Top Reasons to Rendezvous in France in 2015

As of November 2014, the dollar has much improved against the euro and is now at one dollar and 24 cents. If one can’t go just now, think of going in January for instance, to take advantage of France’s month-long winter sales where prices are discounted up to 70%.

POINTS OF INTEREST

Fondation Louis Vuitton

The ultra-modern Foundation Louis Vuitton opened its doors in Paris on October 27, 2014. Set in the city’s park, the Bois de Boulogne, this extraordinary space for contemporary art and culture was conceived by architect Frank Gehry. The permanent exhibition showcases the extensive private collection of LVMH CEO Bernard Arnault and the one held by the Foundation itself. The inaugural show "Voyage of Creation," is dedicated to the architecture of the building and includes drawings, models, and other materials. It is an exhibition that coincides with Europe’s first major retrospective of Frank Gehry’s work which is running at the Centre Georges Pompidou through January 26, 2015.

Picasso Museum

Another greatly anticipated event was the reopening in Paris of the Picasso Museum on October 25, 2014, the birthday of the renowned artist. Housed in the Hotel Sâlé, one of the grandest Parisian mansions of the 17th century, the museum’s 5-year renovation and expansion doubled its exhibition space to include 13 new rooms to showcase the largest Picasso collection in the world, with close to 5,000 works including 4,000 graphic works, 297 paintings and 307 sculptures. The museum also features a new welcome center, auditorium and café.

Confluences Museum

Within the Quartier de la Confluence urban development and reclamation project, which transformed the traditionally industrial tip of the city’s southern peninsula into green space, Lyon will open the Confluence Museum on December 20, 2014. Dedicated to science, art and society, the museum will feature eight rooms (four permanent exhibition areas and four temporary exhibition areas) with different circulating exhibitions covering topics such as: genetic modification, exchange and innovation, origins of life, biodiversity, global-warming, geopolitics and social behavior.

500th Anniversary of the Reign of François I – 1515 to 1547

The Loire Valley, also known as the playground of the kings, will celebrate the 500th anniversary of the reign of François I which began in 1515. He was the patron of Leonardo da Vinci and of Giovanni da Verrazano, who explored the North American coast including the New York Bay in the service of the king. Events and concerts will be held at castles such as Chambord, Blois, Amboise, Sully-sur-Loire and at the Château du Clos Lucé, which was donated by the king to Leonardo da Vinci, where he spent the last three years of his life.

70 Anniversary of the End of WWII

Commemorations and celebrations will be held throughout France including in Reims, located in the Champagne region, where General Eisenhower accepted the German surrender on May 7, 1945 and WWII ended on both the Western and Eastern fronts in May 1945—VE Day. More information to come.

The Hermione Sails from Poitou-Charentes

2015 is a celebratory year for several regions in France including for the Poitou-Charentes region, a great contributor to the history of Franco-American friendship. On March 21 1780, the Marquis de Lafayette boarded the Hermione frigate, which was built in Rochefort, to rejoin the fight alongside George Washington during the American Revolutionary War. In 1997, a small group of enthusiasts started to build an exact replica of the Hermione in Rochefort and on September 7, 2014, the Hermione departed for sea trials with her new captain and 78-member crew. Following in the footsteps of Lafayette, the new Hermione will set sail from Rochefort to America in April 2015 making a first stop in Yorktown, then calling at ports including Washington, Philadelphia, New York, and Boston before its mid-August return home.

LUXURY HOTELS

The Distinction of Palaces de France

In the last four years, 16 French hotels have been bestowed the unique classification of Palaces de France. They promise comfort and elegance on a completely different scale, something for which the biggest stars on the planet have developed a taste. Customized service is their trademark. Artists, designers, painters and sculptors are associated with them. Their chefs compete for Michelin stars. They are:

Hôtel Four Seasons George V (Paris)
Hôtel Le Bristol (Paris)
Hôtel Le Mandarin Oriental (Paris)
Hôtel Le Meurice (Paris)
Hôtel Le Park Hyatt Paris Vendôme (Paris)
Hôtel Le Plaza Athénée (Paris)
Hôtel Le Royal Monceau – Raffles Paris (Paris)
Hôtel Le Shangri-La (Paris)
Hôtel du Palais (Biarritz)
Hôtel La Réserve (Ramatuelle-Saint-Tropez)
Hôtel Château de La Messardière (Saint-Tropez)
Hôtel Le Byblos (Saint-Tropez)
Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat (Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat)
Hôtel Les Airelles (Courchevel)
Hôtel Le Cheval Blanc (Courchevel)
Hôtel Le K2 (Courchevel)

The Peninsula Paris Hotel
Opened: August 2014

Glamour, style and French art de vivre come together with the opening of The Peninsula Paris – the culmination of a six-year labor of love with a focus on French craftsmanship, culinary knowhow and artisanal heritage. Taking over a former "grand hotel" that was one of 19th-century Paris’ most glamorous and stylish addresses, The Peninsula takes up the challenge of celebrating the very best of old and new, and setting new standards in design, luxury and comfort for its 200 luxurious rooms, including 34 suites.

Plaza Athénée Paris
Opened: August 2014

After a 200-million-euro ($268 million) expansion and renovation, the Plaza Athénée has integrated the three buildings that surround the hotel, including two luxury townhouses, and added 14 guest rooms (bringing to 15 the number of rooms with a direct view of the Eiffel Tower) and three event spaces, including a modest but sumptuous ballroom.

Hôtel de Crillon
Opening: 2015

The Hôtel de Crillon, a majestic building that has become a legend among luxury hotels and a living symbol of French art de vivre, is currently closed for a complete renovation. The renovation marks a milestone in the history of one of the world's most elegant palaces. The project, which involves some of the world’s leading design talents, seeks to create a new hotel in an 18th-century style, complete with a Michelin-starred restaurant, reception rooms, pa and swimming pool.

Ritz Paris
Opening: Late 2015

When its unprecedented restoration is complete, the legendary Ritz Paris hotel will unveil three restaurants; three bars (including Bar Hemingway); gardens and terraces with retractable roofs and floor heating; afternoon tea in the historic Salon Proust with its wood-burning fireplace; an expanded Ritz Escoffier cooking school; a signature spa featuring an indoor pool, treatment rooms and a modern fitness center; a tunnel ensuring private guest arrivals/departures from the Place Vendome; and 71 rooms and 72 suites, including 15 one-of-a-kind prestige suites. As a gift to Paris, the hotel is also restoring the Column in the Place Vendôme.

TRANSPORTATION

Air France A380 Flies to Miami

Starting on December 1st, 2014 and throughout the winter season, Air France will serve Miami daily by the A380, the largest aircraft in its long-haul fleet. This Airbus is already a new reference in terms of air transport and the environment. In addition to unparalleled comfort in a spacious cabin, the A380 offers a particularly quiet cabin and is more fuel-efficient, generating fewer CO2 emissions.

Air France New Lounge at JFK’s Terminal 1

Since October 31, a fully renovated Air France lounge has opened at JFK Terminal 1. Featuring nearly 9,687 square feet on two levels, the lounge offers a unique view of the New York City skyline, with optimal comfort, relaxation and meals.

New Direct Rail Between Italy and the French Riviera

Starting December 14, 2014, there will be a new direct rail service between Italy and the French Riviera, linking Milan to Marseille via Genoa, Savona, Monaco, Nice, Cannes, Toulon and Marseille.

Expanded Flight Options to Martinique

Significantly boosting its air service to Martinique from Miami, American Airlines announced it would be increasing its service from two to six direct flights per week beginning in the summer of 2015.

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