![\"\"](\"http:\/\/blog.damasketdentelle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/paris_city_guide_by_meagan_morrison.jpg\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
illustration by Meagan Morrison<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ville lumi\u00e8re, Paris is the capital of style, the city of lovers and the mecca of antiques shopping. In 20 destinations, here is a guide to one of our favourite city in the world. Bon voyage!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n H\u00f4tel Costes<\/a> is a star-studded hot spot for jet-setters and chic hipsters alike. The lounge boutique hotel described as a \u201chip neo-palace\u201d inspired a generation of new generation classic hotels with cozy salons, dim-lighting, velvet tufted sofas, chintz canopies and ornate architectural detail. The hotel is known for its live DJ sets. It also houses a perfume shop filled with signature scents, and a florist that exclusively sells roses for all occasions. It\u2019s a meeting of the times, blending old school tradition with a hip youthful attitude.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n source: Vogue<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Le Royal Monceau<\/a> is a place to see and be seen. This Parisian institution re-opened after a two year remodel led by Philippe Starck. It features two Michelin star restaurants, elegant lived-in interiors, a world-class spa and a smoking room upholstered entirely in supple red leather\u2014among other things. If nothing else, spend an evening nibbling on fois gras lollipops or caviar & blinis while sipping on their signature cocktail\u2014the Singapore Sling\u2014in le Bar Long.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Nestled on a small street in the 6th arrondissement, just a stone\u2019s throw away from les Jardins du Luxembourg, l\u2019h\u00f4tel des Acad\u00e9mies et des Arts<\/a> is tiny, charming and approachable. The rooms pay homage to the artists who once lived in this part of the Rive-Gauche: Modigliani, Gauguin, Giacometti\u2026 A perfectly charming and affordable option for budget travelers for amateurs of La Rive Gauche\u2019s edgy vibe.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n source: Starck + Caff\u00e8 Stern<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n For an unforgettable experience, stop by Paris\u2019 newest Philippe Starck designed hot-spot\u2014Caff\u00e8 Stern<\/a>. Nestled in a \u201cpassage\u201d off Les Grands Boulevards, you enter Caff\u00e8 Stern by walking past a taxidermied lynx and coyote, each sporting diamond necklaces. From there onwards, anything goes: the waiters might shake you a tableside aperol without asking, talk you into ordering the entire tapas menu, rock your sunglasses and a costume top hat while telling tales of old-world Italy. One thing\u2019s for sure, you won\u2019t get bored.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n I once witnessed a staggering Eric Ripert (chef of the famed Le Bernardin in NYC) get into a fistfight with a patron at this institutional restaurant. Moral of the story: chefs eat at Le Comptoir<\/a>, so you know it\u2019s bound to be delicious. The fare is traditional French bistro immaculately executed. For dinner on a week night, you\u2019ll have to reserve many weeks ahead\u2014but on weekends, it\u2019s a bistro \u201cfirst come first serve\u201d setting. Arrive very early, and order a glass of wine and a few cold cuts from L\u2019avant Comptoir next door as you wait in line. Yes, you may drink on the street in Paris.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n source: Vogue<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n One of Paris\u2019 latest hot spots, a neo-bistro serving a French meets Japanese market cuisine (by an Aussie chef) in a lively but raw atmosphere. For a late-night bite, opt for the comptoir at the front of Bones<\/a> serving wines by the glass with a raw bar of oysters, fish or house-made charcuterie.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n You won\u2019t bump shoulders with jet-setters or celebrities here\u2014 but for a classic neighborhood bistro that serves mouth-watering meals in a familiar but elegant setting, Le Clos des Gourmets<\/a> is your place. Located a stone\u2019s throw away from La Tour Eiffel on Avenue Rapp, this unassuming local hot-spot offers a generous three-course menu at a very reasonable price for Paris standards. Reserve ahead.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u00a0source: Ralph’s<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Don\u2019t advertise too loudly that after one too many tartare de boeuf, you\u2019re actually craving a hamburger with fries\u2014but if you find yourself in this situation, just know that there\u2019s a haven of luxe American fare in the heart of Boulevard Saint Germain. So after a long morning of shopping in the 6\u00e8me, unabashedly melt away in the oversized outdoor sofas on Ralph\u2019s<\/a> terrace while chipping away at a classic New England lobster roll.