By Grace Ma - 16 Nov The Louvre museum, Eiffel Tower , and Chateau de Versailles are well-known landmarks in Paris that often top tourist itineraries in the French capital. But, unbeknownst to many, the city has a handful of under-the-radar museums and palaces whose riveting histories are only revealed through exclusive private tours with their owners or historians. These extraordinary sites, often shrouded in mystery, have started collaborating with luxury travel curators, recognising the appeal of an exclusive experience that goes beyond the ordinary tourist attractions.
One such curator is Singapore-based bespoke travel designer Intriq Journey who was about to take me on a whirlwind tour that would reveal the captivating histories and artistic treasures of Paris in an entirely new light.
It was her special place for hosting friends and indulging in her love for botany and animals. As I stepped through the steel gates, another world unfurled. The urban sprawl of Paris faded away, and in its place was a foliage-filled wonderland, dressed in rich shades of green after a spring shower, framed by gray skies overhead.
Through the trees peeked the white walls of the chateau, and at the top of a flight of stone steps stood a smiling Stefan Czarnecki, the amiable gentleman who owns and lives in the mansion. His voice conveyed an affection for the place as he pointed out features such as the section where a steel and glass greenhouse once stood β architectural innovation that was ahead of its time but was eventually destroyed as it fell into disrepair. Following him around the different rooms was like watching a happy child among his favourite toys.
As he explained the significance behind each item and how he painstakingly re-gilded the original gold motifs that had faded away from neglect, I mused about how art pieces not only shed light on their creators but also the passion of their collectors. Still, nothing beats the scintillatingly salacious stories in the Hotel de La Paiva , the last grand residence among the few that used to line Avenue des Champs-Elysees.
