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07ba53b055c4d55b28e23b21b1435DALIDA , A DIVA and A FASHION ICON (1933 – 1987)

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Dalida was a famous singer from the 60s to the 80s and an icon. Still now. Her success was huge and Dalida has had and still has great great fans in France (and also abroad). One of the main squares in Montmartre has been named after her.  For many, Dalida is a myth, a legend, a diva. She received more than 70 gold records. She sold more than 170 million albums worldwide. However her private life has often been tragic. 

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“I know what my life is. My husband it’s my public. The songs are my children”

MAJOR EXHIBITION at GALLIERA : April 27 to August 13 2017

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Galliera Palace devotes a major exhibition to Dalida to mark the 30th anniversary of her death. Her wardrobe is exposed at the Palais from  April 27 to August 13  2017. Dalida loved fashion from Christain Dior, Chanel, Yves Saint Laurent, Lacroix, Azzaro and many more. She was sophisticated, glamourous. 17062017-P6170247-2

Palais Galliera 10 avenue Pierre 1er de Serbie – Paris 16 – from April to August 13th 2017. For more details about the Palais Galliera, please read my article too : Galliera, fashion and elegance

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MY VIDEO OF DALIDA EXHIBITION AT GALLIERA : Please watch this video of the exhibition in Galliera (a video by Ann Jeanne in Paris) :

A FILM : “DALIDA” (released in January 2017)

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In 2017, Lisa Azuelos, (daughter of famous French singer, Marie Laforêt), directed the film Dalida, starring Riccardo ScamarcioVincent PerezNiels SchneiderJean-Paul RouvePatrick Timsit and Sveva Alviti who portrayed Dalida.

The trailer : 

Below, a video about the film

DALIDA IN MONTMARTRE (PARIS)

Dalida has been living for 25 years in Montmartre, 11 bis rue d’Orchampt – from 1962 to 1987.She bought a townhouse in the 1900 style in Montmartre at the beginning of the 80s, nearby the Sacré Coeur. It has always be a quiet refuge for Dalida for the rest of her life.

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One of the main squares in Montmartre has been named after her  “Place Dalida” with a bronze statue of her bust (sculptor Alain Alsan)

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Place Dalida avec statue

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Dalida in Montmartre, nearby her home

Dalida rests near her home in the upper part of the cemetery of Montmartre with the trees she loved.

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A few WORDS about DALIDA’s STORY 

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EGYPT

Dalida was born Yolanda Gigliotti on the 17th of January 1933 in Cairo suburbs in a bourgeois emigrant family. Her italian grand- parents had emigrated to Egypt in the beginning of the 20th century.

She had 2 brothers, Orlando (her elder brother) and Bruno and she grew up in a musical environment : her father was  first violonist for the Cairo Opera. Dalida’s mother tongue was Italian. But she learned Egyptian Arabic and French in Cairo. She had a happy childhood, though serious eye problems affected her from an early age and had to undergo several operations.Dalida1954

She was destined by her family for a career as a secretary, but Dalida dreamed of becoming and actress. She was fascinated by Hollywood world . In 1951 she secretly entered a local beauty contest. In 1954, Yolanda entered another beauty contest, “Miss Egypt contest” and she was crowned Miss Egypt at the age of 19. Then, she started working as a model, then as an actress in Cairo. Then she began to dream of launching a career in Paris.

PARIS :

Mort de Lucien en 1970

With Lucien Morisse, her first husband

In 1954, she started a new life in Paris where she became Dalida. She started taking singing lessons with a music teacher and after a few months her teacher sent her off to audition for a cabaret on the Champs Elysées where she worked during several months.

She then was invited by the owner of Olympia (one of the most famous Parisian music-Hall) onto a show. Her performance impressed two influential men in the French record industry, Lucien Morisse and Eddy Barclay. Lucien Morisse became Dalida ‘s manager, then her husband (A difficult relationship : Lucien Morisse was married but finally divorced . They got married in Paris in 1961).

