A quiet apartment sits above the Piaget boutique on Place Vendôme. Most people walking through the square never realize it is there. The maison rarely opens the space, not even for large events, and it has long been one of its most private corners in Paris. This season, that changes. HIGHSTAY, the luxury apartment brand, has partnered with Piaget, allowing guests to step inside the private salon for a close look at the company’s watchmaking craft.
Access is offered exclusively to HIGHSTAY guests through private, pre-arranged appointments, making the experience intentionally limited and intimate rather than open to the public. And once inside, the apartment has a lived-in feel. Sunlight hits the work tables at an angle and catches on sketches, tools, and small trays of components. Nothing appears staged. It looks like a space that is used daily, which gives visitors a clearer sense of how Piaget’s aesthetic takes shape. The mood is quiet but not formal. There is a rhythm to the room that reflects the precision of the maison’s work.
During the new visit, Piaget artisans welcome guests and lead a hands-on introduction to watchmaking. The session begins with a simple layout of the tools and parts. Guests learn how each piece functions and how the movements are assembled. The components are extremely small, and seeing them up close helps explain why the craft requires so much focus. The artisans move at a steady pace and explain the logic behind each step. The atmosphere feels closer to a working atelier than a presentation, which is precisely the appeal. The experience is designed to spotlight Piaget’s technical mastery and heritage in a setting that remains true to the maison's actual working practices.
This offering is part of Curated by HIGHSTAY, a program that brings together collaborations tied to craftsmanship, wellness, and gastronomy. The goal is to give travelers access to cultural experiences that cannot be booked through typical channels. Unlike standard concierge add-ons, Curated by HIGHSTAY focuses on behind-the-scenes access and meaningful interaction with creative institutions, designed to connect guests to the city's creative side.
The organization of these activities is overseen by Miguel Ontavilla, HIGHSTAY’s premier concierge. Ontavilla is known for steering guests toward less predictable parts of Paris and identifying partners who can offer depth rather than surface-level luxury. The Piaget collaboration fits this direction by showing a working environment that is not usually open to outside visitors. Each visit is arranged based on guest interest and availability, reinforcing the sense that this is a bespoke experience rather than a standing tour.
One part of the tour stands out. Before leaving, guests can pause at the windows and look across Place Vendôme. The view is different from the one at street level. The square feels more intimate from above, and the surrounding buildings seem to form a complete circle. It becomes easier to understand why so many heritage maisons chose this location and why Piaget protects this particular apartment.
The new partnership gives travelers a rare opportunity to observe skilled artisans at work and to see a part of the brand that is normally kept private. It also highlights the direction HIGHSTAY is taking as it expands its cultural programming. For visitors who want a closer look at Parisian craftsmanship, the Piaget Apartment represents a defining example of how luxury travel is evolving.
Paris, France
