The Designers Collaborative aka TDC went to Paris for Paris Design Week with IDS National!
Paris is a gorgeous city adorned with beautiful architecture, amazing museums, fabulous shopping, and delicious food. So, when I saw the opportunity to attend the Paris Design Week tour with IDS this year, I jumped on it! I posted in our TDC Facebook group to see if anyone wanted to join me and 7 members signed up. So, off we went!
IDS National scheduled many great tours for us. It was a perfect way to explore the local vendors and learn what treasures and best-kept secrets the city had to offer.
Naturally we had an amazing time but what made it all the more special and fun was spending time with a few TDC members. We were able to bond and enjoy our time together as we giggled and laughed throughout the whole trip creating a deeper friendship between us. I love our TDC community!
We stayed in the centrally located Saint-Germain district in the heart of the city’s design district. This location was perfect for us since it had great shops, restaurants and a metro station nearby.
Some memorable highlights from this trip would be visiting The Musee d’Orsay, formerly a train station transformed into a museum. They had amazing works of art that I remember studying in my art history class so seeing them in person felt like a celebrity encounter. Plus, they had an amazing collection of Art Nouveau furniture and a preserved ballroom that displayed the most spectacular Victorian architecture and lighting!
A relaxed dinner in the Montmartre district of Paris with 6 of our TDC members was next on my favorites list. We traveled up to the area which boasts amazing views from the highest part of the city, the famous Basilica of the Sacre-Coeur located on the hilltop of Montmartre, with shops, and artists selling paintings. We had a wonderful time and a delicious meal there.
The antique flea market was filled with unique treasures in all categories. We had local guides show us the different areas and teach us a little about the art of haggling for a better price. I walked away with some vintage clothes that I know will be some of my favorite pieces.
The “Galeries Lafayette” is known as the best shopping mall in Paris and is a visual feast for the eyes. This historic department store offers high-end recognizable brands, including a selection of vintage and used/recycled clothes.
Our trip was now coming to a close. We packed up the treasures we bought and headed to the IDS farewell party which was held on a barge boat parked on the Seine River just under the Eiffel Tower. It was a great way to end this tour with everyone who attended. …… Paris. Until we meet again.
