One Thousand and One Nights lounge at the Maison Souquet hotel, Paris.
In these moments in which we yearn more than ever to return to the city of light, we offer you these different ideas to live and relive the Paris of curious, insatiable Parisians or aesthetes.
1. BROWSE ALAIN BRIEUX'S MYSTERIOUS BOOKSTORE
In this librairie specializing in old medicine and science books, its volumes are mixed with archaic measuring or surgical devices, microscopes, globes, engravings, collectibles, anatomy pieces or glass eyes... as a way of endearing and mysterious cabinet de curiosités. And as its owner, Jean-Bernard Gillot, tells us: "The most extraordinary object in the bookstore is the one that is yet to arrive" (48 rue Jacob, 75006).
Alain Brieux Bookstore
2. PAINT IN A MUSEUM
The beautiful Musée Cognacq-Jay offers educational and cultural activities such as its visits L'art de vivre au XVIIIe siècle; or their ateliers for initiation to drawing, watercolor, or pastel. His program Dans les secrets des chefs-d'œuvre invites the public to discover the secrets and techniques used in his collection. They also offer workshops and children's entertainment (8 rue Elzevir, 75003).
Musee Cognacq-Jay
3.A ZEN PARENTHESIS IN A JAPANESE GARDEN
The 16th neighborhood is home to the garden of l'hôtel d'Heidelbach, hidden in a neoclassical-inspired mansion. The exquisite Japanese garden boasts a Buddhist temple surrounded by amazing vegetation of cherry trees, maples, ferns, bamboos, bonsai, and a tea pavilion where you can take refuge on winter sunsets (19 avenue d'Iéna, 75116).
Garden of the hotel d'Heidelbach.
4. ENTER A GALLO-ROMAN REMAINING
The Quartier Latin of Paris preserves the ruins of Les arenes de Lutèce, a large Gallo-Roman amphitheater built in the 1st century, used both as an arena, where up to 15,000 spectators attended to watch gladiatorial combat, and to stage plays (49 rue Monge, 75005).
5.TASTE PARISIAN HONEY
On the rooftops of certain symbolic Parisian buildings hives have been installed to collect honey. So you can savor the honey from the Opéra Garnier, on sale only at Christmas, from the Musée d'Orsay, by beekeeper Audric de Campeau, or from Nicolas Géant's Tour d'Argent restaurant, used in the chef's kitchen. Some Palace hotels join the initiative like the Mandarin Oriental or Le Bristol.
6. RUNNING OVER A CHINESE PAGODA
Maison Loo is the former residence of art collector Ching Tsai Loo. Located in the heart of Paris, today it houses a beautiful private museum of asian art (48 rue de Courcelles, 75008).
A pagoda-museum in the center of Paris.
7. SPOTTING A FALSE CATHEDRAL
At the end of the 19th century, rue Réaumur witnessed the first façade competition in Paris, where art nouveau architects displayed their talent. So Philippe Jouannin and Édouard Singery build a majestic building in imitation of a Gothic-style cathedral (61 rue Reaumur, 75002).
8. DISCOVER A BUNKER IN THE HEART OF PARIS
The gare de l'Est bunker hides intact under the station itself and was built in 1939, with an area of 120 m², which could accommodate up to 70 people. It can be visited on special occasions such as the Journées du patrimoine (Place du 11 novembre 1918, 75010).
9. TRAVEL IN TIME
Deyrolle is a magical boutique-cabinet de curiosités from 1831 that presents pedagogical material of natural sciences and beautiful naturalized animals, wolves, lions, zebras or anteaters... To this is added a great variety of spectacular insects, books, minerals and fossils, displayed in a unique setting, with classic and elegant mahogany cabinets (46 rue du Bac, 75006).
Deyrolle is a magical boutique-cabinet de curiosités from 1831
10.POSE HOLLYWOOD STYLE
The legendary Harcourt photography studio, famous since 1934 for its Portrait Prestige, make all kinds of portraits, individual, family or couple, in color or black and white, like those of the movie stars of the 20s (6 rue de Lota, 75116).
11.VISIT THE GARDE REPUBLICINE
A few minutes from the Bastille, at the Cavalerie de la Garde Républicaine, the breaking-in of 140 horses of the 1st Cavalry Squadron takes place. Cultival organizes visits that show the history of its creation from 1802 to the present day, and gives access to the stables and the traditions room (18 Boulevard Henri IV, 75004).
12.FEEL LIKE A CHILD AT THE MUSÉE DES ARTS FORAINS
The magical museum of foreign arts surprises with its dreamlike atmosphere with beautiful carousels from yesteryear and fantastic vintage objects from all over Europe. Its sophisticated Venetian salons or the Théâtre du Merveilleux, a spectacular show rescued from the 19th century (53 Avenue des Terroirs de France, 75012) do not leave you indifferent.
