PARIS LE MEURICE Two day itinerary: Culture A glowing beacon of art, design and freethinking, Paris has been home to some of the world’s most revered cultural institutions for centuries. Although titans like the Louvre and the Musée d’Orsay are as unmissable now as ever, the eclectic assortment of niche museums and venues in this two-day itinerary make exploring the cultural side of Paris a real adventure. Day One Begin your cultural day in Paris with a visit to the Musée Marmottan Monet, 15 minutes from the hotel by taxi. MUSÉE MARMOTTAN MONET T: 01 44 96 50 33 | 2 Rue Louis Boilly, 75016 Paris Located at the edge of the Bois de Boulogne, in the 16th arrondissement, this hunting lodge-turned- museum houses the largest collection of Monet paintings in the world. If that’s not enough of a draw for lovers of Impressionism, notable works by contemporaries the likes of Degas, Renoir, and Gauguin also feature alongside Monet’s ineffable canvases. Then, take a 20-minute taxi ride to the Musée Rodin in the centre of Paris.

MUSÉE RODIN T: 01 44 18 61 10 | 77 Rue de Varenne, 75007 Paris A showcase for the works of 19th century French sculptor Auguste Rodin, this artistic landmark first opened in 1919 and now attracts nearly a million visitors every year. The museum is spread between two sites: the stunning Hôtel Biron and its surrounding grounds in the centre of Paris, and the sculptor’s old home in Meudon, just outside of the city. The Musée de Cluny is just a 15-minute taxi ride or 30 minutes’ walk from the Musée Rodin.

MUSÉE DE CLUNY – MUSÉE NATIONAL DU MOYEN ÂGE T: 01 53 73 78 00 | 6 Place Paul Painlevé, 75005 Paris The Musée de Cluny (the National Museum of the Middle Ages) is a landmark for its rich collection of almost 1,500 medieval artworks and artefacts. Besides its Gallo-Roman baths, the institution is particularly renowned for its collection of tapestries, the highlight of which is the masterful, six-part Lady and the Unicorn series. The next stop is the Panthéon, found 10 minutes’ walk from the Musée de Cluny.

The Dorchester, London | 45 Park Lane, London | Coworth Park, Ascot | Le Meurice, Paris | Hôtel Plaza Athénée, Paris Hotel Principe di Savoia, Milan | Hotel Eden, Rome | The Beverly Hills Hotel, Beverly Hills | Hotel Bel-Air, Los Angeles | Dubai (opening 2020) PANTHÉON PARIS T: 01 44 32 18 00 | Place du Panthéon, 75005 Paris Modelled after Rome’s ancient Pantheon, and closely resembling St. Paul’s Cathedral in London, the Panthéon Paris is the work of 18th century architect, Jacques-Germain Soufflot. The grand edifice is the resting place of a veritable who’s who of French historical figures, including Marie Curie, René Descartes, Victor Hugo and, of course, the architect himself. Then, take a taxi for the 20-minute journey to the final stop of the day, the Fondation d’Entreprise Ricard.

FONDATION D’ENTREPRISE RICARD T: 01 53 30 88 00 | 12 Rue Boissy d’Anglas, 75008 Paris While many Parisian museums and galleries showcase masterpieces of the past, the Fondation d’Entreprise Ricard turns its attention to burgeoning artistic talent. Located in the heart of the city, this avant-garde art gallery curates an exciting mix of contemporary work, as well as hosting discussions on philosophy, sociology and literature. The hotel is 10 minutes’ walk from the gallery.

Day two Get the day started with a visit to the Fondation Cartier pour l’Art Contemporain, 20 minutes away from the hotel by taxi.

FONDATION CARTIER POUR L’ART CONTEMPORAIN T: 01 42 18 56 50 | 261 Boulevard Raspail, 75014 Paris Clothed in a shimmering edifice of exposed steel and glass, the Fondation Cartier is unabashedly elegant. Within, the contemporary art institution’s exhibitions encompass a wide range of genres and media, from painting to photography to fashion and video art. The museum also organises Nomadic Nights, a winter series of evening performance art events. Then, take a 15-minute taxi ride to get to the Musée de l’Orangerie.

MUSÉE DE L’ORANGERIE T: 01 44 77 80 07 | Jardin des Tuileries, Place de la Concorde, 75001 Paris Often overlooked in favour of the Musée d’Orsay (which features a larger collection of Impressionist works), the Musée de l’Orangerie is nevertheless a delightful diversion during a Paris cultural tour. The 19th century building is host, after all, to pieces from Monet’s stunning, large- scale water lilies series. The European House of Photography is then a 20-minute taxi ride from the Musée de l’Orangerie.

The Dorchester, London | 45 Park Lane, London | Coworth Park, Ascot | Le Meurice, Paris | Hôtel Plaza Athénée, Paris Hotel Principe di Savoia, Milan | Hotel Eden, Rome | The Beverly Hills Hotel, Beverly Hills | Hotel Bel-Air, Los Angeles | Dubai (opening 2020) LA MAISON EUROPÉENNE DE LA PHOTOGRAPHIE T: 01 44 78 75 00 | 5/7 Rue de Fourcy, 75004 Paris A word-of-mouth museum tucked down an unassuming street in the Marais, the European House of Photography (or MEP, as it’s known locally) offers an invigorating insight into the photographic medium. The gallery houses a collection of around 20,000 works and, since 1996, has exhibited photography by Henri Cartier-Bresson, William Klein, and even Chanel designer Karl Lagerfeld. The penultimate stop of the day is the Picasso Museum, 10 minutes’ walk from La Maison Européenne de la Photographie.

MUSÉE PICASSO PARIS T: 01 85 56 00 36 | 5 Rue de Thorigny, 75003 Paris Located within a gorgeous 17th century mansion in the Marais neighbourhood, Musée Picasso Paris is a must for fans of the father of Cubism. Alongside over 5,000 examples of Picasso’s works, the museum houses a comprehensive collection of photographs, notebooks, drafts and etchings tracing the artist’s creative process – and is the only institution in the world to do so. Next, take a 10-minute taxi ride or 20-minute walk to La Saint-Chapelle.

CONCERTS AT LA SAINTE-CHAPELLE T: 01 53 40 60 80 | 8 Boulevard du Palais, 75001 Paris Few experiences are more rousing than a chamber music performance in the jewellery box-like interior of La Sainte-Chapelle. The chapel on the Île de la Cité hosts classical performances ranging from Christmas concerts to Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons. A pinnacle of Gothic architecture, La Sainte-Chapelle is famed for its gorgeous 15-metre-high stained glass windows and atmospheric acoustics. The hotel is a 10-minute taxi ride or 25-minute walk away from the Île de la Cité.

All journey times are approximate and subject to variation.

The Dorchester, London | 45 Park Lane, London | Coworth Park, Ascot | Le Meurice, Paris | Hôtel Plaza Athénée, Paris Hotel Principe di Savoia, Milan | Hotel Eden, Rome | The Beverly Hills Hotel, Beverly Hills | Hotel Bel-Air, Los Angeles | Dubai (opening 2020)