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Dalida and Lucien Morisse, her first husband and her manager

BAMBINO’s YEARS

Her second single, “Bambino” really launched Dalida to fame. Bambino was played practically non-stop on one of the most renown French radio (Europe 1) and reached the top of the French charts. She then performed at the Olympia beside Charles Aznavour.  In 1957, she received her first gold disc. Bambino had sold over 300 000 copies

Her second very successful hit was “Gondolier” (in 1957). She then started a great tour. In 1959, she went on another tour in Italy. Her fame soon spread throughout the rest of Europe. In 1961, she performed for an entire month at the prestigious Olympia music-hall attracting over 2000 music fans each night. She then carried out with a tour which took her to Hong Kong and Vietnam (where she was already a huge star)

Her  younger brother, Bruno (known as Orlando) became her manager. And her cousin Rosy became her secretary.

Dalida and Luigi tenco

Dalida and Luigi Tenco

LUIGI TENCO

In 1966, she was introduced to a young talented songwriter. They fell passionately in love. They soon got married. Dalida decided that Luigi should appear with her on stage in Italy during a song contest and that they would each perform their own version of the song “Ciao Amore Ciao”. Dalida was already a huge star in Italy while Luigi Tenco was not known yet. Neither Dalida nor Luigi were awarded a prize. Luigi Tenco then retired to his hotel room and committed suicide in his room. Dalida was devastated at Luigi’s death and a few months later she  attempted to end her life.

Below : Dalida singing with Luigi Tenco in 1967 at San Remo (Italy)

AFTER LUIGI

In the late 60’s, after Luigi Tenco’s death, Dalida reinvented herself : she started to read a lot : philosophy, psychology and started to practice yoga and meditation. She often went to India then went into analysis. But she also carried on singing and went on a serie of concerts in France, in Italy, then all over the world

In 1970, her huge hit was “Darla dirladada”. Then with the song “Avec le temps”,  she totally changed her repertoire with very meaningful poetic lyrics. She performed at the Olympia for 3 weeks where she was greeted very successfully

In September 1970, her former husband, Lucien Morisse committed suicide. 48b1b05dcc2564c689832f2ada0b9669

Duet with ALAIN DELON

In 1972, she recorded Paroles Paroles” with her old friend Alain Delon It reached the top of the French charts and was n°1 in Japan.

Alain Delon et Dalida enregistrant la chanson 'Paroles, Paroles' en 1973 . (Photo by Jean-Pierre BONNOTTE/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images)

Alain Delon et Dalida recording the song  ‘Paroles, Paroles’ en 1973 . (Photo by Jean-Pierre BONNOTTE/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images)

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Dalida and Alain Delon, rue d’Orchampt where Dalida used to live

HER LOVE STORY WITH RICHARD CHANFRAY

Dalida avec son compagnon Richard Anfray (dit le comte de Saint-Germain) à Saint-Tropez en 1978.

Dallied and Richard Chanfray

Her encounter with Richard Chanfray in 1972  (who wanted to be known as the Count of Saint Germain) changed her life.  And she appeared to be a glamourous star. It has been her longest love story (9 years) 

MF - dalida-1èmaxresdefaultIn 1973, she sang “Il venait d’avoir 18 ans”.  This song reached immediately the top of the charts in 9 countries. 3.5 million copies sold in Germany.My favorite song of Dalida is definitely, without any doubt : “Il venait d’avoir 18 ans”

In 1974 : “Gigi L’Amoroso” which became among the most famous hit of Dalida, n°1 in 12 countries. Then she went on tours in Japan,  Quebec, then Germany . In 1975, she was awarded the prestigious Prix de l’Académie du Disque français”. Then another huge success “J’attendrai”. She was performing very frequently on French TV and she returned several times to Egypt.

