4 World Heritage sites in and around Marrakech

Centuries upon centuries of a variety of cultures, languages and civilisations have imbued Marrakech with a rich, multi-layered legacy, which can be experienced all around the city in the numerous examples of history, art and architecture that remain. From the beautiful confluence of European and traditional Moroccan culture seen in the city of Mazagan, to the winding paths of Essaouria, you’ll discover the multiplicity of cultures and traditions that give Marrakech its distinct and unique charm.

Ksar of Ait-Benhaddou

The dramatic landscape of Ait Benhaddou presents the remarkable sight of one of the most stunning examples of a traditional Kasbah – a group of homes, courtyards and public buildings within an enclosed fortified area. With its angular construction, featuring angular towers and modest buildings across various layers, the result is imposing and striking, and the area has been captured on film numerous times as the backdrop to many Hollywood epics. Visitors to the area can immediately feel transported back in time through the diverse, well-preserved buildings that make up the Ksar.

Medina of Marrakech

Spanning back to the 11th century, the original Medina played a pivotal role for the ruling Almoravids as an important centre of commerce and culture. Consequently the Medina hosts several architectural gems, including the Koutoubiya Mosque, the Saadian Tombs, Bandia Palace and an array of beautiful gardens. Alongside the many historical buildings that populate the Medina, contemporary visitors can enjoy the vibrant, bustling atmosphere that permeates the area – with a maze of narrow, winding streets, traditional souks, street artists, food stalls and much more, the Medina remains the lively heart of Marrakech.

Medina of Essaouria

The port city of Essaouria lies a short drive away from Marrakech, and has long played an important role as a vital trading post between Morocco, Europe and the wider world. It reached its peak during the mid 18th century as a vital centre of international commerce, and the Medina that arose in the town during this period reflects the city’s mixed heritage, drawing on traditional North African architectural principles as well as contemporary European military practices. Today, the original Medina remains exceptionally well-preserved and visitors can explore the original maze of alleyways, brimming with market stalls, restaurants and artists, filling Essaouria with its distinctive laidback atmosphere.

Portuguese city of Mazagan (El Jadida)

The long relationship between Morocco and Portugal extends as far back as the 8th century, though it was not until the 15th and 16th centuries that Portugal began to establish its presence in the country. Though their occupation was relatively shortlived, the Portuguese influence has left its mark, and this is particularly evident in the city of Mazagan. Located on the Atlantic Coast, the city is a testament to the early development of Renaissance culture – most notable is the Citerne Portuguese, an enormous vaulted cistern made famous as the backdrop to Orson Welles’ 1954 Othello. The city also features many other examples of Gothic architecture, giving the city a unique character in contrast to other more traditional neighbouring locations.

Image #1: Shutterstock

Stéphane Abtan is Director at Dar Ayniwen.

5 things to look for in a ski chalet this Winter

It’s almost that time of year again for the age old dilemma of where to go on your ski holiday; so many choices; should it be catered, self catered, hotel or chalet, or maybe even an apartment? If you’re choosing to go down the chalet route this winter (a route which is becoming increasingly more common) then we’ve laid out five things to look for when booking your holiday.

Location and layout

When booking your ski chalet holiday decide on location; think about what you are looking for in a chalet holiday; is it a relaxing break away from the town, or do you want to be right in the thick of things experiencing ski resort nightlife to. Do you want to be right on the slopes so you can ski in ski out or does slope location not really bother you?  It’s all down to personal preference, so think about what is important to you. Check on google maps where the chalet is located as it has been known that places that say they are ‘central’ actually turn out to be half a kilometre from town- a long walk in ski boots. The location is one thing that can’t be changed in a chalet so make sure that if it is important to you, that you get it right. The chalet interior itself is important; if you’re booking a chalet with small children then make sure the chalet has cots and children’s beds, suites or adjoining rooms if necessary.

Spa facilities?

If you want to relax after a long day skiing then look out to see what spa facilities are available on site; quite often hot tubs and occasionally saunas are available; but is there anything else? An in house spa therapist is perfect as it means that after skiing massage will be easy to arrange; often chalets have mobile therapists so if you’re after some tlc make sure to enquire in advance. Some chalets are now progressing to having their own in house spas with pools, treatment rooms and facilities, steam rooms etc. These are becoming more common and are definitely something to look out for if you’re a little bit of a spa junkie, as often treatments will be included in the price.