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n source: Merci<\/a>\u00a0& Savvy Home<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Start your obligatory wandering day in Le Marais at Merci<\/a>\u2014Paris\u2019 answer to a hipster department store. This upscale Anthropologie <\/a>meets ABC Carpet & Home<\/a> is a multi-story boho-chic haven housing three caf\u00e9s, a book store, emerging fashion brands, vintage furniture and contemporary creations. Be careful, the space is so enchanting you just may find yourself forking out 1,500 \u20ac on a J\u00e9rome Dreyfuss leather jacket before you have time to say \u201cMerci\u201d.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Anyone who knows my love for the boho-beach lifestyle and surfing culture will immediately understand my love for this paradoxical urban surf shop. Cuisse de Grenouille<\/a>\u2019s address rue Froissart sells anything from their eponymous line of clothing and scented candles, to Pelle soap stones and skincare products by Baxter of California. They\u2019ll even serve you the best coffee in town by Caf\u00e9 Coutume. Grab a souvenir \u201cSurf in Paris\u201d sweatshirt and you can expand your \u201cSurf in Cities<\/a>\u201d collection next time you\u2019re in Montreal, New York, The Hamptons or \u00a0Tokyo.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n source: Mzelle Fraise<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n It\u2019s no secret that I collect scented candles, and Paris is the capital of parfumeries, which in turns makes it my ultimate destination for olfactory experiences. This pilgrimage of the senses starts at Le Labo<\/a>, where you can create your own scent, or simply delight in their turn-of-the-century industrial design while filling your basket with Santal 26 or Rose 31.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n source: Lingered Upon<\/a><\/p>\n Astier de Villatte<\/a> is another must in your \u201cpilgrimage of the senses\u201d. Best known for their handmade pottery made out of black terracotta clay, A.D.V. also famously fill these charming potteries with scented wax, creating candles that each represent some of the world\u2019s most exotic destinations: from Alger to Yakushima. Find your own scent at this quaint shop where handmade dishware is stacked to the ceiling\u2014mine is Qu\u00e9bec.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n source: Trendland<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Paris\u2019 answer to Barneys NY<\/a>: a immaculately curated multi-story luxury department store and the oldest one in Paris. La Rive Gauche\u2019s only department store, Le Bon March\u00e9<\/a> houses all the best French designers, from the classic Chanel and Yves Saint-Laurent to the more avant-garde Maison Kitsun\u00e9 and Band of Outsiders.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n La Grande \u00c9picerie<\/a> makes Whole Foods seem like the decently stocked food mart of a suburban gas station. All senses are heightened upon entering this vast culinary Disneyland. Stop at the sushi bar for a quick pick me up, sample the best cured meats and cheeses at the multiple specialty counters, salivate in front of their p\u00e2tisserie, or get lost in their wine cellar. You\u2019ll never want to grocery shop anywhere else.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n source: Le Fooding<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n If you\u2019ve always dreamed of sitting at a Parisian caf\u00e9 and sip a glass of ros\u00e9 at the end of a successful shopping expedition while watching elegant passersby go about their daily routine, Le Hibou<\/a> is your spot. Located just a few steps from le Th\u00e9atre de L\u2019Od\u00e9on and right across the street from Le Relais Saint-Germain, Le Hibou is just a notch above your average Parisian caf\u00e9.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Because finding a bar that\u2019s open past 11pm on a Sunday or a Monday in Paris is near impossible, you need to know about Caf\u00e9 Chic<\/a>. Recommended by the concierge at the Royal Monceau (who called 25 places before finding this one), Caf\u00e9 Chic is a warm sexy festive hideaway next to the Bristol where well-travelled foreigners bump elbows with elegant locals. Perfect for a nightcap.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n If you only have time for one museum during your stay in Paris, skip the lines at Le Louvres and find your way to Centre Pompidou<\/a> in Le Marais to admire Europe\u2019s most significant modern and contemporary art collection. The architecture in itself is worth the detour; a landmark structure made of color coded tubes (a photo-op not to be missed). Plan to get there on a sunny morning, as you\u2019ll definitely want to head up to Georges for lunch, their rooftop restaurant offering one of the most strikingly beautiful views of Paris.