Contributed by Jens Hoffmann.
Paris, mon amour, Prince de Galles.
Built on the Chaillot quarries, from which were extracted the stones that were used to build the foundations of the Arc de Triomphe, the Prince de Galles, a Luxury Collection Hotel was built in 1928 by Arfvidson, inspired by the style of the Decorative Arts exhibition of 1925 with a classical yet modern frontage and a magnificent patio in mosaic. Arfvidson, who build the shopping mall on the Champs-Elysées, belonged to the movement of “intermediary architects” who announced the period known as the “Modern Movement.”
The hotel Prince de Galles owes its name to its original aim: to welcome to Paris during his annual stays, the Prince of Wales, future Edward VIII, son of the king of England George V.
History: The hotel opened its doors in September 1928. Numerous French and international personalities wouldn’t have missed this grand opening and quickly became regular guests, including Sir Winston Churchill, Lord Chamberlain, King of Yugoslavia, Lily Damita and Marlene Dietrich.
Charles Laughton remained for long months in the hotel, protected from the chaos of the outside world. It was during this same period that Lily Damita returned under the name of Mrs. Errol Flynn and Lana Turner or Gina Lollobrigida discovered Paris through those very same windows.
In Germany for his military training in the 1960’s, Elvis Presley caused a stir when he sauntered through the lobby of the hotel, positioning himself in the heart of Paris. More recently many French and international personalities, from sports to literary figures, have experienced the infinite magnetism of the Prince de Galles.
Before its construction, Frédéric Chopin lived in 1849 in the building in loco of the current hotel.
Parts of the movie “The King’s Speech”, directed by Tom Hooper and based on the story of King George VI were filmed in the hotel. Great movie.
Paris is always different.
We are lucky the Air France strike is over. Charles de Gaulle (CDG) is always nice.
To do : The Louvre (besides our meeting in the cellar @ Carousel de Louvre.
A behemoth of a museum, the Louvre has galleries and wings so vast you could easily spend a day feasting your eyes on treasures like the Mona Lisa, the Venus de Milo and Egyptian mummies – not to mention on the building itself, which sports sumptuous architecture erected and remodelled over the centuries by the rulers of France. When cultural overload sets in, take a breather in the Café Mollien at the top of the grand Mollien staircase. Great for a restorative sandwich, its terrace also offers one of Paris’s finest views over the Louvre’s Tuileries gardens.
#2: Eat in the Buddha.
Its worth it.
My last tip:
Take a drink at Bar La Vue 33 floor in the Hyatt Etoile (former Concorde La Fayette).
You have a great view on the Tour de Eiffel.
Tour Eiffel
Paris, mon amour.
Take a look: Prince de Galles
