1. Experience the Mark Rothko exposition at Fondation Louis Vuitton
Courtesy of the Fondation Louis Vuitton Website.
Witness a once in a lifetime presentation of the work of Mark Rothko whose poignant, often horizontally inclined paintings contrast with the fluid linearity of the Fondation Louis Vuitton itself. Set amidst a neo-baroque chiaroscuro that casts a somber light upon his work, the exhibit itself evokes a sense of reverence that is almost evangelical in regards to Rothko’s ekphrastic expression of art for art and as testament to the multifarious nature of the human condition.
8 Avenue du Mahatma Gandhi
75116, Paris
2. Grab Lunch at Le Bon Georges
Courtesy of Le Bon Georges Instagram.
If you’re looking for the perfect Parisian spot to grab a bite to eat, try Le Bon Georges which has been touted by acclaimed chefs and food writers alike. Located in a quiet section of the 9th arrondissement, a few minutes walk from Les Grands Magasins and Saint Lazare, at the chic metro Saint-Georges on line 12, Le Bon Georges proffers an array of traditional French dishes and wines scrawled in cursive on a chalkboard menu adorning the sidewalk outside the lapis-lazuli blue exterior. Make sure to book in advance as there is rarely room for walk-ins.
45 Rue Saint-Georges
75009, Paris
3. Go shopping at Bobby
Courtesy of the Bobby Instagram.
Whether you want to pick up a gift for yourself or a loved one, the vintage designer shop Bobby is the perfect place to scour for THE ultimate piece with brands ranging from the Kooples to Chloé and some cult Jean-Paul Gaultier totems thrown into the mix. Elevate your style with designer accessories and channel Parisian street style by integrating personally curated vintage pieces into your everyday wardrobe.
89 Rue Réaumur
75002, Paris
4. Drinks at Les Bains Hotel Roxo Bar
Courtesy of The Les Bains Hotel Website.
If you’re on the prowl for a pre-dinner aperitif or a late night drink, indulge in the best cocktails Paris has to offer at the Roxo Bar at the fabled Les Bains Hotel, watering hole favored by rock stars and locals looking for an expertly composed and curated cocktail menu and a sultry, low exposed interior to match.
7 Rue Bourg de l’Abbé
75003, Paris
5. Support les bouquinistes!
Enjoy the iconic bouquinistes, small shops proffering books, posters, antiques and more that are traditionally housed in dark green kiosks along the borders of the river Seine before they are removed for the Olympics, reportedly for security concerns.
Quais of the Seine
6. Coffee at Recto Verso
Courtesy of the Recto Verso Instagram.
On a quiet street in the heart of le Haute Marais and a stone’s throw from marché des enfants rouges, Recto Verso is the perfect place to take a break from the cold and enjoy great coffee in a welcoming, homely space. Independently owned and operated, Recto Verso is an ideal spot for an afternoon goûter or a morning coffee to fully embrace the French lifestyle.
6 Rue Portefoin
75003, Paris
7. Shop Les Soldes at Les Grands Magasins
Courtesy of Paris Perfect.
Been waiting all season for that one piece to go on sale or in need of a wardrobe refresh? Head to Galeries Lafayettes or Printemps for great deals on covetable pieces from luxury accessories to full looks from iconic French brands such as Paco Rabbane, Louis Vuitton, and many more. Both stores also feature immense vintage selections for the collectors out there looking to score, from 90s couture Versace, to Issey Miyake, Prada, and more independent designers.
Galeries Lafayette:
40 Boulevard Haussmann
75009, Paris
Printemps:
46 Rue de Caumartin
75009, Paris
Le Bon Marché:
24 Rue de Sèvres
75007, Paris
8. Dinner at La Boîte aux Lettres
Courtesy of Trip Advisor.
If you find yourself in Montmartre, take a step off the beaten path and enjoy an intimate dinner with innovative updates to traditional French recipes at La Boîte aux Lettres. Located between le Moulin Rouge and Sacré Coeur, the restaurant provides an ideal taste of French classics accompanied by an authentic experience of modern French dining. It is necessary to reserve in advance so you don’t end up searching for a place at the last minute and wind up in a tourist trap at the nearby Place du Tertre.
108 Rue Lepic
75018, Paris
9. La Traviata, Opéra Bastille (January 21st -February 25th)
Escape from the cold at the Opéra Bastille with a classic opera by Giuseppe Verdì with a world-class cast and a modern mis-en-scène that invites you to savor the music over the scenery and will thrill newcomers and aficionados alike.
Place de la Bastille
75012, Paris
10. Exposition at the Musée D’Orsay, “Van Gogh à Auvers-sur-Oise” Les Derniers Mois
Courtesy of the Musée D’Orsay.
The first exhibition of paintings dedicated to the final months of his short life, the exposition enunciates the irremediable melancholy plaguing his final days in the Auvers-Sur-Oise in the south of France and will move you to tears. Fans of Van Gogh, art-amateurs, or any visitors to the Musée d’Orsay should visit the show as it depicts the tragedy of one of the most internationally famous artists in a touchingly humanist and poignant light.
Esplanade Valéry
Giscard d’Estaing
75007, Paris