LOCAL Houston | The City Guide JUNE 2016 | Page 72
DESTINATION
FRANCE
PARIS | BURGUNDY | ÉVIAN-LES-BAINS
By Carla Valencia de Martinéz
FRANCE IS ALWAYS, ALWAYS A GOOD IDEA. MY RECENT ESCAPADE
SPANNED THE OBVIOUS ALLURE OF PARIS, TO THE WINE ROUTES AND
GOURMET TRAILS OF BURGUNDY, CULMINATING IN THE RHONE-ALPES CITY
OF EVIAN-LES-BAINS FAMOUS FOR ITS HEALING AND RELAXING WATERS.
Getting to and moving throughout France has never been easier. Air France’s recent
upgrades including improved Business and Premium economy cabins, meals created
in partnership with Michelin-starred Chef Daniel Boulud and of course, a stellar wine
menu, make it a pleasurable experience getting there.
Moving within Europe is also a breeze thanks to Rail
Europe. The first time is always an adventure, but once you
get the hang of checking in, filling out the stub and situating
your baggage, the nostalgia of old school glamour train
travel and the ease of modernity settle in for an enjoyable
trip. www.raileurope.com/index.html
Château de Pommard
Air France
PARIS
STAY: Full of history with a love story to match, Hôtel Napoléon’s love story is of
a rich Russian entrepreneur, Alexander Pavlovich Kliaguine, who falls madly in love
with a young Parisian girl at a literary fair in the late 1920s and as a wedding gift,
gives her a hotel in Paris’ 8th arrondissement. The hotel is still owned by the
Kliaguine family today, with their private art collection gracing much of the property,
adding to the feeling of understated luxury. The property is within walking distance
of the Champs-Élysée and Arc de Triomphe. www.hotelnapoleaonparis.com
DO: See Paris in a different light in the backseat of a vintage Citroën 2CV. Insider
tips included an up-close and personal drive at the base of the Eiffel Tower where
the names (that were short enough) of the philanthropic families who helped raise
money for the tower are etched. http://2cvparistour.com The Jacquemart-André Museum
not only showcases the home of this art collecting couple, but also Nélie
Jacquemart’s keen eye for talent well before their worth. Edoard André spent his fortune amassing his art collection and met Nélie when she painted his portrait. Their
union was a match made in art heaven and their home embodies their passion for
travel, philanthropy and art. The collection features works by Chardin, Fragonard,
Rembrandt, Botticelli as well as frescoes, tapestries, sculptures and furniture. The
Impressionists in Normandy currently on view features the work of Monet, Daubigny
and Baudelaire. www.musee-jacquemart-andre.com
SAVOR: La Maison Blanche has been offering the most majestic view of Paris at
night for 25 years and is located on the rooftop of the Théâtre des Champs Elysée.
www.maison-blanche.fr/en/presentation-20.html
BURGUNDY
A leisurely hour and a half first class rail transport to Dijon-Ville via Rail Europe sets
us up on a gourmet tour of Burgundy.
STAY: Château de Chailly is an upscale 16-century hotel and golf resort with
large, luxurious rooms that have been graced by the likes of the Dalai Lama. It’s easy
to imagine an era of royalty walking through the halls of this castle. There’s an outdoor pool, hammam, jacuzzi, game room and tennis courts. www.chailly.com
72
L O C A L
| june 16
Hotel Napoléon
DO: If a truffle makes you swoon, the family-owned L’Or des
Valois boutique in the historic antiquarian district is a must. The
owners are passionate and share a wealth of knowledge about
the different types of truffles as well as offer tastings. The shop is
stocked with oils, condiments, truffles and can arrange guided
hunts. www.truffedebourgogne.fr/en/welcome-2 Maille in the city of Dijon
is the original boutique (first opened in 1845), with hundreds of
varieties of this famed potent mustard. They offer tastings as well
as hand bottling and corking the perfect gifts to bring home.
www.maille.com/en_GB/boutiques?sid=dijon
A stop at Hospices of Beaune shares the history of one of the first
hospitals of the region. Flemish in design, the roof tiles are
breathtaking as is the guided tour of this ahead of its time medical marvel founded by Nichlas Rolin, chancellor of Burgundy.
One of the most important wine auctions in France, organized
by Christie’s, is also held here yearly. www.hospices-de-beaune.com
Chateau de Pommard is a breathtaking château owned by an