Prepping for Paris

Guy Savoy at La Monnaie de Paris in Must Eat Paris

Next week marks the start of the design shows in Paris as well as the second edition of our Ancien et Moderne Pop-Up. As I am prepping for Paris, I thought I would share a few finds for any of you planning a trip to the City of Lights. Meals are of course an essential element of any trip and the new volume Must Eat Paris includes a list of unconventional culinary addresses, each with their ‘must eat’ and history.

Must Eat Paris

From the cult wine bar Le Verre Volé (the Rue de Lancry location)

Le Verre Vole in Must Eat Paris

to Guy Savoy’s elegant new location at La Monnaie de Paris, the 18th century building that once houses the Paris Mint Institute, each restaurant is chosen for its “authenticity, devotion, genuinely top ingredients and a non-nonsense attitude.”

Guy Savoy at La Monnaie de Paris in Must Eat Paris

My new favorite guide to Paris has to be Astier de Villatte’s Ma Vie à Paris. Like the brand, which values handmade quality, the old fashioned and the somewhat quirky, the book could easily be mistaken for a cherished old memoir.

Astier de Villatte Ma Vie a ParisProduced by a traditional linotype printing firm, which Astier de Villatte purchased so it wouldn’t disappear like so many other traditional trades, it is bound with gilt edged pages and charming vintage-feeling black and white photos. From acupuncturists and bookshops to detectives (well actually there’s only one) and perfumeries, the book is filled with Astier de Villatte owners, Ivan Pericoli and Benoît de Villatte’s favorite addresses in Paris or as the back cover suggests, necessities of life.

Ma Vie a Paris

Paris is a marvelous walking city and home to Baudelaire’s concept of the flâneur, a casual stroller who observes the city by walking its streets and basking in its essence. One volume I’m looking forward to next month is Lauren Elkin’s Flâneuse: Women Walk the City in Paris, New York, Tokyo, Venice and London. Celebrating the female take on the subject, the flâneuse is defined as a “determined, resourceful individual keenly attuned to the creative potential of the city and liberating possibilities of a good walk.” Through the eyes of such famous female flâneuses as Virginia Woolf, George Sand, the Parisian artist Sophie Calle, the wartime correspondent Martha Gellhorn, and the writer Jean Rhys we see these cities in a new light.

Flaneuse

I am so looking forward to seeing all the colorful lanterns marking the way at Deco Off.

Paris Deco Off

You can follow the fun on Instagram where I’ll be sharing my favorites and in the meantime, be sure to check back in on Monday for the latest video episode in Susanna’s and my At Home With series! À bientôt !!

5 thoughts on “Prepping for Paris

  1. Oh, this all looks like the best kind of “homework” Stacey…and it makes me dream, even though I only live a few hours to the South via the TGV! I might suggest that you take a look at Alexander Lobrano’s website for further food suggestions. His recent review of “Chez La Vieille” was especially interesting.

  2. Thanks Stacey– timely post for me!! I haven’t been to Paris since college. Traveling with my law school bestie but plan to pop in to your pop up!! Hope to see you there!
    All best,
    Lynn

  3. I await your posts from Paris. Your packing video made me wonder: Is yesteryear’s superb The Row’s sleeveless leather this year’s Brunello Cucinelli? More deets, please. It’s a tonic to think of other than parkas and boots!

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