Top Romantic Experiences in Paris

I recently shared an article about top romantic experiences in Paris, for Bonjour Paris. Here are my top choices. Read more of my articles about new hotels and restaurants, local fashion, and life in Paris in Bonjour Paris.

There exist an infinite number of reasons why Paris is considered the City of Love. With its centuries-old architecture reflecting the city’s storied past, intimate café terraces inviting for a café crème and a dose of people watching, and former mansions turned culturally-rich museums, how not to become smitten? A simple stroll along the Seine River, with a stop along one of the 37 bridges connecting the left and right banks to admire the sunset, is enough to feel a pull at your heartstrings. Add a romantic partner and there’s no more dreamy place on earth.

When it comes to intimate experiences in Paris, there are plenty, from perfume workshops to fashion tours to twilight photoshoots (by a couple no less). Each one draws on the city’s unique charm and regardless of the occasion, will be recalled like a living love letter. Here are a few of the most romantic activities to book during your next visit.

Check-in to one of 28 rooms or seven artfully themed suites at the newly refurbished Seven Hotel in the Latin Quarter and escape into the sensual glamour of the 1970s complete with a hot tub on the terrace. In some rooms, the poetic Japanese-inspired décor invites you into a haven of zen. There’s even a suite dedicated to music, outfitted with a piano and a record player. Add a custom couples’ massage in the subterranean Wellness Chapel or from the comfort of your room, and you may never check out. Teaming up with Holissence, indulgent treatments include a Kobido or Marma massage, Gua Sha facial, reiki, yoga and sound healing.

Immerse yourself along with your king or queen into France’s most regal chapter with a private tour of the Palace of Versailles. The opulence of Marie Antoinette’s former home can best be admired by walking through the château, from the dazzling Hall of Mirrors and the ornate State Apartments, while learning all about the palace’s history. The tour continues through the Royal Gardens with their perfectly manicured grounds and thrilling fountains, all the way to the Petit Trianon, the queen’s private residence.

There’s no lack of patisseries in the culinary capital, with scents of buttery croissants wafting through the morning air. All the more reason to learn this refined craft by taking a pastry class at the hands of a master baker. Whether it’s macarons, eclairs, or French tartes that tempt your sweet tooth, baking together and binging on your creations never tasted so good. An added bonus – views of the River Seine will prove the perfect Parisian backdrop.

Where better to learn how to draw or to improve your skills than with a talented artist surrounded by the world’s top collections of sculptures and paintings? Join artist Maja Wisniewska for a private drawing lesson at the Louvre or Rodin Museum where you’ll discover a new side to anatomy. Having studied at the prestigious École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts followed by exhibitions of her work throughout Paris, Wisniewska is an expert when it comes to the human form.

Aspiring wine aficionados can determine exactly what blend of grapes whet their palates while discovering France’s 11 dominant wine regions, sip by sip. Your seasoned sommelier will introduce you to small wine producers while explaining the art of wine pairing. Every wine tasting experience is tailor-made to accommodate small groups and will leave you with a deeper understanding and appreciation for reds, whites, rosés, and bubbles.

Paris Lockdown: Act Three

It’s well over a year into this global pandemic and these lockdown days, it often feels like we’re back where we started, at least here in Paris. Last April I shared scenes of a nearly empty Paris. I also wrote about what Paris is like without tourists for Fodor’s. These days, with the sun shining brightly and the promise of summer in the air, the city is far from empty and this lockdown (our third) is far from strict. Notes are not necessary and masks must be worn. We are free to roam up to 10 kilometers from home until 7 pm curfew beckons us back.

All along the quays, tourist boats lay idle, waiting for their turn to coast along the Seine, filled with eager onlookers hopping on and off to view the sights.

With schools closed in April, many locals have left the city for homes and home-schooling in the countryside.

Parks and gardens fill up with life during the weekends. Alcohol is no longer allowed to be served or drunk outside, attempting to limit the number of people gathering.

Restaurants and cafes remain closed since October, creating outdoor dining and picnics wherever possible. Terraces plan to reopen in mid-May.

With museums closed and now shops too, activities are limited. The French sport of Pétanque is often played in the gardens of the Palais Royal and along the Seine, reminding us of normal pre-pandemic days.

Most of all, simply sitting on a bench and watching the flowers in bloom, reading a book, or speaking with a good friend, is keeping us sane.

It’s impossible to predict how life in Paris will unravel in the months to follow. But I like to believe the city will reopen soon, both for the Parisians and ex-pats proud to call it home and for those who long to return.

Sleeping with the Stars

Lights, Camera, Action! Welcome, Hotel Paradiso, the first cinema hotel to open its doors, inviting cinephiles from around the world to make themselves at home. Having spent the night at this star-studded hotel created by Nathanaël and Elisha Karmitz of mk2, allow me to share the cinematic experience. Photos by Romain Ricard.

Each of the 34 rooms at Hotel Paradiso in Paris’s right bank is minimally outfitted in colorful decor and original artwork, some with balconies, while two spacious suites feature new releases. Artists JR and Christian Boltanski discreetly fill the space both inside and out. Can you spot Charlie Chaplin?

We happily settled into our well-appointed room, which included a bathtub in direct view of the 3-meter wide projection screen. A film while taking a bath, anyone? And yes, sweet and savory snacks including popcorn are part of the treats on offer.

With a careful curation of both classic films and newer releases, what to watch? We scanned the hundreds of films and found more than a few that piqued our interest, settling on two indie films. While Bob’s Juice Bar offers healthy eats well into the night (and a heavenly breakfast), we opted for sushi delivery from a local spot.