In-house concierge

One of the main reasons people choose chalets when they go skiing is because of how simple it is; everything is sorted for them and they don’t need to worry about anything other than where to arrive. Make sure the chalet you reserve for your luxury break has an in house concierge; most of them do but you don’t want to be caught out when it turns out you have to organise your ski passes, ski hire, ski lessons and anything else you might need. The concierge is also great if you’re travelling in a peak time as often nannies, ski lessons and ski hire can be difficult to get if you reserve late. Often chalets have an agreement with various providers and so will find it much easier to reserve these extras for you than if you just walked in off the street. Having an in house concierge is also useful for their know how; where to go for dinner on chalet night off, great places on the hill to eat and good pistes to try.

Children’s tea times

If you’ve travelled with children to ski chalets then you will know that some chalets have mealtime routines you have to meet; make sure that they offer children’s meal times as it means you can put the kids to bed before you enjoy your later dinner. This is especially true if you’re children are very small as no one wants to be feeding a cranky four year old a three course meal at eight in the evening. If they don’t offer children’s tea times then at least check to see if they offer meal alternatives; you might love foie gras but it’s highly unlikely your nine year old will.

What’s included and what to ask

Check what’s included in the price; you don’t want any nasty surprises at the end of your stay when you’re presented with a large bill. If alcohol isn’t included then ask for the average wine price before you book as quite often chalets make up their profit on the extras that aren’t included (in some chalets paying upwards of 70 pound for a bottle of wine can be considered normal). In the what’s included you can also see if slope transfers are included (if they are ask how many- sometimes it is unlimited, sometimes it is only one per day), this can be important if there are a range of levels in your party and you are away from the slopes. Check to see if lift passes and ski hire are included (in all likelihood they won’t be) if they’re not, check to see if the chalet themselves will charge an additional fee to book on your behalf or if it is a complimentary service.

Overall a chalet holiday is a great choice for a ski holiday as they are so easy to organise and book, however be aware that if something seems like too good a deal to be true, then it probably is.

Alexandra Howse is Events and Marketing Manager at Le Grand Joux.

5 days in Luxor, Egypt

Egypt is a land of many faces, from the beach resort of Sharm El-Sheikh to the bustle of Cairo and the laidback history of Luxor – and the latter is certainly worth your time. Tourism is slow at the moment, but in Luxor it is easy to forget the headlines as you explore sites both ancient and modern. There is so much to see, it is best to start early and plan well.

Day 1 – The West Bank Tombs

Head across the Nile to the West Bank, where the majority of the ancient sites are situated. Start early – there is little shade here – and begin at The Valley of the Kings. The entry fee covers entrance to 3 tombs of your choosing, although if you go with a guide they will often choose the best. The tombs of Seti and Ramesses IX are worth a visit if you’re unsure. If you want to skip a tour, do some research in advance; knowing what certain motifs mean makes the experience more worthwhile.

Pay an extra 10egp and head into the tiny tomb of Tutankhamun  and see the man himself. Photos aren’t allowed in the tombs, but if you carry a large tip and enter alone there is nothing the guardians won’t let you do.

Finish off as the sun hits its peak by visiting the House of Howard Carter, just outside the valley’s entrance. It is quite eerie to wander around the home, left almost exactly as it was in 1922.

Day 2 – The Other Tombs

With an early start again, visit the ‘other’ tombs on the West Bank. The Valley of the Queens is home to the famous tomb of Nefertari, and if it is open this is one not to be missed. Many of these tombs are smaller, but better preserved. Aim to spend an hour or two here.

Next, hop over to the Valley of the Nobles if you can handle more tombs. Instead of the usual offerings to the gods, many of these tombs tell the life story of each ‘resident’, which offers an interesting glimpse into the daily life of a rich Egyptian.

Day 3 – East Bank

Take a break from the West Bank and spend a day exploring the temples of the East Bank. Karnak and Luxor temples were originally joined by a long road named ‘Sphinx Alley’ which is currently under excavation – you can see each end at each temple. Start off at Karnak and aim to spend 1-2 hours here. The site is huge, and there is very little shade outside of the hall of columns.

