Welcome to How I Holiday, a series of travel stories and recommendations shared by friends of Urban List from Aotearoa and Australia.
Claire Perini of Composition Showroom has our dream job—scouring the world for precious vintage finds that tell stories about life and love. Here, the curator of design and treasure collector curates something else entirely: an intimate guide to the city of love.
Why is Paris special to you?
Paris should be special to everyone, it's full of stories and it's just one of the most magical cities to meander through, or as the French would say; flâner. Every visit, I fall a little more in love and look a little more seriously into real estate. My main draw to France and Paris is the rich historical relationship with design and decor. There's no end to the visual satisfaction it offers and the inspiration it draws out. Aside from this, I'm less of a tourist in France than a recurring character, an alley cat of sorts, in some fantasy world I live in (Perhaps this is to escape the tragic reality that I was born and bred Western Australian.)
What's a core memory you have from Paris?
It's such a daunting question when I try to think of just one, there have been so many. I think the ‘core memories’ of Paris for me are simply trying to live like a Parisian and experience the city. Last time I was there before I met with my team, I spent the morning walking the city to Museé Rodin, my favourite gallery in the world. I had a solo lunch of escargot and chèvre chaud avec vin rouge at one of the many restaurants between me and Le Bon Marché. In the afternoon, I met with some former colleagues from Akin Atelier, and we tried Bar Nouveau. I highly recommend this petite and precious cocktail bar in Le Marais. In the evening, I had dinner with a French friend, which consisted of take-away Caviar from Kaviari Delicatessen [60 Rue Francois Miron, 75504]. See below for the best meal in Paris.
Where should people eat, drink, stay and play in Paris?
It is so personal and passion-dependent. I love to stay in Le Marais when I’m feeling like being a part of the scene. I love the people watching there, the fashion is at its best, and there's always something chic happening. I love Montmartre too, the little vintage shops sprawled have been home to some of my favourite finds. It's a little touristy in areas, so it's best to stay clear of the basilica. If you’re not an antique dealer (or totally nuts), between the 5th and 6th Arr is always popular, for a great value for money hotel.
Hotels I love:
- Soho House: You don’t have to be a member to stay, but I do love to stay here around the world when I'm travelling solo. I always meet interesting people.
- Hotel Les Bains, a former discothèque
- Chateau Voltaire, it's dreamy
- Hotel des academies et des arts—it's very affordable, but super chic. There's a room here for guests to draw and be creative, leaving their mark behind. Also, across the road is one of my favourite vintage book stores.
What's the best meal you've ever had in Paris?
Honestly, the best meal I have ever had in Paris was an accidental purchase of beluga caviar, where somehow even between two Australians our translation was lost but our souls were oh so satisfied. There are so many amazing restaurants in Paris, but all my favourite memories are in the bars with little snacks and long conversations. Mostly they involve me trying to speak French, emphasis on the trying. My favourite little spots to go are:
- Cave Septime
- Les Bains (late-night caviar and martinis in a discotheque designed by Verner Panton)
- Bar Nouveau
- YARD
- Bambino
- Bar Principal
- Furia
- Le cave de Belleville
- Racines des prés
- Le Clown Bar
Where are the best spots to shop vintage in Paris?
Honestly, in Paris, for the experience, Les Puces in Saint-Ouen. It's where a mixture of trading resellers such as myself, tourists and local Parisians go to shop. You can find a mixture of anything there. My only advice, unless you have to, do not eat there, overpriced, slow and underwhelming, and pick-pocketing is a real thing, be wise. Otherwise, I tend to lean towards vintage fashion in Paris, some of my favourite spots are:
- Palace Callas
- Bobby, 3rd Arr
- Thank god I’m a VIP, Le Marais.
- The Parisian Vintage
- Re-See
- If you’re heading to the markets, there are a few of my favourite vintage fashion spots there, one of them is ‘Les Merveilles de Babellou’ in Marché Paul Bert. If you're ever on the hunt for a phenomenal piece for an event, this is the place. I drool over everything in here. Think peak 1990s vintage Chanel and rare runway pieces.
When's the best time of year to travel to Paris?
Whenever you can, Paris is always magical. I typically avoid mid-summer if I’m vacationing, as the locals travel south and the city is mostly full of tourists. Everything is booked typically, and if you do want to visit museums, you’ll be waiting hours. My favourite time of year is April. Also, a nice time if you want to hop, skip and jump south to Morocco after, which I always do.
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Photo Credit: Claire Perini