… a lovingly curated selection of the essentials you need for living in the City of Lights – prepared by people in the know.
28 Rue Vignon, 75009 Paris, France
The first bakery in Paris to offer traditional French pastries 100% Gluten-free. Run by husband and wife team François and Marie, the bakery is warm and inviting and their pastries will have you coming back for more.
Read full review here of gluten-free bakeries in Paris by INSPIRELLE contributor Chloe Martin.
Metro: Concorde or Tuileries (line 1)
For over a century, Angelina’s has built a reputation as a place of sophistication and indulgence. Its renowned African hot chocolate is so thick that you almost feel like you’re digging into a bowl of soup. It’s made from three types of African chocolate from Nigeria, Ghana and the Ivory Coast and is made especially for Angelina’s. It is a beautiful place where the likes of Proust and Coco Chanel frequented. While you’re there, be sure to try the Mont Blanc, Angelina’s trademark pastry since 1903!
Read The Hot Chocolate Challenge for other great spots to satisfy your chocolate craving.
Other Angelina locations on website.
The merveilleux (marvelous) is a small cake that originated in Belgium and is now found in France and some US cities. Baker, Frédéric Vaucamp, fell in love with the cakes at an early age. His famous cakes are now sold in 5 locations in Paris as well as numerous other locations across Europe and in New York City.
Metro: Franklin Roosevelt (lines 1 and 9)
Fiery-hot Northern Chinese food, smack in central Paris. Serves mainly Pekingese and Sichuanese regional specialities including soups, dumplings, seafood (marmite of spicy prawns) and poultry (try the crispy spicy chicken and their scrumptious Peking duck), meat dishes like Shanghainese lion’s head, water-cooked beef, and braised pork with vermicelli noodles. Casual atmosphere. Conveniently located near the Champs Elysées.
Metro: Sentier Line 3
Boneshaker serves up not-just-any-ordinary donuts. We’re tasting and talking about plump, hand-rolled sweet pastries with flavors ranging from a simple sugar glazed to inventive maple syrup and bacon. READ MORE ABOUT BONESHAKER HERE
17 Rue des Écoles, 75005 Paris, France
An authentic American diner serving breakfast all day, juicy hamburgers, homemade chile con carne, bagels, and much more!
READ MORE IN OUR “Top 15 Weekend Brunches in and Around Paris” article!
Metro: Pont de Levallois Bécon (line 3)
Located on a tiny island 5 minutes by car from Étoile in Paris, this spacious loft style brasserie is housed in a 19th-century building with a dinosaur skeleton suspended above the entire dining room. They also offer a weekend brunch menu with freshly squeezed juices, mini viennosseries such as “feuilletée au Nutella” for chocolate lovers, an appetizing selection of antipasti and Italian desserts.
Read about this and more weekend brunch spots in our weekend brunch roundup!
METRO: Cardinal LeMoine (Line 10) or Place Monge (line 7)
The perfect bistro for any occasion! Simple, fresh and homemade, what more do we need to say !
Metro: Opéra (lines 3, 7 & 8)
Just a few meters away from the beautiful Opéra Garnier, the Grand Hotel serves a delicious hot chocolate in its adjoining restaurant and bar, Café de la Paix. You can ask for the chocolate to be fort en goût (very strong) or touché delicate (delicate touch) depending on your preference. Hot chocolate is served all day and even late into the evening, so it’s perfect for that late night craving. It’s another pricey venue but the place itself is stunning and the hot chocolate is wonderful.
Read The Hot Chocolate Challenge for other great spots to satisfy your chocolate craving.
Metro: Pigalle (line 2), St-Georges (line 12)
Café Marlette is an adorable, quirky place where you can find homemade BIO food, gluten free cakes and delicious coffee. They also do incredible BIO breakfasts, brunches and lunches as well as snacks for l’heure du goûter
Read full review here of gluten-free bakeries in Paris by INSPIRELLE contributor Chloe Martin.
Metro: Filles du Calvaire (line 8)
A small Mexican restaurant in the third arrondissement where the lack of space (and maybe the strength of the frozen margaritas) means that you naturally get to know your neighbor. There is even a small speakeasy hidden at the back of the restaurant behind a white, unmarked door.
