It goes without saying that Paris is one of the dreamiest destinations anywhere. It even remains a place of magic and romance in the minds of those who haven’t been. That’s because there is literally inspiration everywhere you turn—from the cobblestone streets to sidewalk cafes and floating restaurants plucked from a movie scene, to the beautiful language and the river Seine flowing through the heart of the city. I grew up on these streets amid the magic and romance—going to prep school next door to Musée Rodin, studying art and history at the Sorbonne, and being constantly in awe of the masterful works around me by the likes of Da Vinci and Le Corbusier and Haussmann. These experiences have informed my design today, and I go back to the city and the south of France as often as I can to shop for my clients, glean more inspiration, and immerse myself in the Parisian fairy dust. While I plan to use this blog to share all the things that influence my interiors with you, I thought it most fitting to begin with my deep adoration for The City of Lights and Love. So this is my love letter to Paris—my go-to shops for fashion and design, the best attractions and hotels, and where to get your fill of international cuisine.

Images (clockwise from top left): Anthony Delanoix, Tran Mau Tri Tam, Jeff Frenette, John Canelis

WHERE TO SHOP

I couldn’t give you my favorite spots for discovering home furnishings and accessories without first pointing out Maison & Objet. Not only are the newest collections on display at the fairgrounds, but the entire city turns into a hub for design, with exhibits at galleries throughout all of Paris and the latest fabrics at the coinciding show Paris Deco Off. Merci on Boulevard Beaumarchais has such good fashion and home decor for men and women. And there is this beautiful perfume store Serge Lutens nestled in the Palais Royal that I love. Not to mention I’m a sucker for good candles and Paris is the capital with brands like Dyptique and Cire Trudon. There is a super cool shop, L’Atelier de la Bougie on Rue des Trois Frères, that houses the most captivating fragrances. The Bon Marché is a department store that always has an amazing assortment, but the designer Sézane gets me in the Parisian spirit and so does Claudie Pierlot.

Images: Brabbu; Merci; Kei Takeda via Serge Lutens; L’Atelier de la Bougie; The Bon Marché via Le Bon Marche Magazine; Sézane, Claude Bag, L’Appartement Paris; Claudie Pierlot, Fluid Short Trench

 

WHERE TO PLAY

Jardin du Luxembourg has a lot of cool old-fashioned activities for kids: the puppet show Guignol, pony rides through the park, beautiful carousels, and the Grand Bassin duck pond where they can push around vintage toy boats. Musée Jacquemart-André always has the prettiest exhibits, and I love Musée de l’Homme because, if I can be honest, it has a cafe with the best view to enjoy a glass of champagne. And the best way to see the Eiffel Tower is to have a picnic on the Champ de Mars at the base of the tower.

Images: Jardin du Luxembourg via L’Apostrophe Hotel, Musée Jacquemart-André, Musée de l’Homme via Café de l’Homme, Champ de Mars by Keti Chernigova