Paris. La ville de l’amour. The city of love. Picture an afternoon traipsing around the Marais after a light brunch or a glass of wine in hand overlooking the Seine. Perhaps set yourself a challenge and go to as many boulangeries as you can whilst you’re in the romantic city.
SHOPPING
Galeries Lafayette Haussman
The trademark Galeries Lafayette department store has become a brand in its own right, expanding worldwide to a diverse range of cities, from Beijing to Berlin. The store’s grandeur is truly impressive, boasting eight floors which showcase 2,000 brands. A visit here can easily occupy an entire afternoon, as you find yourself mesmerised by the vast selection on offer and, of course, the iconic glass-domed ceiling.
40 Bd Haussmann, 75009 Paris
Le Bon Marché Rive Gauche
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The Kardashians love it. We all love it. And you’ll love it. Le Bon Marché is the father of all department stores in the world, what with being the first ever one to open and all. It prides itself on being on Rive Gauche or Left Bank, which is further away from the tourist attractions and hotspots, arguably offering a more serene shopping experience. It offers a fine selection of luxury brands and is under the ownership of the prestigious conglomerate LVMH. It’s worth noting that the space was co-designed by none other than Gustav Eiffel. Does the name sound familiar to you?
24 Rue de Sèvres, 75007
Nuovo
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NUOVO is where all the fashionistas of Paris congregate. The shop primarily offers vintage pieces as well as a rack of NUOVO’s own line. The brand specialises in curating pieces from the Galliano years of Dior and Tom Ford at Gucci (primarily from the 90s to 2000s) at an affordable price, offering a great alternative to fast fashion.
130 Rue de Turenne, 75003 Paris
Ofr. Paris
Transport yourself within the walls of Ofr Librairie, nestled snugly between a brasserie and an assorted row of coffee shops, restaurants and conveniently, Chez Snow Bunny. The indie bookstore offers a range of magazine labels, some lesser known than others, which are primarily focused around art, photography, design and fashion. Hidden at the back of the store lies an artist space where exhibitions and cool events are always held so you’ll never know what you stumble into on your next visit.
20 Rue Dupetit-Thouars, 75003 Paris
Chez Snow Bunny
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From Sza to Lily-Rose Depp, join the long list of famous clientele at Chez Snow Bunny. The shop’s racks are meticulously organised by colour, creating an aesthetically pleasing shopping experience. Each pre-loved piece has been carefully curated from brands such as Kenzo, Jean-Paul Gaultier and Cop Copine.
12 Rue Dupetit-Thouars, 75003 Paris
Les Puces de Saint-Ouen
The renowned flea market, located in the quaint suburb of Saint-Ouen, is open Saturdays to Mondays and is known to be the largest in the world. A sprawling web of antiques and valuables, such as furniture and signed œuvres d’art from names such as Basquiat and Haring can be found in the twelve markets that make up the puces de Saint-Ouen
110 Rue des Rosiers, 93400 Saint-Ouen-sur-Seine
Bobby
Located in the heart of the 2nd arrondissement (district), Bobby has two floors of pre-loved garments and accessories. The pieces on offer range from high fashion to smaller brands and their selection of shoes is just impeccable! From cowboy boots to kitten heels, there is bound to be a shoe that fits. Don’t forget to check out the shop’s instagram @bobby.in.paris as they often do sales!
89 Rue Réaumur, 75002 Paris
DINING
Café Antonia
Step into the shoes of a Parisian and enjoy an afternoon tea at Café Antonia at the prestigious 5 star hotel, Le Bristol. Surrounded by intricate frescoes and crystal chandeliers, the stunning spot is perfect for spending a long afternoon over a pot of some traditional, creamy hot chocolate and savouring every bite of your artisanal pâtisseries.
