Month: March 2022

Paris, by a social country lead at Amazon Prime Video France

As her Instagram bio reads, Juliette Premmereur is a Parisian by birth, New Yorker by nature, which gives her a pretty sharp take on all things food, art, design, music, literature and culture. And, it makes her the perfect woman to pen a guide to Paris for us.

She was born and raised in the French capital, before moving to NYC to study art history and work as a contemporary art dealer. Now, she’s based in London, leading social for Amazon Prime Video, where she works on all new TV shows and movies launching in France. 

When she’s not creating content for Amazon, Juliette spends her time looking for inspiration everywhere she travels. She’s also a dedicated noodle enthusiast, with a whole account dedicated to her quest to find the best noodles around the world. A mission we are fully on board with.

Not only does she know the best place to find Japanese soba in Paris, she’s also got great tips on where to get your yoga workout in, the coolest creative hotel to stay, where the locals party and, of course, multiple options for some essential Parisian pastries. There’s no better woman to guide us around the French capital.

Read on for Juliette Premmereur‘s guide to Paris.

As our guide to Paris, what are your hotel tips?

If you want to splurge, stay at the newly redone Hotel Lutetia on the left bank in Sèvres Babylone. It’s an incredibly beautiful Art Nouveau building built in 1910, which used to host art world celebrities including Picasso and Peggy Guggenheim. Ask for a room with terrace facing Boulevard Raspail for a view of the Eiffel Tower. It’s also right across the street from Le Bon Marché and near St. Germain, so an ideal shopping location. 

For a trendier spot, stay at the newly opened Soho House in Paris. There, you’re guaranteed to run into the international creative elite, while having a signature Picante or Soho Mule. The rooms are comfortable and filled with contemporary art, and the neighborhood is full of cool bars and restaurants. 

Another great way to stay in Paris is to book an Airbnb. I would choose a base in Le Marais area, which is full of the city’s top contemporary art galleries, has excellent shopping, and hundreds of cute cafes and bars. Pop out to buy fresh croissants from a nearby bakery for breakfast, and then explore the area, wandering over to the Musée Picasso and the Centre Pompidou nearby. 

Where should we go to eat in Paris?

One of my favorite local restaurants is Au Passage. Trust them (and me) and order the whole menu of small plates to share and a bottle of organic wine that you’ve never heard of. It’s a great spot for a date, too. 

For the best value tasting menu in Paris – a steal at 80 euros – reserve Le Chateaubriand. They always serve up a feast that changes based on the seasons and the chef’s inspiration. It’s in the hip and unpretentious area of Canal Saint-Martin, so afterwards you can head for drinks at the super cool Le Comptoir Général, or Le Perchoir, one of the best rooftop bars in the city. 

If you’re looking for a more chic French experience, book a table at La Rotonde in Montparnasse. An old-time Parisian classic, it was the place to be in the 1920s for artists, writers and intellectuals. The interiors are all sexy red velvet, making it a great place for a dinner date. But, it’s also a good Sunday family lunch spot. My usual order is the escargots to start (snails in butter, garlic and parsley), then the steak tartare and fries (which I’m convinced is the best in Paris), and the profiteroles for dessert. Bon appétit!

As a slight curveball, I’d also argue that Paris has some of the best and most authentic Japanese food in Europe. So, when you’ve had your fill of French food, head to Abri Soba for the best soba in town, Kodawari Ramen to feel as if you’re in the middle of Tokyo’s Tsukiji market, Yen for a mix of Japanese delicacies, or Nodaiwa for an unagi tasting menu. For a high-end sushi omakase experience, book Jin on Rue de la Sourdière. 

Where’s the best place to go for drinks in Paris?

My favorite area to go for drinks is Le Marais. To start a night out, head to the Mary Celeste for wine and oysters, then make your way to Candelaria or Little Red Door for cocktails. Or, seek out the trendy Mezcaleria hidden in the back of the 1K hotel.

For more casual bar hopping, head instead to Le Mauri7, Le Syndicat or Chez Jeannette on Rue du Faubourg Saint-Denis. Expect some fun conversations, and flirting if you’re in the market for it, with the locals. 

