Palais Royal, Paris.
In Paris, style is less performance than part of daily life, woven effortlessly into the city’s cafés, boulevards and quiet rituals. Mornings begin slowly over espresso and newspapers on terrace tables, afternoons drift between galleries, bookstores and hidden gardens, and evenings stretch late into candlelit bistros and wine bars. Culture here isn’t confined to museums or monuments. It lives in the architecture, the food, the fashion and the way Parisians move through the city with an understated sense of elegance.
Historic grandeur exists alongside a newer creative sensibility, one that values restraint, detail and atmosphere over excess. Beneath the iconic landmarks lies a more intimate Paris defined by neighbourhood charm, thoughtful design and a quiet confidence that never tries too hard. Whether returning for the fifth time or discovering it for the first, Paris remains a city that rewards slowing down and paying attention. We hope you enjoy our Wanderlust Paris guide below.
STAY
Hôtel Costes
Still the fashion set’s perennial favourite, Hôtel Costes remains as seductive as ever. Behind its velvet curtains and dimly lit corridors lies a world of deep red lacquer, candlelight and perfectly choreographed decadence. Not for the minimalist, this is the perfect stay for cinematic Parisian glamour.
Hôtel Particulier Montmartre
Tucked behind a hidden garden in Montmartre, this feels more like a private residence than a hotel. Maximalist interiors, romantic suites and a quietly bohemian spirit give it a distinctly old-Paris charm. This is the stay for readers drawn to candlelit dinners, artists’ studios and the cinematic side of the city.
Hotel Dalila
Warm, creative and quietly stylish boutique hotel capturing a softer, more lived-in side of Paris. Tucked away near Montmartre, its interiors blend vintage details, earthy tones and an almost countryside sensibility that is refreshingly unpolished compared to the city’s grand palace hotels.
Le Grand Mazarin
In the heart of the Marais, Le Grand Mazarin brings a playful irreverence to Parisian hospitality. Designed by Martin Brudnizki, the interiors layer colour, texture and old-world detailing in a way that is both theatrical and deeply elegant. Downstairs, Boubalé, the hotel’s restaurant by chef Assaf Granit, brings a lively energy through Ashkenazi-inspired cooking.
DINE
Septime
Minimal, precise and effortlessly cool, one-Michelin-starred Septime is arguably the quintessence of new Parisian dining. The room is stripped back and warm rather than austere, placing full focus on a tasting menu built around seasonal produce, clean technique and carefully balanced flavours.
Racines
Tucked inside the historic Passage des Panoramas, Racines is an intimate Italian bistro that has quietly shaped Paris’ dining scene since 2007. Led by chef Simone Tondo, it blends traditional Italian recipes inspired by his grandmother Marisa with the relaxed rhythm of a modern Parisian bistro. The space is warm and low-lit, set within one of the city’s most atmospheric covered passages, where close tables, natural wine and simple, seasonal cooking create a setting that feels personal, unhurried and distinctly Parisian.
Le Voltaire
Overlooking the Seine, Le Voltaire is steeped in the kind of old-world Parisian elegance that never goes out of style. Long favoured by writers, artists and the fashion crowd alike, it delivers classic French dining with a sense of ease and discretion that feels increasingly rare in the city.
Le Grand Café
Set beneath the restored glass and iron grandeur of the Grand Palais, Le Grand Café brings a glamorous energy to one of Paris’ most iconic landmarks. Equal parts brasserie and spectacle, it pairs polished French classics with dramatic interiors, soaring ceilings and a crowd that leans distinctly fashion and art world. Ideal for a long lunch or celebratory dinner, it captures Paris at its most cinematic.
Girafe
For a true special occasion, Girafe delivers one of the most striking dining rooms and terraces in the city, with uninterrupted views across to the Eiffel Tower. The atmosphere is unapologetically glamorous yet polished, drawing a well-dressed Parisian and international crowd. Seafood-led and unmistakably indulgent, it’s the kind of place made for champagne, sunset dinners and lingering late into the evening.
DO
Musée d'Orsay
Set inside a grand Beaux-Arts railway station originally built for the 1900 Exposition Universelle and converted into a museum in 1986, the Musée d’Orsay is as much about atmosphere as its Impressionist collection. The quality of light, scale, and stillness make it endlessly rewarding - even pausing in the central nave feels like part of the experience.
Palais Royal
Tucked quietly behind the Louvre, Palais Royal is one of Paris’ most refined pauses. Manicured gardens, striped Buren columns and arcaded walkways create a rhythm of calm in the middle of the city. It’s best experienced slowly, drifting between boutiques, benches and a long lunch beneath the colonnades.
Pont Alexandre III
Arguably the most cinematic bridge in Paris, Pont Alexandre III is all gilded detail, sweeping views and theatrical symmetry. Cross it at golden hour when the light hits the Seine and the Eiffel Tower frames itself perfectly in the distance.
Du Pain et des Idées
No Paris guide is complete without a pastry stop, and Du Pain et des Idées remains one of the city’s most revered addresses. Arrive early for warm escargot pastries, especially pistachio and chocolate, then wander the surrounding streets of the 10th with coffee in hand, still carrying that just-baked warmth.
A classic Paris afternoon
Spend a slower afternoon moving between Café Nuances for excellent coffee and matcha before heading to Musée Maillol, then continue on to La Galerie Dior, a must for fashion lovers, and Palais Garnier for the grand staircase alone. Pick up pastries and picnic in Place des Vosges, then finish with the famously rich hot chocolate at Carette.
Brocante Flea Market
For a true Parisian weekend ritual, spend a morning at a brocante flea market. The best locations change weekly and can be found on Brocabrac.fr. Arrive early, ideally just after sunrise, when dealers are still unpacking treasures and the atmosphere feels almost cinematic. The outer stalls are often the most rewarding, filled with smaller antiques, vintage linens, silverware, art and beautifully strange one-off pieces that slip easily into a suitcase. Stay through lunch, lingering among stallholders over wine and simple plates while the market slowly hums to life around you. Pure magic.
SHOP
Officine Universelle Buly
Part old-world apothecary, part modern cult obsession, Officine Universelle Buly has become one of Paris’ most photographed beauty destinations for good reason. The stores feel like stepping into another century, lined with marble counters, calligraphy labels and beautifully packaged oils, balms and fragrances that somehow manage to feel both timeless and entirely of the moment.
Sabre Paris Marais Store
Sabre Paris has quietly turned cutlery into a design object. The Marais store is filled with playful resin-handled flatware in every imaginable colour and finish, making even the simplest table setting feel considered, personal and distinctly French.
Astier de Villatte
A long-time favourite among designers and collectors, Astier de Villatte is known for its beautifully imperfect white ceramic tableware, hand-crafted glassware and quietly luxurious home objects. The stores feel intimate and deeply Parisian, the kind of place you wander into for one small object and leave wanting to redesign your entire apartment around it.
Sézane, Maje & Sandro
No Paris shopping guide feels complete without these three cult French labels. Sézane captures effortless Parisian dressing at its most romantic and wearable, while Maje and Sandro bring a sharper, more polished energy through tailored coats, elevated basics and pieces that move easily from day to night.