112 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, 75008 Paris
CoCo
Situated at the Palais Garnier in the Opéra area, CoCo offers a fine dining experience within a stunningly grand establishment, adorned with high ceilings and plush seats. Why not book a table on the terrace on a sunny day and pair your weekend brunch with a glass of vin blanc? The extensive menu is sure to whet your appetite and the live music creates a groovy ambience as you indulge in your delectable dishes. Don’t forget to make a reservation in advance!
Palais Garnier, 1 Pl. Jacques Rouché, 75009 Paris
Breizh Café
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The traditional Breton-style crêperie has 11 locations around Paris, with its oldest one situated in the heart of the Marais. Its founder, Bertrand Larcher marries the flavours of Brittany and Tokyo, his hometown and his chosen home, so you will find ingredients such as yuzu and Okinawa black sugar alongside your classic jambon et fromage. There are also 15 artisanal ciders to have with your crêpes. Will you try a savoury or a sweet one? Or why not have both?
109 Rue Vieille-du-Temple, 75003 Paris and other locations
Pink Mamma
The whimsical and vibrant Pink Mamma is sure to offer you an unforgettable dining experience. Part of the international Big Mamma group, the Italian restaurant boasts 4 floors, including a bar, a restaurant, a lounge and a rooftop – each as eclectic as the next. There are many photo spots, including the Pinterest-famous staircase surrounded by walls of paintings and tall sunlit windows. So don’t be shy to ask one of the friendly staff for a photo or two!
20bis Rue de Douai, 75009 Paris
No Entry
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No Entry is the hidden gem concealed beneath the four storeys that make up Pink Mamma. The vibrant speakeasy is tucked away behind an obscure set of doors which appear to lead to a cold room and a basement stairwell. Once in, you will find the shelves lined with vividly colourful infusions in flowery demijohns, evoking an ambience reminiscent of an herbalist’s lair.
20bis Rue de Douai, 75009 Paris
Chez Meunier
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Dotted around the French capital in 8 different locations, Chez Meunier is a boulangerie that never disappoints. The bakery’s branch in the 19th district takes pride in earning the distinguished accolade of 2023’s best croissant in the city – which is, as you can imagine, not an easy feat. You are enveloped by the warm and comforting aromas of a classic French bakery as soon as you step through its doors. Prepare to be mesmerised by the mouthwatering sandwiches and exquisite pâtisseries that are on offer.
18 Rue Rambuteau, 75003 Paris; 35 Boulevard Haussmann, 75009 Paris; 10 Place d’Italie 75013 Paris; 2 Rue de la Chapelle, 75018 Paris; 185 rue de Crimée, 75019 Paris; 153 Boulevard Malesherbes, 75017 Paris; 29 Avenue Niel, 75017 Paris; 150 Avenue Victor Hugo, 75016 Paris
Costes, Hôtel Costes
Near the renowned Place Vendôme, Costes is the restaurant in the eponymous 5 star hotel Hôtel Costes. The stunning interior and dim lighting gives the fine dining establishment an authentic French edge, with plush red seats, carpeted floors and decorated walls. Its convenient location makes it the perfect place to fuel up after a shopping trip, stroll through the Jardin des Tuileries or visit the Louvre.
7 Rue de Castiglione, 75001 Paris
Café de la Poste
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Café de la Poste is the perfect quick fix for some French breakfast classics. Dive into a croque-monsieur or a pain perdu to cure a sweet tooth. The seasonal menu also offers some non-French noms such as dahl and green naan pizza.
124 Rue de Turenne, 75003 Paris
Little Red Door
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You simply cannot go to Paris without having visited the Little Red Door. The bar’s menu draws inspiration from art, flavour perception, anthropology and social science. So it comes as no surprise that they have earned the prestigious accolade of placing in the World’s 50 Best Bars for a staggering total of 9 times (so far!) since its launch in 2012.
