PARIS is one of the most popular destinations for a city break but there's more to the French capital than its most famous tourist attractions.
Here Beauty Editor Tara Ledden shows you how to see the City of Light like a local, with boutique galleries, glamorous cocktails and one-of-a-kind shops.
SNIFF OUT THE BEST SHOPS
Stylish shopping? Tick.
Historic districts to explore? Tick. Incredible food to devour? Tick.
Plus the French capital is the birthplace of perfume brand Diptyque, so its original boutique in the Saint-Germain area is a great starting point for beauty fans.
Galeries Lafayette Haussmann department store is an attraction in itself and a must if you are in town to shop.
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And while you’re there, head up to the eighth floor for stunning views of the city.
Across town in the Bastille area, boutique Ailleurs is brimming with one-of-a-kind homewares (Ailleurs-paris.com) and further east, Le Tampographe is home to a tongue-in-cheek artisan who crafts rubber stamps of insults, poems and quotes that make for quirky souvenirs (Tampographe.com).
MANGE TOUT!
In the winter, head to Angelina for its famous hot choccy, £7.30, although expect to queue or take it to go from its pastel-pink cart outside (Angelina-paris.fr).
For extra decadence, pick up a box of macarons from Ladurée around the corner, for the ultimate Parisian sweet treat (Laduree.fr).
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Cafe culture is at the heart of the city’s social scene, so grab a seat outside the OG, Les Deux Magots at happy hour for top-notch people-watching (Lesdeuxmagots.fr).
For a savoury bite, you’ll find the best croque monsieur at Lastre Sans Apostrophe, a takeaway near the Eiffel Tower, or head to Ober Mamma, an Italian that’s part of the same group as London’s much-loved Gloria and Ave Mario.
The truffle pasta, £16.50, is divine (Bigmammagroup.com).
SIGHT-SEE IN STYLE
The weather is as unpredictable in Paris as it is in the UK, so escape from the rain with a film at Max Linder, an elegant cinema showing international films with French subtitles, £10 per adult (Maxlinder.com).
Stay until Sunday evening to catch a free organ concert in the afternoon at Église Saint-Eustache.
It sits almost halfway between Le Centre Pompidou and Musée du Louvre, so you can visit them all in the same day.
For something unusual, see how a rich family of art collectors lived during the 19th century at their house-museum, Musée Nissim de Camondo (Madparis.fr), or head to Musée de l’Orangerie to witness Monet’s Water Lilies (Musee-orangerie.fr).
If art isn’t your thing, Musée Yves Saint Laurent Paris (Museeyslparis.com) and La Galerie Dior (Galeriedior.com) pay tribute to their fashion houses’ history, with garments and historical work spaces on display.
MAKE LIKE MARIE
Set in the 2nd Arrondissement, Hôtel des Grands Boulevards is just a 20-minute walk from Gare du Nord.
The building itself pre-dates the French Revolution, and boasts canopied beds and rich velvet interiors in muted colours.
It’s also home to a courtyard restaurant and two sleek bars, one of which was inspired by Marie Antoinette’s love of shells and mosaics.
Sip on an exquisite cocktail, like the mezcal-based Yellowstone, £12.
There’s even a vegetable garden, so while you can’t get much more central, it’s a peaceful enclave.
Breakfast in bed arrives on a silver tray, and the same continental spread is available downstairs.
Rooms cost from £203.60 (Grandsboulevardshotel.com).
In the 3rd Arrondissement, Hôtel de Roubaix has eclectic art and plenty of board games, with rooms from £140 per night (Hdroubaix.fr).
FYI
The city has five Statues of Liberty.
Return flights from the UK to Paris start from £61.
Plan your trip at En.parisinfo.com.
In 2024, Paris will host the Olympic and Paralympic Games. You can book Olympic packages in advance with On Location forthe ultimate hospitality experience (Onlocationexp.com/olympics).
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