She recorded  the traditional Egyptian song Salma Ya Salama which was released in France and the Middle East. She recorded this song in 7 languages.  It was a phenomenal success.

diapositiva_169.jpgThe 80’s

She recorded “Generation 78”, a medley very influenced by the 70’s disco wave. She has been adapting her musical style to the latest trends. In 1979, She recorded “Monday Tuesday”Dalida-ses-plus-grands-succes

 

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Dalida performing at the “Palais des Sports” (Paris)

Dalida transformed her appearance. She danced sourrounded by dancers. In 1980, he performed a spectacular Broadway-style show in Paris at the Palais des Sports with Lester Wilson as her choreographer, (L. Wilson was the choreographer of John Travolta in Saturday night fever)r.   She sold out at the Palais des Sports for 18 gigantic shows with 30 musicians and 12 dancers. She was the first woman to perform in front of 5000 people in Paris. She then went on a national tour which lasted 10 months.

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Dalida at the Palais des Sports in 1980

In 1981 she split from Richard Chanfray.

On her premiere at the Olympia where she performed in 1981, she received a diamond disc for having sold over 80 million albums over her career.  Dalida et François Mitterrand en 1975 - SipaBelow : “Monday, tuesday”, a great hit

She then set off on another world tour for 12 months. When back to France, she recorded “Mourir sur scène”. Her popularity was as great as ever. In 1983, two years after they split up, she learnt that the former lover Richard Chanfray had committed suicide. Devastated … In 1984, she set off on tour again, The following years, she was force to interrupt her career to undergo 2 major eye operations. In 1986, She play a leading role in the film “Le Sixième jour” (director : Youssef Chahine)Le-sixieme-jour---AfficheIn 1987, she decided to put an end to her life and let a message :  “Forgive me life has become unbearable for me…”Wallpaper 30 ans déjà

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More informations about Dalida

SONGS (Some of her most famous songs) :

  • Bambino (1956)MF - 2e3079aed6f789f2afcb87f47ce0a331
  • Gondolier (1957)
  • Come prima (1958)
  • CiaoAmore Ciao (1967)
  • Darla dirladada (1970)
  • Avec le temps (1971)
  • Pour ne pas vivre seule (1972)
  • Parle plus bas (1972)
  • Paroles, Paroles (1973)
  • Je suis malade (1973)
  • Il venait d’avoir 18 ans (1974)
  • Gigi l’amoroso (1974)
  • J’attendrai (1976)
  • Besame Mucho (1976)
  • Salma Ya Salama (1977)
  • Génération 78 (1978)
  • Laissez-moi danser (1979)
  • Monday,Tuesday (1979)
  • Comme disait Mistinguett (1979)
  • Gigi in Paradisco (1980)
  • Mourir sur scène (1983)

 

 

 

 

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Experience Paris,with Ann Jeanne in Paris 

Paris through the eyes of a native

Get a real connection with Paris
“Ann Jeanne in Paris” tours are different from  traditional guided tours. They are private walking tours with you only,or you and the person you choose.  No lectures : it’s an encounter, a meeting, a cross-cultural experience. The tours are friendly, welcoming and we walk at your pace. I give you all my attention, I accompany you, I discuss with you and share my Paris with you.

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17062017-P6170216-1Palais Galliera, a fashion museumCarte Paris repérage

The Galliera palace is also known as the City of Paris fashion museum (Musée de la Mode de la Ville de Paris). It is a museum dedicated to fashion and its history

Please take a short visit around Galliera before entering the building !

A 36 secondes VIDEO

It is located on the right bank of the river Seine,  in the 16th arrondissement of Paris just across the street from the Palais de Tokyo and not faraway from the Eiffel Tower

The Duchess de Galliera

Some History : The Palais galliera was built in the 19th century.