60 Rue Charlot, 75003 Paris
Les Fous de l’Île
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Situated between Rive Gauche and Rive Droite on the tranquil island that is Île Saint-Louis, the food at Les Fous de l’Île is bound to leave you wanting more. The menu changes all year round and they pride themselves on fresh ingredients and juicy meat dishes. There is also a wine cellar beneath the main restaurant where you can have a taste of their fine wine selection with friends, colleagues or family.
33 Rue des Deux Ponts, 75004 Paris
La Perle
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Café La Perle is the hub for young and fashionable Parisians. A traditional café by day and a red hued bar by night, its retro interiors are enough to make you want to become a regular here. It is bound to be brimming with big names, actors and models alike during Fashion Week. Would you be surprised to discover that designer John Galliano used to frequent this bar?
78 Rue Vieille-du-Temple, 75003 Paris
SIGHTSEEING & ENTERTAINMENT
Le Petit Palais
Head over to Le Petit Palais for an afternoon of perusal down corridors of sculptures, ancient artefacts, and paintings. Although admission is free to the permanent collection, the museum contains invaluable works of art. Travel back in time with chefs d’œuvre from artists such as Monet, Picasso and Cézanne.
Av. Winston Churchill, 75008 Paris
Centre Pompidou
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If you’re a lover of modern art, Centre Pompidou is the place for you. The high-tech architectural exteriors house over 50,000 works of modern and contemporary art, with around 600 visible at any one time. There are many iconic names which will sound familiar as you saunter from room to room, including Picasso, Chagall and Mondrian.
Place Georges-Pompidou, 75004 Paris
Musée de l’Orangerie
You must have seen Monet’s water lilies all over the Internet. But seeing them in person will undoubtedly take your breath away. Situated in the Musée de l’Orangerie at one end of the picturesque Jardin des Tuileries, the greenhouse structure of a museum holds artwork from the impressionist and post-impressionist period.
Jardin des Tuileries, 75001 Paris
Moulin Rouge
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The Moulin Rouge cabaret is arguably the most famous show in Paris. Spectators have the option to wine and dine whilst revelling in the captivating performance by the burlesque performers. Bop along to some classics and enjoy the music, drama and dance paired with extravagant costumes.
82 Bld de Clichy, 75018 Paris
La Galerie Dior
La Galerie Dior is definitely one to slot into your itinerary. Step into the enchanting world of Christian Dior, both literally and metaphorically, as the museum’s very location (at Avenue Montaigne) occupies the very space as the late designer’s atelier. The experience takes you through three floors in which you will see a captivating curation of previous designs of perfume bottles, handbags and more, all interspersed amongst 132 dresses. Pieces date back to 1947 when the fashion house released its very first collection.
11 Rue François 1er, 75008 Paris
Les Invalides
Les Invalides, a complex of 17th century buildings, was originally a military hospital and retirement home for war veterans. Today, it is home to museums and monuments that document France’s rich military history. One of the most breathtaking sights has to be Le Dôme in which Napoleon’s tomb lies. The glittering golden roof alone should be enough to make you want to visit the grounds.
129 Grenelle, 75007 Paris
Palais Garnier
One simply does not miss the Palais Garnier when wandering around the Opéra district. The glint of the golden angels atop the infrastructure is enough to catch your eye. The grandeur of the opera house is equally as alluring inside as it is outside. Tour around the public areas by yourself or alternatively there is a guided tour which lasts for 90 minutes. Look out for highly sought after tickets for the opera, ballet, and recitals too.
Pl. de l’Opéra, 75009 Paris
Montmartre
Montmartre is a picturesque hill with a quirky identity. At the Place du Tertre, you will see a range of stalls of street artists drawing caricatures, each a completely different style to the next. Have a drink at Le Consulat where Picasso and Monet famously frequented. There are endless possibilities when it comes to things to do at Montmartre – from Sacre-Cœur to Van Gogh’s apartment, it’s not difficult to spend a whole day here.
Montmartre, 75018 Paris
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Lead Image: Christy Lam
