… a lovingly curated selection of the essentials you need for living in the City of Lights – prepared by people in the know.
Metro: Victor Hugo (line 2)
For an amazing facial by Kristina, an esthetician who has been practicing skin care for over 26 years, visit her home salon in the heart of the 16th arrondissement near the Arc de Triomphe. Her soothing treatments, all designed to help the anti-aging process, include relaxation facials, oxygen facials with collagen, glycolic acid peels, and lymphatic drainage treatments.
Acne problems or other skin problems on the face in general? She can help!
Finish up with dazzling eyes with her eye treatments and eyebrow designs or a parraffin treatment.
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: Passy (line 6)
The International School of Paris (ISP) is the only school within Paris offering all three International Baccalaureate programs. From nursery school to high school, the educational program combining academics, arts and sports is designed to motivate students to become well rounded, sociable and open-minded. Classes are kept small (18-20 students) to encourage exchange between teacher and students. Its motto: “Educating for Complexity”.
Through their popular ISP Plus programs, also open to non-ISP students, they offer innovative and educational language and activity camps led in English on Saturdays during the school year and over the major school holidays.
Coming from three generations of Italian hairdressers, Cristina and her staff are very friendly and great with kids too. You can even get your nails done while getting your tresses colored, and it won’t break the bank.
Metro: La Muette (line 9)
A compact nail bar and esthetic salon located off rue de Passy in the 16th arrondissement that is open Sundays and closed Saturdays. Treat yourself, often, to a double whammy manicure/pedicure treatment or a relaxing facial for 55 euros each. Perfect for the busy woman managing a budget.
READ MORE in our Perfect Sunday Pedicure article!
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).
Offering a large selection of arts & crafts in stores all over France. Great for home decorations and craft projects for all levels of expertise.
Right in the heart of the Passy area, you’ll feel transported to Thailand at Ayada Spa, where you can get a Thai massage from smiling masseuses trained at the famous Wat Pho in Bangkok. Or sit back in a comfy armchair and give your feet a sensory treat with a 30 or 60 minute reflexology treatment. If you have more time, they also have a small hammam.
Metro: Rue de la Pompe (line 9), Trocadéro or Passy (line 6), Ave. Henri Martin (RER C)
Institut de la Tour is a private Catholic school offering an Anglophone section with over 500 students in the collège and lycée programs. Teachers and administrators aim to help their students develop intellectually, personally and spiritually employing their philosophy of “s’élèver ensemble” (raise them together).
See website for details on the Anglophone section application procedures, which begin in October for the following school year.
They also offer Wednesday afternoon English immersion programs for primary and pre-primary (maternelle) aged children.
Metro: Trocadéro (line 6)
INSPIRELLE’s favorite dentist in Paris! Advanced dental studies at the University of Washington. Dr. Leclercq and/or his staff speak English, French, Spanish, Portugese, Russian, Japansese, Arab, and Maldavian.
Metro: La Muette (Line 9)
An elegant Chinese restaurant hidden on a small street near the busy rue de Passy. We love their crispy Peking duck lunch (98€ for 2 people), which features a yummy variety of dim sum, half a crispy duck per person, served 3 ways, rice, and dessert. And, unlike most other restaurants, there’s no need to order the duck in advance!
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: Trocadero (lines 6 and 9)
Escape the rain and plunge into the water world at the Aquarium de Paris, located in the Palais de Chaillot at Place de Trocadero. Its darkly-lit rooms create the perfect ambiance for a mysterious tour of the large, underwater tanks with more than 100,000 species including clown fish, puffers, sharks and stingrays. With two cinemas screening documentaries and cartoons, as well as live entertainment on weekends and holidays, there’s plenty to keep you entertained for a couple hours.
Metro: Iéna (line 9)
Ear nose and throat specialist for children and adults. Office hours at the reputable American Hospital in Neuilly Sur Seine and at his office in the 16th arrondissement.
Metro: Iéna (line 9)
The first Chinese restaurant to be awarded a Michelin star in France, this is the place to splurge on special occasions when you want to treat yourself to fine, Cantonese cuisine in a refined, elegant setting. Chef’s recommendations include: BBQ Iberian pork with honey, sautéed sole filet with XO sauce and Lobster prepared any one of eight ways. Thinking of their Peking Duck has us drooling, and we love their dim sum lunch, with two set menus for 52€ or 72€. Savor. Every. Morsel.
Remember campfires, patches, leadership training and plenty of fun workshops and lifelong friendships? The Paris overseas branch provides a community filled with activity for American girls living abroad. It’s one of the USA Girl Scouts Overseas chapters that are located in 90 countries around the world. More than 5,000 girls living in the Paris region have joined the ranks since its start in 1949.
Metro: Iéna (line 9), Trocedéro (lines 6 and 9)
You never have to feel alone or do it alone. AAWE is one of the longest running non-profit volunteer associations of (mostly) American women based long-term in France. Their varied social activities include: US-themed children’s parties, book groups, cultural outings, community fundraisers and much more.
Apart from its community gatherings, the association works diligently to remain the recognized leading resource for bilingual and international educational information in France. Their publications include: “Beyond the Bac: Higher Education in France and Abroad” and “Guide to Education in France, 8th Edition.” These are must have guides for international families living here with children in school.
Metro: La Muette (line 9) Boulainvilliers (RER C)
Situated in what once was the “Passy La Muette” train station, in the heart of the 16th arrondissement, La Gare is an impressive spot for brunch. In nicer weather, you can enjoy sitting in one of its two lush outdoor terraces. On weekends, they have an all-you-can-eat buffet spread and entertainment for the little ones. It’s also an elegant spot lunch or dinner on Monday thru Saturday, too!
For more brunch recommendations, read our article: “15 Best Weekend Brunches in and Around Paris”!
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!
Ecole Internationale Bilingue (EIB) Paris is a network of bilingual schools which welcomes international students of more than 70 nationalities in its co-ed and secular campuses around Paris. EIB offers a bilingual education to students from preschool (maternelle) through high school, according to the British, American and IB qualifications.
EIB’s four campuses in the 8th, 16th and 17th arrondissements follow the official program of the French Ministry of Education (hence it is sous-contrat with the government e and tuition is partially subsidized), with daily lessons in English at various levels.
EIB Victor Hugo follows an English-language, international curriculum, with daily French lessons, from pre-school through high school. Students can earn an internationally-recognized High School Diploma or IB Diploma.
Contact individual schools for further information.