In 1876, the Duchesse de Galliera inherited her late husband’s fortune, including a large parcel of land in the 16th arrondissement one of the nicest neighbourhoods in Paris. She gave the land to the city of Paris in 1879 and built a museum at her expense to hold her  works of arts. It was then used by the city of Paris for temporary exhibitions. 17062017-P6170248-2

 

17062017-P6170247-2Since 1977, the museum has been devoted to fashion It is often referred to,  as the Musée de la Mode de la Ville de Paris (City of Paris fashion Museum)

A Fashion Museum :17062017-IMG_8476

The Palais Galliera  now houses the Musée de la Mode de la Ville de Paris. The collections are among the richest in the world and reflect the fashion trends and habits of France from the 18th century to the present day (100 000 pieces of clothing and accessories). It only presents temporary exhibitions. Exhibitions are generally held 2-3 times a year and last 4-6 months on average. There is no permanent exhibition as many of the items are fragile and cannot be exposed to light for long periods of time. Between every exhibition, the museum is closed to the public.

By 2019, opening of  “The Gabrielle Chanel rooms”

Chanel in 1936 by cecil Beaton in the Ritz

Chanel in 1936 by cecil Beaton in the Ritz

In 2019, with the support of Chanel, Palais Galliera will open a permanent gallery making it France’s first permanent fashion museum. Chanel will finance the construction of the new space, which will be called “The Gabrielle Chanel rooms” (Salles Gabrielle Chanel).  Il will be located in the basement floor of the Palais Galliera and will be open all year round. The Gabrielle Chanel rooms will also have a bookshop. The ground floor will continue to display temporary exhibitions.

The building : Neo-Classical style 17062017-P6170217-2

The design was inspired by a palace that the Duchess Galliera owned in Genoa. The façade is made of Cut stones in the Italian Renaissance style.

The Eiffel Tower seen from Galliera

The Eiffel Tower seen from Galliera

The Garden :

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The square Galliera

The Square Galliera is located behind the Museum. It was created in the 19th century. The entrance is on Avenue Président Wilson opposite the Palais de Tokyo. The fountain in front of the museum dates from 1916

The Current exhibition (from April 27th to August 13th 2017) :  “Dalida, une garde-robe de la ville à la scène”

Although you might not know her,  Dalida was a huge star in France in the 70s and 80s A singer who passed into legend. The exhibition takes a look at her wardrobe, and costumes that she wore during her career. This is the subject of a large donation to the Palais Galliera by her brother.

(An article about “Dalida, une garde-robe de la ville à la scène” will be soon published. Work in Progress)

Practical informations :

  • Palais Galliera website :  www.palaisgalliera.paris.fr/en
  • Address : 10 rue Pierre 1er de Serbie Paris 16 – Metro : Iena or Alma Marceau (line 9) or Boissière (line 6)
  • Opening times : Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 6pm  –   (closed on Monday and Public holidays)
  • Late openings on Thursdays and Fridays until 9 pm

My suggestions

  • Choose to visit preferably a morning
  • Book your ticket on line before your visit
  • If coming on a Wednesday or a Saturday morning, combine your visit with the President Wilson open market and  the Esplanade du Trocadéro (Eiffel Tower) and a drink at a nice cafe (lots of nice cafes in the area). Here is how you could organise your morning :
    1. Place du Trocadéro : enjoy a look at the Eiffel Tower and get the opportunity to take a few pictures on an early morning. – Metro Trocadero (line 6)
    2.  Galliera Museum around 10.30 am
    3. Take a cafe at the “Le Grand Corona” 3 place de l’Alma – Paris 16 (or at another cafe among all the nice cafes in the neighborhood.
    4. President Wilson open market (after your visit to Galliera Palace) and with a short visit at the Esplanade du Trocadero to have a look at the Eiffel Tower and maybe to take some nice pictures on an early morning.   before your visit, have a look and take some photos of the Eiffel Tower from the Esplanade du Trocadero (Metro Trocadero)

Other informations : 

President Wilson market : 17062017-P6170273-8

  • President Wilson market :
  • An open market with high quality products in a wonderful setting
  • Opening days and time : Wednesday 7am-14pm and Saturday 7am to 15pm
  • Address : Avenue du Président Wilson – Paris 16 – between Debrousse street and Iena square – Metro Stop : Iena (line 9)

Experience Paris,with Ann Jeanne in Paris, native Parisian :
“Ann Jeanne in Paris” tours is very different from  traditional guided tours. My walking tours are private walking tours with you only,or you and the person you choose.  No lectures : it’s an encounter, a meeting, a cross-cultural experience. The tours are friendly, welcoming and we walk at your pace. I give you all my attention, I accompany you, I discuss with you and share my Paris with you.

