Paris Plus Plus – Page 32 – Paris and beyond

HUBERT DE GIVENCHY – THE GREAT MASTER OF STYLE

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The iconic Little Black Dress from Breakfast at Tiffany’s.

Today we were saddened to learnt of the death of one of the greatest fashion designers of the 20th century, Hubert de Givenchy, at the age of 91.

He is perhaps best remembered for his long association with Audrey Hepburn, his muse and close friend for over 40 years, for whom he created the timeless looks that became instantly identifiable with her and made them both style icons. He once said their relationship was a true collaboration, “like a kind of marriage.”

TRAVELS WITH YOUR NAVIGO –DISCOVERING PARIS AND BEYOND

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We have often been asked about the best way to get out and about to explore Paris and all the many attractions in the vicinity suitable for a day’s excursion.

Paris has a terrific transport pass, a smart card called the Navigo Découverte—simply referred to as a “Navigo”—similar to London’s Oyster card, Sydney’s Opal or Hong Kong’s Octopus.

However, there are a couple of points of difference with these cards and a Navigo.

Fondation Louis Vuitton – a magnificent new cultural venue for Paris

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I dream of designing a magnificent vessel for Paris that symbolises France’s profound cultural vocation.

The soaring glass sails of Gehry’s *Fondation Louis Vuitton.*

With these words, the famous architect, Frank Gehry, creator of Bilbao’s Guggenheim Museum (1997), gave his blessing to the opening in October 2014 of his masterpiece, the Fondation Louis Vuitton, Paris.

We were lucky enough to be in Paris that week and joined perhaps 10,000 others for its first open weekend.

Le Château de Champs-sur-Marne – a petit Versailles

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This magnificent château has often been overlooked in favour of more famous palaces such as Versailles, Fontainebleau or Chantilly.

Located in the verdant département of Seine-et-Marne some 18 kms east of Paris, it’s a perfect candidate for a day trip out of the city.

‘Don Quixote’: a perfect, festive season ballet in Paris

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Program for ‘Don Quixote’ Opera Bastille.

In Paris during the Christmas/New Year season, we were thrilled to see the latest revival of this much-loved ballet at Opera Bastille. Choreographed by Rudolf Nureyev for the Vienna State Opera in 1966, his version was inspired by the original of Marius Petipa, Maître de Ballet of the Tsar’s Imperial Ballet, with music by Ludwig Minkus. ‘Don Quixote’ was first performed by the Imperial Bolshoi Theatre Moscow, in December 1869.