For the best part of two decades, I have been travelling to Paris for work. At least three or four times a year, I’ll hop onto my favourite travelling office—the Eurostar train—and head into the City of Lights for business. Not once have I visited this iconic capital as a tourist and whilst that means it has taken me a long time to collate a little black book of cool restaurants, shops, hotels and more (because travelling for work often means never really seeing anything at all), it does mean that my recommendations come with a level of industry approval. Rather than the obvious travel guides you’ll find elsewhere on the internet (we all know you should probably visit the Eiffel Tower, Louvre and Moulin Rouge etc) this list is dedicated to all of the indie, under-the-radar, lesser-known stores, cultural hotspots and foodie secrets. From the most elegant, design-centric hotel in a great location to the best vintage destinations and French brands to shop while you’re on their turf, gastronomic delights and cool coffee joints, this guide would get you through 48 very chic hours, with a list of leftovers for next time.
In addition to some of my discoveries, I reached out to handful of beauty and fashion experts to share their secrets to treating Paris like the unique and truly individual city it really is. So, dig our your Sézane trench, get some comfy trainers on, learn how to use the Navigo app (download it already!) and let’s get into it. Here are the most stylish places in Paris to sleep, eat, drink, shop and much more.
Stay in an Aesthetically Pleasing Place:
I have stayed in the vastest range of Parisian hotels and accommodation options you can possibly imagine! From grotty rental apartments in the red light district to the George V, my experiences in the city provide quite the high-low list and a true understanding of what is worth booking. I hadn’t experienced, until staying at Le Grand Hôtel Cayré last fashion week, just how modern, stylish, cosy and unique a destination could be in Paris. Nestled in Saint Germain Des Prés and just a step away from Rue Du Bac’s metro station (a convenient spot that manages to be close to everything and yet not feel chaotic) this 7th arrondissement would also satisfy anyone with great taste: design connoisseurs, fashion girls and tourists looking for a luxe experience. And that makes sense—the former Hôtel Cayré was home to Parisian artists, writers and intellectuals.
With spectacular views of the Tour Eiffel (it never gets boring) this boutique, carefully renovated hotel features 123 rooms. So it feels vibey but not packed out, boujis but not pretentious. I was fortunate enough to stay in La Suite du Collectionneur which featured a phenomenal range of art and objets as curated by Gilbert Kann. Every corner was Instagrammable but what was even more delightful was the abundance of space and the priority of comfort—from the gigantic, perfectly sprung bed to the roomy bathroom and separate living area complete with the best hotel-room snacks going, I never wanted to leave.
From the perfect steak frites at restaurant Annette (very welcome after 14 hours of hopping across town for back-to-back shows and presentations) to the cute little refresher room where you can get cleaned up and changed in peace and with space if your bedroom isn’t ready yet… every corner of this place exudes calm and style.
Grab a Coffee (and Probably a Croissant):
“Cute little barista coffee shop in the 11th that plays great records,” says Rebecca Rhys-Evans, Who What Wear’s Senior Fashion and Beauty Editor, Branded Content. “It’s near some of the city’s best boutiques and attracts some of the coolest kids in the neighbourhood, oh, and its coffee will satisfy the biggest coffee snobs.” Pastries are a key attraction and this hip coffee hub has additional branches dotted around the city in the 3rd and 1st arrondisements, so you can weave a pitstop into almost any itinerary.
“Renowned for its award-winning, golden-brown croissants made with high-quality butter, this Saint-Germain bakery claimed the top prize in 2018 for the Best Croissant in the Île-de-France region. Unlike many boulangeries, they bake their croissants throughout the day, ensuring you’ll always get them fresh and warm straight from the oven. One bite can turn a casual visit into a lifelong obsession,” says stylist and luxury shopping expert, Isabel Bazzani.
“If you’re feeling peckish head to Land&Monkeys for vegan pastries,” recommends writer and Who What Wear contributor Avalon Afriye. I know, vegan goods in Paris? I didn’t think that was even possible! There are two Land&Monkeys cafes in the 11th, as well as the 4th and 1st.
