Loving Paris
Paris, the moveable feast. A city so dear to me that I dream about it at night and day dream about it while I’m awake. Friends often ask for my Paris addresses, after a decade of spending as much time in Paris as possible I have dedicated a space right here with a list of my tips on art, food, coffee, shopping and mooching while visiting this heart throb city. It feels like a second home, I spend a good month or so in Paris most years. I work on beautiful photo and video projects in this city, visit galleries, eat well, think, celebrate, dance & wander. My brother and nephew are there, it’s my best friend’s hometown (her family are my French family) & I have been lucky to make dear friends who show me the Parisian way. Below I share with you some of my favourite places to be while in Paris!
For context, the love affair for this place began in 1998, I first visited as a 3 year old on a trip with my family. Mum gifted me a red beret and we had a family picnic near the Eiffel Tower. I don’t remember much, but our weekend in Paris had big influence on my imagination. As a little girl I told everyone in my hometown that I would go on to have a honeymoon in Paris one day. Instead of reading books before bed I’d ask to look at photo albums from our trip. A few years later we called our cheeky standard poodle, Paris Connole. I spent 15 years of childhood dreaming to return to the city. I think when you love a place enough it starts to love you back. Fast forward to 2026, my connection to Paris is strong. I feel so alive there, I’ve been lucky enough to work with French artists and gallerists, and have my work published in Vanity Fair France, Le Monde Magazine and Elle France. I really feel that it’s time to be speaking more French… Ah la la is about all I say… So maybe by admitting that here, I’ll start taking lessons again!
For those looking for some tips for your upcoming holiday, I feel so lucky to have an answer for you & I hope with the help of these addresses that you have the most exceptional moments in Paris ❤️ If you have any tips for me I’d also love to know your most loved parts of the city.
Coffee
Coutume - Great coffee
Cafe de Terrer - Also great coffee.
Cafe de Flore - More the hot chocolate.
Kitsune Palais Royal - Love the coffee and sweets, such a beautiful location too.
Ralph’s - Hit and miss coffee but I don’t care I love it.
Rose Bakery - Tea cake and iced coffee near the shoe department of Le Bon Marche.
Eating
Fontaine du Mars - I love this place in all seasons it’s 11/10.
Hando - When you’re craving something other than French, exceptional sushi!
Alfis - I celebrated my 30th birthday here with Australian and French friends and family. Very special little Italian spot.
Le Petit Lutetia - The Sole is unbelievable.
Brasserie Lipp - Steak yum!
Lunch Hotel Particular - On a nice day it’s beautiful in their garden.
Ralph’s - For the best burger in town.
Drinking
Harry’s - Of course!
La Palette - The best best. Croque Monsieur a must especially if you’re settling in at this wonderful spot.
Cafe Marley - I would recommend Champagne here with the view of the Louvre.
Gardens/ Picnic spots
Vivienne Garden
Jardin Catherine Laboure - Gather your picnic supplies from Le Bon Marche Food shop and walk to the garden. Make a stop at Fromagerie Quatrehomme to get your cheese. Chocolate from Chocolat Foucher, the little florentines are insane.
Palais Royal
Gardens of Versaille
Sacre Coeur- Less of a picnic spot, but so wonderful to wander through Montmartre and watch the sunset across Paris from Sacre Coeur.
Galleries/ Museums
The Spaceless Gallery, check their current Paris locations. The place to fall in love with the art and take it back home with you.
Foundation Louis Vuitton
Le Louvre
Claude Monet’s House & Garden - Giverny day trip.
Pompidou
Palais de Tokyo
Musee National Picasso-Paris
Versaille & the Estate of Trianon - I particularly loved walking through the public gardens to the Estate of Trianon.
Shopping
Le Bon Marche - all the way. It has an amazing curated collection of beautiful things. Clothing, shoes, homewares, stationary & more. Also a wonderful children’s department for gift giving.
Wander around the Marais, start near Diptyque
Merci store - Love love this boutique, a cute coffee/book shop here too. Fashion & design, it’s all incredibly beautiful.
Brique Braque Markets - Marché aux Puces de Saint-Ouen (Porte de Clignancourt)
Selina Optique - French handmade sunglasses, Carolyn Bessette Kennedy’s favourites.
Hotels
Hotel Grand Cayre
Hotel Particular
Airbnb in the Marais or 6th or 7th
Maison du Val (if you’re wanting to stay out of Paris and near the Forrest this is Louis XIV old hunting lodge).
To receive the catalogue with my Paris photographic prints, reach out via email - ask@gabconnole.com.
Bisous xx