Head to Luxor museum, which is small by city standards but a delight none the less. This is the place to see the spoils of Howard Carter’s excavation, including Tutankhamun’s bed and chariot. There are also two further mummies here, Ahmose I and Ramesses I.

Take a break before venturing to Luxor museum as the sun sets. The lights are quite spectacular and offer wonderful photo opportunities. This temple is much smaller than Karnak, but far better preserved. Tip: head to the back of the temple. It has a great example of Roman art covering Egyptian reliefs!

Day 4 – Mortuary Temples

Another day at the West Bank, but this time above ground. Stop off at the Colossi of Memnon and try to spot which statue was rebuilt by the Greeks. Hint – it’s not as impressive. These statues were not built for Trojan hero Memnon, but the whistling heard through the cracks was believed to be his spirit.

Visit Medinet Habu, the impressive mortuary temple of Ramesses III and take a look at where Coptic Christians destroyed Egyptain reliefs. Then, head over to the incredible Deir-el-Bahari, or Hatshepsut’s temple, built directly opposite Karnak Temple by the world’s first famous female leader. Many of her carvings have been destroyed by her stepson, but the scale of the building is nothing short of incredible.

Finally, spend a couple of hours at Deir-el-Medina where the local workers made their homes. Here the artisans and builders lived, loved, and died, and to see this in comparison to the grandeur of the temples is quite moving.

Day 5 – The finishing touches

After seeing so many sites and sights, bring yourself back to the present. Book a hot air balloon ride over Luxor to see all of these ancient complexes in context. Hit land and head to the shops – either one of the many souks in the town for some serious haggling, or the Fair Trade Centre based opposite Luxor Temple for some locally made souvenirs. Spend the rest of your time relaxing and enjoying the Nile – it’s beautiful place to watch the birds and boats go by. Sit and sip a hibiscus tea, or order a plate of meze, before treating those tired toes to a foot massage. You’ve earned it!

The top 5 hotels in Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi may not be a flashy and over-the-top as Dubai, but it has emulated Dubai’s success in building itself into a booming city that has risen from the desert sands. It may not shout about it, but there’s plenty to explore in the Capital of the United Arab Emirates, and these are the top 5 luxury hotels to stay in while you do so.

St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort

St. Regis Saadiyat Island Resort is on the island that gives the resort its name. Saadiyat is set to be home to the world’s largest single concentration of premier cultural assets including the Louvre Abu Dhabi and Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, although these have yet to open. Seven minutes from the city centre, this Mediterranean-style hotel is more of a beach resort than a city pad, with contemporary décor and ocean views. There are three outdoor pools, a stretch of private beach dusted with fine, white sand, and golfing aficionados can tee off at the Gary Player-designed Championship Course at Saadiyat Beach Golf Club.

Yas Viceroy Abu Dhabi

Another island option, the Yas Viceroy Abu Dhabi is the only five-star accommodation choice on Yas Island, touted to be Abu Dhabi’s up-and-coming leisure and entertainment district, situated midway between Abu Dhabi and the airport. There can’t be many hotels that boast a Formula One course wrapped around the façade and if that doesn’t provide enough thrills, Ferrari World theme park, Yas Waterworld and Yas Marina Circuit are all nearby, offering thrills aplenty. The large-scale hotel has a striking LED canopy that cycles through a series of colours at night, while cooling the hotel during the day, which provides an uber-cool backdrop for the open-air Skylite rooftop lounge.

Shangri-La Hotel Qaryat Al Beri

The Shangri-La Hotel Qaryat Al Beri sits a stretch of the water away from the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, the prime rooms featuring views of the edifice with its impressive spires stretching into the sky. Full of warm tones and organic textures, the hotel has a definite Arabian influence – think rich opulence on a grand scale. The complex includes an Arabian souk (market) selling traditional artefacts, paintings, jewellery and clothes. The different areas are connected by a winding waterway complete with abras (traditional boats) to whisk you through the verdant gardens. The hotel’s French restaurant, Bord Eau, is superb.

