Paris, famed for its timeless fashion, grand architecture and café-lined streets, is a city where art, culture and joie de vivre meet at every corner. So why not discover what makes the City of Light so irresistible?
SHOPPING
Saint Laurent Babylone
Tucked away on Rue de Grenelle, Saint Laurent Babylone feels less like a traditional Saint Laurent boutique and more like a peek inside the house’s cultural universe, with vintage vinyl, rare books and design finds filling the space. The selection spans fashion, photography, art, cinema and music, so you can easily lose track of time flicking through records or pulling books off the shelves. It’s almost like a reminder that there is a version of Saint Laurent beyond the runway, and this is one of the coolest ways to see it, in my opinion. Go without an agenda and you might just leave wanting a record player to go with your new vintage vinyl.
Nuovo
There are plenty of vintage stores in Paris, yet I always find myself back at NUOVO – and for good reason. Founded by Franco-Italian stylist, curator and designer Lisa Lingenti, the Marais boutique has built a reputation for reviving design treasures alongside its own pieces. You might find an archival Yohji Yamamoto next to something from Tom Ford’s Gucci, or even just stumble across a completely obscure label you suddenly feel very strongly about owning. Half the fun is not knowing what, or who, you might find there. If you want to know where the fashion cool girls are shopping, this is a pretty good place to start.
Ofr. Paris
If Saint Laurent Babylone is where fashion spills into culture, Ofr. Paris is where you go to get a little deeper into it. The Haut-Marais institution is beloved by the fashion, photography and art crowd for its tightly edited selection of independent magazines, books, fanzines and publications from around the world. And because it doubles as a gallery and publishing house, there’s always something new to discover beyond the books.
Chez Snow Bunny
Founded in 2018, Chez Snow Bunny has become a destination for its highly curated vintage and second-hand pieces, with a particular love for the glossy, eclectic side of the 2000s – from tiny sparkly tops to fabulously unnecessary statement pieces. With Gabbriette, Bella Hadid, Julia Fox and bb trickz among its devotees, Chez Snow Bunny definitely has the cool-girl seal of approval.
Yvon Lambert
Yvon Lambert is incredibly dangerous for your suitcase weight limit if you’re the kind of person who thinks buying another art book is a perfectly reasonable souvenir. The store combines a bookshop, gallery and publishing house, with its shelves packed with exhibition catalogues, rare editions and out-of-print finds. Its selection stretches across photography, fashion, architecture, design and contemporary art, so there is plenty to disappear into even if you just came in for a look. I particularly like this spot for the things you don’t necessarily find elsewhere: a slightly obscure monograph, a niche photography book, or even the exact kind of hardback you’ve been looking for that would fit perfectly on your coffee table.
NUMERO13 ESCO
NUMERO13 ESCO is not the place to walk in with a specific shopping list. Half the fun is having absolutely no idea what you’re going to find. Give yourself some time to dig through the racks and you might come across an unusual designer piece, a great jacket or one of those completely random finds that somehow becomes the thing you wear all the time. I think that’s what I love about vintage shopping in Paris. You end up finding pieces you probably wouldn’t have looked twice at elsewhere, and somehow they’re the ones that make you want to experiment a little more with what you wear. You never know, you might leave wondering why you haven’t been dressing like this all along!
DINING
Café Nuances
I think the best way to describe Café Nuances is like a very chic red-light therapy session, except there’s matcha involved. The dramatic red lighting is impossible to miss, especially when paired with the silver chrome furnishings, which give the space a slightly surreal, almost futuristic mood. Not only is the matcha genuinely worth the trip, but the crowd is exactly the kind you’d hope to find in one of Paris’ cooler coffee spots: stylish, creative and very much in the know. It’s the sort of place where you sit down for just one drink and suddenly realise an hour has disappeared. Maybe you’ve spent it catching up with friends, but more likely, you’ve been distracted by the people-watching. And who could blame you for leaving with a few photos for the Instagram photodump?
Chez L’Ami Louis
Chez L’Ami Louis is the kind of Paris institution where getting the reservation can feel like part of the experience. The tiny bistro dates back to 1924 and has long been a favourite with an eclectic, high-profile crowd. Today, it remains gloriously old-school, with an intimate atmosphere that makes you feel like you’ve stumbled into a Paris that has somehow resisted the past century. LVMH acquired a majority stake in the restaurant in 2024, but the intention has been to preserve the institution rather than reinvent it, thankfully. Come hungry for the roast chicken, escargot and gâteau de pommes de terre, and definitely do not leave without trying the pommes frites. And if you can’t get the reservation yourself, this is exactly when a good hotel concierge comes in handy.
The French Bastards
The French Bastards has one of those names that just makes you so curious to check it out, and thankfully, the pastries are more than enough reason to make you stay. The best part is that they don’t take the traditional boulangerie too seriously, with a few more playful takes on the classics while still getting the essentials right. I’ll admit I’ve made a habit of stopping here whenever I’m in the neighbourhood. Their selection of croissants, pain au chocolat and rotating pastry choices makes you want to try round after round. And who says you have to stop at one anyway? It’s Paris, after all.
Ojii
Ojii is a restaurant you’d want to keep in your back pocket. You might think Japanese food in Paris is a slightly unexpected combination, but somehow Ojii makes the two work beautifully with fresh seafood, Japanese influences and inventive fusion dishes. Not only is the atmosphere sophisticated and perfect for date nights, but the cocktails are a very good reason to keep coming back. If there is one dish you must try, it is definitely the yellowtail ikejime carpaccio. It is still one of the best dishes I’ve had in Paris, and one I still think about. This restaurant is one of those spots where, if you know, you know. And if you don’t, consider this your introduction.
