How about spending Christmas or the middle of January in Paris? Of course the French capital, recognised as the birthplace of luxury, is not lacking in attractions, and its historical charm lends itself wonderfully to sightseeing at this time of year when it is all dressed up in its festive clothes.
But above all, Rubel & Ménasché is keen to tell you about two high jewellery houses that are breathing new life into the luxury experience: Cartier and Boucheron.
“Un Cartier de Paris” pop-up museum
Under the banner “Passionately Paris. Naturally Left Bank”, Cartier is now open until 24 December, including its “musée éphémère”, a pop-up museum at 76, rue des Saint-Pères. It is ensconced in Saint-Germain-des-Prés, the heart of the Paris of the Roaring Twenties, a district that is also home to the École Nationale des Beaux-Arts, the Jardin du Luxembourg, the Church of Saint-Sulpice and the Musée d’ Orsay. The multi-use space is being used to focus on these special customer experiences and moments. The idea is of course to highlight the jeweller’s work by presenting its flagship lines: Trinity, Juste un Clou, Love, Panthère and Tank, but this temporary exhibition space is also still a store! However, other services are on offer, including a pâtisserie where you can sample the sweet creations of French celebrity chef Cyril Lignac; a cinema where you can watch a film by the equally hip fashion journalist and director Loïc Prigent about Cartier’s legendary customers and icons of the quartier (perhaps you noticed the play on words in the name of the store “Un Cartier de Paris”?); a photo call, an elevator “for travelling back in time”, a wheel of fortune/Advent calendar with a chance to win a jewellery case, and much more.
A pop-up space has also been created at Bon Marché Rive Gauche, the “Club Panthère”, with a jukebox, disco atmosphere, bell-boys and other festivities.
This event is very much in the spirit of the age, offering pure moments of luxury that have been designed to be unforgettable. And riding the wave of the “magic of Christmas”, where pop-up stores are very much on-trend.
Practical info : Un Cartier de Paris, 76, rue des Saint-Pères, Paris 7th.
From 16-24 December, 11 am to 8 pm (closes at 6 pm on the 19th and 5 pm on the 24th) ; prize draws held from midday to 1 pm and 6 pm to 7 pm.
Corner Cartier Au Bon Marché, 24, rue de Sèvres, Paris 7th. Open 10 am to 8 pm.
Vendôrama, the magic of creation according to Boucheron
Boucheron is celebrating its 160th anniversary and invites you to Vendôrama, its retrospective in the Mansart gardens at the Monnaie de Paris from 12 to 28 January 2018. Here too, you can enjoy an interactive “initiatory jewellery experience”. Boucheron will reveal how a piece of fine jewellery is created from the initial sketch to its design – showcasing the artisans’ work and immersion in the creative universe are currently very on-trend. Vendôrama refers to the architecture of the store on Place Vendôme and the architectural backdrop, also of a fleeting nature, that has been created for the retrospective in a style that is reminiscent of a World’s Fair. To quote the sales pitch: “Vendôrama: a neologism made up of the words “panorama” and “Vendôme”. Vision, landscape, an overall view from a legendary Parisian square. Vendôrama is a jewellery panorama seen through the eyes of Boucheron.” No more explanation is necessary, you understand that it is an idea packed with promises. The event will include workshops, activities (introduction to the gestures of jewellery), a sensory visit and more. Head to the temporary website created for the event, which provides a fun way of finding out more about Boucheron. We can’t wait to visit…
Practical info : Vendôrama, 4 ter rue Guénégaud, Paris 6th.
Book your place online ; admission is free from 16-28 January 2018.
Open Tuesday to Sunday 11 am to 7 pm. Late opening until 9 pm on Thursdays.
Closes 5 pm on 24 and 31 December, closed on 1 January.