The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal

Complete with landscaped gardens, tinkling fountains and Venetian-inspired buildings, The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi, Grand Canal is a relatively new offering, within a stone’s throw of Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. The beach resort’s 10 interconnected buildings curve around an impressive 600-square-metre pool and with a range of cuisines from a steakhouse to Lebanese fare, you’ll be hard pressed to find a reason to leave the grounds. The beachfront ESPA is inspired by the colours, textures and metal-work of Bedouin culture. After a signature treatment you can kick back in the relaxation area surrounded by lush greenery, take a dip in the plunge pool, or head to the private beach reserved for spa guests.

Emirates Palace

For a decadent Arabian experience in the thick of the action, look no further than Emirates Palace. The architecture and décor is fully Arabesque and the scale is overwhelmingly grand. The enormous hotel features 114 18-meter-high domes, luxury suites decorated in gold and marble, private butlers on call, and a 1.3-kilometre long private beach. You can’t help but feel like royalty here. The two swimming pools, one of which winds around pockets of greenery, are nestled within the 85 hectares of landscaped gardens. If you’d prefer to sail your mega yacht in, you can berth it at the hotel’s private marina.

Honourable mention: Qasr Al Sarab

Technically it’s not in Abu Dhabi city, but Qasr Al Sarab is the Arabia of fables. The luxury oasis is set within the legendary Liwa Desert in Abu Dhabi’s Empty Quarter, which is one of the largest uninterrupted sand deserts in the world. If you’re feeling particularly indulgent, opt for one of the villas, which come with a private plunge pool. Every room offers desert views that will give the illusion of a Nomadic exploration – in contemporary luxury. Here’s your chance to ride a camel into the horizon over sand dunes washed with the golden rays of sunset.

Whichever temporary abode you choose, you won’t be disappointed. Abu Dhabi prides itself on its international cuisine, impressive architecture, cultural heritage and welcoming Arabian hospitality.

Top 3 healthy hideaway retreats

Today I ask the question: is it possible to go on holiday and detox, or keep up with your training routine whilst abroad? Personally I find it very difficult, mainly because I often travel for business, which involves meetings over breakfast, lunch and dinner. Add to that a constant flow of wine and a busy schedule and you have yourself a fitness conundrum. Whether you’re away for business or pleasure, routine and discipline are equally tough to maintain when travelling.

So I have searched for the top 3 ‘healthy hideaways’ that guarantee the perfect setting to press reset and give your body the attention it needs.

One Happo, Hakuba

Take your healthy hideaway holiday to Asia and experience a ski holiday with a difference. One Happochalet is located in Hakuba – one of Asia’s leading outdoor recreation destinations; host to the Winter Olympics in 1998. Ease of access to world-class snow just does not get any better than this! One Happo has direct access to Japan’s most exciting mountain hiking trails, canoeing, rafting, firefly night paddles, mountain bike paths, paragliding, and a lot more. Even non-skiers will fall in love with this mountain sanctuary.

Don a pair of skis and experience some of the steepest and most dramatic landscapes in the area. The resort boasts an extensive selection of both on and off-piste terrain. Pistes range from wide and gentle to steep and banked, whilst the off-piste provides choices for everyone, from next to the run powder fields to steep, deep, hike in and out back country lines. There is even night riding available throughout the year, consisting of one lit run, perfect for beginners.

If this sounds too active for your ‘healthy hideaway’ then take the time to relax in the ‘One Happo’ private chalet. The Olympic standard gym has a spa and wellness complex with 16 pieces of Techno gym equipment, with integrated iPod docks and internet connectivity on all the machines. Nowhere else will you find an eight-person onsen with these mountain vistas and guaranteed privacy! The spa has a far-Infra-red sauna that seats four people in opulent luxury. It includes the latest in spa and electronic facilities and has bifold glass doors that open to inspiring mountain views.

Outside is a half-court basketball facility and stunning views of the Japan Alps. The boxing Dojo, with all the necessary boxing equipment, is a surprizing addition. On the top floor is a games area with a glass top pool table, the first of its kind to be imported into Japan, and family games such as a Monopoly set, chess set and playing cards.

The contemporary luxury chalet has a concierge service and guests can take the chalet 4×4 vehicle for a spin and explore the valley, a private chef can also be requested to prepare a ‘healthy hideaway’ menu plan to compliment your stay. Head chef Kazu often looks after guests in One Happo. Kazu has worked hard over the years to develop relationships with local suppliers and counts many of the farmers, fishermen and hunters as friends. Working together with his suppliers he will ensure that your bespoke menu plan incorporates the freshest seasonal ingredients to produce food at its best and most flavoursome.