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Bienvenue à Paris – Welcome to Paris !

Some more photos :

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The Eiffel Tower seen from Galliera

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Christian Dior (1905-1957) was a French fashion designer.MFIMG_1038

Early life :

Christian Dior was born in Granville, a seaside town on the coast of Normandy. His father, Maurice Dior,  was the owner of a highly successful fertilizer manufacturer. When Christian dior was about five years old, the family moved to Paris, but, still returned to Granville for summer holidays.

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His family had hoped he would become a diplomat, but Dior was passionate about art. However, submitted to pressure from his father, he enrolled at the Ecole des Sciences Politiques. At the same time, he used to sell his fashion  sketches for about 10 cents each…

In 1928, Dior opened a small art gallery with money he received from his father.  Dior’s gallery handled the works of such artists as Matisse, Dali, Braque, Picasso, Cocteau and Max Jacob. But 3 years later, after the death of his mother and elder brother and a financial disaster in the family’s business during the Great Depression, the gallery had to be closed.

 

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Yes Christian Dior looks like Alfred Hitchcok !

GF - Avec Mr Dior - IMG_1015Early work in Fashion :

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Dior began to sell his fashion sketches and in 1935, landed a job illustrating the magazine Figaro illustré. In 1937, he was hired as a design assistant by Paris couturier Piguet who gave him the opportunity to design 3 Piguet collections. Whilst at Piguet, Dior worked alongside Pierre Balmain. Christian Dior left Piguet when he was called up for military service. In 1942, he left the army and joined the fashion house of Lucien Lelong.

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First collection : the “New Look” style.

His first collection (1947)

After the WWII, in 1946, Dior wished to start under his own name. His first collection called “Corolle” (= the botanical term corolla or circlet of flower petals in English)  was presented in 1947.  It featured narrow-waisted tightly fitted bodices and full pleated skirts. This became known as the “New Look” style. 

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IMG_1534“You can wear black at any time. Tony can wear it at any age. You may wear it for almost any occasion. “A little black frock” is essential to a woman’s wardrobe.” Christian Dior

He was the master at creating shapes and silhouettes. He was then the most successful fashion designer in the world. He launched at the same time his first perfume “Miss Dior”. 

“I have designed flower women” (Christian Dior)

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Christian Dior2

The New Look revolutionized women’s dresses and reestablished Paris as the centre of the fashion world after WWII.His designs have been worn by film stars and Royalty alike.   From 1955 until 1960, Yves Saint Laurent worked for Dior in Paris. GF - 1950 Dior L'officiel 4

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In 1957 Dior House represented half of the French exportation of fashion. 

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Death : 

“Finally, everything that has been part of my life, whether I wanted it to or not, has expressed itself in my dresses” – Christian Dior

He died in Italy in 1957, of a heart attack at the age of 52. he was buried in Cimetière de Callian in Var (France.).

The Christian Dior’s house is now owned by Groupe Arnault. There are more than 160 Dior shops in the world.

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“Les Rhumbs” : Christian Dior childhood home (it’s now Christian Dior Museum)

les rhumbsIt’s a Belle Epoque style 19th century villa standing on the cliff and over looking the sea. It’s located in Granville, Normandy, not far from Mont Saint Michel. It is the only French Museum dedicated to a couturier. It presents Haute couture garments on 3 floors. The garden is still arranged as an English landscape park as it was by Madeleine Dior, Christian Dior’s mother. 

