neighbourhood guide:
Summer à Paris
We can think of few things more soothing to the travel-weary soul than an ice-cold glass of rosé in the early evening Parisian sunlight. Loving Paris in the summer time isn’t hard. But it’s even easier if you have a helping hand, a list of places to see, compiled by the people who love Paris so much they have chosen to call it home. From the right bank to the left, we've picked all the hotspots to make your summer city break as refreshing as possible.
Restaurants
GIRAFE //girafe.com
Enjoy supper en tête à tête with the Eiffel Tower and the beautiful people of Paris. The views from the terrace are goose-bump inducing when the lights start to twinkle.
HOTEL PARTICULIER //hotelparticulier.com
A hidden garden in Montmartre that is open for breakfast, brunch, lunch and supper. The cocktails are excellent too.
LOULOU // loulou.com
The terrace of this deeply glamorous, right-bank restaurant is right in the middle of the Louvre with spectacular views west towards the Eiffel Tower. But perhaps the best view of all is from the two window tables on the first floor.
LE CAMONDO // lecamondo.com
Enjoy modern classics in the converted stables and shaded courtyard of the beautiful mansion of art collector Nissim de Camondo. Leave time for a visit after lunch.
HOTEL AMOUR //amourrestaurant.fr
Dine on bistrot classics amongst the palm trees, bamboo and flickering candles in the garden of this 9th arrondissement hotel.
Art & Design
MUSÉE MARMOTTAN MONET //marmottan.com
The home of the huge waterlily canvasses provides welcome respite from the summer heat and is never as crowded as the impressionist wing of the better known Musée d’Orsay. This summer’s exhibition, the Theatre of Emotions, runs until August 21st.
LOUIS VUITTON FOUNDATION //foundationlv.com
Stroll through the Bois de Boulogne before a visit to this Frank Gehry designed modern and contemporary art museum. A great place for a touch of escapism thanks to the abstract art on show, such as the Fugues in Colour exhibition.
PALAIS DE TOKYO // palaisdetokyo.com
Situated in the 16th, with views across the Seine to the Eiffel Tower, this architectural masterpiece (circa 1930) also happens to offer Europe's largest contemporary art collection. It also has a fabulous cafe and restaurant too, so if you grow tired of looking at art, you can unwind with a glass of something refreshing.
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Our Parisian Summer favourites
Le Palais Royale / La Piscine Molitor /
Open Air
LE JARDIN DU MUSÉE EUGENE DELACROIX //museedelacroix.com
A picture postcard of a garden behind the Eugene Delacroix museum, in Saint Germain. We recommend arriving early, take a your favourite book and sit on a bench in the sun.
LA PISCINE MOLITOR //molitorparis.com
An Olympic-sized pool in the 16th complete with a restaurant and Clarins spa. You’ll feel like you’ve boarded a 1920s cruise ship.
LE PALAIS ROYAL //palais-royal.com
Colonnaded perfection in the 1st. Sit by the fountain with an iced coffee from Kitsuné and admire the roses.
LE JARDIN DU PETIT PALAIS //petitpalais.com
When you’ve wandered around the museum here, take a seat in this hidden garden— just two minutes from the Champs Elysée — and revel in the silence.
Bastille Day /
Song & Dance
LA FÊTE DE LA MUSIQUE // fetedelamusique.com
On June 21st the city of lights becomes that city that sings, dances, plays, twists, tangos and raps. Find a pavement seat and prepare to be entertained.
BASTILLE DAY //bastilleday.fr
Festivities and fireworks are the order of the day on July 14th. Avoid the area around the Eiffel Tower if you don’t like crowds and seek out a well-placed terrace instead. Girafe is the place to be come 11pm.
Oh My Cream! / websiteforthisplace.com
Body Beautiful
HAIR // DAVID MALLET davidmallet.com
The most beautiful salon in Paris. Arrive early and take shelter from the summer sun on the exquisite terrace.
NAILS // KURE BAZAAR AU BON MARCHÉ kurebazaar.com
Ensure your toes are sandal-perfect whilst observing the super chic denizens of the 7th arrondissement as they shop.
SKIN // OH MY CREAM ohmycream.com
Entrust your summer complexion to the wonderful team in this tiny beauty store and salon in the rue de Tournon.
Picnic Perfect
MAISON PLISSON // lamaisonplisson.com
For cheese, charcuterie and chilled rosé, head to this deli and restaurant on the Place du Marché Saint Honoré before laying down your picnic blanket in the Tuileries gardens.
CLAUS // clausparis.com
Ready-made salads, a sandwich ‘du jour’ and wonderful cakes are the stuff that Claus is made of. The perfect pit-stop prior to a picnic in the nearby Palais Royal.
LE GRAND EPICERIE // legrandepicerie.com
Prepare to over-fill your picnic basket if you stop off at the Bon Marché food hall en route to the Luxembourg gardens.
