#FRtravels: Paris.... Stay. Eat. Shop.

Ahhh Paris… After our life-changing journey through the Red City, my bestie artist Alex Cole and I made our way to the City of Lights. Believe it or not, it was my very first trip to the art and design capital of the world, and I wanted to breathe it all into my soul. Every vista, every corner, every detail, reveals something so special layer upon layer, it’s all worthy of a thousand mental memories to be called up for inspiration at any moment. But for the sake of passing along a few of our faves, here’s where we stayed, ate, and shopped our way through the streets of arguably the most picturesque city on Earth.

STAY

Between the Seine and the Café de Flore in Saint Germain, our hotel (below) reopened in April 2022 after having been renovated and redesigned by interior designer Didier Benderli,. A structure dating back to 1642, Le Pavillon Faubourg Saint-Germain later welcomed famous creatives James Joyce and T.S. Eliot in its previous life. The lobby, restaurant, and rooms are delicious and plush with Parisian details.

EAT

Whether casually or formally, the French’s love for all things food and drink cannot be beat! Have a coffee at Café Marly in the heart of the Tuileries under an open-air arched passageway with Louvre views, or Café Beaubourg outside the Pompidou Center for fabulous people watching.

For cool lowkey vibes, try Freddy’s — a local favorite, it boasts an impressive wines-by-the-glass list and yummy small bites like duck hearts, crispy falafel, and sliced Iberico ham.

Or try dinner at Racines (“roots” in English) with Sardinian chef Simone Tondo at the helm. A daily specials board brings authentic Italian dishes made with ingredients brought in from their regions of origin — burrata from Puglia, choux de Milan, salami from Tuscany (c’est bon, or more like, va bene!).

SHOP

Anyone who has been to Paris knows, strolling around Le Marais is a fantastique way to spend an afternoon. We popped into parfumerie Buly 1803 , a treat for the senses.

Or wander around the Left Bank, famous for its art and antique stores. We were lucky to stumble upon unique French antiques at the cutest shop, Catherine Despas.