… a lovingly curated selection of the essentials you need for living in the City of Lights – prepared by people in the know.
Metro: Opéra (lines 3, 7, 8) Auber (RER A)
A pharmacy with products generally only found in the USA and the UK. They offer translations from French medicines to anglo-saxon medicine names.
Metro: Alma-Marceau (line 9), CDG Étoile (lines 1, 2, 6 & RER A)
Ever feel like you just need to explain an ailment in English? Find the help you need in your native tongue at this centrally located pharmacy just steps away from the Arc de Triomphe.
Metro: George V or Franklin D. Roosevelt (line 1), Saint-Philippe-du-Roule (line 9)
One of the most famous pharmacies in Paris, it was established in 1890 by an Englishman. Ideally located in the heart of the most beautiful avenue in the world and offering exclusive prestige brands.
A wide range of products are available both online and in the store, which amazingly for Paris, is open 24 hours/7 days per week!
Metro: Charles de Gaulle Étoile (lines 1,2, and 6, RER A)
Open daily 24 hours. International team of multilingual pharmacists located in Publicis building next to the Arc du Triomphe. All their staff speak English.
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
Metro: Opéra (lines 3, 7 and 8)
Craving Peking duck? The crispy skin duck (order in advance) is served here over three courses: starting with the duck skin you wrap with a plum sauce in thin rice pancakes, then as a main course sautéed with vegetables, and finally as a delicious soup. It also has a decent dim sum (Chinese dumplings and hors d’oeuvres) menu, available for lunch and dinner.
Their new collection strives to return to the fundamentals while taking you into the timeless world of creation. The clean lines and curves, the natural materials and colors represent the best in the French way of life and interior design.
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.
You know Zara Women’s and Men’s affordable clothing stores so visit the chain’s home furnishings boutiques throughout Paris. Discover attractive collections of small furniture, decorative objects for the bathroom and kitchen and a textile selection (bed linen, tablecloths, towels, throw covers).
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.
80 Boulevard Haussmann, 75008 Paris, France 0.5 km
One of the largest and most varied selection of white porcelain pieces, plus more, with 5 locations in Paris.
With more than 15 shops across 4 continents, Maison de Famille furniture and decor are a fusion of classic, ethnic and modern styles. This blending of new and old, local and exotic immediately wins over a clientele of all ages and styles.
Other locations in Morocco, Italy, USA, Russia, and Japan.
Metro: Quatre Septembre (line 3)
For a fabulous haircut that falls naturally without fuss, book with YUJI at his hair salon embedded in the Japanese quartier in the heart of Paris. Yuji worked at two of the city’s most prestigious coiffeurs before opening up his own Zen inspired salon. It’s a bit pricey but if you think your hair is worth it, you definitely won’t be disappointed.
Metro: Pyramides, Opéra, Tuileries
Singaporean actress and mother Charlotte Chiew founded Little Tykes Theatre in 2007 as an answer to a need for quality and fun workshops and parent-child classes for the under 3-year-olds in Paris. She and her team lead holiday camps (for 2 to 8-year olds) and weekly workshops (for little ones 3 months to 3 years) which use games to present simplified forms of professional mime and actor training to children.
GET THE SCOOP on more kids’ activities in our Ultimate Guide to After-School and Weekend Activities!
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.
Metro: Grands Boulevards (lines 8 and 9)
This restaurant and épicerie (grocery) offers a unique and tasty experience for those gluten-intolerant, yet discerning gourmets. Some of their dishes are also lactose-free and/or vegetarian.
Read full review here of gluten-free bakeries in Paris by INSPIRELLE contributor Chloe Martin.
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: Grands Boulevards (lines 8 and 9), Le Peletier (line 7)
Wondering whether you really have space in your closet for another Halloween party costume? No need to worry. Just rent it for the night! Au Fou Rire has two floors packed with costumes and accessories to get you dressed to impress for almost any theme. Or, if you want to add another costume to your collection to whip out for the next fancy dress party, you can shop online and have everything delivered to your home. Rental for adults, sales for kids and adult costumes.
Metro: Europe (line 3), Liege (line 13)
A Lung specialist who also specializes in Sleep Apnea. With obstructive sleep apnea, your breathing pauses while you are asleep because your airway has become narrowed or partly blocked. Book an appointment and start getting some proper sleep.
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
Metro: Sentier (line 3)
For a unique spa experience, try Spa Dans le Noir, where trained personnel with sight disabilities perform massages and spa treatments in the dark. The concept began in 2004 with Restaurants in the Dark and now includes spas in Paris and Bordeaux.
Tarifs: 49€ for 30 mins, 90€ for 60 mins and 135€ for 90 mins.
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”
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.