By Clara Ferance
With the Paris Olympics being the most wonderful highlight of the summer, the city experienced a reinvigoration like never before. In preparation for the grand opening, general infrastructure was improved, trees were planted, the Champs Elysees was spruced up (all restaurants with outdoor seating sport matching green roof tops), and even the metro was extended all the way to Orly airport. The City became even prettier than before, quieter (with functioning, unsaturated metros) as tourists and locals alike came together to watch the Games against the backdrop of the gorgeous Parisian monuments. Despite the rain, the prevailing mood of the city was utterly joyful! We hope that the postcards Paris has left the world during the Olympics will be an invitation to visit soon.
That’s why our team is looking for ways to enhance our Paris travel planning! Rosedale Travel is adept at creating luxury travel experiences throughout Europe, and trips to Paris are on the rise heading into the new year. We’ve turned to local expert, Helly Pilavachi, for special insights when it comes to elevating our clients’ Paris itineraries.
“My value-add is to elevate the experience of travelers in Paris and help them get the best out of their visit,” Pilavachi said when asked about her process. “The city is full of ‘who knew it was there?’ spots that I come across and keep adding to my list.”
After 20 years working in finance and looking after Parisian clients with discerning tastes, Pilavachi has become a professional guide of the city, establishing followers via her Instagram brand, Postcards Paris. From excellent restaurants to quaint hotels to lesser known museums, she enjoys making bespoke arrangements for travelers and showing them the hidden gems of the beautiful city she calls home. We’ve consolidated her top suggestions and grouped them into a few major categories to best share her tips!
Q: What are the top places to stay in Paris?
A: Starting with some of the highest-rated hotels on the list (and staying away from the well known chains), the Regina Hotel opposite the Tuileries gardens and the Louvre is a classic choice. Hotel Lutetia is also one of the best known hotels whose gorgeous art nouveau facade comes with an incredible history. I prefer the recently renovated Saint-James, which appears almost like a chateau, located on the west side of Paris. The St. James boasts a unique Library Bar that offers an intimate ambiance with plush seats that make it the perfect spot for relaxing with a refreshing cocktail.
Whilst the Fouquet’s Barrière Hotel is modern and trendy, the recently renovated Hotel Balzac offers a luxurious, elegant style that satisfies travelers that are looking for “boutique style” accommodations while still achieving a fabulous location near the heart of the city. Fun fact: if you follow the comings/goings of celebrity Céline (Dion), she has been staying for years at Le Royal Monceau!
Q: What are the best restaurants in Paris?
A: Lunch-time is somewhat of a sacred moment in the day in France. As a result, there are many better valued menus offered midday at a fraction of the price of an evening meal—plus, it becomes a nice way to add a little respite to the day’s activities. However, for an evening dinner with a view of the Eiffel tower twinkling at night, 6newyork is a good address for unbeatable cuisine and ambiance.
Personally, I love to eat old school Italian food at the well-loved Marco Polo restaurant in St. Sulpice area. One of my clients introduced me to Le Joy, a restaurant located on the first floor of the Hotel Barrière, and it hides a beautifully decorated outdoor terrasse that is a prime spot to have lunch when the weather is inviting.
Of course if you are looking to experience a Michelin Star restaurant, it is hard to beat Pavillon Le Doyen. Renowned Chef Yannick Alleno has 3 restaurants (totalling 6 Michelin stars between them!) all under the same elegant roof, which is situated at the very lower end of the Champs Elysees towards Place de la Concorde.
Q: What are some interesting activities and things to do in Paris?
A: One of my favorite, “who knew it was there” places to visit is the Maison de l’Amérique Latine, an elegant Latam cultural house within which exist stunning gardens, artistic exhibits, and an excellent seafood restaurant/bar. A few places to add to the list (after the obvious tourist sights) include Hôtel de la Marine on Place de la Concorde. It was initially the furniture storage for the BBC show The Crown, and it showcases Parisian life during the 18th century, providing a quasi Versailles Palace experience, without needing to travel outside the city.
If you’re out and about shopping the top brands and want to see something unexpected, the rue de Sèvres is home to a Hermes store that is housed in what used to be a huge art deco swimming pool initially belonging to the neighboring Hotel Lutetia. You must descend the pool stairs to access their collection of designs, which are set up in simultaneously ecological and futuristic-looking pods. Another recommendation for the fashionable is the Ralph Laurent designed café, Paris Ralph Lauren. It opened less than a year ago connected to their store via a hidden courtyard with an opulent “Hemingway Paris” feeling.
I highly recommend a visit to the stunning Bibliothèque Nationale de France, which recently opened after over 20 years of renovations! The architecture is stunning and the space combines a public library, a large museum, and enchanting tropical gardens. Just a hair outside of Paris (or 2 metro stations from the Champs Elysees) is the Fondation Louis Vuitton, a spacious, modern art gallery within the beautiful gardens of the family-friendly Jardin d’Acclimatation. Although it is ideal for people traveling with young children, only the French can make an amusement park look sophisticated!
Q: What’s your favorite thing about Paris?
A: There is a great word in French: flâner. This translates to “walking without a purpose, for the simple pleasure of wandering around and checking things out.” I highly recommend some “flâner-time” to allow for delightful exploration in between visiting museums, sipping wine at a vineyard, taking a cooking class, or leisurely stopping in at a café to people-watch for a few hours. That’s the best way to truly experience Paris like a local!
Our luxury travel experts are ready to listen, design, and make changes to your travel itinerary for your next trip to Paris. Rosedale Travel is with you every step of the way, answering any questions you may have about the process and ensuring that yours is a bon voyage!
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