Welcome to Who What Wear Travels, a series of curated guides to destinations the fashion set loves. Consider this your download on everything from the chicest stays to the most memorable meals to the perfect travel wardrobe, all vetted by stylish locals and well-traveled fashion folks.
The thing about Paris is that everyone has their own take on it. If you ask anyone who just got back from a trip, they’ll insist that their dinner spot or museum is the best one. There are a million and one ways to experience the city, and for that reason, we wanted to wait a beat after rolling out other WWW Travels city guides (so far, we’ve covered London, Copenhagen, Mexico City, and Miami, among others) before publishing our own list of the “best” the French capital has to offer. While we would never claim to have the last say on this ever-changing and endlessly documented city, we’ve gathered what we think is some pretty strong intel on the coolest insider spots to have on your radar from the Parisians and fashion-industry experts who know it best.
(Image credit: @kristenmarienichols; @gouldhallie; @_sierramayhew)
No matter how sought-after other fashion destinations may become, Paris remains *the* fashion capital, period. With fashion weeks happening most months of the year, from menswear and couture to ready-to-wear shows, the city will always have a certain gravitational pull with both insiders and anyone drawn to the industry. “There is definitely a realistic access to positions in the most renowned maisons,” Sophie Hersan, co-founder and fashion director of Vestiaire Collective explains. “This is part of what makes Paris so attractive.”
The dream of moving to Paris and working in fashion is something that recently been cemented by kitschy pop culture references like Netflix’s Emily in Paris, but Hersan admits that she’s been drawn to the idea from the age of 15. As a teenager, she would sneak out of the house to attend extravagant Parisian parties at Les Bains Douches and Le Palace in the hopes of bumping into the most coveted fashion people of the time.
(Image credit: @louloudesaison; @slipintostyle; Vestiaire Collective)
Fashion scene aside, there’s the Paris of fine art, of gourmet food, of iconic architecture, and of art and design. I don’t have the spell out the reasons why you might want to book a trip (or return for the thousandth time)—Paris is Paris, after all. But the romance of the city isn’t lost on its residents, either. “There is a certain ‘douceur de vivre’ in the city,” muses Chloé Harrouche, Founder and Creative Director of Loulou Studio. “It never gets old.” While she grew up in Paris, Harrouche still finds herself amazed by the architectural aesthetic of the city and often walks across the Seine to work at the Loulou Studio office arriving brimming with inspiration. “There are little details everywhere in the city to notice and discover” she adds.
Surprisingly, the initial attraction for Martinique-born content creator Ellie Nes of @slipintostyle wasn’t the fashion which she admits contrasted her colorful maximalism. “It was mostly the culture,” she shares. “All these incredible museums and, of course, the food. There’s always a trendy new restaurant popping up and an endless amount of things to see, discover and eat.”
Where to Stay in Paris
Hôtel Château Voltaire ticks all the boxes: a prime location in the heart of Paris, an intimate but luxurious ambiance, the highest-quality service, and a fashion-crowd perspective—Thierry Gillier, the founder of the fashion label Zadig & Voltaire, is behind the 32-room boutique outpost. Hersan adores its “quiet, intimate atmosphere” and also recommends the on-site restaurant Brasserie l’Emil which becomes a hotspot during fashion week.
(Image credit: @monicamendi)
Le Grand Mazarin may have just opened in September 2023, but the playfully-designed space makes it feel at once like the city’s most exciting newcomer and a bonafide Parisian staple. Designed by Martin Brudnizki, this five-star indie boutique spot is brimming with eclectic and whimsical décor that’s reminiscent of a Wes Anderson film, down to the colorful mural painted on the ceiling above the indoor pool. The hotel comes from the same team behind renowned properties like Crillon-le-Brave in Provence and Lou Pinet in Saint-Tropez and includes 61 rooms, a restaurant, two bars, a swimming pool, a jacuzzi, and a fitness center. It’s located a stone’s throw away from the Seine and a 15-minute walk from the Louvre.
(Image credit: @clairerose; @jastookes)
Located on a discreet corner near Les Halles, Madame Rêve is the definition of an “if you know, you know” spot. It’s located in what was once Paris’ only 24-hour post office and is now home to a rotating cast of fashion designers and insiders who flock here especially during fashion week. Boasting panoramic views of the city including the Eiffel Tower and Montmartre, the hotel features two on-site restaurants and a rooftop bar whose menus range from French to Japanese influences. Even the spa is complete with a sauna overlooking the city.
Where to Dine in Paris
(Image credit: @jastookes; @kristenmarienichols)
Brunch at Loulou on a sunny day is basically a requisite for any trip to Paris, and you’ll find the terrace flooded with the city’s most stylish patrons. It boasts one of the most famous locations in the world opposite the gardens of the Louvre but beyond the space itself is the menu, a cross-pollination between Italian, Sicilian, and French cuisines that results in dishes like the daily risotto of the day and veal al limone.