Where’s the best place to get a coffee in Paris?

Although Café de Flore is well-known to tourists, it is still a Parisian landmark worth checking out. The terrace there is one of the best places to sit for breakfast, lunch or just a coffee, while you watch the fashionable crowd pass by. 

I’m personally more of a tea drinker, and I love going to Ladurée on Rue Bonaparte. Sit in the tea salon and order one of their delicious tea blends to eat with their famous macarons or pastries. 

Another gorgeous tea house is Marriage Frères, Rive Gauche on Rue des Grands-Augustins, where you can also visit their tea store and museum. It’s known as the ‘shangri-la temple of tea’ in Paris for good reason. 

A hidden gem for Japanese tea in Paris is Ogata store, bar and restaurant on Rue Debelleyme. With a soothing wooden interior, it’s like walking into a contemporary Tokyo tea house. It’s a great place to buy the most beautiful tea accessories, and they also host tea workshops. Make sure to book in advance if you want to sit in. 

For me, hot chocolate is one of the most special things you can drink in Paris. It’s served rich and thick, with whipped cream on the side. Carette or Angelina Paris are my go-to hot chocolate places.

Where do you love to shop in Paris?

The best department store, in my opinion, is Le Bon Marché. I would compare it to Barneys NYC in style and selection (RIP Barneys!). It has all the best brands, fabulous accessories, shoes, jewelry, and one of the best lingerie sections of any department store, ever. For that effortlessly chic Parisian look, look to Rouje, Ba&Sh, Sezane, Iro, Princesse Tam Tam and Soeur. And, while you’re there, make sure you stop at the food court, La Grande Épicerie, for classic French groceries. I usually head straight to the truffle-themed counter. 

For more unique Parisian shopping, head to the Marché aux Puces de St-Ouen. It’s one of the biggest flea markets in the city, where you’ll find everything from antiques to vintage fashion. It’s only open on Saturdays and Sundays, and is on the outskirts of Paris, but it’s easy to get to – just take Métro Line 4 to Porte de Clignancourt.

Where are the best galleries, museums, architectural landmarks, etc. to get a hit of culture in Paris?

My favorite collection to see in Paris is the Pinault Collection at the Bourse de Commerce. It’s newly opened and is truly one of the most spectacular collections of contemporary art – not to be missed! 

Some of the best commercial contemporary art galleries in Paris include: Perrotin, Almine Rech, Thaddeus Ropac, David Zwirner, Kamel Mennour, and Marian Goodman. They are all around Le Marais area, free to visit, and open Tuesday to Saturdays. For art foundations or non-profit spaces, head to Fondation Cartier, Fondation LVMH, Palais de Tokyo, or Le Centre Pompidou

As Paris is full of museums, an easy mistake to make is to only go to the famous ones, like Musée d’Orsay and Musée du Louvre. I’d recommend seeking out the smaller museums, like the Musée Rodin, Musée Picasso or Musée Yves Saint Laurent. Plus, Musée des Art Décoratifs, for fashion. 

Where to work out in Paris?

My absolute favorite yoga studio is Jivamukti Yoga on Canal Saint-Martin. Walking in, I immediately feel like I’ve entered an oasis of calm and peace. Jivamukti is a yoga school that was started in NYC and includes strong ashtanga-inspired classes, with some chanting and meditation. You always leave having had a good workout for the body and mind. And, they have classes in English. 

Paris is also an excellent place to run outdoors. Running along ‘Les Quais’ or the edge of the Seine is completely free of cars and allows you to see some of Paris’ most beautiful landmarks. Or, take a long walk in one of the city’s parks. Some of my favorites include Le Jardin du Luxembourg, Le Jardin des Plantes, or following Canal Saint-Martin all the way up to the Parc de la Villette. 

Le Jardin du Luxembourg

Where to party in Paris?

My favorite club in Paris is Silencio, designed by film director David Lynch. You’ll have to make the effort to get in (no sneakers, no jeans), and prepare for some pricey cocktails, but it’s worth it to experience the surrealist interior design inspired by Lynch’s films. At weekends there’s a DJ and the dancefloor is always packed, but during the week it’s a quieter cocktail bar.

