The Australian Women’s Weekly — August 2017

(Darren Dugan) #1

184 AWW.COM.AU AUGUST 2017


hotel has a special place in my heart.
Its beautiful Salon Pompadour was
the setting of my first solo exhibition
in Paris, in 2013. A collection of mini
art prints from this exhibition are now
featured in every suite of the hotel.


9pm:^ Palais Garnier
A “has to be seen to be believed”
opera house, the Palais Garnier’s
spectacular gold finishings and
Beaux-Arts façade are breathtaking.
Steeped in history and in the centre
of Paris, this is the perfect spot to
visit if you don’t have time for the
likes of the Palace of Versailles. I love
how this area is full of boutique
theatres, cinemas and bistros. Visit


the famous Café de la Paix, where the
poem The Absinthe Drinkers is set.
As the inspiration for many other
poems, paintings and songs, the cafe
has since been declared a historic site
by the French government.

10pm:^ Eiffel Tower
A must-see on your brief trip to Paris
is arguably one of the world’s most
recognisable buildings, the Eiffel Tower.
When I inspected my apartment to
rent in Paris, the letting agent never
mentioned the spectacular view of it
from my frosted bathroom window.

Two weeks later, I had moved in,
opened this window and there was
a surprise view of the Eiffel Tower!
Although sometimes taken for granted
by Parisians, I always felt a sense of
beauty in this structure each time I
saw it. View the tower at night when
it’s at its most magical, glimmering
by the hour.
Enjoy the full-scale view of the
tower from a picnic below in the park,
the Champ de Mars. I recommend
taking champagne, strawberries and
your love for the perfect finale to your
24 hours in Paris. AWW

RIGHT: The grand entrance to Le
Meurice hotel, which overlooks the
Tuileries Gardens. ABOVE, RIGHT:
The Palais Garnier, a 1979-seat opera
house with spectacular architecture.

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