Michele Derai is born in Paris, France. Paris is the capital, and largest city in France, and is the home to over 2 million people. The earliest signs of settlement in Paris date back to 4200 BC, but a permanent village was founded around 200 BC by the Gauls of the Parisii.
Paris is a leading business and cultural center for the world, evoking images on the Eiffel Tower, the Notre Dame cathedral, and the Louvre. The Eiffel Tower was built in 1889 and has become the global icon of France, and is one of the most recognizable structures in the world. It was built for the World Exhibition, held to celebrate the centennial of the French Revolution. Originally intended to be dismantled after 20 years, the Eiffel Tower was allowed to remain standing after it’s permit expired, as it proved valuable for communication purposes.
The Notre Dame cathedral is considered to be one of the finest examples of French Gothic architecture in Europe. Several architects assisted in completing the structure from 1163 AD to 1345 AD. The cathedral features in the novel The Hunchback of Notre-Dame, by Victor Hugo. The Musée du Louvre is one of the world’s largest museums, and is certainly the most visited museum in the world. In 1692, Louis XIV abandoned the Palais du Louvre as a household for the Palace of Versailles, and left the royal collection of art on display there instead. The museum was opened in 1793, with 537 paintings, and the collection has grown from there. The Lourve holds more than 6,000 paintings, and artifacts from all over the world
While visiting the Paris offices of Aptel Research, we recommend taking a stroll through the nearby Parc Monceau. This park was designed in 1769 by Louis Philippe, who was the Duke of Chartres, and a cousin of Louis XVI. Here, shaded walks wind by Roman columns, ancients ruins, and waterways. It is not one of Paris’s largest parks, but it is one of the most beautiful. While you are there, you can stop by the Rue de Levis. This pedestrian street retains its old world charm. The stalls are filled with fresh fruits and vegetables, and the fresh bread is pulled right from the oven.
Once you have had your fill, you can head on over to the Place des Victoires for a bit of shopping. At the center of this place is a monument in honor of Louis XIV, celebrating the Treaty of Nijmegen. The royal architect was later commissioned to design a grand ring of private homes to encircle the monument. It was said that over time the grandiose statue began to embarrass the king himself, and it was destroyed in the French Revolution. In 1828, Charles X commissioned a new equestrian statute, and while it remains to this day, the surrounding area is no longer upscale homes, but upscale shops. Before you leave, do not forget to explore the 19th century glass-roofed galerie Vivienne.
If you are in the mood for a different type of art, Paris is home to many museums. The Musée Nissim de Camondo is a small but wonderful museum near the Parc Monceau. This museum was the home of a Parisian banker who collected eighteenth century French furniture and art. The Aptel Research team also recommends the Musée Marmottan Monet. It is home to the largest collection of Claude Monet paintings in the world, and features many Impressionist paintings.
In the evening, we recommend going over to La Coupole for dinner. This Parisian favorite has welcomed such notables as Kessel, Dali, and Hemingway. The sole, rump steak, or curried lamb will all give you a reason to return to this brasserie.
Paris is a city full of wonderful experiences, as well as being one of the places that Aptel Research calls home. Those in the pharmaceutical or biotech industry who are in need of qualitative marketing research or consulting, can call on Aptel Research to help identify the critical issues and then uniquely combine our in-depth knowledge of science and market research to help you:
* Launch differentiated products and optimize current assets.
* Develop strategies and translate them into key decisions and actions.
No matter where you live, Aptel will be there to conduct your primary research.
