Melissa's Paris Finds

Indagare founder Melissa Biggs Bradley returns from Paris with a host of discoveries, from a new boutique hotel on the Left Bank to a glamorous restaurant in a six-story townhouse. Here are some of her favorite finds from spring 2016 and her tips for shopping with a teen in the très chic city.

1. Le Saint

After more than a year of renovation, three charming boutique hotels have been merged into one by their Left Bank owner to create a very special new hotel. The result is the new Le Saint, a 21st century hotel that perfectly suits its surroundings in the heart of the Left Bank, but comes with many of the modern amenities that the area’s charming hotels have lacked such as room service, a gym and decent-sized bathrooms.

2. Musée Rodin

The newly reopened Musée Rodin is even more amazing now and should be visited after watching Camille Claudel, the Oscar-winning movie with Gerard Depardieu and Isabelle Adjani.

3. Les Halles

The redone Les Halles food market is not completely finished, but Champeaux (La Canopée; 33-1-53-45-84-50), a brasserie designed by groovy-cool firm Ciguë, opened its doors on April 11. Until the entire complex—with design stores and redone boutiques—opens, patrons can visit Alain Ducasse’s latest spot for contemporary bistro fare.

4. Le Clarence

For a grand celebration or night to remember, the new address to know in Paris is Le Clarence, a 19th century mansion opened by the owner of Chateau Haut-Brion, who wanted an environment worthy of his family’s legendary wines. The six-story townhouse’s salon and dining rooms have been furnished with the finest French fabrics, antiques, china and crystal, and the cuisine suits the surroundings, thanks to two-Michelin-star chef Christophe Pelé. Rounding out the team is one of France’s top sommeliers, Antoine Petrus, who has access to wines from all over France as well as the special cave on property, which, of course, contains some very rare bottles of Haut-Brion.

5. Caffe Stern

Tucked away in one of Paris’s most picturesque passages, Caffe Stern manages to mix an atmosphere of vintage and hipster. Its exterior bears the original façade of the stationer that was founded here in 1834 and who catered to the Elysées Palace and elite tastemakers from around the world. Today, the insider favorite has serious cuisine and design credentials behind it: the Alajmo brothers (of Quadri in Venice) and Philippe Starck. In the warren of little rooms are quirky touches like attic-worthy tables and chairs; shelves with well-worn books; and an old phone closet containing a stuffed rabbit that evokes the Mad Hatter. And yet the food is seriously sophisticated. This is an Italian bistro for the 21st century with delicious contemporary cuisine that is tucked into a historic environment.

6. Aux Amis

This new bistro comes from Jérôme Vigato, the handsome son of legendary Jean-Pierre Vigato of Apicius. The younger Vigato brought in Stéphane Paillard, his father’s number two chef for more than a decade, and in a bright and airy space designed by heavyweight designer Pierre-Yves Rochon, they have opened a stylish bistro for the Left Bank set who want excellent cuisine in a laid-back setting. Lunch attracts socialites and businessmen but dinner draws a much buzzier crowd.

7. Alcazar

Alcazar is a new eatery by decorator Laura Gonzalez. The designer has filled the space with an interior garden that evokes summer all year round. There are cozy tables and a lively bar on two levels, and chef Guillaume Lutard focuses on French country classics like roast chicken with trendier additions like ceviche with grapefruit.

8. Gab & Jo

This new concept store in the heart of St. Germain focuses on products from France. Shop here for slippers from La Pantoufle à Pépère, Marseille soap and Le Slip Français t-shirts.

by: Melissa Biggs, courtesy of Indagare.com

Photos courtesy of Indagare

SHOP THE INDAGARE SOUK >