Find My Friends: Paris City Guide Edition

When it comes to creating the ultimate Paris City Guide, we didn’t need to look any further than the vetted recommendations of our dozens of local insiders – the hoteliers who make everything brighter for our clients in the City of Light.

After a week of exploring Paris alongside our cherished French friends during the inaugural DUCO France summit, our team returned with a refreshed view of one of our most beloved cities. Whether it’s your first time in Paris or you’ve lost track of your number of visits (guilty) we’ve got you covered. Read on in our ultimate local’s guide for favorite spots to eat, sip, shop, and see. Cue, the only Paris City Guide you’ll need.

Dine

“Over the weekend, you may find me having dinner at Mun, one of the new rooftop restaurants in town. Not only do I love the exquisite Asian fusion cuisine they offer, but I also like the fact that it is located right in the Triangle d’Or of Paris in a verdant outdoor space offering a gorgeous – and very Instagrammable! – view of the Tour Eiffel.” – Ludovic Cayacy, Four Seasons Hotel George V

“I dine weekly at Amici Miei, a local Sardinian trattoria located in 40 square meters of raw stones and woodwork. Just like Cour des Vosges, this place is a hidden gem with a warm welcoming staff and excellent service. No reservations allowed, this buzzing restaurant fills with locals and regulars looking for delicious authentic food like Carpaccio di Polpo and Spaghetti alla Bottarga.” – Carole Bourgoin, Cour des Vosges

“My favorite spot for a Saturday lunch while walking through Saint Germain des Pres Paris is Madamador. This is your destination for delicious French seafood and local wine amongst Parisians. Considering few Paris city guides will mention this gem, I promise you won’t find a lot of tourists here!” – Matthias Kaesweber, The Peninsula Paris

“If you were looking for me on a regular Friday night with friends, Vivant 2 would be the spot! This wine bar meets bistro might be the smallest restaurant in Paris, located in the heart of the 10th arrondissement where Pierre Touitou – son of Jean Toutitou, A.P.C. ‘s founder – is performing his art. Upon entering, you’ll read on the door, “Good food. Wines full of life. You-might-start-singing-at-the-end soundtrack.” This bon vivant spirit is what embodies Vivant 2.” – Thomas Van der Vliet, Ritz Paris

“On weekends I love walking around St Germain des Pres where I live, eating fresh oysters directly from the producer in the tiniest restaurant in the world, the Huitrerie Régis where they open the live oysters in front of your eyes while drinking a nice chilled Sancerre or Chablis. At night I usually go to a typical French Brasserie named Le Petit Lutetia, a few steps away from Hotel Lutetia to eat escargot and their famous Tartare de Boeuf served with French fries. A must on a Sunday!” – Jean Luc Naret, Hôtel Lutetia

Mun: 52 Av. des Champs-Élysées, 75008 Paris, France
Amici Miei: 44 Rue St Sabin, 75011 Paris, France
Madamador: 9 Rue Guisarde, 75006 Paris, France
Vivant 2: 43 Rue des Petites Écuries, 75010 Paris, France
Huitrerie Régis: 3 Rue de Montfaucon, 75006 Paris, France
Le Petit Lutetia: 107 Rue de Sèvres, 75006 Paris, France

Sip

“On cold Parisian nights, I look for cozy places to share a drink or two in a vibrant yet intimate atmosphere. At Balagan, known for its famous festive Israeli restaurant, the Experimental Cocktail Club team has created a hidden cocktail bar where in-the-know guests like to meet over fabulous cocktails on the rhythm of both classical and trendy hits. My favorite: The Pondicherry Mule, a spiced version of the Moscow Mule!” – Hector Vericel, BVLGARI Paris

“A solid Paris city guide means lots of stops in between shopping and sightseeing for a leisurely glass of wine. On the weekends, you can find me at Mon Paris ! on Place Edouard VII. A short walk from Park Hyatt Paris-Vendome, and at the end of a very charming and quiet pedestrian street, this place is a true hidden gem and a well-kept secret with its arches, beautiful architecture, and famous statue. It’s a great spot to unwind.” – Marilou Ganter, Park Hyatt Place Vendôme