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Christian Dior’s parents bought this villa in 1905. Christian Dior was particularly fond of this place. he wrote in his autobiography “Christian Dior and I” : “I have most tender and amaze memories… of my childhood home. I would even say that my life and my stile owe almost everything to its site and architecture.”

In 1932, shortly after Christian Dior’s mother Madeleine had died, the father got ruined by the crisis and the property had to be sold. The villa was purchased by the town of Granville and the garden was open to the public from 1938. In 1997, the villa became the “Christian Dior Museum”The villa was purchased by the town of Granville and the garden was open to the public from 1938. In 1997, the villa became the “Christian Dior Museum”

Christian Dior perfumes : 

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IMG_1542Some of his most famous perfumes : 

  • 1947 : Miss Dior
  • 1966 : first Eau de Toilette for men, Eau Sauvage
  • 1985 : Poison which becomes a worldwide best-seller
  • 1988 : Fahrenheit
  • 1991 : Dune
  • 1999 : J’adorePF - Pub - IMG_1032

Practical information :

Christian Dior – 30 avenue Montaigne – Paris 8 (near the Champs Elysées) : A historical spot for fashion, which saw the birth of the New Look”. Dior presented its ready-to-wear collections for men and women there, as was as perfume and accessories. Babu Dior can be found just nex door. Opening times : Monday-Saturday 10am – 7pm  – La Maison Dior : www.dior.com/couture/fr_fr/la-maison-dior/dior-en-histoires/30-avenue-montaigne   – More about the “Maison Dior” : www.dior.com

Christian Dior Museum – Granville (Normandy – France)IMG_1546GranvilleIMG_1051

  • Opening time : from Thursday 5 May to Sunday 25 September 2016 
  • Every day from 10:00 to 18:30
    Ticket office closes at 18:00.
  • The shop inside the museum : selection of books related to fashion and Christian Dior, catalogue-books of the pas exhibitions, postcards, posters, historical fragrances and Dior gifts.
  • A tea room : in the heart of Christian childhood’s garden, overlooking the sea, opened during July and August from 12 to 6.30 pm. free access independent of the museum’s entrance.
  • Address : Villa “Les Rhumbs”, 1 rue d’Estouteville – 50400 GRANVILLE Tél : 02 33 61 48 21 – 
  • Website :  musee-dior-granville.com   

Some books about Christian Dior :

Song : The English singer-songwriter Morrissey released a song titled “Christian Dior” as an B-side to his 2006 single “In the future when All’s well”PF - IMG_1008

The Cinema and Christian Dior : 

“Dior and I” (documentary 2015) : Dior and I brings the viewer inside the storied world of the Christian Dior fashion house with a privileged, behind-the-scenes look at the creation of Raf Simons’ first haute couture collection as its new artistic director

Official trailer : 

Some actresses who wore Dior dresses :

Marlene Dietrich : “No Dior, no Dietrich”

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Marlène Dietrich, Brigitte Bardot, Sophia Loren, Marilyn Monroe, Ava Gardner, Olivia de Haviland, Sharon Stone, Monica Bellucci, Elisabeth Taylor, Rita Hayworth…  Now : Cotillard, Charlize Theron, Natalie Portman

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Let Paris become “your Paris”, the time of your stay !

Visit Paris, with Ann Jeanne in Paris, native Parisian : 

  • You’d like to feel like a local and having a tour in a Paris neighborhood, but you don’t feel having a tour with a group ?
  • You’d like to discover Paris off the beaten path and get a real feel of an authentic Paris ?
  • You’d like to see Paris in another perspective and to know more about Paris and Parisians?

Anne à Montsouris - Format original-2637WELCOME !

