museum in France.

10 Avenue Pierre 1er de Serbie, 75016 Paris

The Museum of Decorative Arts​

Le Muse des Arts Dcoratifs


Initially opening in 1905, in a wing of the Marsan du Palais of the Louvre, the Museum of Decorative Arts was designed by Gaston Redon, and houses a monumental collection of decorative arts and design pieces. Its archive of over 150,000 fashion pieces has been donated by the likes of Paul Poiret, Madeleine Vionnet, Elsa Schiaparelli, Cristóbal Balenciaga and Christian Lacroix dating from the 8th century to the modern day. Christian Dior’s iconic tailor bar and the way it sculpted the New Look in 1947 is paid particular attention to. With exceptional exhibitions, such as Dries van Noten and Tenue correcte exigée! and the prominent Christian Dior, Designer of Dreams exhibition in 2017 for the 70th birthday of the French fashion house, which drew over 700,000 guests from around the world, a record for the museum which will be getting a makeover and is set to reopen its fashion galleries. Something made possible thanks to the donation of American financier Stephen A. Schwarzman and his wife.


107 Rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris

The Yves Saint Laurent Museum​


MUSEE YVES SAINT LAURENT paris


On October 3, 2017, the Yves Saint Laurent Museum in Paris opened its doors on 5 Avenue Marceau, inside a hôtel particulier, housing the Fondation Pierre Bergé – Yves Saint Laurent. The space spans almost 5,000 square feet, with a retrospective collection of 50 designs, sketches, photographs and videos, as well as hosting thematic exhibitions. The highlight of the visit is surely the ancient couture rooms and Yves Saint Laurent’s studio, a vivid flashback to the origins of the Parisian fashion house, founded in July 1961. Nathalie Crinière is responsible for the set design, with Jacques Grange behind the décor, both faithful collaborators of the foundation. The Jean-Michel Rousseau architect agency designed the space capable of immersing visitors in the original atmosphere of the fashion house, the resident exhibition L'Asie rêvée d'Yves Saint Laurent travelling to Nice in April.

5 Avenue Marceau, 75116 Paris

The Cité de la Mode et du Design​


cit de la mode et du design

The Cité de la Mode et du Design

A glassy green snake by Jakob + Macfarlane hangs suspended above the Seine. The Cité de la Mode et du Design draws the gaze of all those wondering along the Paris's riverbanks. Housed in a former industrial warehouse in Port de Paris, built in 1907, the building sees fashion fanatics from the capital's 13th arrondissement pouring through its doors, especially on fine days - the rooftop view has a magnetic effect. But the ephemeral exhibitions are the main draw, devoted to artists and designers alike, often playing them off against the designs of students from the IFM, voted the best fashion school in France in 2015, an important reference point for almost 30 years for young people wanting to break into managment, communications and fashion design.

36 Quai d'Austerlitz, 75013 Paris

The Fan Museum​

Le Muse de l'Éventail


The first of its kind, the Atelier Anne Hoguet - Musée de l’Éventail is dedicated to the sleek accessory. Since 1993, 2500 pieces dating from between the 16th and 20th centuries are found in the museum’s halls. The interior is simply sublime, with a giant chimney, walls draped in blue tapestries, embroidered gold threaded lilies. The fans, some of which hark from the Hoguet collection, are set beside fan-makers’ tools, responsible for adorning them in silks, organza, lace and feathers. A visit to this museum is almost poetic, revealing the rarest of fabrics and finest materials.

2, boulevard de Strasbourg, 75010 Paris
 

CvilleElksCoach

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Oct 8, 2021
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Visiting in August for couple days, want to be in city.

We are traveling in August with out two Autistic boys (16 and 22). Only staying a couple nights, my son is a fashion student, just graduated from local CC with degree in Fashion. Hitting London and Milan. I speak German (near fluent), Spanish (conversationally), ASL, I can ask a question or two and answer I do not speak French. Looking at ABNB.

Thoughts…on neighborhoods to target, being close, but reasonably quiet.
We like to stay at the Hotel Madeleine (right bank) on Maelsherbes arr 8. For your purposes, it is very close to the haute couture and fashion districts and shopping. Also a short walk to many Paris icons but not in the middle of a touristy area.

