One of our all-time favorite cities to visit!
To celebrate that we are bringing all our lamps to the city of light this September, where we are attending Maison et objet for the first time, we asked my little sister Agnes to guide us through the endless options Paris has to offer.
What makes Paris so special?
I think Paris is so special to me mainly because of all the good memories I have in the city, but also because I just feel like you enjoy every day a little extra when you're there.
Do you have any little Paris habits or rituals when going to Paris?
I always spend my first day in the Marais. Most of my favorite stores are in the area, and it's just a pleasure to walk around there.
And if I'm going out to eat in the evening, I like to go out for an afternoon Pastis before getting dressed.
What's your favorite area to stay in or favorite hotels?
My favorite area to live in is Montmartre, and I prefer to stay at the little hotel Amour near Rue de Martyr. Montmartre is a perfectly messy area with cozy cafés and bars, and it’s the best area for looking at people walking by. I think amour is a lovely hotel, there’s always a good vibe and all the rooms are decorated different so I’m always excited to see which room I got.
Is there a special place you like to eat your breakfast and do you have a thing you eat every time you're in Paris?
My favorite breakfast places are Paperboy and Rose bakery.
At Rose bakery I always order a classic Parisian breakfast with coffee, juice, eggs and bread or croissant with butter. At paperboy I prefer the breakfast sandwich with salmon and egg. It keeps me full for a long.
Where do you pick up lunch on the go?
Miznon is safe, they have a few places around Paris, and it’s just the best pita bread with lots of great stuff to fill in it.
Mmmozza is great and simple, Baguette filled with cheese and charcuterie. They have tables outside, but in good weather I bring it to the park on the other side of the street.
For a casual dinner, where's the place to be?
Sonny’s pizza in the 10th arr. - It´s real cheap and the vibe is always great and cozy. It’s some old skaters who opened the place, they have the best pizza, sandwiches, draft beer and general perfect beverage game. So good icetea.
Ecizen soba togo is a Japanese place with soups, noodles, rice dishes and real good starters.
And do you have a favorite restaurant if you are celebrating?
Derriere is a favorite for festivities. I have been there both with friends and family, summer and winter, and it never disappoints. The restaurant is in a cute little backyard in Marais, and they have the best mashed potatoes and green beans. And if you want to continue the evening, you can just go in next door to the nightclub Andy Whaloo.
What's your go to drink in Paris?
La buvette – Natural wine and snacks. It’s a lovely little place, but not always possible to get a table. But give it a try, cause if you come inside, it’s worth the effort.
If you want to go for drinks, Le Cinqante by the Canal Saint Martin is a great place. The owners are siblings and they make the best cocktails in Paris. There’s always a fun crowd, not to young, but locals from the area.
Coffee?
My coffee order is not very French, I drink oat iced lattes or iced matcha, so I always visit Laizé or Dreaming man. They also do Togo coffee and its always a good coffee.
When shopping in Paris, which are your favorite stores?
Astier Villette – French porcelain store with beautiful plates, cups and incense burners. They also have the best selection of cute pencils and notebooks, and everything in the store is just something you wanna bring home.
OFR bookstore – a lot of cool art and design books, and there’s always something unexpected to fall in love worth. It´s messy and makes you wanna explore it all.
Brut archive – Men’s wear vintage store with great jackets.
Free p star – vintage, and its real cheap. Good scoops and fun selection
Buly – beauty store with creams and perfumes. Everything smells good, it feels like an old perfumery, And the packaging is so pretty.
Commes des garcon – my favorite store. There’s always something to dream about and it’s so inspiring to see their universe.
Thanx god im a VIP – Best vintage. They have both old Missoni knit items and beautiful vintage shirts. They have everything from YSL to Sonia Rykiel, and no name brand. And the hole store is color coordinated, which makes it the most satisfying place to visit.
Do you have some items you´re always on the lookout for or always bring home?
French pharmacy skincare and postcards for my bulletin board. I always bring home the embryolisse crème de lait facecream, serums from la roche posay and lip balm. I always buy postcards at small vendors in the streets or museum shops.
Best museum or gallery for a cultural afternoon?
I always like Musée Rodin and Centre Pompidou. Centre Pompidous permanent exhibition is just good. They have cool modern pieces in many directions and is always worth a visit. They also display furniture and woven pieces.
Rodin is mostly sculptures, but it’s a joy to walk around the garden where there’s rabbits running around. It’s just a beautiful place, very French and very high ceilings.
