Creators and trendy boutiques at the Palais Royal

Vintage couture in the legendary Didier Ludot, a luxury showcase for the creations of Stella McCartney, the dream jeans to be found at Acne Studio, the charming and lovely wooden toys from Vilac which hearken back to yesteryear, and the exceptional perfumes of Serge Lutens…all this and much more can be found beneath the arcades of the Palais Royal, one of the trendiest and edgiest shopping places in the city, and a historic promenade, too! This haven of peace, the only place in the capital where you cannot hear the traffic go by, was once the personal residence of Cardinal Richelieu. In the gardens of the Palais Royal, Cardinal Mazarin organised small scale hunting parties for the young King Louis XIV, who was also taught to ride and learned the arts of war amidst these tranquil surroundings. Years later, in the late 18th century, the Palais Royal gardens were opened to the public. Many shops, cafés and entertainment venues flourished in the vicinity, creating a festive atmosphere enjoyed by all classes of society. Today, despite the changes, the place has not lost its charm. Even the little meridian cannon, which was stolen in 1998, has been returned to its proper place. Set on the meridian line of Paris, and set off by the sun’s rays focussed onto gunpowder, it thundered precisely at noon on sunny days until 1914. At the entrance, the controversial art installation columns of Daniel Buren joins shops, cafes and restaurants in blending modernity and tradition in this village within the city. JR.

Less than 30 minutes from the Hotel Fabric
8 rue de Montpensier, Paris 1st

Gardens open daily: 7:30 to 20:30 from October 1st to March 31st, 7:00 to 22:15 from April 1st to May 31st, 7:00 to 23:00 from June 1st to August 31st and 7:00 to 21:30 from September 1st to 30th, the galleries of the Palais Royal are open continuously.

Photo Palais Royal - Monuments Nationaux