Curator’s statement
I have left Paris four times, and each time I was convinced I was done with it. Like every Parisian, I learned to complain about its flaws, its chaos, and its endless contradictions—only to discover, a few weeks after leaving, that I missed it more than I cared to admit. Paris is not a city I love unconditionally; it is a city that keeps calling me back. You only realize how deeply it lives within you once you try to leave.
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Things to do in Paris
Eating your way through Paris
There are not enough meals in a lifetime to experience every great table Paris has to offer. From century-old institutions to tiny neighborhood bistros, the city rewards curiosity at every turn.
Apéro on a sunlit terrace
Few things feel more Parisian than a late afternoon spent on a terrace with a glass of Champagne, dark sunglasses, and nowhere particular to be. In Paris, people-watching is elevated to an art form.
Following the cultural pulse
No matter the arrondissement, there is always an exhibition, concert, performance, or gathering waiting to be discovered. The most memorable moments often happen in places you never planned to visit.
Nights at Castel
More than a private club, Castel is a Parisian institution and a way of life. It captures the city's enduring love affair with elegance, conversation, and late nights that effortlessly become early mornings.
Chasing the sunset
Paris was designed for golden hour. Gather a few friends, a bottle of wine, some charcuterie, and watch the city transform as the light slowly fades over its rooftops.
Wandering without a destination
The best Paris experiences are rarely planned. Some of the city's greatest treasures reveal themselves only to those willing to get lost.
Bookshops & hidden galleries
Behind unassuming façades lie independent bookshops, intimate galleries, and creative spaces that continue to define Paris as one of the world's cultural capitals.
Living like a local
The true luxury of Paris is not seeing the landmarks—it's adopting its rhythm. Morning coffee at the same café, fresh bread from the neighborhood boulangerie, and the simple pleasure of taking your time.
Places to eat & drink in Paris
Le Bellefeuille, by Greg Garimbay
A lesson in precision and restraint, where French gastronomy is approached with confidence rather than excess. Elegant, thoughtful, and quietly memorable.
Grand Cœur
Hidden behind a discreet passageway, Grand Cœur feels like one of Paris' best-kept secrets. A place where long lunches effortlessly become late afternoons.
Les Avant Comptoirs
For those moments when a single craving simply will not do. A joyful celebration of flavors, textures, and small plates designed to encourage curiosity.
Chez Papa, Rue Gassendi
Unapologetically generous and deeply comforting. The kind of neighborhood institution that reminds you that authenticity never goes out of fashion.
Gajardo, Rue Daguerre
A local favorite where simplicity is elevated through quality and consistency. The sort of address Parisians mention only to people they genuinely like.
Fimmina
A reminder that some of life's greatest pleasures are beautifully uncomplicated. Good dough, good wine, good company—and absolutely no reason to be anywhere else.
Comité Caribe
Not all journeys require a passport. For a few hours, Paris gives way to warmer latitudes, louder laughter, and the comforting feeling that the world is far larger than the city surrounding you.
Bonnie
Come for the views, stay for the feeling of floating above the city. As Paris unfolds beneath you, the boundary between restaurant and theater begins to blur.
Faubourg Daimant
A refreshing departure from expectations. Creative, intelligent, and unapologetically contemporary, proving that Paris continues to reinvent itself without losing its identity.
Need to know
Whenever possible, walk. Paris is a city designed to be experienced at the pace of a conversation, and many of its greatest treasures exist between two destinations rather than at either end.
Most importantly, embrace the Parisian art of lingering. Order the extra glass of wine, stay for dessert, sit a little longer on the terrace. The true luxury of Paris is not what you see, but the time you allow yourself to spend enjoying it.
Venture beyond the celebrated neighborhoods. Some of the most memorable experiences can be found far from the postcard views—hidden behind anonymous doors, in local markets, neighborhood wine bars, and streets that rarely appear in guidebooks.
Paris reveals itself slowly. Resist the temptation to rush from monument to monument and instead allow time for long lunches, aimless walks, and unexpected discoveries. The city rewards those who leave space in their itinerary.
Paris may be one of the world's great culinary capitals, but not every memorable meal comes with a Michelin star or a reservation secured months in advance. Leave room for spontaneity—sometimes the restaurant you remember most is the one you stumbled upon while wandering home.
Respect the table: Spontaneity has its place in Paris, but when it comes to dining, a reservation is more than a practical necessity—it is a gesture of respect. Arrive on time, honor your booking, and remember that in France, food is not fuel. It is culture, craftsmanship, conversation, and one of life's great pleasures. Few things are more disrespectful to a French table than a guest who is elsewhere. In a culture that elevates dining to an art form, your attention is expected to belong to the people, the conversation, and the meal before you. The world can wait an hour; dinner should not.
You do not need to speak fluent French to be welcomed in Paris. What matters is the effort. Begin every interaction with a warm "bonjour" (good morning/day) when entering a shop, restaurant, or hotel, or when meeting someone for the first time. As the evening approaches, switch to "bonsoir" (good evening), starting at 6 p.m. Use "s'il vous plaît" (please) whenever making a request, "merci" (thank you) whenever kindness is extended, and "bon après-midi" (have a pleasant afternoon) when parting during the day. Most importantly, never leave without an "au revoir" (goodbye). In France, these are not merely words—they are the social rituals upon which respect is built.
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