  • I’d be delighted to welcome you and share with you “my” Paris. And Paris will be “your” city too 🙂
  • The tours are private (with you only or you and the person you choose), at your pace. 
  • For more details : The tours – Booking and Pricing
  • Feel free to contact me 

 Ann Jeanne in Paris’ Private walking tours

IMG_9589“Le Bon Marché” (= “The good deal”) is a department store located on the Left bank in the 7th arrondissement of Paris.

 

Actually, a huge luxury department store. Very upscale. Very pleasant to wander through. Grand and elegant. High-end products… with the matching prices. 

Fashion, beauty, a food hall…, several restaurants, cafes and tearooms, VIP services (Personal stylists, valet parking)…

Marguerite et Aristide Boucicaut

Aristide and Marguerite Boucicaut

A little History : It’s the  oldest Paris department store It was  founded by Aristide Boucicaut, in 1852. It sells a wide range of high-end goods and has a food department called “La grande Epicerie”. It was enlarged in 1872 with help from the firm of Gustave Eiffel, creator of the Eiffel Tower (for part of its internal structure made of cast iron).

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Andrée Putman

The central escalators were designed by Andrée Putman (1925-1973 – French interior and product designer – (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrée_Putman). It has an Art deco glass ceiling and a beautiful balustrade.

Le Bon Marché is divided into 2 parts : a building with fashion, beauty…etc and La Grande Epicerie (the food and all what’s linked to the home)

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Scarves in Le Bon Marché

Fashion, beauty…etc

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Le Bon Marché

  • Ground Floor :
    • Small boutiques selling the most prestigious brands : LV, Dior, Chanel…
    • Fashion accessories : scarves, jewelry, hats, bags, gloves, watches
    • Beauty department : make-up, perfumes, 
  • Lower ground-floor : the Men’s department
  • 1st floor
    • fashion department (an excellent selection of well known designer labels : Lanvin, Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Roger Vivier, Claude Pierlot, Christian Dior, …)
    • an impressive lingerie department with the very best brands
  • 2nd floor :
    • fashionBeauty department
    • furniture department
  • 3rd floor :
    • Children’s department  : fashion, books, toys
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La Grande Epicerie

La Grande Epicerie (= Le Bon Marché’s food hall) A visual experience.

At the ground floor of La Grande Epicerie of Le Bon Marché : the freshest ingredients from the very best brands, a cave which is a must-see, a beautiful pastry counter, an amazing cheese counter, products from around the world : italian goods, American goods…, Lavender mustard, chestnuts in honey, more than 100 types of chocolate..

At the 1st floor : kitchen section, tableware, furniture collections…

 

 

Video : discover La Grande Epicerie

The restaurants and cafés of Le Bon Marché :

La Table : The new restaurant at the 1st floor of La Grande Epicerie (see below) – French cuisine – Du lundi au samedi, de 10h30 à 19h30. www.lebonmarche.com/media/pdf/carte_la-table_01-2015.pdf

Le Balthazar : 1st floor Mon-Sat 10.30am to 8pm

Sunless Howard : coffee shop – Mon-Sat 10am à 7pm

Rose Bakery tea room : a tea room – stay or take-away – 2nd floor – 10.30am to 6.30pm – 

Primo Piano : for a light lunch or a drink and/or a pastry. 2nd floor mon-frieday 10am to 7pm

Le Comptoir : light lunch Mon-friday 12am to 3pm

And 3 other places to have a meal…

IMG_6757Practical details : 

Address : 24, rue de Sèvres – Paris 7  www.lebonmarche.com 8.30am-9pm Mon-Sat

Metro stop : Sèvres Babylone – Line 10

Opening hours : 10am-8pm Mon-Tues-Wed-Sat // 10am-9pm Thurs-Fri

La Grande Epicerie (Le Bon Marché’s foodhall : www.lagrandeepicerie.fr, 8.30am-9pm Mon-Sat)

Reading : Emile Zola : “Au Bonheur des Dames” : the 11th novel in the Rougon-Macquart series : a novel about changes in society during the Second Empire and about the birth of modern retailing

 

 

My advice :