For the dedicated cinephiles, Hotel Paradiso includes private screening rooms from which you can watch films of your choice, including new releases from the VIP room directly above the movie theater. There’s also a karaoke room for after hours.

Another unique feature at Hotel Paradiso is their open-air cinema on the rooftop, with spectacular views of Paris far into the distance. For that, and of course, to catch the latest films in their mk2 movie theater, we’ll be back!

Travel by Bag

While I love to design bags, clutches, and purses, more recently I created something a little different, a combination of my sashes and purses. This hands-free bag, or what I consider a more chic version of the fanny pack, is essentially a sash or a belt, worn by both men and women. As with all of my collections the Kasia Dietz city sashes are limited edition, inspired by travel and made in Paris. What’s more, these stylish sash bags available in one or two pocket versions are reversible! All photos by the talented Catherine O’Hara.

Each sash bag is inspired by a city as these sashes are perfect for running around, or even simply just running.

I remember the days when money belts were used for traveling. These sashes worn around the waist/hips or across the body safely hold money, smartphones, passports… the ideal unisex travel accessory! Travel by bag to Paris, London, New York or Tokyo, take your pick!

I hope you enjoy these sash bags as much as I loved creating them! Stay tuned for more in the months ahead.

Black-Owned Businesses in Paris

Given the state of the world at the moment and the need for every single one of us to take action and support #BlackLivesMatter, I’m sharing over a dozen addresses owned and run by black entrepreneurs in Paris. While they are no different than any of us living our dreams in the French capital, I’d like to highlight these men and women and hope that you will join me in supporting them from afar, or during your next trip to Paris.

Discover the African side of Paris by taking a custom tour with Little Africa. Started by Jacqueline Ngo Mpii, you can also order her Afrique à Paris guide book, here.

Another tour guide worth knowing who also plans events and elopements in Paris is fashionable Yanique Francis at My Parisian Life.

For gorgeous table linens and antiques to buy or rent, look no further than Madame de la Maison founded by Nigerian-born ex-New Yorker Ajiri Aki.

For the BEST mani-pedi and spa treatment in Paris, head straight to Free Persephone in the right bank, where owner Lauren Creecy will greet you with her usual charm.

Find your perfect shade of lipstick thanks to make-up artist Gabrielle Eymard. Her eponymous label offers a range of long-lasting and cruelty-free cosmetics.

For one-of-a-kind contemporary clothing with a feminine flair that’s all made in Paris, discover Caribbean-born designer Kate Mack.

Family-owned boutique Maison Château Rouge offers a colorful collection of African-inspired apparel and accessories for both men and women.

Head over to Mukasa for housewares, clothing, and jewelry hand-crafted by artisans in Mouki Clément’s father’s village in Cameroon.

First founded by Senegalese Alioune Diop in 1947 as a magazine which featured many of the best known Francophone African writers, since 1949 Présence Africaine expanded into a bookstore and publishing house.

As for where to dine on the best African cuisine in Paris, head over to Okay Africa’s Diaspora Eats: 11 of the Best African Restaurants in Paris.

Meanwhile, discover the healing power of food (and a look at real life in Paris) by listening to podcast Dinner for One created by former New Yorker Sutanya.

When Isabelle and Ali left New York City and headed to Paris, they missed getting together with friends on Sunday in SoHo. And that’s how their inviting healthy eats restaurant and café came to life.

For all things wine-related, Tanisha Townsend runs Girl Meets Glass in which she offers wine and food pairing experiences. Tanisha also hosts wine podcast Wine School Dropout and teaches wine courses.

Chocolate lovers take note! Edwin Yansané’s chocolate shops Edwart Chocolatier Paris, located in the Marais and near Place de la Concorde serve up some of the most heavenly and original chocolate in the city. You can also learn to make your own at their Concorde location.

Eager to learn to cook French cuisine? Book a cooking class at family-owned Cook’n With Class Paris. Their second school is in the town of Uzès in Provence.

For any and all information on black life and culture in Paris, including gourmet activities and tours, head over to Entrée to Black Paris.

The Return to Freedom in Paris

There are few places in the world as captivating as the quays along Paris’s river Seine, especially in the springtime, but any season proves ethereal. At least for this adopted local. Having been off-limits for the past two months due to the pandemic, it’s no wonder so many Parisians flocked to this pedestrian-only kilometers long expanse on our first weekend of deconfinement, or what I call the return to freedom.

While the sun continues to shine brightly as a reminder that summer is just around the corner, what now? Are Parisians behaving responsibly given their privilege of freedom? From what I could tell, spending Saturday afternoon biking along the river and Sunday evening snapping these photos, adults and kids alike are soaking up social contact. Half of those I passed were wearing masks, and almost everyone was respectful of space, remaining in small groups at a safe distance from one another. In other parts of the city, I’m not so sure.

What I hope we all understand, and by all I mean, EVERYONE EVERYWHERE is that just because we are allowed outside and shops are open again, with schools to follow and restaurants soon after, COVID-19 is far from over.

By now we all know someone afflicted with this deadly virus, and none of us are completely safe until a proven vaccine is developed. In order for life to continue safely for all us, please be mindful of each other. Wear a mask, continue to socially distance, and do what you can to help those more vulnerable.

Life will return to normal in time. We’ll all be able to travel beyond our homes, dine with friends at favorite eateries, fly to exotic locales, hug and offer bises freely… and this chapter will feel like a bad dream. But until then, let’s respect the ‘new normal’ and keep ourselves and those around us safe.

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