How To Spend A Long Weekend In Paris

We could spend days talking about this chic 5-star boutique hotel. An art lovers haven, Hôtel de Berri, a Luxury Collection Hotel, stands on storied ground. Princess Mathilde and fashion designer Elsa Schiaparelli called this site home—which explains the chic polished rooms, an impressive modern art collection and a stunning array of Louvre reproductions. Check out the Le Bizazz bar—a perfect place to enjoy a bellini while overlooking the hotel's private garden full of dappled light and rambling ivy. 

Located on fashionable Avenue Montaigne, the Hôtel Plaza Athénée is arguably the most sought after, glamorous hotel in Paris. What sets it apart? Maybe it's the 1,900 red geraniums and iconic scarlet red awnings adorning the hotel façade, the sweeping Eiffel Tower views or the three Michelin-starred Alain Ducasse dining—or maybe being home to the Dior Institut or some of the most exceptional rooms and suites in the city is what takes the hotel to the next level. Regardless, staying at Hôtel Plaza Athénée is always a good idea. 

A slice of cozy tranquility on the left bank, Hôtel Esprit Saint Germain feels like a charming private residence. All 28 rooms are adorned with stylish minimalist interiors, feather-soft bedding and state-of-the-art technology. In the evenings, guests are invited to enjoy a glass of wine and conversation by the intimate fireplace.

Capturing the feel of summer by the sea with whitewashed walls, cane furniture and large bay windows overlooking the Champs-Élysées, famed French fashion designer Simon Porte Jacquemus's second restaurant opened its doors this past September. Oursin, French for “sea urchin,” delivers delicate, beautifully plated Mediterranean favorites. There’s no shame in visiting for the ‘gram—Jacquemus spent over a year designing the interior of the restaurant, including hand-selecting the 100 different ceramics and dishes designed by a Greek ceramist.

Restaurant Le Meurice Alain Ducasse truly lives up to its decor inspiration: the Peace Salon inside the Palace of Versailles. Bathed in natural light streaming through windows overlooking the Jardin des Tuileries, classic elegance reigns supreme here: antique mirrors, crystal chandeliers, bronze, marble and frescoes. This two Michelin-starred restaurant inside the Le Meurice hotel celebrates the culinary philosophy of Alain Ducasse, prizing subtlety and exceptional ingredients. 

Bar Hemingway at the Ritz Paris, a tiny cocktail bar with just 25 seats, exudes old-world charm with padded leather armchairs, a gramophone, an old typewriter and other gentlemen’s club tokens that would make the bar’s namesake feel right at home. Stop by to see two-time “World’s Best Bartender Chef” winner, Colin Field, who adds creative twists to the classics while sharing thousands of personal anecdotes from the bar.

A haven for modern art and architecture fans—the Frank Gehry-designed Fondation Louis Vuitton is home to a museum, theater and restaurant in the lush public park, Bois de Boulogne. Resembling a futuristic sailing vessel, the space has housed works of celebrated artists like Basquiat, Olafur Eliasson and Ellsworth Kelly. 

If you love Emmanuel Perrotin's trendy downtown New York gallery, wait till you spend an afternoon at Perrotin Paris, found inside a stunning French townhouse in the Marais quarter. Famous for first housing the works of Maurizio Cattelan and Takashi Murakami, today the sprawling, two-floor gallery invites guests to experience modern pieces by Josh Sperling, Park Seo-Bo and Gabriel De La Mora. 

If you're an enthusiast of artisan leather goods, ceramics and glassware, precious stones, tableware and linens, you could spend hours at Empreintes—a concept store dedicated to fine French craftsmanship in the heart of vibrant Haut-Marais. Spread over four floors, the airy Nabil Hamdouni-designed store houses over a 1,000 exclusive fine craft pieces, a book section with unique reads and a cozy cafe with dessert maison on beautiful plates by the French artists.