ARTISTIC ENDEAVOURS

Anyone can be an art snob with an art concierge on speed dial.

It’s the city of romance to some, and the retail therapy capital of the world to others. But perhaps unequivocally to all, Paris is the city of fine art. This reputation is welldeserved – the capital is home to some of the world’s most well-known museums and many of the art world’s most-respected names.

Navigating this labyrinth of culture can be daunting to any visitor but there’s a way to do it without toting guidebooks and getting lost in educational literature. The go-to name for every aspiring connoisseur should be Julie Eugene, the resident art concierge at Le Royal Monceau. An introduction to the city’s best art could be as simple as a tour around the hotel, which boasts a collection of 750 art pieces displayed in rooms and corridors. The regular tourist circuit of museum- hopping can be made more in-depth with a map from Eugene, tailored to suit the client’s preferences and level of art knowledge.

Intermediate connoisseurs may enjoy her insider tips on art investment and upcoming exhibitions as well as appreciate the chance to snag hard-to-obtain invites to exclusive events. Fancy getting an entire gallery to yourself? No problem. One of Eugene’s most notable feats, for example, was securing for a client a private showing of the sold-out Frida Kahlo exhibition in 2013.

When she’s not regaling clients with her expertise, Eugene can be found in

Art District, Le Royal Monceau’s gallery, or through Art for Breakfast, the hotel’s art blog. www.leroyalmonceau.com ≠