Hidden Gems of Paris
I have to confess, after many years, I have finally fallen truly in love with Paris. Not because of the Eiffel tower or the Louvre, it’s the charm, the lifestyle, and the endless opportunities for cultural immersion.
It’s hard to pinpoint the best secrets to share but food culture, unique small museums, flat rentals, boutique shopping, and walking the city top my list.
Food Culture
It’s almost impossible to describe the food culture of Paris. This is a country that has an annual coveted award for the best baguette. This revered baker will have the honor of furnishing the President of the French Republic with bread for the year at the Elysée Palace.
The food scene in France is fiercely competitive.
The “M.O.F. de Patisserie” (Meilleurs Ouvriers de France or Best Craftsmen) award is a prestigious award sought by every bakery in France. The awarding of medals occurs at the Sorbonne, in Paris, during a large reunion followed by a ceremony at the Élysée in the presence of the President of the French Republic.
Laurent Duchêne is one of few MOF award recipients. This patisserie is a must for the very best croissants.
You have to be in the know to find these exemplary yet understated bakeries. The designation is not flown on a banner, it is humbly noted as a footnote on a patisserie label.
Tucked in a quiet neighborhood, Maison Julien- Les Saveurs de Pierre Demours is another MOF find located just a few blocks from the Arc de Triomphe and the Avenue des Champs-Elysées, so a stop there can be easily achieved if you plan to visit these major attractions.
Food and Wine Pairing
A food and wine pairing experience can be an intimate way to learn about the background of each selection and how to best enjoy them.
Foodie Tours
The best way to experience and learn about French food is with an expert foodie guide.
Imagine spending the day tasting your way through the gastronomic wonders of Paris.
Fresh bread right out of the oven, the best chocolate and cheeses in the world, and French wine. Sounds like heaven doesn’t it?
Restaurants and Price Fix menus
France has the largest number of Michelin-starred restaurants in the world, 638 to be exact. And, believe it or not, more than a quarter of those incredible eateries are located in Paris. Gluten free options are plentiful as well.
Prix Fixe menus are common fare in Paris. For the chef, the prix fixe menu offers a chance to design a meal the way that he or she thinks it should flow together, to create a statement with their food. It offers a chance to showcase their creativity and the opportunity to feed their customers in the way they would like.
And let’s not forget cocktails and wine.
We can recommend incredible cocktails at top notch bars or arrange a Best in France wine tasting, take your pick or do both!
Rooftop restaurants and bars reveal the beauty of the city from another perspective.
Unique Small Museums
When you think of museums in Paris, the Louvre immediately comes to mind. And rightfully so, with its defining architecture, sculptures, and artifacts it is truly amazing.
In the center of Paris, is the Musee de l’Orangerie and nearby the Musée d'Orsay. Both are a very manageable size with relatable art such as Monet’s Water Lilies and with pieces by Van Gogh and Picasso it is easy to have an unforgettable experience with minimal effort.
The Musée d'Orsay is housed in a former railway station that was a home for electric trains. The old station was transformed and opened as the Musée d’Orsay in 1986. Today it houses the world’s largest collection of Impressionist paintings and is Paris’s most visited museum.
If you like trains there is a small train museum called Rosny Rail. It is amazing. It shows a dozen places devoted to railways, station hall, railways, signalisation…you get the idea. Definitely a fun stop for families with kids.
Flat Rentals
For those who have visited Paris before and have at least 5 nights, there is no better way to experience the food culture. And here’s why...the food markets. Fresh cheese, meats, and bread are brought in everyday to the market.
A cooking class can be arranged for those who want to shop at the market to make their own french meal.
We have access to vetted reliable villa rental management companies. If living like a local parisian is your cup of tea, we can make it happen.
Boutique Shopping
Galeries Lafayette with rooftop bar and endless floors of high end clothing and accessories is always a must do.
However, don’t miss the opportunity to check out the less known options like the department stores on the left bank of Le Bon Marche, the ground floor has an entire collection of the most gourmet picnic ingredients you can imagine.
For high end shopping, you will find Louboutin. Where better to buy this iconic footwear other than at this fantastic Saint-Honoré Louboutin?
Or at Guerlain for some of the finest perfume in the world.
For boutique shopping head over to St. Germaine where there are endless options for couture.
Walking
If you don’t walk through Paris then you haven’t seen the best of Paris.
The gardens in front of the Louvre is a perfect spot for a picnic and in summer hosts a carnival the kids would enjoy.
Walk to the Arc de Triomphe, along the Seine River to the Eiffel tower.
Or have breakfast at an outdoor cafe along the river where you can truly experience the pulse of this city and absorb the culture.
It often happens that you discover things while walking that you would never expect to see. You take pictures in quaint spaces, meet locals who have amazing stories, and you find yourself making some of the best memories this way.
These are some of my favorite experiences from my many visits to Paris, perhaps you may find other nuances of this captivating city that touch you in a meaningful way. That’s Paris!
When you are ready, we are here to curate an unforgettable experience that will stay with you for years to come…
Ready to go to Paris? Explore how we work with clients to curate perfect Paris moments.
Want to learn more about our custom curated Paris itineraries? Let’s Get Started!