< FRANCE | PARIS: Prince de Galles

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Built on the Chaillot quarries, from which were extracted the stones that were used to build the foundations of the Arc de Triomphe, the Prince de Galles, a Luxury Collection Hotel was built in 1928 by Arfvidson, inspired by the style of the Decorative Arts exhibition of 1925 with a classical yet modern frontage and a magnificent patio in mosaic. Arfvidson, who was the project manager of the shopping mall on the Champs-Elysées, belonged to the movement of “intermediary architects” who announced the period known as the “Modern Movement.”

The hotel Prince de Galles owes its name to its original aim: to welcome to Paris during his annual stays, the future Prince of Wales, Edward VII, son of the king of England George V.

Before its construction, Frédéric Chopin lived in 1849 in the building in loco of the current hotel. The hotel opened its doors in September 1928. Numerous French and international personalities wouldn’t have missed this grand opening and quickly became regular guests, including Sir Winston Churchill, Lord Chamberlain, King of Yugoslavia, Lily Damita and Marlene Dietrich.

Charles Laughton remained for long months in the hotel, protected from the chaos of the outside world. It was during this same period that Lily Damita returned under the name of Mrs. Errol Flynn and Lana Turner or Gina Lollobrigida discovered Paris through those very same windows.

In Germany for his military training in the 1960’s, Elvis Presley caused a stir when he sauntered through the lobby of the hotel, positioning himself in the heart of Paris.

More recently many French and international personalities, from sports to literary figures, have experienced the infinite magnetism of the Prince de Galles.

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