Van Cleef & Arpels – Jewelry and High Jewelry, Paris
In 1895, Estelle Arpels, the daughter of a precious stones dealer, joined in matrimony with Alfred Van Cleef, the son of a lapidary craftsman and diamond broker. United by their shared values of family, innovation, and a deep love for precious stones, the couple embarked on a remarkable journey together.
Their first venture, the Van Cleef & Arpels boutique, was established at the prestigious 22 Place Vendôme in Paris, a renowned hub of elegance. Since its inception, the Maison has remained rooted at this legendary address, becoming an emblem of the city.
One notable commission received by the Maison in 1906 was the creation of a scale model of the Varuna Yacht. This exquisite piece stood out for its unique feature—a concealed electric bell, ingeniously incorporated to summon the butler.
As the 1920s unfolded, Van Cleef & Arpels embraced the geometric aesthetic of the emerging Art Deco movement. Their fondness for platinum and diamonds gave rise to magnificent creations, characterized by exceptional fluidity, aptly known as "white jewelry."
In the 1970s, inspired by the spirit of the hippie movement and diverse cultures from around the globe, Van Cleef & Arpels ventured into jewelry that embraced vivid, daring hues. Coral, wood, mother-of-pearl, and decorative gemstones intermingled with textured gold, resulting in creations that radiated brilliance both in the light of day and the shimmer of starry nights.
In the 2000s, the Maison experienced a revitalization of creativity, marked by the introduction of themed High Jewelry collections. Alongside groundbreaking creations like Perlée and Frivole, the Complications Poétiques watch collection beautifully embodied Van Cleef & Arpels' poetic perception of time.
Renowned for their ability to enhance the allure of gemstones, Van Cleef & Arpels has received numerous accolades, solidifying its position as one of the foremost leaders in the industry. The Maison offers a range of jewelry, with prices starting from approximately 100 euros and reaching up to around 80,000 euros, catering to various preferences and budgets.
Their first venture, the Van Cleef & Arpels boutique, was established at the prestigious 22 Place Vendôme in Paris, a renowned hub of elegance. Since its inception, the Maison has remained rooted at this legendary address, becoming an emblem of the city.
One notable commission received by the Maison in 1906 was the creation of a scale model of the Varuna Yacht. This exquisite piece stood out for its unique feature—a concealed electric bell, ingeniously incorporated to summon the butler.
As the 1920s unfolded, Van Cleef & Arpels embraced the geometric aesthetic of the emerging Art Deco movement. Their fondness for platinum and diamonds gave rise to magnificent creations, characterized by exceptional fluidity, aptly known as "white jewelry."
In the 1970s, inspired by the spirit of the hippie movement and diverse cultures from around the globe, Van Cleef & Arpels ventured into jewelry that embraced vivid, daring hues. Coral, wood, mother-of-pearl, and decorative gemstones intermingled with textured gold, resulting in creations that radiated brilliance both in the light of day and the shimmer of starry nights.
In the 2000s, the Maison experienced a revitalization of creativity, marked by the introduction of themed High Jewelry collections. Alongside groundbreaking creations like Perlée and Frivole, the Complications Poétiques watch collection beautifully embodied Van Cleef & Arpels' poetic perception of time.
Renowned for their ability to enhance the allure of gemstones, Van Cleef & Arpels has received numerous accolades, solidifying its position as one of the foremost leaders in the industry. The Maison offers a range of jewelry, with prices starting from approximately 100 euros and reaching up to around 80,000 euros, catering to various preferences and budgets.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Paris. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Van Cleef & Arpels – Jewelry and High Jewelry on Map
Sight Name: Van Cleef & Arpels – Jewelry and High Jewelry
Sight Location: Paris, France (See walking tours in Paris)
Sight Type: Shopping
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Paris, France (See walking tours in Paris)
Sight Type: Shopping
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Paris, France
Create Your Own Walk in Paris
Creating your own self-guided walk in Paris is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Paris Introduction Walking Tour II
As you continue your acquaintance with Paris driven by its timeless allure, the city's heart reveals itself with an array of places capturing its profound history and artistic legacy. The evolution of Paris is visible on the banks of the river Seine, the linking thread winding its way through the capital as if keeping a watchful eye on its architectural marvels.
