trifle* travels... Paris

Ahhhhh Paris; Difficult to say without the ahhhh for it is a City that evokes much sentiment. It is impossible not to be bowled over by it’s beauty, charm and romance. It’s hands down the most visited & certainly one of the most loved Cities amongst our team so we’ve picked up some great recommendations over the visits and years which we thought we’d share with you here ahead of the annual Design Pilgrimage to Maison & Objet Paris January 19th - 23rd.

WHERE TO STAY (or grab a coffee and gaze lovingly at the Interior)

There’s a fantastic selection of beautiful Hotels in Paris but we’ve also stayed in some perfect airbnbs, so, sometimes we opt to sleep in an airbnb and then bounce from one gorgeous hotel to another having a drink or a bite to eat.

For the ultimate in luxury it has to be The Four Seasons

WHERE TO VIEW

If you’ve read any of our previous Design travel blogs you will know the rule - get up to a height when you first land in a new City, it’s the only way to get real perspective. Our favourite viewing spots are:

  • Restaurante Georges Pompidou Centre (pictured above): With glass of champagne in hand - if you are lucky to get a good sunset this is truly one of the loveliest spots always on our list when we are in town. 

  • Monmatre Basilica of the Sacre Coeur towers over Paris. Itself a beautiful church with fascinating History but the view from here is also pretty epic. The area is full of atmospheric cafes and bars and well worth a stroll. 

  • Pretty obviously but both the Arc de Triomphe & the significantly taller Eiffel Tower have fantastic views (but expect queues). 

WHERE TO DRINK AND EAT

All of the Hotels listed above have fantastic places to eat but of course there are many, many more.

Beautiful restaurant and food - a must:

  • Le Chateaubriand: A Classic that requires at least 21 days notice for a table  

  • Retaurant Champeaux: Striking restaurant and interior (don’t be put off by the apparent shopping mall location of Les Halles!)  

  • Frenchie: One of four options! 4 to choose from  

  • Holy Belly Cafe: If you need an alternative to French style and food & the best coffee in town  

  • Le Degustation: Whilst you're in Monmatre  

  • The restaurant in the Musee d’orsay:  A favourite of ours to combine with a wander around this incredible 19th Century museum and gallery.  

  • Cafe Marly: Another pit stop with wonderful view of The Louvre  

  • Le Cave Michel: For a lively wine and taps spot. Doesn't have a website but you can check it out here.   

WHERE TO SHOP

There is one and only Merci Paris and it’s every Interior Designer’s rule that you HAVE to visit when in town….never to be missed (pictured above).

Some other fabulous places to star on your map …….

 


trifle* travelsEmma SmithParis