We adore this charming, chalet-style restaurant and event space on its own island in the Bois de Boulogne in the West end of Paris. The voyage there itself is unique – you can row, yes we said row, your way across the lake. Or, you can park and then take a ferry from the public parking area (free for restaurant goers, 1,50€ round-trip for island hoppers). On fine days, you can pack a picnic and find a spot of grass to spread out. Or, you can book a brunch at their elegant restaurant.
For more brunch recommendations, read our article: “15 Best Weekend Brunches in and Around Paris”!
Metro: Parmentier (line 3), Oberkampf (lines 5 and 9)
Another hip and must-visit gluten free bakery in the 11th arrondissement of Paris. Their pastries are to die for and you just have to try their famous rectangular bread!
Read full review here of gluten-free bakeries in Paris by INSPIRELLE contributor Chloe Martin.
Metro: Porte de Choisy (line 7 and T3)
An authentic Chinese “dim sum” restaurant that’ll transport you back to the big banquet halls of Hong Kong, with pushcarts that circulate the dining tables offering dozens of dainty, traditional bite-sized delicacies for you to choose from. Try steamed, fried or stuffed. Rely on old favorites like: steamed shrimp dumplings (Har Gao), steamed pork brioches (cha siu bao), stuffed raviolis and sticky rice in lotus leaves. It’s noisy and crowded, but definitely kid-friendly!
For more brunch recommendations, read our article: “15 Best Weekend Brunches in and Around Paris”!
7 Rue Gustave Courbet, 75116 Paris, France
46 Rue de Sablonville, 92200 Neuilly-sur-Seine, France
Once known as the original American diner in Paris, Coffee Parisien now boasts 3 restaurants, with talk of a fourth opening! Count on American staples like eggs benedict, bagels with cream cheese and lox or French toast with grapefruit. For a French touch, enjoy a big cup of café au lait.
FIND MORE brunch recommendations in our: “15 Best Weekend Brunches in and Around Paris” article!
Metro: St. Augustin (line 9), Miromesnil (line 9 and 13)
Crom’Exquis is a gourmet restaurant in the 8th arrondissement, which serves up traditional French food, using the finest produce, including its own garden products such as pea shoots, red shiso and cress. On Saturday evenings, we highly recommend you join the chef, Pierre Meneau, at his table d’hôte (host’s table) where he indulges his creativity. Only three tables are available, so book ahead! Read our review of Crom’Exquis here!
Metro: Arts et Métiers (lines 3 and 11)
It’s not often that you walk into a restaurant that looks like you’re in a shabby chic, Parisian apartment; but when you do, you’re in for a real treat. Here, you’ll find guests drinking, dining and flirting in the bedroom, living room, dining room or boudoir, making themselves quite literally “at home”. There’s even a Ping-Pong table and a smoking room hidden behind a mirrored wardrobe… très chic.
Metro: Corentin Cariou (line 7)
A large, banquet hall-style restaurant offering a wide range of traditional Chinese dishes, from classic seafood and meat courses to gastronomic specialities like abalone and sea cucumber, as well as some Thai and Japanese dishes.
Metro: Sentier (line 3) Etienne-Marcel (line 4)
This is a great stop for pastries and during the summer, a wonderful stop for ice cream. Just like the pastries, Fou de Patisserie offers a unique selection of ice cream from all the top chefs in Paris!
Metro: Jacques Bonsergent (line 5)
Holybelly is owned and operated by Sarah Mouchot and Nico Alary, who together create a new menu every month – a mix of classic French and Western comfort food, based on what products are in season. Their staple: Sunday breakfast.
Metro: St-Georges (line 12), Pigalle (line 2 and 12)
When INSPIRELLE recommends breakfast at Hotel l’Amour or “Hotel Love”, it should be a late romantic breakfast for two. In fact, why not get away for a weekend with your partner and reserve one of the intimate hotel bedchambers?
FIND MORE brunch recommendations in our: “15 Best Weekend Brunches in and Around Paris” article
If you love some of INSPIRELLE‘s portraits and Paris photos, turn to professional photographer Alexis Duclos. One of our most fervent supporters, Alexis is an experienced award-winning photographer and video cameraman who can capture your individual and family portraits for business or personal use as well as produce corporate videos to enhance your company websites.