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n source: The Every Girl<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Any design aficionado needs to experience Les Puces de Saint-Ouen<\/a> at least once in their lives. This unassumingly titled \u201cflea market\u201d covers seven hectares and is the largest antique market in the world. Head there early on a weekend morning as it gets more crowded by the hour\u2014and plan your visit ahead because you won\u2019t be able to see it all!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n If you feel like you\u2019d rather poke your eyeballs with a fork than spend another second on Les Champs-\u00c9lys\u00e9es, Le Canal Saint-Martin is the place for you. This local hot spot is nestled far far away from tourist buses and stomping crowds. Yet, this up-and-coming neighborhood is home to many caf\u00e9s and shops and restaurants (most notably, Le Verre Vol\u00e9<\/a>, a well-known hole-in-the-wall restaurant popular among Parisians). Make sure to head there in time for sunset and bring a bottle of champagne\u2014you\u2019ll want to sit on \u201cles rives du canal\u201d and sip on a glass while watching the locals at their most natural.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n source: Imperio Vida<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Gallerist Emmanuel Perrotin<\/a> famously launched Damien Hirst\u2019s career and turned Takashi Murakami into a superstar of the art world. He represented famous artists like Maurizio Cattelan and Sophie Calle and has collaborated with Pharrell Williams among other musicians. His two-floor gallery in Le Marais is decidedly avant-garde and the most notable you\u2019ll want to visit while in La Ville Lumi\u00e8re.<\/p>\n![\"stay\"](\"http:\/\/blog.damasketdentelle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/stay-150x72.jpg\")
<\/p>\nH\u00f4tel Costes<\/h2>\n
Le Royal Monceau<\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/blog.damasketdentelle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Le-Royal-Monceau-Paris.jpg\")
<\/p>\nH\u00f4tel des Acad\u00e9mies et des Arts<\/h2>\n
![\"eat\"](\"http:\/\/blog.damasketdentelle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/eat.jpg\")
<\/p>\nCaff\u00e8 Stern<\/h2>\n
![\"stark](\"http:\/\/blog.damasketdentelle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/stark-cafe-stern-695x808.jpg\")
<\/p>\nLe Comptoir du Relais<\/h2>\n
Bones<\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/blog.damasketdentelle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/bones-paris.jpg\")
<\/p>\nLe Clos des Gourmets<\/h2>\n
Ralph\u2019s<\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/blog.damasketdentelle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/ralphs-paris1.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"shop\"](\"http:\/\/blog.damasketdentelle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/shop.jpg\")
<\/p>\nMerci<\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/blog.damasketdentelle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/merci-paris.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/blog.damasketdentelle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/merci-paris-2.jpg\")
<\/p>\nCuisse de Grenouille<\/h2>\n
Le Labo<\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/blog.damasketdentelle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/le-labo-parfum.jpg\")
<\/p>\nAstier de Villatte<\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/blog.damasketdentelle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/at-astier-de-villatte.jpg\")
<\/p>\nLe Bon March\u00e9<\/h2>\n
![\"bon-marche-maison-edition-1\"](\"http:\/\/blog.damasketdentelle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/bon-marche-maison-edition-1.jpg\")
<\/p>\nLa Grande \u00c9picerie de Paris<\/h2>\n
![\"drink\"](\"http:\/\/blog.damasketdentelle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/drink.jpg\")
<\/p>\nLe Hibou<\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/blog.damasketdentelle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/le-hibou-paris.jpg\")
<\/p>\nCaf\u00e9 Chic<\/h2>\n
![\"see\"](\"http:\/\/blog.damasketdentelle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/see.jpg\")
<\/p>\nCentre Pompidou<\/h2>\n
Les Puces<\/h2>\n
![\"marche-aux-puces-st-ouen\"](\"http:\/\/blog.damasketdentelle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/marche-aux-puces-st-ouen-695x1043.jpg\")
<\/p>\nLe Canal Saint Martin<\/h2>\n
Galerie Perrotin<\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/blog.damasketdentelle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/galerie-perrotin.jpg\")
<\/p>\n<\/h2>\n
![\"Braid](\"http:\/\/blog.damasketdentelle.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/braid-in-paris.jpg\")
source: