Online - December 03, 2005

Voulez Vous?

The 2005 Paris Report

Darling, how has it been two years since we last saw Paris? Inexcusable. Allons-y, and let’s really do it up.

We’ll pretend we’re staying with friends and not a hotel. At, say, Esprit Saint-Germain (22 rue Saint-Sulpice; +33-1-53-10-55-55), a charming new hotel on the Left Bank with our favorite tech amenities, warm and efficient service, and a hammam overlooking the city’s rooftops.

Or else in intime 16th-century splendor on the Right Bank near Pompidou at Marais House (+33-1-42-74-61-36), recently rebuilt and decorated in enormous style by the adorable Yann Hentschke. Feeling extra special? Let’s book the whole house.

For a grander palais, there’s Hôtel Lancaster (7 rue de Berri; +33-1-40-76-40-76) off the Champs Elysées. We’ll sit in the salon and pretend we’re the local vicomte and vicomtesse of ill repute.

The cool kids are raving about modern design meccas Hôtel Sezz (6 avenue Frémiet; +33-1-56-75-26-26) in the 16th, for the personal assistant service and the enormous rooms, and Murano Urban Resort (13 boulevard du Temple; +33-1-42-71-20-00) in the 3rd, for the in-room pools and the trop-slick-pour-toi lobby.

Now, which French superstar should feed us? Alain Ducasse, at his divine bistro, Benoît (20 rue Saint-Martin; +33-1-42-72-25-76)? Or Guy Savoy at the fun, simple, and relaxed L’Atelier Maître Albert (1 rue Maître Albert; +33-1-56-81-30-01)? There’s always Mon Vieil Ami (69 rue Saint-Louis; +33-1-40-46-01-35), a small bistro with a contemporary twist and amazing food on the Ile Saint-Louis.

Like we could leave without devoting an entire afternoon to le plus fantastique et elegant lunch of our lives at the Le Meurice, inside the hotel of the same name (228 rue de Rivoli; +33-1-44-58-10-10).

And, oui, there’s time to shop. Iunx (48/50 rue de l’Université; +33-1-45-44-50-14) is a new boutique that sells magnificently packaged perfumes and glorious scented candles (papyrus!) in a serenely beautiful space.

Want to return home with an ass that looks French? Of course you do. We’ll score jeans at Cimarron (Left Bank: 23 rue des Canettes, +33-1-55-42-05-74; and in the Marais: 17 rue Pavée, +33-1-42-71-51-37), which, ironically, is Spanish, but nevermind. For feet that look Deneuve chic, we’ll hit Roger Vivier (29 rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré; +33-1-53-43-00-00).

We’ll stock up on vintage Chanel and Hermès at Les 3 Marches de Catherine B (1 rue Guisarde; +33-1-43-54-74-18) and incredible men’s suits a few doors down at Tonitruant (19 rue Guisarde; +33-1-46-34-67-70).

It will be un très bon voyage.

  Big Cities, Foodies, Hot Date, Luxury Travel