To consult his versatile work visit his website: http://www.alexisduclos.com
The American School of Paris (ASP) in Saint Cloud, a western suburb of Paris, is a great place for families to find innovative activities and holiday camps in English. Through its Extension Program the private, international school opens its world-class facilities to external students aged 4 to 18 during school vacations as well as Wednesdays and Saturdays throughout the school year.
Camps and year-round activities led in English include basketball, tennis, soccer, coding, science, fashion design, filmmaking, theatre and more. Kids looking to improve their English skills have a choice of English immersion classes and even intensive workshops to prepare for the English BAC exam or the SAT American college entrance exam. At ASP, there’s bound to be a camp or workshop right for your child.
Check out their WEBSITE for all the details!
Metro: Goncourt (line 11), République (lines 3,5,8,9,11)
Soya is a BIO Cantine that offers a great selection of vegetarian, vegan and gluten free food.
Read full review here of gluten-free bakeries in Paris by INSPIRELLE contributor Chloe Martin.
Metro: République (lines 3, 5, 8, 9 and 11)
Missing those tea and crumpets from back home? Located on the east side of Paris, this specialty grocery store offers more than 800 products not only from the British isles, but also some well-liked yearned for American specialities. The boutique was established in 1993 and now offers online shopping, too.
Metro: Jacques Bonsergent (line 5)
Holybelly is owned and operated by Sarah Mouchot and Nico Alary, who together create a new menu every month – a mix of classic French and Western comfort food, based on what products are in season. Their staple: Sunday breakfast.
Metro: République (lines 3,5,8,9,11)
Once you step into the exotic surroundings of Les Cents Ciels, with it’s sensual ambiance and Moroccan décor, you’ll be transported to a land of “The Hundred Skies”. At this traditional hammam, every detail ensures your complete relaxation and serenity. Bliss out and try one of their Rituels du Hammam packages, which allow you access to their steamy hammam, sauna and pool for about one hour before your treatment.
Metro: Filles du Calvaire (line 8), Oberkampf (lines 5 and 9)
For a traditional circus, the Cirque d’Hiver is an institution in Paris. Watch lions and tigers, elephants and clowns in an authentic, round, high-top arena. The Bouglione Circus has been dazzling audiences with its shows for over 170 years and brings you new thematic shows each season.
You can also rent out their space for medium to large-scale private events such as corporate parties, meetings and concerts.
Check out more family activity ideas in our guide to 15 Indoor Activities for Children in Paris on Rainy Days!
Metro: Parmentier (line 3), Oberkampf (lines 5 and 9)
Another hip and must-visit gluten free bakery in the 11th arrondissement of Paris. Their pastries are to die for and you just have to try their famous rectangular bread!
Read full review here of gluten-free bakeries in Paris by INSPIRELLE contributor Chloe Martin.
Who doesn’t like to bowl? There are several bowling alleys in Paris for great family fun, from the Bowling Mouffetard to Bowling Foch near the Champs Elysées or try La Quille’s “mini” bowling lane off rue Oberkampf, or the child-friendly lanes at Front de Seine in the 15th arrondissement which has lightweight balls for little ones 5 years and up.
Bowling is a great birthday party option as well. Check the lanes nearest you for their party packages.
Bowling Mouffetard:73 Rue Mouffetard, 75005 Paris
Tel: +33 (0)1 43 31 09 35
Bowling Foch:2 Avenue Foch, 75016 Paris
Tel: +33 (0)1 45 00 00 13
La Quille:111 Rue Saint-Maur, 75011 Paris
Tel: +33 (0)1 43 55 87 21
Front de Seine: 44 Rue Emeriau, 75015 Paris
Tel:+33 (0)1 45 75 35 37
Bowling de Champerret: 2 Rue du Caporal Peugeot, 75017 Paris
Tel: + 33 (0)1 43 80 24 64
Metro: Filles du Calvaire (line 8)
This trendy concept beauty and nail bar is favoured amongst the Marais’ trendiest fashionistas and it promises an extra special experience you’ll want to share with all the girls in your life! In addition to the traditional manicures and pedicures, Gloss-Up organises a range of special events for groups.
