Paris is one of the most beautiful cities in the world – one that is sure to feature on your Europe bucket list. There is a romance about Paris and a je ne sais quoi that fills the air. It seems that on every visit, a new gem appears: a hidden perfume shop down a tiny alley or local fromager with rare regional cheeses.
The health and wellness scene is humming. Paris has a new yoga studio or cold press juice bar popping up every couple of months. This, in essence, is is what gives Paris its charm: where old meets new. Baguettes and Sancerre meets sprouted buckwheat and matcha.
Below are a handful of our favourite places - both old and new.
Le Marais: Our favourite place to stay - trendy and central - the pulse of 'New Paris'. This shot above was taken from the 7th floor apartment we discovered through Airbnb. Looking for a special weekend? Book a night in Hotel Costes. Or just go for a drink in their courtyard - it's heaven!
Holy Belly - The best brunch in Paris (and worth waiting in what will probably be quite a long queue). Think a plate of local eggs, baby greens & radishes in mustard vinaigrette, and grilled halloumi with a generous squeeze of lemon.
Merci - Housed in an old wallpaper factory Merci is one of the most eclectic general stores in Paris. Stocking interior design to fashion and literature. Their linen is from Normandy and the best ever. They have two cafes too which are worth a visit.
Linens and cutlery in Merci Paris
Ici Selfcare - A natural but luxurious yoga and lifestyle studio. They describe their cafe Glow as 'a place to feed your body and soul'. It does just that. Think gluten free pancakes, sprouted granola and a list of tonic lattes the length of your arm.
Cafe Loustic - Very very good coffee. Enough said.
Du Pain Et Des Idees - The best Boulanger in Paris. Parisians regularly cross town just to buy bread here. The bread is true sourdough with a long slow ferment (baguettes here take 7 hours to make vs. The usual 1.5 hours). Get le pain des amis - a flatbread featuring a thick crust and a nutty taste.
Du Pain Et Des Idees (spot Will's wife with the suitcases at the door!)
Buvette - one of the best brunches in Paris. They serve the most perfect croque Madame and it feels so Parisian. Their sister restaurant in New York's West Village has a queue around the block at the weekend. Their avo and scrambled eggs - simple perfection.
Wild And The Moon - An organic vegan cold press juice bar and cafe. This place makes you feel like you have been transported to west LA. Get the pink mylk or their chaga hot chocolate. They have a daily dish of the day which is usually a nourishing Ayurvedic vegetable stew or curry served with a sprouted grain.
Vegan vegetable stew at Wild And The Moon
Miznon - Sit at the bar or get take out. Grab a roasted cauliflower pitta slathered in tahini, or the famous lamb and herb pitta. Roasted sweet potato also not to be missed (or shared...). Open until late so drop in at 10:30 for post drink munchies.
Fragments Paris - A coffee, porridge, avo toast kinda place. Because we all need our avo toast fix.
Chambelland - An excellent gluten-free bakery that specialises in crusty rice/buckwheat breads using flour from their own mill in Provence. Even their selection of cakes, tarts and pastries are gluten-free. Pick up some flour while you are there to take home.
Chambelland (spot Will's wife behind the main front door!)