We can easily give you a billion reasons to visit Paris, but if you’re one of the many people heading there next week for Maison et Objet 2017 — the city’s biannual lifestyle tradeshow — all you have on your mind is design, design, design. Right?
Well, to help you plan your precious time away from M&O, we’ve rounded up design spots that you definitely should add to your trip’s must-see list.
YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: Check Out Why You Should Visit DelightFULL at Maison et Objet 2017
SNACKS AND DRINKS
It’s quite impossible to list all the great patisseries and boulangeries in Paris — there are a plenty! Our suggestion is to try a different one every day and get delighted not only with the yummy food but also with the marvelous interiors.
Owners Pierre Moussié and Jean Vedreine curated everything, which is drawing crowds to its up-and-coming neighborhood. Guests are invited to stay all day (eat, work, relax) in the three-story, sun-filled space, and starting at 9:00 p.m., you can head to the basement where you’ll find a nice dance club that’s open till 2:00 a.m. every night.
Gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan—concepts that are somewhat new to Paris—dominate the menu at this café mini-chain that has expanded from one to four locations in less than three years. For a more leisurely setting, visit Pinson’s 3e or 10e spots, which are both designed by Maison&Objet Designer of the Year (2015) – Dorothée Meilichzon.
The space’s contemporary design—inspired by artist David Hockney’s aesthetic—incorporates decor done in saturated hues that complement the custom, multicolor marble, created specifically for Maison Kitsuné and used throughout the shop and café. Be sure you don’t miss it!
CONCEPT STORES
The locals’ sense of style extends well beyond their wardrobes and into every aspect of interior design. How do they get their homes looking so chic?! Well, with the help of exceptional French designers and artisans and, essentially, the concept stores that work with and promote them, like the following:
Chez Moi is a highly curated boutique in the capital’s first arrondissement, based upon the concept of an apartment – complete with bathroom, sitting room, dining room and bedroom – in which owner Jean-Baptiste Charpenay-Limon lives, eats and sleeps, and in which everything is for sale. A must-see!
Empreintes is the Haut-Marais’ newest craft concept store, occupying four floors and 600 square meters of a bright, airy building by the Carreau du Temple and the Marché des Enfants Rouges. The tableware, ornaments, jewelry, furniture, lighting, and artwork it carries are either unique or limited edition and come from the workshops of France’s most talented artisans. Open Monday to Saturday, 11AM to 7PM.
Opened in 2005, Fleux’ is a stalwart of the Paris design community, the place to go to find out the latest trends and get inspiration for home decoration and gifts. The store has an impressive selection of lighting, from designer bulbs to suspended ceiling lamps, and furniture, tableware, and ornaments. Open Monday to Friday, 10:45 AM to 7:30 PM, Saturday, 10:30 AM to 8 PM, and Sunday, 1:30 PM to 7:30 PM.
WHERE SHOULD YOU EAT
“Americans eat to live, and the French live to eat”, the saying goes. We have to agree. A trip to the street markets is a complete must, after all nothing gives you a better idea of culture than the way people care for their food. After that, you can pick one of the following elegant places.
Tom Dixon designed this spacious restaurant, located just a few blocks from the Eiffel Tower in the Fifteenth. Here you’ll find luxe seventies-inspired decor (much of which is from the former Maison & Objet designer of the year’s eponymous collection). With its numerous roomy, round booths, Eclectic is a great option if you have a large group.
Le Grand Restaurant
The bold but elegant modern style of young chef Jean-Francois Piège’s new Le Grand Restaurant, which was just awarded two Michelin stars, is the work of Icelandic-born, L.A.–based designer Gulla Jónsdóttir.
THE BEST PLACES TO STAY
Composed by Yann Gasparini, the funkiest decorator in the Parisian hotel industry; and renovated by Elegancia Hotels as well as AD-Tango, Idol Hotel is a joyful hymn to Black Music from the 60’s to the 80’s!
Located on rue d’Edimbourg, near the Grands Magasins district, just a (Rolling) stone’s throw away from the Opera Garnier, the grooviest hotel in the City of Lights celebrates this historically music-oriented neighborhood.
Lighting design: Botti suspension by DelightFULL
This contemporary hotel both displays both a distinctly Parisian style and the eclecticism of the area. The place boasts second-hand furniture, flocked sweatshirts, a warm atmosphere, and a highly caring staff. Upstairs, all rooms are equipped with vintage art objects and furnishings collected by local artisans, photographers, designers, musicians and shopkeepers.
MUSEUMS
LOUVRE
Considered to be the most visited art museum in the world, one must not forget the Louvre Museum as a destination to be in Paris. It serves as the home of many artworks of the pre 20th-century era. The place has a lot of history in itself so visiting it would also mean traveling back in time.
PICASSO
While on the smaller side, this is the kind of place you’ll want to stay all day and hang out in the gardens surrounding the main museum. Filled with sculptures by Rodin, this is a delightful place to spend the afternoon pondering The Thinker.
PALAIS DE TOKYO
Typically not at the top of visitors’ to-do lists, this contemporary museum can make for an interesting visit. The changing exhibits will always give you something to think about, and even if you’re not a fan of the current show, you can process it over a beer at the bar or restaurant housed in the museum.
104
104, aka Centquatre, is a former funerary hall turned contemporary art center in the 19th arrondissement of Paris. There are often large-scale installations or events taking place in the main hall.
WHERE TO SHOP
In this concept store, you’ll find unisex clothing that the founders have created themselves, combined with a careful selection of bags, hats, jewelry, watches, perfumes and lifestyle books.
FRENCH TOUCHE: 1 rue Jacquemont 75017
Charmingly curated collection of independent goods for the designer in you. The perfect place to look for a great gift with a dash of handmade French flair.
PARISIAN CULTURE
Belleville street art
Belleville’s rue Dénoyez sports Paris’ most dazzling street art. Everything on the short street, from rubbish bins and flowerpots to lamp posts and window shutters, is covered from head to toe in colorful art. Artist workshops line the street where local kids kick footballs around and street art ‘happenings’ break out on sultry summer nights.
Flea markets happen all over the city; what you’re looking determines where to go. Try St Ouen, which is good for clothing, antiques and 20th-century design (Jordan wrote a helpful guide/map for getting there). Puces de Vanves is great for antiques. There is also a new, trendy market for design and great for haggling that happens a couple times a year.
PARIS DESIGN EVENTS
MAISON & OBJET (JANUARY, 20 – JANUARY, 24)
For those of you who are not familiar with this incredible trade show, Maison et Objet describes itself as a “global experience, encompassing the latest products, the brightest creatives, indispensable workshops and inspirations”. But it gets better! You get all of this for five days! Five whole days when you can grab as much inspiration as you need and get to know all the best home design brands in the world. Because, yes, they’re all there!
You can also expect to have thousands… Thousands of booths from multiple interior design brands that you will not want to miss! At the top of our heads, we can recommend that you visit DelightFULL’s booth, that will be in Hall 5. But don’t worry, because for the next couple of weeks we’ll be talking a lot more about M&O and what you can expect from the biggest European interior design tradeshow.
SEE ALSO: Cologne City Guide: Best Places to Visit During IMM 2017
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