Chalet Logan, Megeve

Following my conversations with the owner, she is very interested in organising detox weeks – perfect I say! Fresh juice and fresh, healthy food created by your private chef. Cooking classes so you can take your newfound knowledge home with you, plus a visit from a personal nutritionist. Then there is the exercise: hiking, skiing, yoga.

What better way to end the day than by taking advantage of the outdoor hot tub to relax those muscles whilst counting stars? You can even order in your own private masseuse.

Get a group together and have fun getting fit together but just remember that it is also a holiday, and one that can be tailored to your every need. Should you want a glass of Champagne one evening then no one will say no, unless you instruct them to of course!

Belle Vue, Camaruche, St Barthelemy

Following the stone path through palm trees waving in the Atlantic breeze, you will reach the private villa in St Barth. With an amazing view of the ocean, and the islands of Tintamarre and Anguilla on the right, this hidden retreat is proving popular with many guests looking to swap snowy slopes for sun and surf.

St Barth’s is an island where getting fit is by no means a chore. Whether it’s hitting the waves for some surf, doing a spot of yoga on your private villa terrace or swimming in the crystal clear ocean seas. Belle Vue often invites specialist yoga teachers to tailor packages for guests in the resort too, and sunset views from this villa are nothing short of spectacular – the perfect backdrop for some much needed meditation.

Celine Renaud is Head of Sales for Leo Trippi.

Short stay: Arisaig House, Invernessshire, Scotland, UK

Arisaig House is very much a family operation (led by Peter and Sarah Winnington-Ingham), perfectly situated for exploring the West Highlands. From here, you can also easily reach the islands of Rum, Eigg, Muck and Canna, explore Knoydart, or venture north towards Skye. The house dates back to 1864 but was transformed in the 1930s. It was run as a very high end Relais & Chateaux hotel until 2002, before later becoming a private home and then the luxury bed and brekfast that it is today.

The welcome

We were warmly welcomed by Sarah, given a brief, informal tour of the public areas before being shown to our room.

The room

We stayed in a family room called Craigish which was light and airy, with soft shades of green.

All rooms at Arisaig House are serviced daily.

The bathroom

The highlight of our bathroom has to be the view.

Lean out of the window and look to the right, and this is what you see. I think you’ll agree it’s fair to say it’s a “loo with a view”!

The facilities

There are several communal rooms at Arisaig House where you can sit and relax. The morning room, for instance, can be found just next to the bar, and is where you’ll find a number of comfortable chairs where you can unwind, read a book, or have a drink or two.

Dinner is served on the other side of the hallway and doesn’t disappoint. Pictured is marinated beetroot with grilled halloumi and rocket. Alternatively, you could have chose hot smoked salmon with pickled cucumber or a chilled gazpacho with crab.

For my main, I chose the scallops with leeks and an orange butter sauce, which lured me in narrowly ahead of the Macbeths beef fillet, sweet potato, garden greens and salsa verde.

With two courses costing £24.50, and three at just £29.50, I’m sure you’ll agree this is very competitively priced.

Breakfast at Arisaig House included the option of a full Scottish breakfast complete with Stornoway black pudding. Alternatively, you could go for something a little lighter such as smoked salmon and scrambled egg or Mallaig kippers.

Other nice touches

On our first two evenings at Arisaig House, the weather was so beautiful that it was a shame not to make the most of it, so to hear that we were having a barbecue and dining outside was a lovely touch.

There was a great spread, including barbecued scallops one evening and freshly-caught lobster the other.

I’m not sure I’ve had such a colourful plate from a barbecue!

The views from the terrace are beautiful (much like the view from our bathroom), and should you wish to stretch your legs or try your hand at croquet, the immacuately-kept grounds will serve your needs. There are 19 acres of woodland and landscaped gardens.

Cost

Rates start from £160 per night for an ensuite double room, including breakfast.

The final verdict

A very comfortable family-run hotel with wonderful views.

