“P.arigi is always a good idea ». Many think so, but in 1954 it was Audrey Hepburn who told Humphrey Bogart in the film Sabrina. She, an actress born in Belgium, a timeless icon, was the most Parisian of the parisiennes, without being born in the city. She is graceful, elegant, with a delicate yet decisive and aware look. Like the city itself and like the Parisians, with that special spirit divided between classical beauty and avant-garde. Waiting for the guide Paris for women by Elisa B. Pasino (Morellini), out on May 19four of them, coming from different sectors, accompany us to their favorite places. Revealing the Paris of today and what it will be like tomorrow.
A glimpse of Place des Voges, the oldest square in Paris, in the Marais. Photo courtesy Atout France
The ideal list of the Elysée interior designer
“Paris is my city, the place to be. She gave me a lifestyle, the energy of culture. It’s rock & roll and romantic at the same time. Every time I travel, I can’t wait to go back to rediscover her and admire her light ». Isabelle Stanislas (isabelle-stanislas.com)architect and interior designerin addition to dealing with private residences and boutiques such as Hermès and Cartier, she was the creator of the restyling of the Elysée Palace, the official residence of the presidents since 1874.
The architect Isabelle Stanislas oversaw the restyling of the Elysée Palace, the official residence of the presidents, collaborating with Brigitte Macron. Photo: Matthieu Salvaing
“Modernizing the design of Elysée, a showcase for France, was my most powerful and delicate experience, made for the country itself,” confesses Isabelle, who, together with Hervé Lemoine of the Mobilier National, has long collaborated with Madame Macron. “The most respectable person you’ve ever met,” she confesses. “I live in the 1st arrondissement, near the Jardins du Palais Royal, a quiet area, full of greenery and art galleries. But in my ideal list, I consider the 18th the most fascinating, the 6th the most trendy and the 7th the most chicContinues the architect. Which also suggests places not to be missed.
Rodin’s Paris and its secluded squares
The garden of the Rodin Museum. Photo courtesy Atout France
«The Rodin Museum, in a private 18th century palacethe Musée des Arts Décoratifs, in the Marsan area of the Louvre Palace, and the Musée national Picasso-Paris. But also somewhat secluded squares, such as Place Dauphine and Place de Furstenberg, the latter hidden near Boulevard Saint-Germain and surrounded by Haussmannian architecture ». And while her fashion shopping is concentrated at Statement, St. Laurent, Céline and Acne, the relaxation breaks are at the Holidermie spa and the gastronomic ones, instead, at Cibus, an Italian trattoria in rue Molière, at Takara, the oldest Japanese, at Ferdi “who has the best cheeseburger” or at the Meurice Hotel there, for the brunch appointment. “One day Paris will be the most beautiful metropolis in the world that will bring together past, present and future. A museum city. A garden city, I’m sure“.
A neighborhood that sparkles like a diamond
«Paris is an inexhaustible source of inspiration. I admire its architecture, the skill of its craftsmen, its energy. It is strong, multi-faceted like a diamond. Historical, futuristic, romantic. Its diversity makes it so beautiful. And she will never cease to amaze me, because she reinvents herself every day ». Valérie Messika, CEO and artistic director of her high jewelery house (messika.com), who has cleared through customs the preciousness of gems with a modern design, lives just outside Paris, but every day is in the his office in the 9th arrondissement.
Valérie Messika, CEO of the high jewelery maison of the same name. Photo by David Ferrua
The markets and the long Seine
«I love it very much, there are large avenues but also cobbled alleys and craft shops. From one street to another the atmosphere changes rapidly, and that’s what I like “. Walking aimlessly, forgetting about time. “I recommend it to everybody. I love to walk around theÎle Saint-Louis, along the Seine. Stop for a coffee at the Flore or for a ice cream from Berthillonand I have a soft spot for antiques markets, like the Marché aux Puces in Saint Ouen, and for gastronomic ones, including the Marché des Enfants Rougesa concentrate of cultures and flavors ».
An antiques shop at the Marché aux Puces in Saint Ouen, one of Valérie Messika’s favorite places for shopping.