Maison Louvard
If you’ve been anywhere near social media in the past couple of years, you’ve definitely met the Crookie. Maison Louvard created the now-viral hybrid in 2022, combining a crisp, buttery croissant with chocolate cookie dough. The bakery shot to fame after a TikTok went viral, sending demand soaring by 10 to 15 times and turning the Crookie into an international phenomenon. It’s a little over the top, but in the best possible way. Definitely try the Crookie, obviously, but don’t ignore the rest of the viennoiseries while you’re there!
Le Petit Lutetia
Whenever I’m thinking about where to take my family for dinner when we’re all in Paris, Le Petit Lutetia comes to mind. It has that slightly dressed-up vibe I want for a family dinner, but it’s cosy enough that you can actually relax and catch up around the table. I’d start with the sautéed frog legs, followed by the steak au poivre, which are both absolute must-haves when you are in Paris. Then comes my favourite part: ordering another bottle of wine, plenty of catching up and no one in any particular hurry to leave. There’s no elaborate concept or anything trying too hard about Le Petit Lutetia. It just has that very Parisian feeling that makes you feel like you belong there.
Homer Lobster
There are days in Paris when you just want steak frites and a crisp glass of red, and then there are days when you just want a really, really good lobster roll. This tiny, casual spot specialises in generously filled lobster rolls tucked into warm, buttery brioche, making it an easy lunch spot when you’re shopping or wandering around the city. Homer Lobster is a nice little break from the grander side of Parisian dining, and the sort of place you’ll probably find yourself texting your friends about before you’ve even finished your lunch.
Robert et Louise
Robert et Louise has been doing things its own way since 1958, when Robert Georget and his wife Louise opened the restaurant in the Marais. Their famous côte de boeuf is grilled over a wood fire, in the very fireplace Robert built himself, so you get that smoky, charred flavour before the plate has even reached your table. But the real surprise for me was the escargot. They were my favourite in Paris, which is a fairly serious statement considering how much competition there is. With gingham curtains, exposed beams and mismatched tables, it feels like one of those rare Parisian restaurants that has managed to keep its own little time capsule intact.
Canard Street
As its name suggests, Canard Street is dedicated almost entirely to duck, taking the ingredient far beyond the occasional confit on a French menu. The duck leg confit is crisp, rich and wonderfully tender, but the duck foie gras on toast is what really stayed with me. This restaurant is casual enough for lunch but specialised enough to make it feel like an occasion. Paris has plenty of places doing everything, but I’ll always have a soft spot for a restaurant that knows exactly what it wants to be.
SIGHTSEEING AND ENTERTAINMENT
Bourse de Commerce – Pinault Collection
I have a small rule for Paris: if there’s a new exhibition at the Bourse de Commerce, I am definitely going. The building itself is already worth a visit, but the constantly changing programme is what keeps me coming back. Having seen Clair-obscur, Pierre Huyghe and Céleste Boursier-Mougenot, I’ve loved seeing how differently each exhibition can make the space feel. And that is a big part of the fun: you never quite know what the Rotunda is going to look like when you walk in. If you are in Paris for fashion, this is a very good way to give your eyes something different to look at.
Musée de L’Orangerie
Home to Claude Monet’s monumental Water Lillies, Musée de l’Orangerie’s two oval rooms are designed by the artist as an immersive environment and installed here in 1927. After spending a morning rushing between Paris’ fashion boutiques and museums, there is something almost meditative about stepping into this room of water, light and colour. The paintings stretch around you, changing subtly as you move, and all of a sudden, you’ll find yourself noticing a brushstroke, a colour or a reflection you somehow missed five minutes ago.
Listener
I think Listener might be the coolest spot on this list if your idea of a great afternoon involves music, wine and absolutely no rush. It is part coffee shop, part wine bar and part audiophile heaven, with private listening rooms equipped with incredibly high-end hi-fi and carefully designed acoustics. You can choose what you want to hear, bring your own records or playlists and actually sit down and listen properly. There are even dedicated musical siesta spaces, which are perfect for anyone who just wants to take an afternoon nap. This might just be the perfect spot to bring your friends for a listening party when your favorite artist drops a new album!
Silencio
If you know your David Lynch, you’ll probably recognise why Silencio feels slightly surreal before you even know what you’re looking at. Designed by Lynch himself, the original club on Rue Montmartre was conceived as a cinematic, mysterious space inspired in part by the world of Mulholland Drive. Today, it slips effortlessly between live music, film, performance, exhibitions and late-night parties, with an atmosphere that can be every bit as seductive as whatever is happening on stage.
Jardin des Tuileries
The Jardin des Tuileries is no doubt one of Paris’ most photogenic places, but my favourite detail is the little green chairs scattered around the gardens. A fixture of Parisian parks for more than a century, the current design dates back to 1923. They even caught Jonathan Anderson’s eye for Dior’s A/W 2026 show, with guests receiving a pair of miniature green chairs as invitations – a playful nod to the very setting of the show. Find one by the fountains, move it into the perfect patch of sunlight and settle in with a book. It might just be the perfect way to start a morning.
Le Book Bar
For something a little more under-the-radar, head to Le Book Bar. Hidden behind Hôtel Grand Amour’s restaurant, the intimate salon mixes books, vinyl, cocktails, and vintage lamps, making it feel like your impossibly cool Parisian friend’s apartment rather than a hotel event space. Its programme ranges from film screenings and acoustic concerts to DJ sets and album-listening sessions. Come for the atmosphere, stay until the room starts to feel like your own little secret.
Editor
Noella LeeCredit
Lead Image: Noella