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  • Definitely, my favorite Paris department store
  • In my opinion, the most user-friendly, much less crowded compare to Les galeries Lafayette or Le Printemps. The atmosphere is much more relaxed. A luxurious experience. A nice and efficient service; the staff is very helpful. The products are displayed in a much more tasteful manner. And it’s in a very nice neighborhood (nearby Saint Germain des Prés) and right next to a metro station (Sèvres Babylone)
  • Worth the visit. Definitly the department store where I would go for shopping or browsing if  visiting Paris. A very pleasant experience even if you just look around and do not buy anything.Though, I would still go to Les Galeries Lafayette for its beautiful Art Nouveau architecture and to Le Printemps for its terrace and its view over Paris. 
  • Don’t forget to bring your passport in order to have tax-free/duty-free shopping.
  • Don’t miss the food hall. Street entrance. Amazing. 

 

Anne à Montsouris - Format original-2637YOUR Private walk, with Ann Jeanne in Paris, native Parisian

  • You’d like to feel like a local and having a tour in a Paris neighborhood, but you don’t feel having a tour with a group ?
  • You’d like to discover Paris off the beaten path ?
    You’d like to see Paris in another perspective and to know more about Paris lifestyle

WELCOME !

CONTACT me for a private walking tour and EXPERIENCE PARIS as a local

  • You only, or you and the person you choose.
  • Duration of the tour : from 2 hours. It includes a coffee in an authentic cafe
  • The tour can be customized according to your preferences and interests 

For more details : The toursBooking and Pricing

Don’t hesitate to contact me   

 

Coco Chanel

Coco Chanel adjusts the armhole of a model's dress with an assistant. ---1961 Paris

Coco Chanel adjusts the armhole of a model’s dress with an assistant. —1961 Paris

As Chanel once said : “Luxury must be comfortable, otherwise, it is not luxury.”

N°5 ChanelAhead of her time :

The first designer to create élégant and comfortable clothes for women. She innovated by the use of jersey fabric. She worked until her death in 1971 at the age of 88. She is still influencing women’s lifestyles and clothing.

She created : 

Sophisticated outfits paired with great accessories, such as several strands of pearls

Her little black dress

The legendary Chanel suit,with collarless jacket and well-fitted skirt. Audrey Hepburn and Grace Kelly fell in love with her stylish cardigan suits.        

Her perfumes. In 1922, she launched Chanel n°5.

 

 

Chanel - Quote1

 

Coco Chanel in 1960

 

Her life 

Born Gabrielle Chanel in 1883, in the Loire Valley. Her mother died when she was 6 . Her father sent her to the orphanage of the Catholic monastery where she learned the trade of a seamstress. When she was 18, she took up work for a local tailor. In 1910, she opened her first shop (hats) « Chanel Modes » in Paris : 21 rue Cambon – Paris. In 1913 she opened a shop (hats) in Deauville, then in 1915, in Biarritz. In 1919, she opened a house of fashion in Paris

By the 1920’s, she opened her shop in Paris : 31 rue Cambon (near Place de la Concorde), which remains Chanel headquarters to this day.

She has lived (until her death in 1971) at the Ritz Hotel in Paris for over thirty years.

The best things

Chanel vs Dior - 1959

 

 

Would you like to visit Coco Chanel’s Paris apartment  ?  31, rue Cambon – Paris 1(Not opened to the public)

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Coco Chanel at her apartment

Coco Chanel at her apartment – 31 rue Cambon – Paris 1

She also lived 30 years in the Ritz Hotel until her death in 1971

Chanel at the Ritz

Coco Chanel at the Ritz

Some movies featuring Chanel:

Coco Chanel (2008) : a television movie starring Shirley MacLaine as a 70-year-old Chanel.

Coco before Chanel (2009) : French actress Audrey Tautou played the designer as a young woman.

Simplicity

If you enjoyed watching Coco Chanel working and her models on the cat walk, read more below

(more…)