“For an apéro, definitely, La Palette which is my go-to place not just because I live a few minutes away, but because it has a chic Parisian flair and so much history! You know, even Parisians love the Parisian watching activity of sitting on a terrace and people watching with a nice Bordeaux blend! For a nightcap, another favorite is Isadora Cocktail Bar in the 1st arrondissement, definitely a Parisian affair. I am also a fan of the cocktail bar, Little Red Door. I promise I didn’t pick it because of La Reserve Paris’ red door; their fabulous little red on Rue Charlot is the cutest and drinks are superb!” – Nathaniel Most, La Réserve Paris Hotel & Spa

“To echo Nathaniel, Little Red Door is definitely a place where you can find me and my friends on the weekend as I live right around the corner. Situated in the heart of the third arrondissement, this exclusive cocktail bar has perfectly grasped the creative scene of Le Marais. Their changing cocktail menu always tells a story and never fails to surprise me. Lately, they have created partnerships with farmers all around France – they exclusively used their products to imagine 8 original creations. My favorite is The Beetroot.” – Matthias Ohresser, Le Bristol Paris

“Silencio des Prés is a confidential place, created by the producer David Lynch and named in reference to the movie Mulholland Drive. This private bar is one of the most exclusive in Paris, located five floors underground in a very secret and mysterious atmosphere which from midnight becomes a club. I love this exclusive place where you can have a cocktail at the mixology bar, dance to electro music, and even watch a movie in their cinema! There is no other place like Silencio in Paris.” – Séverine Greault, Grand Powers

Balagan: 9 Rue d’Alger, 75001 Paris, France
Mon Paris !: 6 Rue Édouard VII, 75009 Paris, France
La Palette: 43 Rue de Seine, 75006 Paris, France
Isadora Cocktail Bar: 60 Rue Jean-Jacques Rousseau, 75001 Paris, France
Little Red Door: 60 Rue Charlot, 75003 Paris, France
Silencio des Prés: 22 Rue Guillaume Apollinaire, 75006 Paris, France

Shop

“On weekends, I love to hang out at Le Bon Marché on the Left Bank where you find all the famous brands as well as new designers. And just next to the department store, you should definitely stop at Brand Bazar, my “coup de coeur.” This is not a typical store as the vendors there are all stylists and they create perfect looks for you from head to toe. Finally, and because I love to shop, I will share with you my favorite French brand, Sézane with their latest store, Le Grand Appartement, looking like a Parisian apartment. Dangerous for the wallet!” – Candice Berger, Maison Villeroy

“No Paris city guide would be complete without a stroll through some of the best shopping in the world in le Marais. On weekends, I love to shop around Rue des Francs-Bourgeois. Here you’ll find trendy shops, but also small boutiques like L’Artisan Parfumeur where you can get French perfume alongside and vintage shops. Walk towards Place des Vosges is a magical place for a nice coffee on a terrace after a shopping afternoon.” – Pauline Ehrhart, Hotel de Crillon, a Rosewood Hotel

“I adore the Dice Kayek shop on rue Saint Benoît in the 6th arrondissement. First of all, because the style of this design is both unique and elegant. Secondly, because the manager of the shop is so kind and helpful! He will pull out some outstanding outfits from the warehouse just because he knows you will look amazing in it. Finally, because you can then head to the Le Bon Marché department store, 10 minutes walking from there, and find the perfect shoes to match with whatever clothes you have bought!” – Agathe Jousse, Hotel Vernet

“When it comes to unique, off-the-beaten-track shopping experiences, I suggest the following at the hype in the Marais district to check out Merci, a sustainable concept store. You may recognize its highly Instagrammed red Fiat 500 outside the shop! Designed in the shape of a large house, here you can discover new brands, get inspiration and also have a light bite to fuel more shopping.” – Marcel Horande, Kimpton Saint Honoré

“The City of Light benefits from many places where you can go shopping, but my favorite remains Rue de Passy, where the neighborhood spirit is condensed in this one quaint and bustling street. Just a short 15-minute stroll from Shangri-La Paris in the heart of the cultural 16th arrondissement, you walk through the beautiful Trocadero gardens, and by the river Seine, admiring a stunning view of the Eiffel Tower, so close you can nearly touch it. From famous Parisian style clothing shops, such as Claudie Pierlot, ba&sh or The Kooples to La Grande Epicerie de Paris, everything comes together for you to enjoy a memorable shopping experience.” – Charlotte Bertrand, Shangri-La Paris