The second part of our... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.4 Km or 2.7 Miles
The second part of our... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.4 Km or 2.7 Miles
Souvenirs Shopping Walk
Being one of the world's premier shopping destinations, the French capital attracts thousands of shopaholics every year. Even those who hate shopping, enjoy doing it here. Renowned for its luxury and sophistication, Paris is a great place for finding unique and elegant souvenirs to cherish. Here are some must-visit places for souvenir shopping in the City of Light.
Lafayette Galleries... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 5.0 Km or 3.1 Miles
Lafayette Galleries... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 5.0 Km or 3.1 Miles
Paris Introduction Walking Tour I
Paris, the capital of France, has a history spanning over 2,000 years back to the Iron Age. The name “Paris” comes from the Parisii, a Gallic tribe that settled on the bank of the river Seine around the 3rd century BC. Having conquered the Galls, the Romans established on their land a garrison town known as Lutetia. By the end of the 5th century AD, it fell to the Franks and flourished under... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 5.1 Km or 3.2 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 5.1 Km or 3.2 Miles
Champs-Elysees Walking Tour
On this self-guided walk you will witness the grandeur of the 8th arrondissement of the French capital – one of its busiest and chic neighborhoods, thanks to the presence of Avenue des Champs-Elysées, Arc de Triomphe, and Place de la Concorde.
Your best plan would be to start with the Triumphal Arch and walk up to its viewing area for great sights down the Champs-Élysées – a lovely... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.7 Km or 2.9 Miles
Your best plan would be to start with the Triumphal Arch and walk up to its viewing area for great sights down the Champs-Élysées – a lovely... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.7 Km or 2.9 Miles
Latin Quarter Walking Tour
Paris’ Latin Quarter is situated on the left bank of the Seine and dates back to the Middle Ages. For years, it was known as a bohemian enclave, attracting students, writers and intellectuals. Centered on the Sorbonne University's main university campus, the area was so named a few centuries ago because the students were speaking and learning in Latin. It remains very lively, with a... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles
St-Germain-des-Pres Walking Tour
This self-guided walk takes you to explore the 6th arrondissement, covering the quarter of St-Germain-des-Prés, the riverside districts and the areas nearby the Luxembourg Garden. It is one of the most expensive districts of Paris, home to posh boutiques, eateries and iconic cafes once favored by philosophers and legendary writers, the likes of Hemingway and Camus. The area is likewise renowned... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles
Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip
8 Best Food Markets in Paris for Authentic French Produce
The image of Parisians that you may have in your head as strolling through a colourful market with a basket on their arm, chatting to vendors and picking up fresh produce, is quite accurate. Most Parisians do visit local markets at least once a week to stock up on the freshest fruit, vegetables,...
9 Must Try Cafes in Paris
Discovering the best coffee and cafes in Paris can be difficult. The city is filled to the brim with brasseries and cafes, but very few offer the Anglophone standard of a good cup of coffee. This is a guide to inform tourists and Parisians alike of the new and somewhat established cafes in Paris...
Top 16 Vegetarian Restaurants in Paris
The French have great respect for the fresh, organic produce yet France isn’t famous for its vegetarian cooking. Hence it’s a good idea for vegetarian visitors to Paris to come prepared in advance. This guide shows you places around the city which serve vegetarian food, complete with the...
15 Places for Tasting Best French Desserts in Paris
If you have a sweet tooth and it wishes to "eat your way" through Paris, this guide will show you how! Featured here are some of the most famous and prominent dessert spots in the French capital, where you can grab something sweet to enjoy. With 20 listed recommendations, you should be...
10 Unusual Things to Do in Paris, France
If you've visited Paris, you've probably seen the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, and Versailles. You probably whizzed through some world-class art, ate delicious food in restaurants with English menus, and bought crepes from a street cart. However, Paris has a lot of things to do that...
Paris Souvenirs: 19 Distinctively French Products to Bring Home from Paris
You can hardly have enough money and luggage space to get all the takes your fancy in Paris. Luckily, with a little bit of tasteful advice and experience, you can save yourself some time and effort and pick up just about the right amount of things worth taking home. Listed here are some of the hints...