Weekender

Michele McGrath’s Paris

Michele McGrath’s Paris

Paris has been a special place for me since I was a child.

I love the fact that you can get there so easily. A return flight costs less than a taxi from Dublin to my home town Skerries.

I would stay at Hotel Amour,

a beautiful boutique hotel in the heart of Paris. It’s right beside the Sacre Coeur, which is my favourite area to wander the streets and people-watch.

On my first night, I would take in the Moulin Rouge show

and have dinner and drinks there. After that, I’d head to the Champs-Elysees for cocktails.

On Saturday, I’d take the open-top bus tour,

a great, cost-effective way to see a city, hopping on and off. My favourite spot is the Pont des Arts, with all the love locks on it.

For shopping, there are little vintage stores

off the Champs-Elysees, where I always find hidden gems. I have lunch at Cafe De Flore, with their famous hot chocolate for dessert.

I don’t like a plan on a Saturday night.

I love strolling along the Seine and finding a nice place to have dinner and enjoy a glass of Malbec. After dinner I’d go to Les Ombres, my favourite Parisian rooftop bar, and If I wanted to go to a club, I would pop to Boum Boum.

On Sunday, I would enjoy brunch at the hotel,

before stocking up on some Parisian macarons to enjoy on the short flight home. Michele McGrath will play the wicked stepmother in ‘The Cheerios Panto Cinderella’ at the fabulous PantoDome at the Royal Hospital Kilmainham,

D8, from December 5 to January 5. See panto.ie In conversation with Sarah Caden