Le Bon Marché: 24 Rue de Sèvres, 75007 Paris, France
Brand Bazar: 33 Rue de Sèvres, 75006 Paris, France
Sézane Le Grand Appartement: 63 Bd des Batignolles, 75008 Paris, France
L’Artisan Parfumeur: 19 Rue des Francs Bourgeois, 75004 Paris, France
Dice Kayek: 15 Rue Saint-Benoît, 75006 Paris, France
Merci: 111 Bd Beaumarchais, 75003 Paris, France
Claudie Pierlot: Claudie Pierlot, 24 Rue de Passy, 75016 Paris, France
ba&sh: 27 Rue de Passy, 75016 Paris, France
The Kooples: 30 Rue de Passy, 75116 Paris, France
La Grande Epicerie de Paris: 80 Rue de Passy, 75016 Paris, France

See

“One of my favorite places to visit over the weekend in Paris is without any doubt the flea market in St Ouen, in particular the Paul Bert Serpette markets. I love finding unique pieces of art, paintings, or refined pieces of furniture. And I never leave the market without having the pain perdu, the famous French dessert, it is delicious! Otherwise, I simply get lost in St Germain Dès Près and enjoy a coffee at Café De Flore.” – Riccardo Ortogni, JK Place Paris

“For a perfect weekend, I would start having an espresso on Place Dauphine before crossing the Seine on Pont-Neuf to enter “La Boutique de Loulou” in La Samaritaine to pick up limited edition products which cannot be found anywhere else in Paris. Then, wind through typical Marais streets all the way to Marché des Enfants Rouges on Rue des Bretagne, the oldest Parisian food market, to grab a quick lunch while looking at the stalls full of fragrance and colors. Finally, wandering in le Marais to the Galerie Sakura to discover unique pieces designed by 400 international artists. After a long day, there’s nothing better than entering Cheval Blanc Paris and reaching the 7th floor through the experiential “No Gravity” lift to sip a cocktail over the lights of the Seine with Paris at your feet in a contemporary and vibrant atmosphere.” – Arnaud Martin, Cheval Blanc Paris

“When it comes to putting together a Paris city guide, the museums alone could account for an entire list. Some of my favorite galleries include the Vivian Maier exhibit at the Musée du Luxembourg, the Botticelli exposition at Musée Jacquemart-André, Musée National Picasso or Musée Carnavalet in the Marais and Bourse du commerce François Pinault.” – Jérôme Chevalier, Le Pavillon de la Reine

“I love to go to the Louis Vuitton Fondation. The building created by Frank Gehry is in itself an attraction. From now until February, you can see the amazing Morozov exhibition which is a collection of French and Russian works of Art from the early 20th century. And from mid-November, I will for sure have a look at the enchanting holiday displays in the windows of the big department stores. I go every year with or without my children!” – Laure Pertusier, Saint James Paris

“For an evening with friends or simply to take care of yourself while sipping a good cocktail and getting your shoes polished, I can’t recommend Gentleman 1919 enough. Behind sandblasted glass panes that make the place confidential, the number 1919 (year of prohibition in the United States) is engraved. Once you pass the elegant hair barber setup, you push the backdoor, go through a corridor until you reach the speakeasy bar. In a Hollywood style industrial décor, the place looks like an old factory, with its long bar, high copper stools, a Tomaga slicer, a copper-colored beer pump, Gras lamps galore giving a diffused and subdued light, and behind the bar, shelves with hundreds of whiskey, gin, and rum. At the end of the room behind hermetically closed doors, there’s a smoking room with deep Chesterfield armchairs.” – Jeremy Bieuron, Hôtel Plaza Athénée and Le Meurice

Paul Bert Sertpette: 110 Rue des Rosiers, 93400 Saint-Ouen, France
Café du Flore: 172 Bd Saint-Germain, 75006 Paris, France
La Samaritaine: 9 Rue de la Monnaie, 75001, Paris, France
Marché des Enfants Rouges: 39 Rue de Bretagne, 75003 Paris, France
Galerie Sakura: 21 Rue du Bourg Tibourg, 75004 Paris, France
Musée du Luxembourg: 19 Rue de Vaugirard, 75006 Paris, France
Musée Jacquemart-André: 158 Bd Haussmann, 75008 Paris, France
Musée National Picasso: 5 Rue de Thorigny, 75003 Paris, France
Musée Carnavalet: 23 Rue de Sévigné, 75003 Paris, France

Ready to begin planning your Parisian escape? Contact your SmartFlyer travel advisor.