Luxurious, bewitching, inspiring, spell-binding… Our selection of addresses is aimed at pleasure and ideas ! From absolute essentials to wonderful surprises, new experiences to enjoy and share.
A “life-store” where you’ll find the special universe and charming life-style of a group of rock & folk performers, with music, scented candles, snapshots, “pics-shirts”, tote-bags... Plus the bonus of a coffee-shop serving an exclusive blend made by Terres de Café and healthy treats signed Café Pinson. To be discovered before May 24th... Lola James Harper à la Galerie Imaginaire du Bon Marché, 24 rue de Sèvres, Paris 7.
Perched on the roof of the Théâtre des Champs Elysées, La Maison Blanche, an enchanting and timeless venue, takes in the Eiffel Tower, Les Invalides and the Seine. Inside, velvety rooms ; outside, a majestic terrace, a sight for sore eyes. On the menu, delicate dishes with Mediterranean influences prepared by chef Hervé Nepple, fervent fan of regional produce. Romantic, festive, brimming with flair, you’ll return to La Maison Blanche time and time again. Restaurant Maison Blanche, 15 avenue Montaigne, Paris 8 (01 47 23 55 99).
The last addition to the Monte-Carlo SBM group now ranks among the elite of top-notch restaurants. Chef Marcel Ravin’s talent and creativity have just been rewarded by a star in the Michelin Guide. The main goal of Marcel Ravin’s inventive cuisine is to focus on taste. True to his roots in the Antilles, the Chef uses spices and aromats in very subtle doses. Blue Bay, 40 avenue Princesse Grace, Monaco (00 377 98 06 25 25).
In Paris, yet so far away… A dip in the summer or winter pool, relaxation in the well-being centre with its hammam and sauna, brunch from 11 a.m. or “drunch” from 5 p.m. : that’s the uplifting “Swimming Sunday” formula ! An invitation to recharge your batteries, a vital weekend break. From 135€/adult, 60€/child. Molitor, 13 rue Nungesser et Coli, Paris 16 (01 56 07 08 50).
A conservatory atmosphere with banana trees, cacti, ferns, graphic furnishings in glowing colours, light streaming down from the skylight, the truly exotic decor signed Charlotte Biltgen of the Sinople restaurant is escapism in itself. The new address at the famous sports club Le Klay, Sinople is above all exquisite and well-balanced cuisine concoted by the young chef Rémi Poulain (ex Laurent and Tour d’Argent). Each day, his beautifully presented gastronomic offerings give priority to top-quality ingredients, enhancing flavours even in the desserts. Sinople, 4 bis rue Saint Sauveur, Paris 2 (01 40 26 69 66).
Newly inaugurated, Le Grant is the trendy new address on the Croisette. In the legendary Carlton Hotel, this lounge-bar, open on Fridays and Saturdays from 7 p.m. to 2 a.m., proposes in an elegant, velvety ambiance, a refined menu of sushi and a dizzying selection of house cocktails. Electro-chic music is orchestrated by resident DJ Micky. 58 La Croisette, Cannes (04 93 06 40 06).
An ultra-contemporary setting, a view of the Parc Martin Luther-King, a selection of dishes borrowed from a French repertory : Coretta is an address that caters for all kinds of appetites, and gourmets in particular ! Coretta, 151 rue Cardinet, Paris 17 (O1 42 26 55 55).
Aged 38, Luigi Palluto who has plied his trade in Milan, Saint-Moritz, London and Moscow, has made his dream come true by opening a centre dedicated to beautycare and well-being at the heart of the Principality. After six months’ work, the former premises of 160 m2 of antique-dealer Sapjo have been transformed into a contemporary showcase. The space is split into a room devoted to face and body treatments, and a mixed hair salon offering expertise in natural hair care and colouring. 3 avenue Saint-Michel, Monaco (00 377 93 30 33 33).
Ready to dive deep into the ocean ? That’s the challenge extended by this micro cocktail bar which has has dropped anchor at L’Etoile ! Like a small ship’s cabin offering simple but cosy decor with velvet benchseats and a delicately scented smokers’ hold, UC-61 proposes a choice of tailormade cocktails blending unexpected potions and premium spirits. Bar UC61, 4, rue de l’arc de Triomphe, Paris 17 (09 67 09 61 45).
In offering a refined and inventive panorama of specialities ranging from Canton to Shanghai, Taokan pays tribute within its elegant walls to the Chinese tradition of gastronomy. Chef Tien-Dat Au orchestrates refined cuisine in a series of crisp, soft, sweet and sour delicacies, including Dim Sum and tasty spring rolls. Taokan, 8 rue du Sabot, Paris 6 (01 42 84 18 36).
