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Just a stones throw from the hustle and bustle on the famous Rue Saint-Honore in the centre of Paris is a world of luxury and beauty in the gardens of the Palais Royal. In the centre stands a perfectly manicured garden that in the spring/summer months is blooming with luscious flora and is a sanctuary worth sitting in to either catch up with a friend for a relaxing chat and quick expresso, give your tired feet a rest or just sit and watch the beautiful people pass through. I make a point of visiting the Palais Royal more than once every time I have the pleasure of coming to Paris, its one of the highlights of my stay.
There are few restaurants yet you can’t go wrong for a delicious meal here, the prices aren’t too damaging on your wallet (yet they are certainly not at the lower end of the scale, more mid to high range), yet you do get what you pay for and to dine amongst this opulent garden setting is worth every penny. The Restaurant du Palais Royal is where I like to dine for lunch and I highly recommend everything on the menu.
For me the irresistible splurge are the designer boutiques, I can’t go past picking up a pair of my favourite Acne Jeans , they fit like a glove and are so well made, great colours too, especially their classic dark denim. Not surprisingly walking back to my hotel with my Acne bag in hand I had two people sitting in different cafe’s stop me to ask where they could find the cutting edge designer store so they too could purchase their favourite jeans. Stella McCartney rocks each season, I adore her large store which is also on the Galerie de Valois running along one side of the garden centre. Other boutiques that I like to pay special attention to every visit are Corto Moltedo , my striking red classic Corto bag has lasted me well (I love a really big red bag) extreme quality and the craftsmanship of every piece in the store is perfectly appointed, not surprisingly so with the designer of the label being the son of the founders of one of the most luxurious Italian leather goods brands in the world Bottega Veneta
For an extraordinary experience step inside one of two Didier Ludot boutiques to find vintage couture that will blow your designer imagination out of the water, careful not to shock yourself being unprepared when you look at some the price tags, the most important thing here is to enjoy the viewing or if you are game enough, trying on these wonderful vintage designer creations. Do note though, if you try it on you may not want to take it off and it could end up going home with you (a big hole in the wallet)
  Another secret splurge is the Gabrielle Geppert boutique, I love everything in this overcrowded and sumptuous store owned by Gabrielle Amorosa who happened to be in the store on my last visit with her son (who was just as eye catching as the handbags, luggage and accessories) they were unloading boxes of fresh deliveries for the store. Prestigious brands Hermes, Louis Vuitton, Dior, YSL… belts, bags, jewellery, sunglasses etc. The store is full of high end exquisitely made luxury pieces, I am in awe of this shop and she now has two stores in the Palais Royal.
Many of the price tags here are not for the faint hearted shopper yet are purely for the lover of luxury, extreme quality, and a very chic style.
Definitely go to the Jardin du Palais Royal next time you are in Paris, even if purely to experience the beautiful gardens and shop windows, its truly a memorable experience you won’t forget next time you stop over in Paris on your way to Italy!
A beautiful experience ON YOUR WAY TO BELLA ITALIA!
xmm @ IAT
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