Entrance of the Musée des Arts Forains, Paris.
13.PARTY IN CHINATOWN
In some of the restaurants in the 13th arrondissement, such as Massena, you can immerse yourself in the life of the Chinese community in Paris. start the evening savoring its Asian specialties and ending the night with a bang singing karaoke (13 Place de Venetie, 75013).
14. APPRECIATE THE STARS FROM THE SORBONNE
The Observatoire de la Sorbonne is a former astronomical observatory located in the continuation of the Jardin de Luxembourg, on the roof of the prestigious university. Lovers of the firmament will enjoy their observation telescope with a diameter of 153 mm and a focal length of 2,300 mm (17 rue de la Sorbonne, 75005).
15. ORDER A SOUPE À L'OIGNON GRATINÉE OR SOME OYSTERS AT FOUR IN THE MORNING
The classic 1947 Au Pied de Cochon brasserie is one of the emblematic restaurants in the Halles neighborhood and open 24 hours every day of the week. Its excellent menu offers rich dishes to comfort you after a long party in its beautiful room from the belle époque (6 rue Coquillière, 75001).
Au Pied de Cochon is open 24 hours a day, every day of the week.
16.A STUDY AFTERNOON IN THE BEAUTIFUL CENTER MICHELET
In the Port-Royal neighborhood is the Institut d'art et d'archéologie, which houses the art history faculties of Paris I and the Sorbonne. The striking red brick building, built in the 1920s by architect Paul Bigot, will make you want to be a student again (3 rue Michelet, 75006).
17. TAKE A BREAK IN AN AUTHENTIC ARAB BATH
Behind the Grande Mosquée de Paris you will find a hammam where you can relax in its succession of rooms with increasingly high temperatures . To round off the moment of relaxation, its pleasant tea room offers tasty traditional sweets (39 rue Geoffroy-Saint-Hilaire, 75005).
18.ATTEND A VERY INTIMATE CONCERT
Fever offers its concerts to music lovers Candlelight, charming classical music recitals organized in unusual places and lit only by candles. Its pleasant evenings are ideal for spending magical moments rocked by the intoxicating melodies of Debussy, Chopin, Tchaïkovsky, Rossini or Verdi.
Candlelight, candlelit classical music recitals.
19.VISIT THE CITY IN SIDECAR
Visit the most famous points of the capital, the Place de la Concorde, the Champs-Elysées, the Eiffel Tower or the Invalides in a Retro-tour. let yourself be driven by a Parisian 'Gentleman Sider' who will share his addresses, anecdotes and all his knowledge about the city.
20.SKATING IN A GROUP
On Sunday afternoons, since 1997, the Rollers & Coquillages association has organized excursions in which thousands of skaters gather to cover twenty kilometers through Paris. The starting point is the Place de la Bastille and each week they propose a different itinerary.
21.TASTE A GASTRONOMIC BURGER
Chef Hélène Darroze launches at her restaurant Jòia un burger exquis both to eat on the spot and to take away. This succulent homemade burger is made with a fluffy bun, spiced Angus beef, Canard des Landes foie gras, piquillo peppers, chillies and ketchup maison (39 rue des Jeuneurs, 75002).
Burger by chef Hélène Darroze in Jòia.
22. DANCE IN HISTORICAL DANCE ROOMS
The Éléphant Paname art and dance center is located in the hôtel de la rue Volney, a refined 19th-century mansion, erected for the Russian ambassador to France in the second empire style and later renovated in the 1920s. Thus, this atypical place boasts its monumental staircase, its moldings, windows and its beautiful studios with professional dance floor, where exhibitions, concerts and conferences also take place (10 rue Volney, 75002).
23. SLEEP IN AN OLD MAISON CLOSE
The hotel Maison Souquet, erected in an old brothel from the beginning of the 20th century, it hides behind a discreet façade in the Pigalle district, illuminated by a red lantern. In its decoration, imagined by Jacques Garcia and inspired by the velvety atmosphere of the belle époque, rooms and suites are named after famous courtesans of the time (10 rue de Bruxelles, 75009).
Junior Suite Liane de Pougy I, at the Maison Souquet hotel, Paris.
24. WALKING THE NARROWEST STREET IN THE CAPITAL
It is in the 5th arrondissement of Paris where the rue du Chat-qui-Pêche, whose measurement at its widest part is one meter and 80 centimeters (rue du Chat-qui-Pêche 75005).
25.ADMIRATE THE RESTORATION ATELIER OF THE MUSEE YVES SAINT LAURENT PARIS
Once a month, a member of the museum's conservation service presents the meticulous work of his team, which preserves the maison de couture's collection. Exceptionally for this, they show the public some pieces taken from the reserves, precious treasures of its heritage (5 avenue Marceau, 75116).