Magical. Majestic. Enthralling. A few of the many superlatives that come to mind when I think of Paris. I have just spent a few days in this City of Light celebrating the Createurs Awards (Pembrooke & Ives was nominated for the 2022 Best Residential Interior Design Project) and navigating the bi-annual Maison et Objet show, both at the convention center and through their takeover of the city. It has been a treasure hunt across many of the Arrondissements and I am excited to share some must sees and dos with my fellow design enthusiasts.

For a city so densely packed with extraordinary history, art, antiques and gastronomical delights, it is near impossible to narrow these top picks down to just a few, but here it goes – your guide to an action-packed 48 hours. 

Day 1: A Day on the Left Bank

Start your morning in true Parisian fashion with breakfast from Les Deux Magots followed by a stroll in the Luxembourg Gardens.

Make your way to the Saint German Design District for a morning of perusing some of Paris’ best design stores. There are so many gems to discover but a few favorites are Galerie BSL, Galerie Michel Amar and Galerie Pouenat.

When you start to get hungry, you can stop at Semilla for a delicious pick-me-up, before an afternoon of eye candy spent at the Rodin Museum.

For dinner, head to Mosuke par Mory Sacko for a meal inspired by Chef Sacko’s African, Japanese and French influences.  

Day 2: A Day on the Right Bank

Another day for those walking shoes. But first, a coffee and croissant from the boulangerie! While they are a dime a dozen, a few favorites are Du Pain et Des Idees, Tapisserie and Mamiche.

Once fueled up, head over to Paul Bert Serpette at the Paris Flea Market to delight in a well-curated selection of antique furniture and lighting. You can also stroll down Rue des Rosiers and stop into the Glustin Galerie and L’Atelier 55 showrooms.

A short taxi ride away, enjoy lunch at Etsi – a wonderful Greek restaurant with delicious food and great service.

Spend the afternoon in Le Marais, a wonderfully quaint and picturesque part of Paris filled with art galleries, fashion stores and cafes. It is also the home of the Picasso Museum (highly recommend).

Don’t miss a stop at Merci and Alix D Reynis for that homeware fix!

Head to dinner at Le Servan or Chez Janou and top off the evening with a nightcap at Bambino or Clown Bar, where we end our weekend in Paris, filled with design and decadence.