Metro: Filles du Calvaire (line 8)
A small Mexican restaurant in the third arrondissement where the lack of space (and maybe the strength of the frozen margaritas) means that you naturally get to know your neighbor. There is even a small speakeasy hidden at the back of the restaurant behind a white, unmarked door.
Metro: Arts et Métiers (line 3)
A wonderful little museum exhibiting over 2,400 inventions, from scientific instruments to energy to communication and transportation. Guided tours and numerous demonstrations and workshops are organized regularly throughout the year.
Homesick Brits love this popular, English style bakery-cafe with four establishments around Paris serving a wide variety of homemade cakes, scones, quiches and fresh bread. A favorite treat is the carrot cake with icing made from organic quality ingredients. They also serve organic salads and soups and brunch on weekends. The original Rose Bakery is located on the rue des Martyrs in the 9th arrondissement, a street made popular by its numerous resident artisans and specialty shops.
For more brunch recommendations, read our article: “15 Best Weekend Brunches in and Around Paris”
A concept store created by the founders of the BONPOINT, the children’s fashion label, launched in 2009 to fill a need in Paris to bring together the best of the world of fashion, design, and household goods in one place. A real “destination” store, it includes a Used Book Café with 10,000 books to choose from, a cinema café with a classic film projected on the wall, and a lunch canteen offering a balanced and healthy lunch everyday.
Metro: Arts et Métiers (lines 3 and 11)
It’s not often that you walk into a restaurant that looks like you’re in a shabby chic, Parisian apartment; but when you do, you’re in for a real treat. Here, you’ll find guests drinking, dining and flirting in the bedroom, living room, dining room or boudoir, making themselves quite literally “at home”. There’s even a Ping-Pong table and a smoking room hidden behind a mirrored wardrobe… très chic.
Metro: Bonne Nouvelle (lines 8 and 9)
The largest in the family of Viva Fiesta stores, this location has three floors packed with all of your favorite party costumes and themed party decorations. Whether you’re looking for a generic disguise or superhero characters, or famous cartoon character costumes for you or your kids, they have a wide selection for you to choose from. Perhaps you prefer to mix and match to create your own look? No problem, you’ll find plenty of wigs, make-up, and even special effect contact lenses. Order online for home delivery (4.99€ or free over 40€) or pick-up in the store.
Metro: Rambuteau (line 11)
Make a dream come true for doll lovers by taking them to the Musée de la Poupée in the Marais. Imagine finding over 500 of the finest French dolls, from 1800 to today, on display in their best finery and accessories! Admire the furnished miniature dollhouses. From baby dolls to Barbie, learn about the evolution of the doll and understand why she is your little girl’s eternal best friend.
As mentioned in our Guide to After School and Weekend Activities and 15 Indoor Activities for Children in Paris on Rainy Days!
Metro: Sentier (line 3), Bonne Nouvelle (line 9), Les Halles (line 4)
You may think it’s hard to imagine why anyone would crave American food in Paris, a city known for its scrumptious and refined cuisine. But sometimes there’s just no substitute for the nostalgic associations that come with savoring certain culinary mainstays—like a perfectly baked American-style cookie. And we know just where to find them in Paris!
Read INSPIRELLE‘s interview with owner and extraordinary cookie baker, Jean Hwang Carrant HERE.
Specialist children’s hairdressers with TVs at each seat, a playroom for waiting, and a small toy when finished. They’ve been a fixture in the 17th near Parc Monceau for 15 years and are now in the 7th and 9th arrondissements . Also, the owner recently designed her own children’s clothing line which is available for purchase in the salons.
Metro: Sentier (line 3)
One of the city’s most eccentric and hip bars for single people, The Experimental Cocktail Club is proof that Paris has finally taken a leaf out of New York’s classy and creative cocktail bars book. This cocktail bar is one of the city’s most sophisticated places to mingle and serves delicious, unique cocktails that will blow you away. Forget mojitos and Cuba libres, this bar creates cocktails that you couldn’t even dream up!