A hidden gem: Kilchurn Castle, Scotland, UK

You could be forgiven for not knowing about Kilchurn Castle. A castle like this in England would not only be well sign-posted, but you’d also be charged entry to go in. In Scotland on the other hand, there’s not so much as a single sign from the road. It was only on reaching the village of Loch Awe, lying on a loch of the same name, that we started to wonder whether we had already passed it.

We called in at a small shop to check on directions, only to find we had gone about a mile past. Indeed, on looking back, there it was in all its glory.

We headed back and found a short trail accessible from a small car park just off the main A85 road. Only then could you see a tiny sign that simply read “To the castle”.

The approach to the castle was a picturesque one and less than a mile from the car park. It is today maintained by Historic Scotland but there is no fee to visit.

Kilchurn Casle was originally built by Sir Colin Campbell in the mid-fifteenth century as a five-storey tower house, then on an island in the loch, and saw various additions in the 200 years that followed. In 1689, after James II of England had fled to France, William III and Mary II were proclaimed as co-rulers of England, Scotland and Ireland, resulting in a new role for Kilchurn Castle as Sir John Campbell of Glenorchy converted it into a barracks capable of holding 200 troops in the decade that followed. These efforts were overshadowed by the government’s development of Fort William just before the turn of the century, but the castle was used as a garrison by the government garrison during the 1715 and 1745 Jacobite Rebellions.

Arguably one of the most intriguing features at Kilchurn Castle today is what looks like a podium-like structure on the ground, inside the castle walls. This is in fact the top of an overturned circular tower, dramatically blown away from the castle by a lightning strike in 1760.

Despite this and other events, significant portions of the castle remain intact and you can climb up some sections and admire views of the loch in both directions. From here you can also get a sense of the original powerbase of Clan Campbell.

After a bit more exploring, we circled the exterior of the castle on our bikes – this is worth doing to get a fuller appreciation of the building since it looks different from different angles – before returning to the main road and continuing on with our journey.

The castle would have been easy to miss, but proved to be well worth the visit… muddy puddles and all!

Disclosure: The above formed part of a luxury Scotland mountain bike trip sponsored by Caledonian MacBrayne, Ridgeback and Madison.

4 cultural activities in Paris you should not miss

There are so many things to do in our great city that sometimes it is hard to make a proper choice. Instead of the traditional visits, here are four cultural suggestions you might wish to give a try during your next stay. They are typical Parisian activities. We must thank the famous king Louis the XIV for two of them. One was inaugurated in 1852. The last one was built for a universal exhibition in 1931. They are in historical order.

Visit the workshops of Gobelins Tapestry Manufactory

This renowned place in Paris takes its name from a famous family of dyers. At the beginning of the 17th century, when Henry IV launched a vast programme to develop production in France, he had tapestry workshops set up in the Faubourg-Marceau district which were run by 2 Flemish tapestry-weavers.

In 1662, Colbert, one of Louis XIV’s ministers, continued Henry IV’s work and created the Gobelins Royal Manufactory. Charles Le Brun, the first painter to the king, was its first director. Over the course of 30 years, he developed production significantly and this could be considered the golden age of the manufactory. Several other directors followed, such as the architects Robert De Cotte and Jacques-Germain Soufflot and the painter François Boucher.

Under Napoleon, the manufactory regained its prestige, producing tapestries and portraits to the glory of the Emperor. In 1826, the Soap Manufactory was linked to the Gobelins site and in 1937 the Gobelins Manufactory was made part of the Mobilier National. In 1940, the Beauvais Manufactory moved to the Gobelins site, following the destruction of their workshops during bombing. Additional weaving workshops were later established once again in Lodève and Beauvais.

Work began renovating the Gobelins Gallery during the 70s and it was opened to the public once more in May 2007. The role of this site is to display and promote the creations produced in the various manufactories and the expertise of the weavers to the general public. It will be hosting the Eloge de la Verdure (Eulogy to Greenery) exhibition from 9 April 2013 until 1 January 2014.

Today, the manufactory therefore has several roles: furnishing the Republic’s official palaces, preserving and restoring, as well as imparting knowledge and communicating. In addition to the temporary exhibitions, you can visit the Manufactory’s workshops. All the practical information about the Manufactory can be found on the website.

