THE BEST OF PARIS: June Edition

1. Paris 1874 Inventing Impressionism

To celebrate the 150th anniversary of the birth of Impressionism, the Musée D’Orsay has curated over 130 artworks that exemplify and propound this artistic zeitgeist. Featuring lesser-seen works such as the compositionally magnificent and deeply affective, “Saint Laurent, martyr,” (1874) by Pierre Lehoux among others, this exposition is an essential visit for art-experts and amateurs alike. The exposition also provides a historical chronicle of the advancements of the movement examining the precise dates, conflicts, and political turns-of-events that fomented and at times impeded the progression of this movement. As with every event during peak-Olympic tourist season this Summer, make sure to reserve your tickets in advance for this stand-out exposition and maybe read a little Gustave Flaubert while you’re at it, a bit of literary context never hurt anyone.

Esplanade Valéry
Giscard d’Estaing
75007, Paris

2. Ora Farmhouse

Searching for the epitome of Summer in Paris? Head up to Ora Farmhouse in the recently-gentrified and under visited 19th arrondissement. Located within the hunter green gates encircling Parc des Buttes Chaumont, this country house in the heart of Paris houses a florid, shabby-chic restaurant proffering an array of vegetarian plates - and a handful for the flexitarians as well. With a 5 course menu at 37 euros and panoramic views of the rolling pastoral hills of Buttes Chaumont, Ora Farmhouse is easy on the eyes, tastebuds, and wallet!

Pavillion du Lac,
Rue Manin, Parc des Buttes Chaumont
75019, Paris

3. OFR Gallery

Recently opened and brimming with new, undiscovered talent, the OFR Gallery located right on the northwestern corner of Parc Elie Wiesel, is a tiny gem of discovery. An offshoot from the popular cool-as-it-gets bookshop OFR, this gallery, housed in an empty warehouse space, is gaining traction through its multifaceted, mixed-material group-shows. With a roster that changes bimonthly, and sometimes weekly, this gallery always has something new on display.

1 Rue Eugene Spuller
75003, Paris

4. Le Cornichon

Not the song by Nino Ferrer, mind you, but a hot new restaurant in the trendy gastronomic 11th arrondissement, Le Cornichon is a must-visit this Summer if you want to escape tourist-traps and live like the coolest of the locals. According to a mention of the restaurant in French Vogue (trés chic) the mid-century interior equipped with zinc countertops, a mosaic-tiled floor, chrome ceiling fans, and a pinball machine, is inspired by the reports of the French bastion of culture, the INA, Institut National de Audiovisuel. Le Cornichon further leans into a spirit of nostalgic novelty with its paper tablecloths and containers of markers, pens, and other artistic materials maintained in glass cups. On the menu you’ll find typical French classics with modern twists and zesty cocktails all at great prices. Bookings often fill up well in advance, so make your reservations in advance at the link in bio of their eponymous Instagram page @lecornichon.paris.

2 Rue des Goncourt
75010, Paris

5. Drinking: Sister Midnight

Cited by many as the coolest place in town and named after the trippy song by Iggy Pop, Sister Midnight is acclaimed for its glam rock atmosphere, delectable cocktails, local foods, and its exceptional Saturday night drag and burlesque performances. If you’re in Paris in June, celebrate Pride month in Studio 54 style at this renowned bar!

4 Rue Viollet-le-Duc
75009, Paris

6. The Best Thrifting of Your Life: Lung Paris

Definitely off the beaten path but by no means out of town, located at the foothills of Sacré Coeur, the former pop-up shop turned local stronghold of vintage fashion, Lung is hosts an expertly curated collection of fashion, furniture, art, and jewelry from esoteric brands, THE perfect vintage levis, historical artifacts - think Victorian linen blouses - and archival high fashion such as 80s Yves Saint Laurent, Mugler, Issey Miyake, Ralph Lauren, and many more. Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, this store is rarely packed so you won’t have to worry about fighting over your finds with a hundred other fashion-enthusiasts.

7 Rue Andre del Sarte,
Paris 75018

7. Crimson Cashmere

If the unpredictable June weather is being - well - mercurial to put it lightly, invest in a souvenir that will last you through multiple seasons at the American-expat owned and operated, Crimson Cashmere. Nestled on rue Marbeuf, a stone’s throw from fashion industry titans on the glamorous Rue Montaigne, Crimson Cashmere was founded in 1984 and revamped by the effortlessly elegant former model and fashion editor Linda Wright in 2004, the company specializes in luxury cashmere items though they also produce many other covetable items such as silk pants, scarves, handbags, and much more.

8 Rue Marbeuf
75008, Paris

8. Bar de l’Entracte & Jardin du Palais Royal

While attractions in Paris abound ad infinitum, there are quite a few that merit their cliché representations and renown. The Jardin du Palais Royal, a neoclassical backdrop for copious films and TV series, is one such landmark that, despite its prestige and the crowds it enchants, the garden is the perfect place to spend a Summer afternoon luxuriating in the shade of its well-manicured gardens and afterwards enjoying a coffee or a drink at the nearby Bar de l’Entracte with a splendid view of the Théâtre du Palais-Royal. Soak up the garden or head into the shops lining the garden, such as Manolo Blahnik for your Carrie Bradshaw moment in Paris, or Rick Owens for his latest and greatest or a glimpse of the designer himself.

47 Rue de Montpensier
75001, Paris

9. Where to stay: Pavilion Faubourg Saint-Germain

Located in the heart of Paris and known for its stunning indoor pool and immaculate interiors, the Pavilion Faubourg Saint-Germain is the ideal for first-time visitors of the city of light, offering luxurious accommodations and amenities right in the heart of Paris. Each of the 47 rooms features a quintessentially Parisian view of the city, with several equipped with individual balconies that have a vis-à-vis into the neighboring apartments, thus flavoring your Parisian experience with un petit-peu de Parisian authenticity If you’d rather stay in a less touristy part of town but still want to enjoy the hotel, head to the James Joyce bar with acclaimed cocktails by in-house mixologist Clément Lepage and soak up the leafy terrace or the exquisite English-inspired textiles cocooned inside at the bar.

5 Rue Pré-aux-Clercs
75007, Paris

10. “Matisse l’Atelier Rouge,” at the Fondation Louis Vuitton

Executed in conjunction with the Museum of Modern Art in New York and the Statens Museum for Kunst (The Danish National Gallery) in Copenhagen, this exposition offers a once-in-a-lifetime glimpse at the paintings, sculptures, and other work produced at the atelier of Matisse in Issy-les-Moulineaux that are being exhibited together for the first time. After the monumental Rothko retrospective earlier this year, the Matisse exposition promises to be more subdued, and contain letters, photographs, and supplies new information about the artist's life - sorry Roland Barthes, I guess the author never died.

8 Avenue du Mahatma Gandhi
75116, Paris

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