I Prefer Paris

Redesign of Boutique Maison Baccarat and Restaurant

I remember visiting Paris in the early 2003 before I moved here, and going to the newly opened Baccarat showroom, museum, and restaurant. Located in the 16^th arrondissement in a former hotel particulier owned by Marie-Laure de Noailles, a descendant of Marquis de Sade, it was designed by Phillipe Starck, and the restaurant was under chef Guy Martin. Entering the lobby, there was an enormous chandelier immersed in a water tank, followed by an exquisitely designed showroom showing off the dazzling Baccarat product line, and then a grand staircase to the second floor which housed the museum, and the Cristal Room restaurants, which was one of the most beautiful dining rooms I had ever seen at the time.

The showroom closed for a while last year for renovations and reopened at the end of 2024. Gone are the whimsical Starck details, replaced by a dramatic red enamel, cage like structure in the center of the main floor showroom with a dining table set with stunning crystal and china. The grand staircase is still intact, and on the second floor, the dining room has been modernized, and Alain Ducasse and his team have taken over the kitchen. Midi-Minuit is the accompanying cocktail bar and snack cafe, open 12pm to midnight, with renowned mixologist Margot Decarpentier, shaking up her custom designed cocktails and mocktails. In the garden is the Jardin Restaurant and Bar, a terrace serving more casual fare, drinks, and afternoon tea.

 

Boutique Maison Baccarat/ Ducasse Baccarat

11 Pl. des États-Unis, 75116

https://baccarat-worldnews.com/en/downloads/maison-baccarat-paris/

Come experience Eye Prefer Paris live with Eye Prefer Paris Tours, which are walking tours I personally lead. Eye Prefer Paris Tours include many of the places I have written about such as small museums & galleries, restaurants, cafes, food markets, secret addresses, fashion & home boutiques, parks and gardens and much more.  In addition to my specialty Marais Tour, I also lead tours of Montmartre, St. Germain, Latin Quarter, in addition to Shopping Tours, Food Tours, Flea Market Tours, Paris Highlights Tours,Vintage Clothing  Tours, and Chocolate & Pastry tours.

Tours start at 275€ for up to 3 people, and 90€ for each additional person. I look forward to meeting you on my tours and it will be my pleasure and delight to show you, my insiders, Paris.

Easter at La Grande Epicerie

This season, La Grande Epicerie has an incredible selection of the most adorable Easter eggs and chocolates. It’s a mélange of many different brands, with imaginative and fun packaging.

My favorite ones are the hollowed out, brown eggs filled with jelly candies, chocolate bits, and meringue yolk and whites in Easter color egg cartons.

38 rue de Sevres, 75007

https://www.lagrandeepicerie.com/

 

 

 

April in Paris 2025: Spring Flowers and Blooms

It’s April in Paris, and the last two weeks, we have been blessed with the most beautiful weather with temperatures in the mid-60s Fahrenheit, azure, blue skies, and dazzling sunshine.

I was giving a Saint Germain Tour and on the side streets, the Luxembourg Gardens, and Square Boucicaut, there were glorious flowers, and trees in bloom. The horse chestnut trees were sprouting their lovely pink and white blooms, vibrant tulips stood proud, cherry blossoms abounded, and flower shops were showing off their plump hydrangeas.

Have you ever been in Paris in April?

Come experience Eye Prefer Paris live with Eye Prefer Paris Tours, which are walking tours I personally lead. Eye Prefer Paris Tours include many of the places I have written about such as small museums & galleries, restaurants, cafes, food markets, secret addresses, fashion & home boutiques, parks and gardens and much more.  In addition to my specialty Marais Tour, I also lead tours of Montmartre, St. Germain, Latin Quarter, in addition to Shopping Tours, Food Tours, Flea Market Tours, Paris Highlights Tours,Vintage Clothing  Tours, and Chocolate & Pastry tours.

Tours start at 275€ for up to 3 people, and 90€ for each additional person. I look forward to meeting you on my tours and it will be my pleasure and delight to show you, my insiders, Paris.

 

 

Bordallo Pinheiro Ceramics Boutique

During my stroll in 7^th arrondissement last week, where I discovered the Doors of the Month, that I posted on Monday, I found another delightful discovery.

Bordallo Pinheiro is a delightful boutique with the most colorful and amusing ceramics. It’s like walking in the Garden of Eve, only everything is ceramic. Cabbages, cantaloupes, watermelons, lemons, strawberries, tomatoes, pumpkins, coconuts, and pineapples are magically transformed into serving pieces, bowls, plates, mugs, pitchers, soup tureens, plates, hanging lamps,  and trays. Birds, animals, and butterflies are also part of the collection. The effect is whimsical and very tempting.

Rafael Bordalo Pinheiro (21 March 1846 – 23 January 1905), was originally an artist known for his drawings, illustrations, and caricatures, and in 1885, opened a ceramics factory in Portugal, and the factory today still produces their products. Supermodel form the 1990s, Claudia Schiffer, has designed a collection for Bordallo Pinheiro.

260 Blvd. Saint Germain, 75007

https://eu.bordallopinheiro.com/

LOVE the lamps

Come experience Eye Prefer Paris live with Eye Prefer Paris Tours, which are walking tours I personally lead. Eye Prefer Paris Tours include many of the places I have written about such as small museums & galleries, restaurants, cafes, food markets, secret addresses, fashion & home boutiques, parks and gardens and much more.  In addition to my specialty Marais Tour, I also lead tours of Montmartre, St. Germain, Latin Quarter, in addition to Shopping Tours, Food Tours, Flea Market Tours, Paris Highlights Tours,Vintage Clothing  Tours, and Chocolate & Pastry tours.

Tours start at 275€ for up to 3 people, and 90€ for each additional person. I look forward to meeting you on my tours and it will be my pleasure and delight to show you, my insiders, Paris.

Doors of the Month: 7th Arrondissement

April in Paris 2025, has been glorious so far with sunny days and temperatures in the low to mid 60s Fahrenheit. I met a friend last week for lunch in Saint Germain, and it was so beautiful outside, I decided to stroll down Boulevard Saint Germain, to where it ends in the 7^th arrondissement, and then over to Place de la Concorde.

While walking, I noticed some interesting doors I haven’t captured before on rue de Lille, Blvd. Saint Germain, and rue de Bellechasse. Do you have some favorites?

Come experience Eye Prefer Paris live with Eye Prefer Paris Tours, which are walking tours I personally lead. Eye Prefer Paris Tours include many of the places I have written about such as small museums & galleries, restaurants, cafes, food markets, secret addresses, fashion & home boutiques, parks and gardens and much more.  In addition to my specialty Marais Tour, I also lead tours of Montmartre, St. Germain, Latin Quarter, in addition to Shopping Tours, Food Tours, Flea Market Tours, Paris Highlights Tours,Vintage Clothing  Tours, and Chocolate & Pastry tours.

Tours start at 275€ for up to 3 people, and 90€ for each additional person. I look forward to meeting you on my tours and it will be my pleasure and delight to show you, my insiders, Paris.