Attend a play in Opera Comique (celebrating this year its 300th birthday)

It was founded under the reign of Louis XIV to allow the travelling troupes to present their pantomimes and parodies of opera which unfailingly succeeded in enraging La Comédie Française which consequently lodged countless court proceedings against them. For a bit of peace and quiet, the Sun King decided to give them their own stage (the Opéra Comique) and asked them, in return, to be less provoking. It is this royal wish (very Pontius Pilate!) that gave rise to the name Opéra Comique. But the semantic ambiguity of the name incontestably undermines the institution which, nowadays, does not present comic works. The basic principle is to present works with alternating scenes of singing and dialogue, unlike operas where the entire partition is sung (recitative singing or arias).

As for the building itself, you can make up your own mind. Personally, while I acknowledge that the architectural intentions are interesting (the curves, the monumental windows, and the verticality of the overall structure) the overall result leaves me cold. It reminds me of the heavy and overloaded stuccos of the preferred architecture of the triumphant 19th century bourgeoisie. But then I have been known to let my imperial subjectivity get the better of me… Inside this opera house (situated not far from the hotel, in Place Boieldieu in the 2nd arrondissement of Paris) the ‘Salle Favart’ hall is named after Charles-Simon Favart, a famous author of opera librettos, who was the victim of his success. Indeed his plays were so successful in the 1740s that the other Parisian theatres were overshadowed and so, to solve this problem, the authorities at the time closed down the theatre for 6 years! And the hall itself has not had an easy time of it either: a fire destroyed it after a performance of Mozart’s Don Giovanni in 1838. Then a second, more theatrical fire broke out on the 25th of May 1887 during a performance of Mignon, a comic opera in three acts by Ambroise Thomas. In the plot, in the second scene of the second act, Lothario sets fire to the castle to avenge Mignon of the success of Philine. But the acting was overly realistic and this fire destroyed the premises and caused eighty-four people to perish! After eleven years of rebuilding work, the current hall, with a capacity of around 1500 places, was inaugurated in December 1898. Go check the different representations on the official website.

Take part in an auction in Hotel Drouot

“L’Hôtel Drouot” is the capital of auction houses in France, it has 21 rooms where auctioneers line up sale upon sale. Interested buyers and passers-by have access to an array of collections of French and international objets d’art before their sale. Jewellery, coins, old and new books, furniture and paintings are on display for public viewing the day before and the day of the auction. It is therefore advisable to monitor the auction schedule‘s rapid turnover regularly and the various associated catalogues. You won’t be able to see the imperial album of the Ming Dynasty which was sold for €7,800,000 a few years ago, but there are some magnificent pieces. With over 600,000 objects sold each year during the 2,000 auctions, there is something for everyone and every budget.

Discover the historical Palais de la Porte Dorée, its aquarium and its museum

Built in 1931 for the Colonial Exhibition, the Palais de la Porte Dorée used to be home to the Permanent Colonial Museum as well as the tropical aquarium. Only the latter has managed to stand the test of time. Indeed, the Colonial Museum changed its name in 1935 to become the Musée de la France d’Outre-mer until 1950. From 1961 the palace housed the Museum for African and Oceanic Art. In 1990 it changed and became the Musée National des Arts d’Afrique et d’Océanie until 2003 when it closed. Following refurbishing work, the Cité nationale de l’histoire de l’immigration took up residence there in 2007.

The aquarium at the Palais de la Porte Dorée is the oldest aquarium in Paris. Until 2006, when Cinéaqua was opened, it was also the only aquarium in Paris. Its story is linked to that of the palace and they have developed together. With 5,000 animals from 300 different species and its famous crocodile pit, the aquarium is very popular (more than 245,000 visitors in 2010). And its popularity is well-deserved!

The Cité Nationale de l’histoire de l’immigration

It is not worth trying to paraphrase or be original. Sometimes simply quoting is the blogger’s strongest weapon. Here is therefore how the palace presents the centre: “The museum’s aim is to demolish stereotypes, to dismantle ideas inherited from colonialism, to break away from convention. It is a question of demonstrating that the German poet from the 19th century and the Portuguese construction worker from the end of the 20th century […] are part of our country’s history”. Like the Cité, the aquarium also organises temporary exhibitions.

Didier Moinel Delalande is a Director at Hotel Mathurin.