Paris1972-Versailles2003

So still digging my old photos from my vault as I go along in my road warrior trips in my region. I stay in Paris, yes my eternal Paris. A city came to know first as the name my blog indicates 1972, felled in love in 1990 and never look back. Lucky enough to work in it and visit every month until the virus.

Let me tell you a nice story about a Hilton hotel of Paris.

After losing its last intramuros Parisian establishment ,today the Hotel du Collectionneur,(today close due to the virus) the famous Hilton group has only 3 establishments in the Paris region: in Orly, Roissy and in La Défense. In 2013, the chain bought the former Concorde Opéra, which after extensive renovations became the Hilton Paris Opéra in 2015.

It so happened have been to the old Hilton Champs Elysées which is now call the Hotel du Collectionneur that have not been… and was a guest at the old Concorde Opéra which is now the Hilton Paris Opéra which have not been. So therefore, been while the old names were there. I feel for my souvenirs in my blog, and the nice story for all, in addition to visit the newer hotels ,they deserve a post of their own. Therefore ,here it is.

The Hotel du Collectionneur (previus Hilton C-E)  is located at the bottom of the rue de Courcelles in the 8éme arrondissement of Paris. Close to Parc Monceau and avenue Hoche, 700 meters from the Arc de Triomphe and the Champs Elysées. Going down rue de Courcelles, you cross Boulevard Haussmann, before crossing rue du Faubourg Saint Honoré. 300 meters further on you are in front of the Champs Elysées roundabout at the opposite end of which leads to Avenue Montaigne. This 5 star hotel is in a beautiful location, far from the bustle of the Champs Elysées but close enough to be able to enjoy its riches.

The new hotel du collectionneur official webpage is here: https://www.hotelducollectionneur.com/en

For info, below is my Dad walking ahead to the Hilton lol!!!

The former Concorde Opéra, renovated in early 2015, the Hilton Paris Opéra is a listed building with a hall with a ceiling height of 14 meters and adorned with mirrors, bronzes, crystal chandeliers and marble columns. This hotel enjoys a beautiful location in the heart of Paris, a stone’s throw from Gare Saint-Lazare, between the Opéra Garnier and the great department stores and not far from the Madeleine. The Hilton Paris Opéra hotel offers spacious, bright rooms and suites on 5 floors, with great refinement, decorated with light colors and paintings of Parisian scenes, providing a prestigious atmosphere. For eating and drinking it still has the Grand Salon for breakfasts, restaurant Terminus Café, and the Le Petit Bar, recently redecorated in a revisited art deco atmosphere.

Located in the 8éme arrondissement, the Concorde Opéra hotel was ideally located to enjoy the monuments of Paris. The Garnier opera house, the Madeleine Church, the Sacré-Cœur Basilica and the Royal Palais are just a few meters from them. Many nearby tourist attractions. You will find there not far from places of going outs and restaurants. Public transport is easy to access. Passage du Havre at about 137 meters, FNAC – Saint Lazare at 94 meters, Gare Saint Lazare at 90 meters, Opéra Garnier at 57 meters.

A bit of history I like on this one which not only visited for the wonderful architecture and history but held several business meetings there.

Initially the hotel was inaugurated in 1889 as the Grand Hôtel Terminus, to welcome British travelers arriving via Saint-Lazare train station to visit the Universal Exhibition, and belong to the Société du Louvre, then in 1972 it became the Concorde Saint-Lazare then the Concorde Opéra Paris. Purchased by the Hilton group at the end of 2013, it was renamed Hilton Paris Opéra in January 2015. This hotel, with its Haussmann-style exterior architecture, features an imposing entrance framed by pink granite columns. Dating from 1889, its Eiffel-style hall and Second Empire-style coffered ceiling are decorated with paintings and sculptures by artist Charles Joseph Lameire as well as mirrors, bronzes and crystal chandeliers. Thus, in the 1950s, it was named Snack Spot and was then one of the “trendy” establishments in Paris, frequented by many young people, notably from the nearby Lycée Chaptal high school. Among the clientele, future celebrities: Mario David, Martin Monestier and Alain Figaret. And especially two friends passionate about culture from the United States who came to drink milkshakes and who will become singers, Christian Blondieau and Jean-Philippe Smet, who have not yet taken their respective stage names: Long Chris and Johnny Hallyday !

Among the personalities who have resided at the Concorde Opéra Paris, was Georges Feydeau . In September 1909, after a violent argument with his wife, he left his marital home and, using the excuse of the embarrassment of moving, settled down for a few days in the hotel. He ended up staying there for more than ten years, at room 189. The walls of his room hosted works by artists who had become fashionable such as Van Gogh or Utrillo, and even Claude Monet had also made it his Parisian pied-à-terre when he lived in Giverny.

The official current Hilton Paris Hotel webpage is here: https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/parophi-hilton-paris-opera/

Ok cannot find picture of the old Concorde Paris hotel so will give you the front of gare St Lazare to the right off the picture is the hotel…..believe me please.

Therefore, I feel my story have been told and recorded in my blog. Hope you enjoy it too, and do come to my eternal Paris. Many more stories to share in over 30 years of relationship with Paris!

And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all!!!