Travel
Toujours Paris
No one can lay claim to the epithet “international nomad” quite like Gabriella Cortese, the founder of Antik Batik. Her global-chic designs reveal a born traveller with wanderlust in her soul, but having chosen Paris as her home town, who better than Cortese to guide us through the City of Light…
Where To Stay
Hôtel Particulier Montmartre, 23 Av. Junot Pavillon D, 75018 Paris
The most charming hotel in Paris! Not only are the rooms beautifully decorated, but one can also have a nice drink there, or a beautiful dinner in the gardens. This place feels as if the countryside were in the middle of Paris. Quite magical, if you ask me.
L’Hôtel, 13 Rue des Beaux Arts, 75006 Paris
This was the last home to Oscar Wilde, so it holds a dear place in my heart. It is filled with beautiful art, and has an atmosphere in which one immediately feels transported. I love visiting during their jazz nights – the music is wonderful and their cocktails are the best in town!
Hôtel Paris Bastille Boutet-MGallery, 22 24 Rue Faidherbe, 75011 Paris
This hotel’s façade is breathtaking on its own. The woodwork is remarkable – it’s a venue that shares my love for craftsmanship and they’ve done wonderful work preserving the heritage of the place. Whenever I go there, it feels authentic. I love walking to Cyril Lignac’s pastry shop, just around the corner; their marshmallow bears are divine!
Where To Eat
Chez l’Amis Louis
The one restaurant in Paris where time seems to have stopped. I go there when I want to feel like I’m having a Sunday lunch at a friend’s. The French cuisine is exquisite – everything is to die for!
Chez Georges
This restaurant is also one of the most Parisian addresses I can think of. The outside is made of wood, and the inside is decorated with big, beautiful mirrors. Once you’re there, it feels like you’ve travelled back through time and that one of your favorite 20th-century authors might just be sitting beside you…
Ore – Alain Ducasse au Château de Versailles
If one wants to eat like royalty, this is the place to go! Located inside the beautiful Chateau de Versailles, here the decor’s expectations meet the plate’s.
A Mi-Chemin
I love going to this restaurant because the owners are so generous. Whenever I’ve had lunch there, it feels like I’ve just been on holiday. The place is full of good vibes– it’s as if the sun comes there to have lunch as well!
Le Voltaire
The most timeless address in my notebook! The fries are to die for, and the location is just perfect for strolling through the streets or visiting nearby gardens.
What To See
Le Musée de la Vie Romantique – Demeure de George Sand
This place holds a special place in my heart. The house, the atmosphere, the art… everything is just so soft and romantic. This used to be 19th-century Romantic artist Ary Scheffer’s home, as well as the writer George Sand’s. The first floor is full of Sand’s memorabilia and you can still feel her presence. This is the perfect place to get lost, to forget about your everyday life, to dream and be inspired.
Le Musée Gustave Moreau
If you’re in Paris, and want to be immersed in an artist’s work, this is the place for you. The staircase is breathtaking, and when you visit Gustave Moreau’s studio, you fully understand his world, his inspirations, and what his legacy is all about.
Claude Monet’s House, Giverny
Who hasn’t dreamt of stepping the inside a painting? Well, when you visit Claude Monet’s home, the dream comes true. The gardens are rich, bold, and make you feel you’re understanding his paintings in a way you never did before. I adore this place – the colors, the fabrics, everything here inspires me. Also, the museum holds great exhibitions, such as Eva Jospin, Rothko and so on.
Antoine Bourdelle’s Studio and Museum
I adore architecture, sculpture and art studios in general, so this museum is THE place to go. One can get lost in the gardens, visit the studios, and appreciate the great sculptures that are everywhere, both inside and outside the building.
Le Bateau-Lavoir
This is the place where art and history meet. It was the studio to many important artists, including Picasso. Today it remains the home to 25 artists.
Where To Shop
Le Bon Marché Rive Gauche, 24 Rue de Sèvres, 75007 Paris
I love going here because I’ve always adored literature, and this store inspired many books – such as ‘Au Bonheur des Dames’ by Emile Zola. I love seeing how they display brands, especially ours. We all have different takes on fashion, and it’s always interesting to see how your creations are perceived by others. Also, their whole selection of products is simply beautiful.
Les Tables d’Eva, Paul Bert Surpette, 110 Rue des Rosiers, 93400 Saint-Ouen-sur-Seine
This is the secret to my beautiful tables. Not only does Eva have the most elegant tableware, but her pieces are little treasures you cannot find anywhere else. If you want to lay the most fabulous table, or find dishes from Napoleonic era, this place is for you.
Debaulieu, 30 Rue Henry Monnier, 75009 Paris
Florist Pierre Debaulieu is truly an artist, and his bouquets are like paintings – the colors are vibrant; the smell is poetic. I love going there to buy flowers for my home, but also to gift bouquets to my loved ones. To me, flowers are like a poem you can touch, so they are a truly precious gift.
Fromagerie La Fontaine, 75 Rue Jean de la Fontaine, 75016 Paris
One can never go to Paris without having the best cheese in town, and you’ll find it in this shop. Whenever I’m hosting a dinner or a brunch, this is the place I go to, to spoil my guests. The cheese here is simply the best!
