Paris, France

Sleep

L’Hotel is where Oscar Wilde spent his last days before retiring to Pére Lachaise for eternity. Liz Taylor and Richard Burton also hid out here. Known as a discreet retreat, many writers and actors are lured up its spiral staircase.

Hotel Particulier is a hidden oasis in the heart of historical Montmartre. Reside in elegance and peace at this intimate Directoire-style townhouse that is fashionably dressed with understated but striking contemporary art, and surrounded by a closed garden designed by Louis Bénech (Designer of the “Jardin des Tuileries”).

Le Pavillion de la Reine offers an elegant, yet traditional retreat in the midst of the lively Marais in the Places des Vosges. The grand entrance gives way to a cozy and comfortable ambience that feels more like a country estate than an urban pieds-à-terre. Many of the rooms have their own little terraces.

Special Apartments has fantastic and reasonable short term/vacation lets for those who prefer to be more private and independent.

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See & Do

Rodin Museum, (77, rue Varenne, 75007; +33 1 44 18 61 10) Lots of great shops in the area.
The Louvre, (Palais Royal) Check out the new wing.
Musée du Quai Branly, (22 rue de l’Université, 75005; +33 1 56 61 70 00) Paris’ latest modern museum near Eiffel Tower with an extensive collection of African, Aboriginal and oceanic art.
Delacroix’s Museum, ( 6, rue de Furstenberg; +33 1 44 41 86 50) Housed in part of the painter’s apartment and studio.
Picasso’s Museum, (5, rue Thorigny, 75003; +33 1 42 71 25 21) Jewel of a collection in the heart of the Marais. (Matisse was his neighbour.)
Gustav Moreau Museum (14, rue La Rochefoucauld, 75009; +33 1 48 74 38 50) On the way to Pigalle (good shops along the way.)
Les Bains du Marais (31-33, rue des Blancs Manteaux, 75004; +33 1 44 61 02 02) Handsome unisex beauty salon and hammam for the well-heeled and well-groomed.

The most important thing to do when in Paris is to walk. Here are a few of our favorite routes:
Les Halles
Eiffel Tower
The Seine
Centre Pompidou
Place des Vosges and the Marais district.
Carré des Antiquaires, especially on Tuesday nights… fun street fair and great people watching.
Clignancourt, the world’s best flea market. Bring lots of cash!
Montmartre, the Sacré-Coeur Basilica.
Ile de la Cité, smack in the middle of the Seine. Very romantic! Great restaurants in there and the best ice cream on the corner at Le Flor enL’Isle.
Place Furstenburg is a tiny, enchanting square near St. Germain where the Delacroix studio is located among the little art galleries, which are always interesting to explore. In summer it has regular music concerts and has also been used in many French films by people like Bunuel. But in Paris, everyone gets to star in their own movie.

