Paris, Three Ways
A trip to the City of Light is always a good idea, but especially when it’s tailored to your travel style. Here are our favourite spots in Paris when travelling solo, with a partner or with kids in tow.
The CitizenM line has boutique hotels in prime locations, such as Gare de Lyon, Champs–Élysées, Opera and La Défense. Check yourself in via touch–screen reception and retreat to a minimalist–chic room with just the right amount of space and accoutrements (including blackout blinds)for a good night’s sleep. Instead of a traditional lobby, find communal living rooms with lots of books and cozy nooks for hanging out and mingling with other guests.
There’s nothing quite like booking a great table when you want to dine in good company —your own. Make your way to Saint–Germain–des–Prés for a night to remember at L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon. But instead of a table, sit right at the bar for a front–row seat of the action in the open kitchen.
Pop in at Samaritaine, an iconic art nouveau department storethat re–opened in 2021 after extensive renovations. Inside you will find a dizzying selection of artisanal products and designer brands, as well as both casual and formal restaurants, and a Cinq Mondes spa. If a bargain is what you’re after, head to Marché aux Puces de Saint–Ouen located on the northern edge of Paris. This flea market features a sprawling network of passageways and alleys, stands, stalls and warehouses where you will find anything and everything you can think of — from furniture and paintings to vintage fashion pieces and bizarre objects from centuries past.
Nestled on a leafy street in the 16e arrondissement, Saint James is a stunning neoclassical hotel surrounded by a beautiful garden. All velvet drapes, glorious frescoes, a grand staircase, panoramic wallpaper, gorgeous florals, and art deco accents, the interiors will sweep you off your feet. There’s also the Michelin–starred restaurant Bellefeuille, the Guerlain Spa and an indoor pool. Guests have complimentary access to the hotel’s bicycles and, for a fee, its electric car.
Set on the rooftop of Musée du Quai Branly, Les Ombres is a buzzy restaurant by architect Jean Nouvel, who clearly looked to the Eiffel Tower for design inspiration — think metallic lace on everything from the tables to the glass roof. The menu by Alain Ducasse offers a twist on French classics, such as duck foie gras with pepper gelée. Go for dinner after sunset and on the hour, you will have killer views of the Eiffel Tower’s sparkling light show, which lasts a full five minutes.
For a 105–square–kilometre city, Paris has a disproportionately large number of parks and gardens. Plan to visit at least one of them, whether for an alfresco lunch or just a stroll. Open to the public since the 1667, the Jardin des Tuileries is perfect for a breath of fresh air or for a picnic between museum visits. Go to the Jardin du Luxembourg for the classics: seniors playing chess and children pushing sailboats in the pond, a tradition that began in 1927 when a local had the idea to rent his handmade little wooden boats with fabric sails. If the weather is miserable, head to Le Jardin des Serres d’Auteuil, where beautiful glass houses are home to begonias, orchids, remarkable palms, rare plants and an aviary.
A luxurious staple on the famed Rue Saint–Honoré, the Mandarin Oriental is walking distance to Place Vendôme, the Jardin des Tuileries and the Louvre. Here, the spacious family suites connect two rooms with ensuites to a shared living room, so your space will feel more like a home away from home. There’s also an indoor pool, a spa with hammam, and kid–friendly menus at two of its restaurants.
Head for lunch at Sapid, Alain Ducasse’s cafeteria–style diner featuring a mostly vegetarian menu — veggie ceviche, salads and sandwiches — for a healthy no–fuss meal. Expect to serve yourself and carry your tray to a shared table where cutlery and napkins await in small containers.
Kids will get tired of walking and, truth be told, so might you. A Seine river cruise is a laid–back way to experience the city as you float down the river, winding through the heart of Paris to see landmarks like the Musée d’Orsay, the Eiffel Tower, the National Assembly and others. For a high–energy summer activity, the Fête des Tuileries fairground is fun for all ages thanks to ghost trains, bumper cars, a classic merry–go–round, the Roue de Paris, and dozens more attractions.
