Ex p l o r e
JARDIN DES PLANTES This is a onestop shop that I never miss. I have been doing this loop for more than 20 years and I continue to be inspired and transported to another time. Start at Galerie de Paléontologie et d’anatomie Comparée, Noah’s ark in skeleton form. Not only is it aweinspiring in its display of every kind of animal but the building and display cabinets are breathtaking. Walk through the medicinal herb gardens, planted by Henry XIII, with beautiful vistas of the surrounding buildings to the Musée de Minéralogie. Before heading out of the gardens towards the Muséum National d’histoire Naturelle, visit the library on the ground floor and the hidden Cabinet of Joseph Bonnier de La Mosson. It took me years to find this cabinet – an intricately hand-carved cabinet of curiosities dating from the 18th century. mnhn.fr/en
MUSÉE DE LA CHASSE ET DE LA NATURE This is hands down the best designed and categorised museum in the world! Firstly, the interior design of this private museum housed in a 17th-century hôtel particulier is of the finest craftsmanship, with oak parquetry floors, bespoke hardware and modern B&B Italia furniture. Each room is dedicated to a theme of the relationship between humans and animals, with the works collated in a modern setting: paintings, drawings, sculptures, rugs, tapestries, ceramics, trophies, armour, furniture, objets d’art and installations displayed throughout a series of rooms. I could move in here! chassenature.org
ATELIER BRÂNCUSI The perfect way to start or finish a visit to the Centre Pompidou. Located across the piazza from the entrance, this reconstruction of Brâncusi’s studio gives you a heady dose of the legendary sculptor with a collection of bold, graphic, sensual works. Bequeathed to the French in 1956 it gives a sense of his concern for shape and space and exactly how he curated his studio to be viewed. centrepompidou. fr/en/collections/brancusi-s-studio
FRAGONARD PERFUME MUSEUM | MUSÉE DU PARFUM The Museum occupies two storeys of a 19th-century townhouse on Rue Scribe in the 9th arrondissement. Upstairs there are a series of large rooms with a mixture of period furnishings and perfume exhibits. Displays show the history of perfume manufacturing and packaging from ancient times, as well as the creation of modern perfumes from flowers, leaves, mosses, herbs, spices and other ingredients. fragonard.com
SAINT GERMAIN DES PRÉS CHURCH Listen to classical music in the magical surrounds of a stained glass tower inside the larger Abbey which is the oldest church in Paris, dating from the 4th century. This is a place where light, colour and music blend into pure joy. classictic.com/fr/specials/concerts_ a_ la_ sainte_chapelle/856/
DAVID MALLETT Rather than washing your own hair while in Paris, have it done in the fabulous surrounds of David Mallett’s salon housed in a 17th-century mansion among exotic taxidermy. Think ostriches, white peacocks and antique furniture in an airy, window-lined space that Mallett designed to feel like a luxe extension of his home. david-mallett.com
LA RÉSERVE HÔTEL AND SPA If you are after something super fancy and exclusive, look no further than La Réserve. Everything is beautifully appointed and oozing understated luxury, a stone’s throw from the Eiffel Tower and Grand Palais. There’s a members and hotel guests-only bar where you can relax after the day’s outing. lareserve-paris.com/en
HÔTEL PROVIDENCE Bold wallpaper, thoughtful details, incredible in-room mini-bar and a beautiful breakfast in an oversized, wallpapered front bar that spills out onto the street in a classic Parisian setting. It’s lovely to stay at a hotel where you actually want to hang out at the bar. hotelprovidenceparis.com/en
LES BAINS Located in the Marais, this historic building has housed a bath house and a night club from the 1970s. Its rooms are large with impeccable details including orange velvet curved banquettes and Raku ceramic tables. My favourite room is just off reception – a small lounge painted in the deepest grey, the perfect spot to await your dinner companions. lesbainsparis.com/en
HÔTEL BACHAUMONT Anything designed by Dorothée Meilichzon I like. Her interiors have a great sense of fun and vibrancy, but make sure to ask for a top-f loor room. hotelbachaumont.com
APARTMENTS ACTUALLY Founded by Australian Sarah Pank, this portfolio of carefully curated homes is worth visiting just for armchair travelling. The blog is full of great tips and places to visit. apartmentsactually.com