Paris

Of course you’ll see the Eiffel tower and the Notre Dame - here are some of my favorite other spots from a long weekend in Paris with my best friend (and fellow designer) Erica

SLEEP

The Hoxton hotel / restaurant / lounge
We stayed at this hip hotel in the 2nd arrondissement - great service, rooms, food, atmosphere. We were so grateful it had a restaurant serving breakfast when our red-eye landed! google maps

photo credits: Hoxon 

VISIT

The Louvre museum
Definitely worth a trip here to see the Mona Lisa (her sky was so much more turquoise than I imagined!), Athena Nike, and major works from the canon — it was like art history class brought to life. Book tickets in advance. google maps

photo credit: Louvre 

Palais Garnier opera house
We saw a modern ballet with spoken word called Cri de cœur by choreographer Alan Lucien Øyen — I left thinking it was the most beautiful act of art I've ever witnessed in my life. Additionally, the Opera House is truly exquisite. I won't tell you who painted the ceiling — my mom had told me this was her favorite opera house in the world because of the ceiling but never mentioned who the artist was! Go and you’ll be equally shocked and delighted to experience it. google mapsphoto credit: Palais Garnier

Cri de cœur photo copyright Agathe Poupeney / OnP

SHOP 

Marche Vernaison antique / flea market 

This was the coolest labyrinth of alleys with antique & vintage shops selling everything: barware, silverware, art, clothing, lighting, furniture. I wish I would have grabbed so many things that I passed by! Pick up a blue work jacket and some silver servingware for me. google maps

E. Dehillerin kitchen shop

Feel like Julia Child in this is a very cool old kitchen shop with lots of neat French pastry tools, copper pots, knives, and interesting cookware. Prices mostly aren't posted so it's a bit of an adventure. Near the Louvre. google maps

Rue des Francs Bourgeois shopping street

This is a really beautiful old narrow street with Parisian shops like Diptyque. Head east from this spot on the map. google maps

Merci home goods & clothing shop

Hip multi-story shop selling clothing, homewares, linens. google maps

Fabrics Marché Saint-Pierre fabric store

Outstanding fabric store. Well-priced French linen remnants on the 3-4th floors. Erica bought so much she had to jump on her suitcase to close it. This general area is also full of shops and eateries and a lovely park. google maps

EAT 

Le Pain Retrouvé bakery

Fantastic bakery. I ate their olive sticks for lunch one day and went back the morning we left to pack more for the flight home. Walking North on this street R. des Martyrs is also generally great for shops and cafes. google maps

Aujourd'hui Demain brunch cafe 

Great cafe where we ate a hearty brunch. Plant based, healthy, delicious. If there's a line, just wait in it, there's no checking in with a host first. google maps

Café de Luce - Amandine Chaignot - cafe

A sweet little Parisian cafe where we stopped for Lillet and radishes during a walk through this charming neighborhood. google maps

Awaiting drinks and wearing here one of the "Turtle" popovers launching this summer!

 Bambou restaurant & outdoor cocktail garden

We had an incredible meal here, outstanding service, lovely interiors and courtyard for cocktails. Near the Hoxon Hotel. google maps

Maison Pinsa pizzeria

A cute and delicious little pizzeria with cocktails and salads near the Hoxon. google maps

POST

Central post office with stamps to US, boxes to ship home any goods. This one is near the Louvre. google maps