The Paris Issue

Four days in Paris that fixed everything (temporarily). Plus the overly ambitious google maps list you've been waiting for.

Last month I spent a few days in Paris and had the most amazing girls-time with my bff. Priorities were clearly set on taking it easy, day-drinking and shopping. Exactly what I needed to step out of my toddler-bubble for a bit. Balance, baby!

We stayed at Hotel Masse, strolled mostly around Pigalle, Marais and Saint-Germain and somehow managed to dine at Early June “with” Dua Lipa (I swear).

Also, before I forget: Isola turned 2! Thank you so much for reading, subscribing and supporting my newsletter, my little passion project where I share things that inspire me across design, fashion and culture. This time, they come from Paris…

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Stay

Hôtel Massé is a new boutique hotel set in Pigalle. It was recently renovated and designed by Juliette Gasparetto & Julie Parenti. Loved the neighborhood and was obviously obsessed with every corner of this interior heaven. (More about it in my previous post if you, like me, can’t get enough of this place.)

Also a very good alternative I had my eye on: the very stylish Pied-à-Terre apartments.

Which clearly deserve a solo feature here @piedaterre.paris

Eat

I’ve saved over 30 food spots, a bit ambitious for four days, but there was one clear favorite: Early June (a rotating chef wine bar). We somehow managed to get a table on our first evening and stayed until closing time. Loved the food, the wine and the overall vibe… plus the small detail that Dua Lipa was there didn’t hurt!

Fauna <3

Besides that we loved the morning portion of carbs and butter at Mamiche (best croissants just down the road from our hotel).
Enjoyed brunch & coffee at Fauna.
Went for an amazing Korean dinner at Sambuja.
Had onion soup and steak at Camille.
Balanced the day with more Asian-fusion at Kamo.
Sadly didn’t have a late oysters-and-vino afternoon at Sur Mer as planned, but hangover tummy just didn’t allow it.
Instead had comfort food at Mao Dumpling Bar.

Shop

Daydreamt about vintage Hermès and Phoebe-Philo-era Celine at Preclothed.
Finally admired the interior of Rubirosa’s IRL (more about Lauren Rubinski’s new space and concept in my last post here).
Tried to channel my hat era at Maison Ola & Maison Krasnova (but maybe doesn’t go that well with my toddler era).
Walked 15k steps through Marais vintage shops.
Got all my souvenirs at Officine Universelle Buly (including for myself).

Bookshops

Spent some time at Yvon Lambert Gallery and Cahier Central during rain showers (which was totally fine, since I love spending time in niche bookshops). Great hideouts to consider as well: Librairie des Editions des Saints Peres, Librairie Galignani & OFR Bookshop.

Also @galerieannesophieduval is a must for Art Deco lovers.

See

We also made sure to recharge the creative batteries a little.
Started with Monet’s Water Lilies at Musée de l’Orangerie (a very meditative space & no picture will do it justice).

But really loved the Bourse de Commerce building, the Tadao Ando transformation inside the historic rotunda is just incredible.
Same goes for the Giacometti Institute, a small but beautifully curated space dedicated to Alberto Giacometti.
Sadly missed the Gerhard Richter exhibition at Fondation Louis Vuitton.
Our very laidback itinerary didn’t leave room for a visit to Maison Ozenfant—Le Corbusier’s former studio house—and Fondation Arp, dedicated to the work of Jean Arp. Both are top of my list for next time.

Maison Ozenfant via @lifeofboheme

For more spots, here’s my full google maps list. À bientôt, Paris.

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