You’ve probably seen the towering plates of mousse au chocolat that are served from a large soup tureen or the striped awning that extends over the sprawling terrace in the Marais. The former is Chez Janou‘s claim to fame, but the provençal style bistro is so much more than its most popular dessert offering.
“I’m not going to lie,” Nes admits, “Gigis is yet another fancy Italian restaurant where everybody raves about the truffle pizza—but the view on the Eiffel tower is unbeatable and there’s a DJ, meaning you can push the tables and dance the night away.”
Parisian Cafes Old and New
(Image credit: @carobergman; @sophiesvene; @_jazminvaldivia)
“Cafe Charlot is always bustling with a young, well-dressed crowd in the Marais” Who What Wear editor in chief Kat Collings shares. “Dance parties at the cafe have known to spill into the street late weekend nights. The food is decent, but it’s not really about the food, it’s more about the vibe and people watching.”
Harrouche is a fan of Café Nuances in the first arrondissement which serves creative drinks like an elegant rose latte and strawberry matcha. Designed by Uchronia Architects, the space is done up in highly saturated hues and funky shapes, making it a true delight for all the senses.
(Image credit: @gouldhallie; @_sierramayhew)
Known for its famed hot chocolate and towering swirls of whipped cream, Carette is the charming brunch spot you’ve seen all over your social feeds—and for good reason. The menu is an extensive collection of classic French dishes as well as gourmet pastries and desserts.
Where to Sip in Paris
(Image credit: @kristenmarienichols; @thaliaandclara)
Inside of the Ritz Paris at Plâce Vendome, you’ll find one of the city’s most iconic and legendary cocktail bars. Bar Hemingway may be tiny, but every corner of the space is filled with quirky memorabilia of its historic past.
(Image credit: @leclownbar)
Rouje founder and quintessential Parisienne Jeanne Damas tells Who What Wear that Le Clown Bar is one of her favorites. In our Locals Only feature with the designer, she said it’s one of her favorite meals in the city, but shared that they also have a really great selection of natural wine.
(Image credit: @_sierramayhew; @clairerose; @lifeintara)
With its red velvet-lined and dimly-lit interior, Hotel Costes is where you’ll find the fashion set on a Saturday night. The hotel itself is a pillar of Parisian luxury, but it’s all about the bar scene. Head here for a great cocktail and an even better vibe.
Where to Spend in Paris
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Despite Paris’ more old-school vintage scene, Nuovo has cemented itself as the “cool girl” boutique thanks to its the curation of mid range and premium vintage that’s more about an overall vibe and less about specific designer labels. Its roster celebrity clients includes some of the best-dressed stars like Lily Rose-Depp.
(Image credit: @yeldana.tsv; @robertarobertarobertas)
For a uniquely Parisian shopping experience, Harrouche highly recommends a visit to Officine Universelle Buly. “The original 19th-century store in Saint-Germain allows customers the chance to discover the time-honored tradition and ‘art de vivre’ of French apothecary.”
Le Bon Marché isn’t just a department store but a shopping institution. It was the first department store in the world to be known for its curated selection whether it be in fashion or homeware and remains the perfect place to stroll and discover new brands. Make sure to stop and grab a bite at the Rose Bakery tea room, right next to the shoe department, Hersan suggests.
What to See in Paris
(Image credit: @ileniatoma_; @michael_scanlon)
While small compared to nearby art institutions like the Louvre and the Musée D’Orsay, Harrouche says Atelier Brancusi is a worthwhile stop next to the Pompidou Center. The recently updated museum offers guests a unique perspective into the work of sculptor Constantin Brancusi.
(Image credit: @kristenmarienichols; @clairerose)
There are certain things you travel all the way to Paris for. The croissants, the views of the Eiffel Tower, and Monet. Lovers of impressionist painting will want to beeline to Le Musée de l’Orangerie where the large-scale versions of Monet’s Water Lillies, along with more from the impressionist and post-impressionist eras, can be fully appreciated.
(Image credit: @suetrannn; @clairerose)
“The Louis Vuitton Foundation always puts on great exhibitions,” Harrouche says. Right now, there’s an excellent Matisse collection on display, featuring works from his original Parisian workshop.
What to Pack for Paris
Simon Miller
Junjo Knit Poplin Dress
Louis Vuitton
Nano Speedy
DMY Studios
Billy Sunglasses
Blazé Milano
Gliss Wool-Blend Bouclé-Tweed Jacket
Toteme
Pleated Grain De Poudre Shorts
Louis Vuitton
Bom Dia Flat Mule
Posse
Martina Polka Dot Linen Crop Top
Helsa
Cotton Poplin Midi Skirt
Louis Vuitton
Capucines BB
