A few years ago, while attending London Fashion Week, this writer was lucky enough to find enough time to go see the Dior retrospective at the V&A Museum. Having just missed its stint in the brand’s home town of Paris due to the impossible queues there, it was even more thrilling. The museum was open late to accommodate the even greater number of crowds drawn by the exhibition and I milled through line of excited people leading to the entrance. Inside, it was even more than I had imagined: a sprawling, wonderful, multicoloured, powerful tribute to this iconic heritage label that followed from its very origins to where it has come and what it has become today. Many were not quite so fortunate, however, and were not able to get the chance to see the exhibition in any of the cities around the globe in which it temporarily made its home. If you happen to be among this number and you were considering finding a vacation rental in Paris or a holiday rental in France and spending a day exploring the stunning capital, then you should know that you now have a chance to make up for it! This archive of incredible design and more now has a permanent home in the reopened flagship store at the brand’s historic address at 30 Avenue Montaigne. So, no matter when you plan a vacation in France moving forwards, you can come and admire the incredible history of the brand, perhaps do some shopping if that is in your budget, and indulge in some very chic and delicious treats at the new café in the building or go for a full Dior dining experience in the Dior restaurant - all under one roof!
Home to Maison Dior for over seventy years, 30 Avenue Montaigne is an iconic Paris address and space and has recently been further enhanced by a truly spectacular makeover that included the addition of this permanent new exhibition reopened to the public on the 9th of March 2022. An immersive and magical experience, the newly opened Galerie Dior museum inside the flagship store is a remarkable odyssey through the history and designs of the Dior label from its founder, Christian Dior, through all of the iconic masters who have headed the brand in the years since including Yves Saint Laurent, Marc Rohan, Gianfranco Ferré, John Galliano, Raf Simons, Maria Grazia Chiuri, and Kim Jones.
While fans of fashion and of the Dior brand, in particular, are sure to enjoy the experience that Paris’ latest fashion museum has to offer, the scale, colour, and spectacle of the beautifully designed space is sure to impress those with even a vague curiosity about such things or those with little interest of their own who have been dragged along by an enthusiast. Further points of interest, in addition to the archive of clothes, photographs, and documents in their fantastical and beautiful thematic displays, include the area where you can see master seamstresses at work on current masterpieces, Mr Dior’s completely reconstructed original office, the, “cabin,” in which models changed into garments for the original Dior shows held in the building, and a lovely Dior garden.
Even better, while the flagship store may display items outside most of our price ranges, the experience of the museum itself is not overly expensive with ticket prices ranging from eight to twelve euros. Booking in advance is a must and those visiting should be prepared to likely encounter considerable crowds as it is one of the hottest new exhibitions in the city.
If you have found a holiday rental in Paris and you are planning a trip to this new gem of a museum in the city then be sure to also set aside some time to pop into the café afterwards. Again, here things can get pricey but for those who love pretty cafés and enjoying some exceptionally chic desserts and beverages, it is an ideal place to unwind in the most elegant of surroundings and really caps off the whole experience and day out. Located on the ground floor, with seating inside and outside in the gardens that have been created by landscapist Peter Wirtz, the café, or Pâtisserie Dior, is open from 10am to 7pm serving a wonderful range of cakes including the vanilla Etoile Dior (€20), the Tarte au Chocolat (€22), the classic Flan à la vanille (€17), the Tarte aux agrumes (€22), and the Coco aux fruits exotiques (€17). There is also a range of beverages to choose from including the likes of coffees for around €8 and Matcha Lattes for around €14. At these prices, a visit clearly is a treat but if you really want to indulge, you could opt to dine in the sophisticated Dior restaurant that is also part of this mega fashion complex, just expect similarly elevated prices. Both eateries are run by the renowned French chef Jean Imbert and are located in a picture-perfect atrium that is bright and airy and decorated with tall tropical trees and flowers.
So, fashion-lovers, take note of this new must-see museum in France and get plotting your visit today!
Dior Montaigne
30, avenue Montaigne
75008 Paris 8
Opening hours:
Wednesday to Monday, 11am to 7pm
Closed on Tuesdays.
Tickets:
Available to book online.
Full price, €12
Reduced entry, €8 (for those 10-26 years of age with proof of identity, students with a valid student card, teachers)
Free entry for children under ten years of age, disabled guests plus one person accompanying them, unemployed guests, and journalists.
Picture 1: Martin Greslou / CC BY-SA 3.0