Valentines’ day will arrive soon! A wonderful occasion to offer a unique moment to your Valentine! The Relais Christine proposes you a romantic retreat in the heart of Saint Germain des Prés… A bottle of Champagne will wait for you in your room, and those of you who decide to stay in a Junior Suite will enjoy a delightful moment in the Spa with one massage per person. In the morning, enjoy breakfast at the Buffet under the vaults or in your bed! An ideal escape for two, and only two, in Paris. Book now!
If you are an art lover, and if you particularly appreciate Impressionism, run to the Musée d’Orsay, not far from the Relais Christine! It has just reopened its top floor dedicated to Impressionism and post-Impressionism as well as the four levels of the Pavillon Amont that lead to it. A better display of artworks, larger exhibition areas, a better circulation, all has been done for the comfort of visitors. Orsay, which used to be a railway station and was threatened with destruction before becoming a museum in 1977, is really worth a visit! Buy your tickets directly at the Relais Christine and avoid the long queue!
From November 4th to 30th, the Saint Germain des Prés Foto Festival will be all over the district and most of the galleries located around the Relais Christine (as Lélia Mordoch, Espaces 54, Insula galleries, or Roger Viollet agency, …). This year, the theme is “Pictures and words in Saint Germain des Prés”, which shows the close relation between photographers and writers and how their completing work reflects the identity of this famous Parisian area. During your stay at the Relais Christine, visit some of the galleries, and you will see how photography and literature have always been linked: pictures showing the world of literature or a writer asked to become an exhibition curator… An original and lightening promenade, so Saint Germain des Prés!
Pieces from Matisse, Cézanne, Picasso, but also Manet, Degat, Renoir, Braque, … Who wouldn’t dream admiring them side by side? The Grand Palais has achieved it by welcoming the Stein Collection for an exceptional exhibition. This family of patrons, who welcomed into their houses the avant-garde artists, had very early recognized the ones who would shortly become the masters of the Modern Art. The Relais Christine spoils you and proposes you a special package including one ticket per person for this fantastic exhibition, which will be difficult to attend without a pre-purchased ticket due to expected record attendance. Plan your stay, and enjoy a Parisian cultural escape in a cosy home of Saint Germain des Prés. Book your room now on our website. The package also includes breakfast daily.
On September 17th and 18th, Les Journées du Patrimoine will be the occasion for you to exceptionally discover a lot of architectural treasures and monuments, usually closed to the public. This year, the theme is “Travel”. While staying at the Relais Christine, embark for a unique landmark discovery tour and take the opportunity to visit the most beautiful buildings of Saint Germain des Prés and the 6th district. Sainte Chapelle, Saint Sulpice and Saint Germain des Prés churches, Palais du Luxembourg, Auguste Comte’s house, the Mazarine library, … , admire the famous houses of the area during these 2 special days. Speak to our Concierges, they will suggest you the best itinerary and prepare your travel book! Have a nice trip!
Among the many must-sees just off the Relais Christine, do not miss the Sainte Chapelle, a masterpiece of Flamboyant Gothic architecture built by Saint Louis in the heart of the Palais de la Cité, today’s law courts. You will admire the wood and stone sculptures, but above all the unique stained glass windows rendering the air iridescent with light and colour. They are just as impressive at night, and make a fabulous setting to enjoy chamber music during the concerts organized from March to November.
The beautiful shop of children’ clothes Jours de Fête, located Rue Dauphine just off the Relais Christine, has moved… But mothers don’t have to worry, it has settled just a few streets away, at nr 66 rue Notre Dame des Champs. Bridal procession, baptism or communion dresses, cashmere baby clothes, but also decorations… In this new décor, you will find again in this new spot all that you dream of for your princes and princesses!
Movie-goer notice! One of the best places in Paris to watch Hollywood cinema is standing just one step away from the Relais Christine: l’Action Christine. Take the opportunity of your stay at the Relais Christine to discover or rediscover master pieces, macabre films as well as soppy, planned by the Action Studios. Behind the old stones of its façade, its carriage entrance ranked among the historical buildings, and under the gold-letter-sign, the Action Christine proposes in its 2 projection rooms a wide range of movies. From May 18th to 24th, the film-maker Roger Corman and those he inspired have the place of honour in one of them (with Bloody Mama, but also Aviator by Scorsese or What’s Up, Doc by Bogdanovich). In the second room, in the basement, the movies are dedicated to the short news section, as The Wrong Man by Hitchcock, Big Deal on Madonna Street by Monicelli, and some others that are just as famous. From the quietness of the Relais Christine to the suspense of the films at the Action Christine, there’s only a street to cross… And it’s really worth it!
Jazz lovers, save the date! As each year since 2001, Saint Germain des Prés, the birthplace of jazz in Europe, organizes from May 15th to 29th 2011 the festival “Jazz à Saint Germain des Prés”. Creations, artists meetings, new talents, exhibitions, … In 14 places, close to the Relais Christine, you will be able to enjoy jazz music over and over! The festival “Jazz à Saint Germain des Prés” will propose unique and exceptional concerts, with the best French and international artists getting together in prestigious and unexpected places belonging to the historical, intellectual and architectural patrimony (Odeon theatre, Saint Germain des Prés Church, …). “Jazz à Saint Germain des Prés” also presents 2 photograph-exhibitions: “Ray Charles and Serge Gainsbourg : a story of musicians” and “Jazz at your fingertips”. Take the opportunity of your stay at the Relais Christine to enjoy this mythic music, so emblematic of Saint Germain des Prés!
Shigerun Ban and Jean de Gastines, the architects who conceived the Centre Pompidou in Metz, have re-imagined the spaces of the Musée du Luxembourg. The first museum in France opened in 1750 and was primarily located in the Palais du Luxembourg now hosting the French Senate. Since 2010, the management of the museum has been handed by the Senate to the Reunion of the French museums & Grand Palais of the Champs Elysées (RMN). Three main themes of exhibitions have been set: “Renaissance in Europe”, “Art and power” and “the Palace, the Garden and the Museum: le Luxembourg in the heart of Paris, capital of arts”.
While the renovation works of the museum will be achieved next fall, a part of it has already reopened and presents a major exhibition dedicated to a major painter of German Renaissance: Lucas Cranach (1472 – 1553). Do not hesitate to visit this exhibition to discover the great diversity in Cranach’s work that is also a testimony of the political and religious changes of his time, especially the Reformation.
When leaving from the museum, take a moment to enjoy the early spring light during a walk in the Luxembourg garden.