Bonjour Paris!
Everything you need to know for a magnifique stay in the fashion capital
WHERE TO STAY:
The Hotel Lutetia is an iconic hotel in Paris'
most stylish district, the Left Bank. Picasso stayed there during its heyday
in the '20s and designer Sonia Rykiel restored it to its former glory in the
'80s with sculptures, paintings and other art deco touches. Treat yourself
to a Rive Gauche champagne cocktail in the glamorous bar before indulging in
some serious gastronomy in the brasserie. Lutetia is just a few steps from
the chic cafés of the Boulevard Saint-Germain and the river Seine. See
Concorde-hotels.com/lutetia for more information.
WHERE TO EAT:
Rue du Pot de Fer is an ancient, narrow street
in the Latin Quarter, crammed with fantastic restaurants offering
traditional, rustic French food at affordable prices. For around 15 euros
you can feast on a three-course meal of fayre such as snails,
melt-in-the-mouth steak and crème caramel.
The nearby Place de la
Contrescarpe is perfect for an after-dinner stroll followed by an aperitif
in one of the bustling bars surrounding the square.
WHERE TO SHOP:
Paris is famous for its elegant department
stores and Le Bon Marché is the ultimate shopping nirvana for fashionistas -
every designer label you can think of is housed in this beautiful building,
with its original art deco escalators and elegant balconies. Galeries
Lafayette is known for its spectacular stained glass ceiling and impressive
beauty floor (stock up on French brands like Lancôme - they're cheaper than
back home in Blighty).
WHAT TO DO:
Avoid the thousands of people queuing up for a
glimpse of the Mona Lisa and try some of Paris' more intriguing art
galleries, like the Rodin museum (Musee-rodin.fr), where the great
sculptor's work is displayed in the tranquil grounds of a Parisian mansion.
If
you're in the hip Marais district, pay the Picasso museum a visit. Thousands
of the artist's paintings, sculptures and collages are housed in the Hôtel
Salé, which was built in 1656 (Musee-picasso.fr).
If
you get all shopped out or tired of culture, take a pavement-side seat at
one of the chic cafés on the Boulverard St Germain (Kate Moss was spotted in
the Café de Flore), order a glass of chilled rosé and indulge in some
serious people-watching!
PHOTGRAPHY: PHOEBE FRANGOUL, YAIR-HAKLAI
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