“I’ll take you along my 10 favorite places.”
Renée K. is a Dutch Parisienne, known for her book Live like a Parisienne, even if you are very Dutch. In addition to completing her second book, she advises professionals in the field of image and style and teaches style development at the 55 Creative Business School. She shares her life between Amsterdam and Paris on social media. Also take a look at her Instagram and website.
Le Haut Marais
It’s obviously an impossible task, but if I had to choose my favorite neighborhood in Paris, it would be where I live, le Haut Marais (75003), which is below the Place de la République and above the Marais. Here you will find the best of everything that makes Paris Paris: culture, fashion & lifestyle, gastronomy and the enjoyment factor that is unparalleled. I will take you along my 10 favorite places.
1. Art and fashion
The real Parisian gems are often hidden behind doors or in a courtyard. You can easily walk past 11 rue Pastourelle. At the front right, See Fan sells the most casually elegant men’s clothing in a store of up to 15 square meters. No website, no Instagram, that’s class. At the back of the courtyard you will encounter Rembrandt, the corgi who faithfully guards the Rabouan Moussion gallery. Here you will discover the work of artists such as recently Erwin Olaf and Stephan Vanfleteren in a very special way.
2. OFR
No Paris without books. You just missed Sofia Coppola’s signing session, but such events take place here. Browse endlessly through the stacks of art books in this tiny shop with a hidden room at the back, often with vintage clothing or posters.
3. Musee Carnavalet
One of the three most visited museums in Paris and yet not very well known. This museum tells the story of the city (free admission, reservations recommended) and regularly organizes temporary exhibitions around a Parisian theme. With two cherries on the cake: the most beautiful staircase in the city and a beautiful courtyard with terrace.
4. Maison du pastel
You can only visit this color paradise on Thursday afternoons between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m., a family business that has been around for 300 years. If the 1800 nuances don’t inspire you… Great gift too!
5. Elegance à la Parisienne
At the end of rue Charlot is the beautiful boutique of the Dutch designer Wies Schulte and her brand Indress. Here the Parisian timeless theme comes together beautifully with color and modernity. All this, thanks to a lot of talent, has been translated into collections that can also be combined with each other. J’aime beaucoup!
6. Little Red Door
Behind this red door the most fantastic cocktails are prepared with great passion and it is a nice place to end the evening. My advice is to eat a good hamburger at Paris New York around the corner.
7. Le Saint Gervais
Want to experience as much hip Paris as possible? Then take a seat here on the terrace. Preferably on Friday afternoon, which in Paris is around 6pm. Welcome to the insiders of 75003: filmmakers, writers, fashion designers and other locals drink here until late in the evening. The bistrot itself doesn’t look like much, nothing has been done to it since 1960, perfect!
8. Terra
To ensure that you always find what you are looking for, Terra has three addresses on the same street. A restaurant that deserves a star in my opinion, a wine bar with smaller snacks and a pizzeria. All three approved by me personally.
9. The Parisian Vintage
There is vintage and vintage. No stacks or racks full here, but carefully selected items from the better-known fashion brands. Every now and then I give myself a beautiful piece as a gift, which I will wear with great love for decades to come.
10. Sandwiches
Of course, a visit to the Marché des Enfants Rouges is a must, but it is better not to go to the tourist spot Café Charlot. Choose the more authentic lunch spots in the area such as Chez Elo, Miam Miam, Caractère de Cochon (not for vegetarians) and Gramme Paris. And then have your lunch on a bench in the Square du Temple, how Parisian this is.
Image: Private
