In and Around Paris

Welcome back to The Velvet Runway and our Paris Guides, with our guide to the 7th Arrondissement. The first thing that comes to mind when people think of Paris is usually the Eiffel Tower, and with good reason. The city’s most recognisable landmark attracts millions of visitors each year and has become almost synonymous with …

Welcome back to The Velvet Runway and our feature Paris in August: A Local’s Guide to the City That Slows Down. There is a moment every summer when Paris changes. The familiar rhythm of the city softens. The morning rush becomes gentler, the streets feel quieter, and a certain calm descends over the capital. As …

There is a kind of Sunday in Paris that most visitors never quite find — the effortless Sunday, where wandering takes precedence over itineraries and unexpected moments matter more than carefully planned activities. Like many people, I always thought the secret to making the most of Paris was to experience as much of it as …

Saint-Germain-des-Prés is a historic neighborhood, located in the 6th arrondissement of Paris. On the Left Bank of the Seine, the 6th arrondissement is often seen as the more polished neighbour of the Latin Quarter, but it has a personality entirely of its own. With the Church of Saint-Germain-des-Prés at its heart, it feels effortlessly Parisian …

The Latin Quarter in Paris is one of those places that looks exactly how you imagine it; or rather, it looks just like you imagine Paris to be! And that is because it is one of the oldest districts in the capital city. Tucked along the Left Bank of the Seine, the 5th arrondissement is …

Coffee in Paris is experienced differently. People don’t rush around with a paper cup on the way to work; they sit on a terrace and enjoy a quiet start to their day. And yet, the French capital has never had a strong reputation for great coffee. Hear me out. Paris is famous for its café …

Paris is always a good idea—even more so when the festive season draws nearer and the entire city transforms into a winter wonderland. As soon as the spooky season is over and the weather turns colder, festive decorations and twinkling lights begin to appear throughout the city. A few weeks later, as November ends, Christmas …

Whenever speaking of Paris, the Marais seems to be a word that hangs on everyone’s lips — sounding like a mysterious, trendy and maze-like area. That is exactly what the neighbourhood offers, with cobbled-stoned streets leading to hidden courtyards and secret squares. Because of this, I believe that the Marais truly captures what the city …

Welcome back to The Velvet Runway and this feature with our Guide to the 3rd arrondissement of Paris, Le Haut-Marais, by Parisian contributor, Hannah Rees. Let’s continue our exploration of Paris! Last time, we saw the best adresses in the City of Light’s second arrondissement, now let’s move onto the third arrondissement, also known as …

Welcome back to The Velvet Runway and this feature about Ten hidden gems and tranquil retreats in Paris by Parisian contributor, Hannah Rees. Paris may be famed for its bustling boulevards, iconic monuments, and energetic café culture, but tucked behind the grandeur lies a quieter, softer side of the city. Whether you’re a frequent visitor …

Welcome back to The Velvet Runway and this feature with our Guide to the 2nd arrondissement of Paris by Parisian contributor, Hannah Rees. The 2nd Arrondissement (sometimes called the Bourse, after the Palais Brongniart, former headquarters of the Paris Stock Exchange) is the smallest of Paris’s 20 districts, covering just under one square kilometre. The 2nd …