Dear Diva Readers,
Extra ,Extra! Read All About It! Our Paris Antiques Diva Tours just got better than ever!
In addition to our already sensational line up of Paris Tours – shopping the Puce de Paris, Porte de Vanves, from the Left Bank to the Right Bank and all over the city of light looking for antiques, vintage, retro, as well as fabrics and frills and vintage fashion and Chanel – we are NOW OFFERING Antiquing Tours in Versailles!
Paris Antiques Diva Tour Guide Danielle P explains about this special tour in a French Antiques Quarter in the Paris suburbs.
“Sometimes it’s nice to get out of Paris and go to the Suburbs to continue shopping in history. I usually meet clients at their hotel and drive them to Versailles in my personal car to take them antiquing in a really special place in the heart of the old town of Versailles.
The area was the local “le baillage” or the bailiff’s quarters. The bailiff was a judge of the criminal court. Built in the first quarter of the 18th century, the main building housed the tribunal court and was surrounded by a series of courtyards, smaller dwellings….and a prison.
About 30 years ago, a man by the name of Monsieur Lemonnier – nicknamed “Coach” – inherited the property and decided to install a few antique shops. Today there are now a little over fifty stores, ranging from small booths to much larger spaces and the offer is wide! You can find jewels, paintings, glass wares, furniture, an old frames restoration shop, a “Toiles de Jouy” store, art galleries, Chinese antiques, and some of the most beautiful 18th century furniture you can find anywhere. There’s even a little restaurant nestled in the middle of the shops called Little Italy that is delizioso for taking a mid-tour break!
On my recent visit Coach was kind enough to show me the old prison cells adjacent to the stores. Because I was attending for a fete, he even plied me with champagne! I suspect I was given much better treatment than those who stayed in the prison!!”
When to Book this Tour?
We recommend clients book this tour on a Friday (though it’s also possible on Saturday or Sunday). It’s the perfect day to have a little culture – and French retail therapy. After your Antiques Diva Guide Danielle collects you from your hotel, she’ll drive you to Versailles to start the day by touring the castle gardens. You can’t go to Versailles and not see these – it’s a stunning experience. Then you’ll spend the rest of the day antiquing – in a diva style that would make Marie Antoinette proud! Lunch at Little Italy is a must.
To book this new Versailles Antiques Tour with Danielle, email to:info@antiquesdiva.com”>info@antiquesdiva.com.
Bonne Shopping!
The Antiques Diva® & Co
