
How to make the most of every moment in Paris
Forget tiring trips to the airport and long waits for your luggage: when you’re on a city break, every moment counts. Taking the train straight to the city centre means more precious time in Paris. Even a quarter of an hour can be enough for a mini adventure, so use the time you’ve saved to experience the city your way. That might mean a jog in the Marais or a restorative spa session, flicking through the crates at a vinyl store, or hitting a cool parfumerie. Here are eight suggestions to help get you started.
15 MINUTES
Spice things up at Épices Roellinger
51 bis, rue Sainte-Anne, 75002Follow your nose to this specialist shop, owned by chef Oliver Roellinger. Styled like an old-fashioned apothecary, it stocks every spice under the sun, from Nepalese violet cardamom to chocolatey long pepper. It’s a great place to stock up on souvenirs, including sublime herbal teas. Afterwards, check out the cellar, filled with fragrant vanilla pods from Tahiti, Madagascar and beyond.Find your signature scent at Nose Paris
20, rue Bachaumont, 75002On a quest to find your perfect fragrance? Drop by this pared-back boutique, which showcases classic creators alongside edgy newcomers. Look out for unisex, made-in-Paris scents from Juliette has a Gun, and limited editions from the likes of Frédéric Malle. The perfume ‘diagnosis’ service is another stroke of genius, using a quick iPad questionnaire to whittle down the options.
30 MINUTES
Be pampered at La Sultane de Saba
8 bis, rue Bachaumont, 75002A ten-minute stroll from the Palais-Royal, this spa is as escapist as its name, with its Moroccan lanterns, tiled hammam and cocooning treatment rooms. Even in half an hour, there’s time for an invigorating massage, with shea butter spiked with ginger and green tea. If you’ve got a little longer, unwind in the low-lit hammam, followed by a sea-salt scrub or heavenly, rose-infused facial.Buy new shoes at Amélie Pichard
34, rue de Lappe, 75011The Parisian designer is famed for her playful shoes, from fuzzy shearling slingbacks to Twin Peaks-inspired heels. Naturally, her pink-painted flagship store is just as eccentric, with its mirrored ceiling, satin-draped bed and quirky objets d’art. It’s also a showcase for her elegantly offbeat bags, from polished faux-crocodile numbers to a clutch inspired by a baguette.
45 MINUTES
Go for a run in Square du Temple
64, rue de Bretagne, 75003Earn your morning croissant with a jog around Square du Temple, a handsome, landscaped park on the northern edge of the Marais. Founded in 1857, it was designed in the English style, eschewing gravelled avenues in favour of a wilder approach. Loop around its rush-fringed pond and handsome bandstand, then head to nearby quai de Valmy to extend your run along the canal.Stock up on vinyl at Born Bad
11, rue St Sabin, 75011It’s easy to lose track of time at this small but charismatic record store. There’s something for every musical taste, from punk to garage rock, via ska, electro and cold-wave, with plenty of affordable gems in the second-hand selection. If you’re looking for something in particular, chat to the clued-up staff, who can also talk you through the latest releases from the in-house record label.
90 MINUTES
Get styled at Galeries Lafayettes Champs-Elysées
60, avenue des Champs-Élysées, 75008For a futuristic take on retail, head to this sleek department store, which pairs art-deco splendour with an eye for innovation. Digital hangars give an instant update on whether your size is in stock, while a squad of savvy stylists offer free, one-on-one consultations. No sartorial challenge is too big or small, from finding the perfect jeans to dressing like un vrai Parisien.
Catch a movie at Le Champo
51, rue des Écoles, 75005Founded in 1938, this Latin Quarter cinema is a local institution – and a favourite with lecture-shirking students from the nearby Sorbonne. François Truffaut famously whiled away entire days here; Quentin Tarantino sneaked in for a screening last time he was in Paris. Follow their lead for a spell of escapism: the world-roaming programme spans arthouse films and all-night movie marathons.
Book your city break
Image credits: © Fred Lahache; © Fred Lahache; © Fred Lahache; © Fred Lahache; © Fred Lahache; © Fred Lahache; © Fred Lahache; © Fred Lahache; © Fred Lahache; © Fred Lahache