Pedestrian crossing, obelisk, Hôtel de la Marine and Hôtel Crillon on Place de la Concorde

Things to do in the Place de la Concorde district

The Place de la Concorde never ceases to amaze local residents and passing tourists who can only be moved by this hotspot of French history. A good opportunity to explore the surrounding area which is packed with traditional treasures and unexpected gems.
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  3. Things to do in the Place de la Concorde district

Take the time to discover the many facets of Place de la Concorde, a real open-air museum with its enormous obelisk and the nearby Avenue des Champs-Elysées and Rue de Rivoli. Every year, this district looks sublime when festooned with Christmas lights, while in the heat of summer, it becomes soothingly calm after dusk and feels quite out of place.

Place de la Concorde

Your tour of this district in the 8th arrondissement of Paris begins here at the inimitable, unbeatable Place de la Concorde. The sublime, 23-metre-tall Obelisk of Luxor stands at the centre of Place de la Concorde, a meeting place for lovers and an iconic film location for those French-style romantic happy endings. But there have been less happy endings here too… The Place de la Concorde was the iconic backdrop to the fall of the monarchy, as the king and queen, Louis XVI and Marie-Antoinette, were executed here. Renamed many times, this key site in the history of France became Place de la Concorde again in 1830, 6 years before the arrival of the obelisk, an ancient Egyptian masterpiece. Indeed, the Place de la Concorde has stood the test of time with prestige, never ceasing to renew itself.

Nonos & Comestibles, by Paul Pairet

Grill dishes take pride of place at this restaurant near the Champs-Elysées gardens. Try the food prepared by Michelin-starred chef Paul Pairet a famous member of the judging panel in the French TV show Top Chef, whose culinary panache can be appreciated at the Hotel de Crillon. Nonos is a restaurant that leaves the beaten track of gourmet cuisine to attract a new generation of fine diners with a festival of flavours that mixes French traditions and Asian inspirations. Prolong the pleasure by popping into Paul Pairet’s friendly canteen and grocery shop where you’ll find the same modern delights and inventive touch.

Nonos et Comestibles Par Paul Pairet%252C Hôtel Crillon
Nonos & Comestibles

History of France at the Hôtel de la Marine

After four years of renovation work, the historic Hôtel de la Marine has been returned to its former splendour. Between Place de la Concorde and the Jardin des Tuileries, this grand monument built by Ange-Jacques Gabriel, architect to the king, was originally used as a royal furniture storage unit. It is now a museum that offers a fabulous immersive tour into the history of France from the end of the monarchy to the present day, as you visit the different living quarters. You’ll also see the Al Thani private collection, one of the biggest in the world, which retraces more than 5,000 years of history.

L&%2523039;hôtel de la Marine
Hôtel de la Marine

Mimosa, a gourmet break at the Hôtel de la Marine

Within the Hôtel de la Marine museum, the sophisticatedMimosa restaurant invites you to take an elegant break. The food prepared by Jean-François Piège is inspired by the tasty, sun-drenched dishes of the French Riviera. Take a seat amid the blue, green and terracotta decor of the immense dining room and prepare to be plunged into the gastronomy of the South… Including the house speciality, eggs mimosa.

Mimosa
Mimosa

Café Lapérouse, a table with a view over Place de la Concorde

The Hôtel de la Marine now has another gourmet occupant, the Café Lapérouse. Paying a kind of tribute to the travellers and explorers of yesteryear, this superb restaurant features 2 dining areas: Navigateurs and Orient. The menu is an exquisite concentration of delights to be savoured from morning to evening, your chance to enjoy a real culinary voyage. To feast your eyes as well as your tastebuds, enjoy your breakfast on a terrace with a view of the **Obelisk on Place de la Concorde **. For even more luxury in an exotic atmosphere, the cocktail bar decorated with shells will transport you hundreds of miles from Paris.

Café Lapérouse
Café Lapérouse

The Tuileries Garden, a museum and a walk

Right next to Place de la Concorde and the River Seine, the Tuileries Garden offers some of the best picture-postcard views you’ll find in Paris. The delightful sights include architectural features by Le Nôtre and legendary statues by Rodin and Giacometti that appear to compete for attention. To really soak up the magic of this park, walk down the main path to the large circular pond to admire the Place de la Concorde on one side, and the Louvre pyramid on the other. But at this square there’s nothing to stop you relaxing in one of the metal chairs, to read a good book or watch the ducks racing against the model electric boats.

Jardin des Tuileries pendant la belle saison
Garden of Tuileries

The Jeu de Paume photo museum

On the edge of the Tuileries Garden, just a stone’s throw from Place de la Concorde, stands one of the greatest temples to photography, the Jeu de Paume. As the backdrop to the famous Tennis Court Oath, this building has traversed the great eras of our history, and saved the impressionists’ paintings from the destruction of the Second World War. So it was quite a surprise when, in 2004, it was transformed into a modern art venue. Prepare for a visually dazzling tour that will stir some emotion.

Jeu de Paume%252C façade%252C Paris 2017
Jeu de Paume

Visit the garden of Giverny at the musée de l'Orangerie

Face au Jeu de Paume, de l’autre côté du jardin des Tuileries, le musée de l’Orangerie donne une autre perspective sur le monde de l’art, et l’une des plus émouvantes. Construit en 1852 pour abriter l’hiver les fragiles orangers du jardin, le site est devenu le sanctuaire d’une des plus grandes œuvres au monde : les Nymphéas. Ici, les 8 célèbres toiles de Monet sont magnifiées dans une grande salle aux murs voûtés. Épousant harmonieusement les parois de la salle circulaire, ces œuvres offrent sur 90 mètres un émerveillement infini des sens.

Musée de l&%2523039;Orangerie
Musée de l'Orangerie

The Madeleine side of the Concorde district

The galerie de la Madeleine, elegance Made in Paris

The 8th arrondissement has no shortage of places to stroll. Just a short walk from Concorde, you’ll find Place de la Madeleine, a shining example of Parisian elegance in all its splendour. To soak up the atmosphere, visit the galerie de la Madeleine. This superb covered passage of 53 metres is a jewel of architecture, with its marble flooring, glass roof and luxury boutiques. A gem in the heart of the city of Paris.

Intérieur de la Galerie de la Madeleine%252C Paris
Galerie de la Madeleine

The art of chocolate by Patrick Roger

Art isn’t just about museums and exhibitions. To prove it, the workshops and boutiques of the chocolate artist Patrick Roger invite you to try an experience that goes way beyond the purchase of a sweet treat… He turns chocolate into sculptures, objects of contemporary art that offer you the ultimate pleasure of feasting your eyes, then your tastebuds.

Boutique du chocolatier Patrick Roger%252C Paris
Patrick Roger

Timeless Chanel

At no. 31 on Rue Cambon, a page in the history of fashion was written. In 1910, a young fashion designer and milliner set up her first salon, funded by her lover. The modestly named ‘Chanel Modes’ is where the legendary Coco Chanel began. As a symbol of French luxury, the boutique has retained all its former beauty and become a place of pilgrimage for any self-respecting fashionista.

Chanel
Chanel

Also to be discovered

  • Copyright image: © Mary Quincy