Enjoy your trip.
 

kgilbert78

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If you do any of the major museums, get a museum pass in advance. That gets you a special line and you get in a lot quicker. Made our time at the Louvre and Musee d'Orsey much better.
 

Midnighter

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If you do any of the major museums, get a museum pass in advance. That gets you a special line and you get in a lot quicker. Made our time at the Louvre and Musee d'Orsey much better.

And not sure if they still do this, but most major museums are free the first Sunday of the month (might be outdated info, but still...). Definitely get tix in advance if you can.
 

Locopsu

Well-known member
Oct 7, 2021
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Visiting in August for couple days, want to be in city.

We are traveling in August with out two Autistic boys (16 and 22). Only staying a couple nights, my son is a fashion student, just graduated from local CC with degree in Fashion. Hitting London and Milan. I speak German (near fluent), Spanish (conversationally), ASL, I can ask a question or two and answer I do not speak French. Looking at ABNB.

Thoughts…on neighborhoods to target, being close, but reasonably quiet.
Which hotels?
 

Midnighter

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Which hotels?

Again, these are bit more boutiquey, but have tremendous location. They typically have fewer than 30 rooms and a small, but very accommodating staff. We've loved our stays and especially the location.

Artus Hotel


Hotel de Buci


^ These two are owned by the same company and on the same street; Artus is a bit closer to Blvd. St. Germain, so slightly noisier. But, love both. Hotel de Buci has the 'Honesty Bar' which is open 24 hours and self-serve; you tell them what you had, and pay up at the end. Also, both have very good brerakfast offerings. Again, these are smaller hotels with smaller rooms, but the staffs are wonderful and extremely helpful. Can't go wrong with either. Defintely look into rooms that can accommodate four people though.

The Lutetia Hotel


This is a very grand, well-appointed luxury Parisian hotel (and the only such kind on the Left Bank - all the other five star luxury spots are on the Right Bank). Nightly jazz, top tier restaurant, big, spacious rooms with balconies, etc. I still like the other two hotels better, but this will not leave you wanting. Also, pricy.

Hotel Fougere

Truthfully, we haven't stayed here yet. But, it's where we're staying when we visit next summer (already booked the room for a week). Very excited since we are getting a slightly bigger room which is something that stands out for this hotel. It looks amazing and I can't wait to stay there (it's the furthest from Blvd. St. Germain but still close enough to walk easily).


Hotel Bel Ami

Probably on the most well known side street in Paris (right between Les Deux Magots and Cafe de Flore), another tremendous hotel in a great location. It's also on the same street as my favorite place to eat in Paris, Le Relais de L’Entrecôte - go early, miss the line, and enjoy! This place is also a bit pricey.


If you decide to go with a hotel, start looking - rooms are booking up fast! Paris is a wonderful city - enjoy!
 
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nittanyfan333

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Our favorite place to eat was Polidor, on the NE side of the Luxembourg Gardens. Some of the best No frills Parisian food we had while there. Also really liked Mi-Va-Mi falafel in the Jewish quarter. L’As du Falafel is better known but also draws bigger crowds.

Our favorite site….. well…. MY favorite site, was the stained glass in Sainte Chapelle. Breathtaking…. And that’s having been to the Sistine chapel, St. Peter’s basilica, sagrada familia and notre dame. Pictures don’t do it justice, but….

E3B5FE8D-3AE2-4B26-A19F-B06B2E4EAB98.jpeg
8ACFE372-7EA8-434D-B21A-64ACC35DC18E.jpeg
1F3C554A-5BC5-49D7-BBED-59574516A049.jpeg
 

MacNit

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Oct 12, 2021
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Visiting in August for couple days, want to be in city.

We are traveling in August with out two Autistic boys (16 and 22). Only staying a couple nights, my son is a fashion student, just graduated from local CC with degree in Fashion. Hitting London and Milan. I speak German (near fluent), Spanish (conversationally), ASL, I can ask a question or two and answer I do not speak French. Looking at ABNB.

Thoughts…on neighborhoods to target, being close, but reasonably quiet.
Love the Opera District - the quiet part with neighborhood down from Sacre Coure…suggest a quick open air bus and or boat tour to get lay of the City and then pick a few sites that interest you from lists From other posters above. Arc de Triumph is always a quick but inspiring highlight.
 
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