Eat & Drink

Le Grand Véfour (17, rue de Beaujolais; +33 1 42 96 56 27) One of the city’s oldest restaurants, dating back to the 18th century. Original interiors. Jean-Paul Sartre and Victor Hugo dined here. (3 Michelin stars!)
Georges (Places Georges Pompidou, 4th Arr.; +33 1 44 78 47 99) Funky and fabulous. Designed by Jakob & MacFarlane. Art world beau-monde scene. Stunning waitress’. New wave cuisine. Be sure to sit out on the terrace in summer and enjoy the spectacular views.
Aux Lyonnais (32, rue St.-Marc, 75002; +33 1 42 96 65 04) Chef, Alain Ducasse’ “other” restaurant. Great value prix fixe lunch.
Les Deux Magots (6, Place St Germain des Prés, 75006; +33 1 45 48 55 25) Parisian staple.
Brasserie Lipp (151, Boulevard St Germain, 75006; +33 1 45 48 53 91) Belle Epoque beauty. Great spot for dinner (sit on the inner part of the restaurant, not where you walk in.)
Le Pré Catalan (Route de Suresnes, bois de Boulogne, 75016; + 33 1 44 14 41 14) Features young cuisine and seasoned waiters. Set in the woods of the bois de Boulogne. Great for lunch.
Plaza Athénée (25, avenue Montaigne, 75008; +33 1 53 67 65 00) The ultimate Parisian dining experience comes at a price courtesy of legendary French chef, Alain Ducasse. The bar is the place to be seen full of the beau-monde drinking expensive and colorful cocktails. Dress up!
Apicius (20, rue d’Artois, 75008 Paris; +33 1 43 80 19 66) This handsome chef creates culinary magic in his new mansion, also home to legendary French filmmaker, Luc Besson. Reservations essential.
Mariage Fréres (35, rue Bourg Tibourg, 75004; +33 1 44 54 18 39) Beautiful tea house dating back to 1854 with great shops next door.
Budda Bar (8, Bis, rue Boissy d’anglas, 75008; +33 1 53 05 90 00) Fun nightclub for drinks and/or dinner.
Astrance (4, rue Beethoven. 75016; +33 1 40 50 84 40) Tiny Restaurant, no menu, three stars. Book two months in advance or you maybe lucky and get in for lunch.
La Belle Hortense (31, rue Vieille du Temple, 75004; +33 1 48 04 71 60) Fun and literary bar for a pick-me up for those weary feet.
La Palette (43, rue de Seine, St Germain, 75006; +33 1 43 26 68 15) Fun bar scene in the Latin Quarter with al fresco tables. Great for lunch with arty-types.
Café de Flore (174, Boulevard St Germain, 75006; +33 1 45 44 35 09) Good for breakfast and people-watching.
Le Flore en L’Isle (42, Quai d’Orléans, Ile Saint-Louis, 75004; +33 1 43 29 88 27) Best ice cream in town.
Au Petit Fer a Cheval (34, rue Vieille du Temple, 75004; +33 1 42 72 47 47) Is the smallest and quaintest bar in Paris, and hands down serves the best cheesecake in the world! Great people watching in the centre of the Marais’ hustle and bustle. Very popular with the locals.
Café Marly (93, rue Rivoli, 75001; +33 1 49 26 06 60) Enjoy lunch on the balcony.
Le Voltaire (27, Quai Voltaire, 75007; +33 1 42 61 17 49) Lovely quiet spot for dinner.
Café Costes (239, rue Saint Honoré. 75001; +33 1 42 44 50 25) Fun for lunch.

Check out the latest New & Notable additions to the Paris dining scene from the editors of www.gayot.com.

Shop

All along Boulevard St. Germain, but a few wandermelon favorites are:
Petit Pan, (39, rue Francois Miron, 75004; +33 1 42 74 57 16) For great kids clothes.
Stohrer Patissier-Traiteur, (51, rue Montorgeuil, 75002; +33 1 42 33 38 20) Legendary bakery. Sweet dreams are made of this…
Pain de Sucré, (14, rue Rambuteau, 75003; +33 1 45 74 68 92) The art of the desert… too good to eat!
Colette, (213, rue Saint-Honoré, 75001; +33 1 55 35 33 90) The fashionista’s mecca.
Simrane (25, rue Bonaparte, 75006; +33 1 46 33 98 71) Beautiful sarongs and imported fabric goodies.
The Shakespeare Book Co., (37, Rue Bûcherie, 75005; +33 1 43 25 40 93) The most enchanting bookstore in the world with plenty of tales of its own. Literary nirvana for bookworms. Home to the tumbleweeds.

Play

Le Baron (6, avenue Marceau, Trocadero; +33 1 47 20 04 01) is a former brothel with all its original paraphernalia, including tasselled lamps with red lights. The dance-floor is tiny and packed, but good for getting up close to those Gucci-clad VIP’s. One very hot spot!
Le Cabaret (2, Place du Palais Royal, 75001; +33 1 58 62 56 25) AKA, the ‘Cab’ is a very cool nightclub with a myriad of interconnecting rooms making it a veritable den of iniquity.
Les Chandelles (1, rue Thérese, Louvre; +33 1 42 60 43 31) is the ultimate swingers club full of beautiful people behaving badly. Couples only except on Mondays.