My Paris Find - Le Comptoir des Orchidées

Long time readers of HHL know that along with Peonies and Lilies I j'adore Orchids. Imagine my delight when walking out from our flat, and a quick right hand turn had me directly in front of an absolute charming orchid shop - Le Comptoir des Orchidées.

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I was in Paris during Mother's Day (May 31st-2015) hence the potted roses.

The orchids had captured my attention ... but the sign beside the candles in the window peaked my curiosity - Mariette Antoinette candles!!! I'm fascinated with Marie Antoinette and her passion for life (both luxurious -Versailles and simplistic - her Petit Trianon) . Orchids, candles and reference to Versailles - was the perfect combination to take me from admiring from the outside to stepping in.

Once inside my senses quickly went into action:

my eyes taking in the beautiful selection of Orchids. Each one as equally gorgeous as the previous...

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While my eyes were busy taking in the loveliness of the orchids my nostrils were busy taking in the beautiful fragrance that had welcomed me through the door... from the coveted Château de Versailles candles.

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and this little feathery friend awaken my ears with its chatter... but oh so adorable!

I had the pleasure of speaking with Charles the Orchideiste and owner of the shop and learned he provides home maintenance, treatment and renewal services for orchids; along with landscaping design for terraces. Charles happened to be working on a design for a client and gave me a little peek ... It was absolutely divine!!! Unfortunately for me I do not have an apartment in Paris ... but if I did it would have a large terrace and I would have Charles landscape it - a girl can dream!!!

In my conversation with Charles, I also discovered that Le Comptoir des Orchidées is 1 of ONLY 3 shops that has been granted the prestigious honour to carry the Château de Versailles candles outside of Versailles. How serendipitous for me, that this shop was literally steps from the building where our flat was.  

Those of you who follow HHL on Instagram or Facebook 
may recall this little teaser "what could be in the bag"

Well it was my very own Château de Versailles candle. 

I chose the Marie-Antoinette

This candle is directly inspired by the world of Château de Versailles . The scented candle is handmade in the purest tradition of French candle-makers. Its spicy rose scent pays tribute to a queen in love with flowers. Cinnamon, lemon, cumin, and cloves mingle with hints of vanilla and sandalwood that are reminiscent of the fragrant ointments Queen Marie-Antoinette was fond of.  The glass bowl is made by master glass workers. The 320 gram (which I purchased) will burn for 70 hours - the 1,500 one 280 hours.

I was so excited to purchase my candle and taking note of tips for caring for my orchids at home, that I forgot to ask Charles if he also sold the candle bell snuffer. A glass dome not only protects the candle (and gives it a luxurious look) it also helps preserve its delicate fragrance. I now have the glass bell snuffer from Château de Versailles on my wish list!! in the mean time I'm making sure to place a cover over the glass candle holder after each use.

On my Wish list ...

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If you love orchids and enjoy luxurious candles I highly recommend adding Le Comptoir des Orchidées to your must visit While In Paris shops list. Charles is a real gentleman and is happy to share tips on choosing and maintaining your orchids. If you do visit please tell him Celia from Toronto, Canada says  "Bonjour mon ami".

To learn more about Le Comptoir des Orchidées you can visit the website here; or follow their Facebook page here; or Twitter here. 

You are the curator of your life so make it luxurious,


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Subscribe to Celia M. Living My High Heeled Life by EmailThe scented “Palace of Versailles” candle is handmade in the purest tradition of French candle-makers. The glass bowl is made by master glassworkers.

Nina's not just another Salon de Thé in Paris - It' truly a Royal Experience

On my recent trip to Paris I was introduced to Nina's by friend Mimi, many may already know Mimi via her blog Bonjour Romance and as the founder of the digital magazine  Belle Inspiration celebrating la joie de vivre.

Tucked in on a quiet side street (29 Rue Danielle Casanova), next to La Place Vendôme, in the heart of Paris, and easily accessed by Metro station: Opéra, Pyramides; Nina's is truly a place not to be missed by any tea loving gal or Marie Antoinette fan (such as moi)!!! 

Paris - Day 5

A trip back in time, today we set off for a half day tour of Versailles. From the moment you walk up to the Gold entrance gate and peer into the courtyard beyond you can sense what life must have been like for inhabitants of Versailles during the reign of Louis XIV.

Versailles has a history dating back as far as A.D. 1038. In 1561, Martial de Loménie, secretary of state for finances under King Charles IX, became lord of Versailles. When Loménie was murdered in 1517 during the St. Bartholomew's Day massacre, Albert de Gondi, a man from Florence who had come to France along with Catherine de' Medici, bought the seigneur of Versailles.

Versailles remained in the Gondi family who were wealthy and influential parliamentarians at the Parliament of Paris. King Louis XIII was invited by the Gondi’s many times throughout the 1610s to hunt in the large forests of Versailles. After acquiring a piece of woodland in Versailles (1622) for his personal hunting, the King decided to have a small “gentlemen’s Chateau” built (1624).

After obtaining seigneur of Versailles from the Gondi family in 1632, enlargement of the castle commenced, lasting until 1634. Versailles had a population of 1,000 inhabitants, at King Louis XIII death in 1643.

Today, when Versailles is mentioned, often the first persons who pop into one’s mind are Marie Antoinette and Louis XIV, for their opulent living at Versailles and the tragic manner in which they died.

We only spent ½ day at Versailles, I would recommend a full day – as there were many parts of the grounds we did not have the time to explore. Although the crowds were less (as told to us by security staff) during our visit in late April, the flowers were not yet blooming in the gardens.

After our morning in Versailles we stopped for some lunch and much needed rest, before our visit to the Eiffel Tower. The views of Paris from the top of the tower are just breath taking.

Tomorrow's post is of our final day in Paris - Notre Dame Catheral and a special picture of a celebrity in Paris!