How To Do Paris in Style
Welcome to Local Hype, a travel diary where we compile a curated list of our "Hometown Heroes" for you to enjoy. Featuring the buzziest hotels, restaurants and local treasures that we’ve experienced for ourselves suggested by the city's locals.
Next on the agenda? Paris, the fashion week edition.
The chic French city is fun to visit all year round, and for many of the fashion crowd, it becomes somewhat of a second home the four to six times a year that we frequent it. As a result, you need a pretty solid list of hotels, shops and restaurants in which to spend your time and of course: a reliable and comfortable way to get from A to B.
For us, catching the Eurostar is honestly the only way, with its lowest fares starting from GBP 39 each way (approx USD 47) and the fastest journey time from London to Paris being just 2 hours and 16 minutes. For frequent travellers, the Business Premier option allows for extra seat space, a free meal on board and a plush lounge area to relax in ahead of your travels, plus extra baggage allowance and priority lanes -- so really, it's a no-brainer.
This season, we opted for a comforting stay at a chic Airbnb to ensure we had that home away from home feeling, plus spent some time at the incredibly Instagrammable 25 Hours Hotel.
Read on for more of our top picks across accommodation, shopping and food.
Hotels and Accommodation
25 Hours Hotel
Located in the 10th district overlooking Terminal Nord. I loved staying at 25 hours, the check-in was fast and friendly, and the room had a beautiful balcony facing the terminal, also with a rain shower head and a free mini bar that includes beer (but not water). The breakfast buffet was delicious and one of the only pleasant hotel buffets I've had and the common areas were insanely stunning and functional for both a work trip and a Paris getaway.
Airbnb
Fashion week means running between shows and presentations, making a cozy Airbnb with all the comforts of home an absolute must. For this fashion week season, we stayed at this contemporary crib, located in the Folie-Méricourt area, near the 11th arrondissement of Paris. As well as being the shortest walk to the nearest tube (Parmentier is literally a minute away) this Airbnb is a chic hideaway, tucked behind a block of flats and well away from the hustle and bustle of street and traffic noise. Matching the peaceful retreat vibes of the location, the interiors are modern and freshly decorated, so very much had the interiors equivalent of that box-fresh feel.
Shops
Charlotte Chesnais
Chesnais is one of Paris's leading jewelry designers, known for her oblong shapes and curvy creations; think sculptures you can wear. Beyond her wares, the boutique itself is also worth admiring. Designed by architect Anne Holtrop, two imposing translucent plates look like they could be slices of icebergs, creating a daring and intriguing stage for the modern jeweler's creations.
THE SKATEROOM
Fusing skateboarding, fine art and philanthropy, Charles-Antonine Bodson's SKATEROOM is something of an institution. Created in 2014, it is a new model of social entrepreneurship, bringing artists, art buyers, museums and brands with non-profits around the world together. In short, they tap the coolest artists (from Michèle Lamy to Slawn) to create original works on decks which are then sold off to fund social projects.
Plasir Palace
A veritable vessel of vintage fashion in the Marais, clothing collector Didier Barroso's Plasir Palace boutique is a must-visit for archivists. It store itself may be small, but the scale belies the treasures found within. Barroso is known for personally going through celebrity closets and industry insiders to assemble the most impressive selection around. Expect pieces by Yves Saint Laurent, Alaia, Sonia Rykiel, Chanel and Valentino. Don't forget to take a selfie at Errore Sottsass's Ultrafragola mirror, too.
Restaurants
Nestled in the heart of Paris' seventh arrondissement, you'll find an address that promises a Japanese journey. Every aspect, from the ambiance to the cuisine, has been meticulously curated to create a warm, chic, and festive atmosphere where Japanese flavors seamlessly merge with lacquered walls adorned with bronze masks designed by artist Jenna Kaes. The duo behind Ojii restaurant, Olivier Leone and Arthur Cohen, are no strangers to the culinary scene. Following their successful launch of Onii-San in the Marais district, they've embarked on a new adventure by bringing this concept to the Left Bank. The "Tarte Chocolate Caviar" will forever live rent-free in our minds.
The friendly four-floor trattoria is often the spot all the tourists and locals go for dinner to experience their delicious, tender, corn-fed meat prepared in the style of Florence as well as pastas and pizzas. However, we experienced their tea time this time around which offers an authentic Italian twist on the classic five o'clock tea. Set beneath the enchanting glass roof, you can savor a delightful cup of tea, a freshly brewed coffee, or even a glass of champagne alongside a tiered cake stand filled with delicious treats.
Brought to you by the masterminds behind Moet Hennessy, Cravan is the latest bar to join Paris' exuberant line-up and already, it's made quite a name for itself. Just ahead of our visit, the lively cocktail joint hosted none other than Pharrell's new book launch, bringing together a fashionable crowd of Parisian creatives. With an extensive cocktail menu that's elevated by a range of bar snacks, sharing plates and desserts (the lobster roll was a particular highlight, might we add) -- it's safe to say that the new, three-storey spot has plenty to offer.
