48 hours in
Paris
This weekend Uzma was in Paris for Paris Fashion Week launching the Resort ’19 collection with our new Paris Show Room K&H Comms.
Upon her return to the studio we grilled her for all the juicy details and travel tips and we thought we’d share them with you!
Tell us about launching the collection in Paris…
The collection was presented by our new Paris Showroom, K&H Comms in a beautiful hotel situated in the Les Halles area.
Eager to explore Paris on foot in the beautiful summer weather we decided to stay close to the showroom, and as it was our first weekend away without our daughter, we treated ourselves to a stay at the beautiful Hotel Bachaumont. With an elegant modern art deco style (a project by Dorothée Meilichzon) there was design inspiration everywhere – not least from our balcony which overlooked the street providing and endless stream of people watching – Parisienne street style on tap!
The people watching didn’t end there- with the K&H team taking care of the appointments, my husband and I were free to explore the area so the café’s lining the streets of Rue de Montorgueil were our first stop. A relaxed breakfast- croissant’s and coffee for me, fresh fruits and omelet for him (gluten free in Paris, what torture!) prepared us for the day – we wanted to make the most of our first trip away for 5 years without our miniature travel companion.
After breakfast the Passage du Grand Cerf was our first stop – traditionally housing crafts people, it was a must see for us, and we were delighted to find quirky interiors, art and antiques stores. Linking the cobbled streets of Rue Dussoubs and Rue Saint-Denis, the stunning glass roof and independent stores create a beautiful space to wander and explore.
Being total foodies, the gluten free aspect of our trip didn’t last long – who can resist French patisseries? We found the best croissants at Stohrer whilst Odettehad the most divine choix buns, and not forgetting the girls in the studio- Ladurée macarons and François Pralus brioche made perfect presents to bring home for the team.
Making the most of our French freedom, we dined out at AG Restaurant, chef Alan Geaam’s latest venture in Les Halles, the old market district of Paris. Monsieur Geaam is a true alchemist creating mouthwatering combinations you would never think could work. Constructed in the art-deco premises of a former popular nightclub with plush contemporary interiors, the whole experience was magical.
On Sunday we had appointments with independent boutiques and large department stores lined up to view the new collection, we didn’t want to wander far from the show room. However, we couldn’t resist treating ourselves to a little retail therapy between meetings.
Having just moved house, interiors are our thing and so we made our way to Clignancourt and Marché aux Puces de St Ouen which together make up the world’s biggest flea market. As we have a love for unique pieces with a story to tell, we were in absolute heaven. Here we picked up a few small pieces for the house including a 1940’s oil painting of flamingoes in the tropics, perfect for our Colonial style guest room and of course a present for our daughter – an antique children’s croquet set, great entertainment for lazy summer days in our garden.
When our meetings had finished for the day, we ventured further afield to The Marais in the 4thArr. via Rue Rambuteau which was filled with street artists and flower vendors. The Marais itself was a joy to explore on a hot summers evening – cobbled streets and small crooked lanes are home to original French architecture, which survived The Revolution’s redevelopment. Here, history and art collided as we spotted the most amazing street art (an instagrammers paradise… cue impromptu photoshoot!) providing us with even more inspiration for the new season!
Uzma’s quick guide to 48hrs in Paris:
- Find the best boutiques in the 2nd Arrondisement
- Don’t miss the walk along Rue Rambuteau to the Marais – the street artists and colourful flower stalls create a vivid atmosphere.
- Head to Yann Couvreur patisserie for coffee and melt in the middle salted chocolate cookies – get take out and head to Jardin Anne-Frank.
- Hang out with the cool kids at rooftop restaurant Kong – grab a table by the window for views across the river.
- Travel on foot and be inquisitive – we would have missed so many exciting things if we had taken the metro – each corner we turned unveiled more experiences.
- Wear flat shoes so you can adventure further.