For a quiet pause after all the festivities, the Majestic Barrière in Cannes has come up with a new package for two called “Evasion et Détente”. It includes a night in a double room with breakfast, a massage for two at the My Blend By Clarins Spa, and admission to the Espace Sensoriel and Fitness Room. The ideal formula to treat yourself to an interlude of well-being in this luxury cocoon facing the sea. And a wonderful gift idea for Valentine’s Day ! 10, La Croisette, Cannes (04 92 98 77 00).
Master of the house and a young prodigy in the fine art of gastronomy, Enrico Bernardo, “Meilleur Sommelier du Monde”, has come up with the concept of Il Vino, the first venue where guests chose a wine and leave it up to the Chef to concoct the most appropriate dish. Original and highly enjoyable ! Il Vino Restaurant, 13, Boulevard de la Tour Maubourg, Paris 7 (01 44 11 72 00).
A café, restaurant and bar all in one, this elegant spot brilliantly blends styles and eras in a sprightly decor that draws the in-crowd of Saint-Germain-des-Prés to its rooms and sunny terrace. On the menu, brasserie-style essentials, inspired and perfectly balanced dishes, desserts to die for ! Le Hibou, 16 Carrefour de l’Odéon, Paris 6 (01 43 54 96 91).
Hidden away in a Haussmann apartment of 400 m2 at the very heart of Paris, the sublime salon of Australian hair-stylist David Mallett, darling of the stars, offers charm, beauty and impeccable taste. From a hair colour to a treatment, a trim to a blow-dry or manicure, everything is simple and deserves top marks ! David Mallett, 14 rue Notre Dame des Victoires, Paris 2 (01 40 20 00 23).
Directed by Chef Jean-Louis Nomicos, Le Frank, the restaurant in the Louis Vuitton Foundation, flies the flag of contemporary creation by proposing fragrant, enticing offerings that change each hour of the day. Until the evening, when this amazing glass structure embraces the night and unfurls dinners with stories to tell… Le Frank, 8 avenue de Mahatma Gandhi, Paris 16 (01 58 43 25 70).
Completely transformed by decorator Olivier Antoine, Les Thermes Marins de Monte-Carlo have just unveiled their new, beautifully enhanced interiors. Suspended between sky and sea, directly linked to the Hôtel de Paris, this luxury address dedicated to well-being has been given a new look to exalt the beauty of the seascape admired from the treatment rooms, salt-water pool, fitness rooms and solarium. Basking in light, the decor blending silver, azure blue and immaculate white has become a luxury showcase in which 28 professionals - including sports physicians, beauticians, coaches, hair-stylists and physiotherapists - devote themselves each day to the treatment, relaxation and beauty of each client. 2 avenue de Monte-Carlo, Monaco (00 377 98 06 69 00).
This restaurant carries in its name all the originality of a world blending different influences. A link between Parisian chic and British eccentricity, we can thank Tom Dixon for the fabulous decor. This exciting spot on the banks of the Seine gives a contemporary twist to classics from the brasserie : a wide offering of meat dishes, fish and sea-food, and for dessert, a “mi-cuit” with dark chocolate or amazing Hawaian “Bubbies” Eclectic, 2 rue Linois, Paris 15 (01 77 36 70 00).
Such is the name of the new restaurant in Nice opened by the Japanese chef, star-rated Keisuké Matsushima. Dedicated to the Mediterranean, this chic address right in the town centre proposes a menu of fish and sea-food prepared with flair and mastery. Don’t miss the gamberoni from San Remo pan-fried in lemon juice, carpaccio of “fish of the day”, Saint-Jacques scallops with green peas… Then for dessert, tiramisu with green tea. Poséidon, 17 rue Gubernatis, Nice (04 93 85 69 04).
On Boulevard Saint-Germain with its parade of legendary brasseries, the Café Pouchkine has just inaugurated its third Parisian address. Designed by Andrey Dellos, this pastry-shop/tea-room makes playful use of the codes of Tsarist Russia. Its windows display irresistible delights with Imperial cupolas consecrating flights of fancy both sugary and salty from refined Franco-Russian gastronomy. Café Pouchkine, 155 boulevard Saint Germain, Paris 6 (www.cafe-pouchkine.fr).
The Côte d’Azur’s most legendary nightclub has just launched its winter season. What’s new? This year, it is staying in its summer quarters and will thus spend the winter at the edge of the lagoon at the Sporting Monte-Carlo. Explosive sets orchestrated by well-known international DJs such as Leo Lanvin warm up the nights from Thursdays to Sundays, from 11.30 p.m. to dawn. Just a few metres from the dance floor, La Pagode offers a lounge setting for those prefer to enjoy a quiet drink accompanied by a fragrant shisha. 26, avenue Princesse Grace, Monaco (00 377 98 06 70 68).