Speaking of taste, among the restaurants where he is a regular, the bistro La Poule au pot, bistrot, Gigi Paris, décor signed by Hugo Toro, Italian menu and views of the Eiffel Tower, and Loulou, at the Musée des Arts Decoratifs, which is perfect for a lunch with friends because it recalls the charm and audacity of Loulou de la Falaise, muse of Yves Saint – Laurent. “I also like to go there with Jean Baptist and my husband. We fell in love here in Paris, where we raised our daughters. I am always surrounded by love, which is why I decided to start my company here. Pure love, that’s how I would define Paris ».
Here the city is very sweet
It is the cheffe pâtissière of the Relais & Châteaux restaurant Le Taillevent2 Michelin stars, which for decades has embodied Parisian haute gastronomy. Emilie Couturier she is young, determined and demanding. In short, Parisian.
Emilie Couturier, cheffe pâtissière at the Relais & Châteaux Le Taillevent restaurant. Portraits Groupe Gardinie
“What I admire most in the women of Paris is the ability to take care of themselves and gracefully juggle between work commitments and family life” reveals Emilie, who lives in the 16th arrondissement, a residential area founded on the ancient village Passy. where there is also the Bois de Boulogne, the English park among the most popular with locals. “I love her calm, the small shops, the serene air. But if I am looking for a more vibrant atmosphere I go to the Maraisfor niche restaurants, bars and boutiques, although I have a penchant for fashion shopping on rue Saint Honoré, with the historic tea rooms nearby.
The chef’s shopping
The Relais & Châteaux Le Taillevent restaurant, in Paris, where Emilie Couturier is cheffe pâtissière.
For gastronomic purchases I choose La Grande Épicerie, on the Left Bank»Continues Emilie. Besides Le Taillevent, who knows what her favorite restaurants are. “Clamato, with a bistronomic concept, halfway between a bistro and a gastronomic place, specializing in fish and seafood. But also Frenchie Bar à Vin, for its convivial atmosphere and good wine selection“. A curiosity. What if Paris were a dessert? «The most Parisian of desserts for me is Saint-Honoré. But I also imagine it as a fruity dessert, or creamy with hints of vanilla, or perhaps with more texture, variegated, as it is. Crunchy and soft. It is a wonderful city, which I would only like to be more sustainable, but which I never stop thanking. And then, right here, I also found love ».
The places of the designer’s heart
Russian origins, even if she is a true “Left Bank girl”, the soul of the most intellectual and bohemian city. Alexandra Golovanoff she is a fashion designer, also a television personality.
Alexandra Golovanoff, fashion designer of knitwear, jeans and swimwear.
After its line of cashmere knitwear in cosmetic colors, it is launching Le golo, a new high-waisted jeans model and expanding its swimwear collection. «I imagine Paris as a strong, feminine woman, always a bit rushed and determined. the I live in the 6th arrondissement, of which I love the rhythm and the neighborhood spirit, like a small village, where I like to shop to Le Bon Marché for the selection of fashion, beauty and food it offers “says Alexandra, who, in addition to her two boutiques in rue de Varenne and in rue Saint Honoréloves Charlotte Chesnais jewels and Pierre Hardy ai footwear Jardins du Palais Royala charming address a stone’s throw from the Louvre.
Charming hotels
The JK Palace hotel in Paris.
“Among the classic places I recommend Place Saint Sulpice, an authentic Parisian squaremuseums like the Luxembourg or the Maillot, small but interesting. And then the many gardens: for me the Jardin Catherine Labouréconnected to the convent of the Filles de la Charité, near Les Invalides, rich in fragrant lime trees, with wall vineyards and a vegetable garden. The most contemporary area? I’d say the 10th arrondissement: it has been reborn and there the multiethnic and dynamic face of the city resurfaces“. Among the places in Alexandra’s heart, Maisie Caféfor a vegan lunch with friends and Le Bar des Près for a cocktail, while among hotels he has a predilection for JK Place, as intimate as a private home, not far from home. “For me Paris is forever. It is pure beauty and magic. Tomorrow? I would like it, I confess, just a little cleaner and ecolo ”».
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