If you’re a fan of electronic music, check Resident Advisor to see who is playing – the secret warehouse parties never fail. For big clubs, there’s Rex Club for techno, The Yoyo inside the Palais de Tokyo, the Concorde Atlantique on a boat on the Seine, or Badaboum. 

Any extra Paris tips that we need to know?

For the most Instagrammable patisserie in town, go visit Cedric Grolet. He creates the most imaginative cakes that look way too good to eat. Although, of course, they taste delicious. 

Read Safara’s own guide to Paris, here.

Serena Hood – Co-Founder of Collagerie & former Executive Fashion Director, British Vogue

As former Executive Fashion Director at British Vogue, Serena Hood created countless fashion edits, set up sell-out events and traveled the world to sit front row at every show. She has also worked for Vogue US, Giorgio Armani and Marc Jacobs, fine tuning her skills for curating and consulting on all things style.

Now, she’s channeling over a decade of experience into digital shopping platform Collagerie, an expert curation of fashion, interiors, beauty and lifestyle. Serena co-founded Collagerie in 2019 with fellow Vogue alum Lucinda Chambers, who was Fashion Director of British Vogue for 25 years, directing some of fashion’s most memorable shoots. Together, they’re a real force.

Part of our Insiders series, this is your window into the worlds of the coolest people in Safara’s network. These are the contacts we’d hit up for travel inspiration, whether it’s a hotel recommendation, a new track for our in-transit playlist, the best mini-products to pack, or just to daydream about where we’d open a boutique island hotel (this changes with each Insider guide we read – we’re easily and happily influenced).

Read on for style and travel inspiration from Serena Hood.

Name three of your favorite hotels?

La Residence in Franschhoek, South Africa. My husband proposed to me over a picnic in the gardens, so it is a very special place to us. Every suite has a different theme and all uniquely decorated.

Le Bristol, France. The perfect home away from home in Paris.

Six Senses Zighy Bay, Oman. A real hidden gem, the resort sits under the mountains along the most beautiful sandy beach.

Le Bristol Paris

What is the best hotel amenity you’ve ever encountered?

The heated loo seats at the Malibu Beach Inn.

What hotel room design element can you not live without?

Black-out shades.

Where would you go for a digital detox or just generally to get off the grid?

Sha Wellness Clinic in Spain is a sanctuary where you can really switch off. I remember leaving after five days feeling completely reset, recharged and “like new”.

You travel a lot for work, was this something you were seeking in a career? How do you make it as relaxing and fun as possible?

As an editor at Vogue I traveled a lot for fashion weeks and felt incredibly lucky to have a job that took me to beautiful cities, incredible hotels, and unforgettable fashion shows. A swimming pool while staying in a city is always a highlight and a great way to wake up and start the day.

What three songs are on your travel playlist?

I actually listen to a lot of podcasts these days. Working on my own start-up, I love the stories and advice from entrepreneurs on How I Built This.

What are your favorite travel hacks?

I am too scared to try this myself, but a good friend I know always waits to be the last person to board the plane and sits in the first free seat in Business class. Apparently it works a charm!

What do you always bring with you in your carry-on?

Having recently lost my luggage, I now bring a complete wardrobe for the first 24 hours.

If you could quit your job and follow the Mamma Mia dream (ie. open a small hotel in another country or on a remote island), where would it be?

It would have to be a vineyard in Provence. We would make our own rosé and drink it over long lunches with family and friends.

What’s the craziest thing you’ve purchased abroad and brought home (or tried to carry-on) from your travels?

A suitcase filled with my favorite fabric print to make curtains in our new home.

Beach, city or mountains?

Beach every time.

Lost luggage, or lost phone?

Lost phone.

Airplane food?

Never – bring your own.

Window or aisle?

Window for long haul, aisle for short trips.

Yoga or hotel gym?

Neither – get out and discover the place you’re visiting!

Read more from our Insiders series, here.

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