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 window opening out to Sweden at the heart of Paris, Fika celebrates an encounter between a culture and two passionate gourmet travellers who fell in love with “fika”, a practice that consists of treating oneself to a pause for refreshment several times a day. Here, Caroline and Damien have adopted it as their own concept, proposing for each hour of the day pastries, hot drinks, salads and toasts, made with love and the finest seasonal produce. Institut suédois, 11 rue Payenne, Paris 3 (01 44 78 80 20).
Double Vie has installed its cheerful concept paying tribute to tasty treats from around the Mediterranean within the walls of a surprising 3-storey corner building dating back to the 1940’s. Nestling in this setting surrounded by windows and in staging designed by architects Eleonora Santucci and Sofia Badrezzame, this spot unfurls a festive, sunny ambiance in three areas from the cocktail hour until dinner. On the menu, creative little dishes and proposals for sharing for large tables of friends. The tone is set by well-balanced cocktails, wines from the South, and DJ sets ! Double vie, 2 rue Poulet, Paris 18. www.doublevieparis.com
Pastry-chef Philippe Conticini is making back-to-work more enjoyable by re-editing some of his flagship creations. Such as praline chocolate pie, the store’s bestseller, capturing an intense nutty flavour and a generous ganache, all topped with crunchy, caramelized almonds and hazelnuts. Irresistible ! Maison Philippe Conticini, 37 rue de Varenne, Paris 7. www.philippeconticini.fr
A festive, gourmet and sunny address bearing Riccardo Giraudi’s signature, Maison Fonfon has just opened its doors on the harbour of Fontvieille in Monaco. In Cédric Capron’s artsy decor with a focal-point fresco designed by Franck Lebraly, guests are treated to a menu with the enticing accent of Provence. Monaco. 8, Quai Jean-Charles Rey. (00 377 92 05 77 33)
A showpiece in Bonnieux, the Hôtel Capelongue has reopened its doors, revealing its new decor signed by the Jaune architectural firm in collaboration with the Ateliers Saint-Lazare. Here, the finest produce from the land and rivers of the Luberon guide Chef Noël Bérard, who offers finely-tuned contemporary cuisine in the star-rated restaurant La Bastide : “agnolotti” pasta with small violet artichokes, spiny lobster in verbena-flavoured juice, stuffed courgette flowers... Bonnieux. Les Claparèdes, Chemin des Cabanes. (04 90 75 89 78)
The Annie Farnose group has teamed up with multi star-rated Chef Éric Frechon to create Gina’s, an Italian Seahouse on the legendary port of Saint-Tropez. Designed to resemble a villa’s patio on the Amalfi coast, it proposes tasty Mediterranean cuisine based on the freshest fish, seafood and shell-fish. Saint-Tropez. 17, Quai Jean Jaurès. www.restaurantginas.com
The Hôtel Kube Saint-Tropez has unveiled its new restaurant of Latin American inspiration. In the kitchen, Chef David Wego sets his name to an audacious play on the various ways of cooking on a wood fire. The result includes flavoursome dishes, lightly grilled, braised, smoked, and brimming with taste. Gassin. 319, Route de Saint-Tropez. (04 94 97 20 00)
A new chapter has commenced for the restaurant at the 5-star Villa Saint- Ange hotel in Aix-en-Provence. Accompanied by his kitchen brigade led by Jean-Denis Le Bras, the multi-star Chef Pierre Gagnaire has called this restaurant “Âma Terra” (Soul of the Land) with the aim of proposing the treasures offered by the soil of Provence. Aix-en-Provence. 7, Traverse Saint-Pierre. (04 42 95 10 10).
Nestling at the top of the elegant Hôtel de Paris, the restaurant- bar-pool “Les Toits” ranks among this season’s most enviable addresses in Saint-Tropez. Unfurling a sublime panoramic view of the Deep Blue Sea, this bubble of serenity has been treated to embellishment and now offers three terraces. From mid-day to midnight, guests relish delightful cocktails and delicate dishes created by chef Damien Cruchet, whose recipes convey all his love for Provence. Beneath the sky, facing the sea, a moment of grace. Hôtel de Paris Saint-Tropez, 1 Traverse de la Gendarmerie, Saint-Tropez (04 83 09 60 00).
Designed by the Malherbe studio of architecture and decorated by Anne Vitchen, a specialist in bespoke decor of floral inspiration, the Ladurée Champs Elysées terrace is a setting of natural greenery on the world’s most beautiful avenue. In this garden full of roses, guests appreciate Ladurée delicacies, macaroons of course, but also the flan voted “Best in Paris”. Sheer temptation ! Ladurée Champs Elysées, 75 avenue des Champs Elysées, Paris 8. www.laduree.fr
The great Iron Lady that sets the eyes of millions of visitors sparkling each year has opened the doors to its new restaurant. On the first floor of the Eiffel Tower, at a height of 57 metres, the chic Madame Brasserie bears the signatures of designer Ramy Fischler and architect Nicola Delon. In keeping with principles advocated by star-rated chef Thierry Marx, at the helm in the kitchens, the setting opts for sobriety and natural materials such as cork and terra-cotta. On the menu, creative, refined French cuisine targetting enjoyment, and paired with an unimpeded view of Paris. Magical ! Madame Brasserie, 1er étage de la Tour Eiffel, Paris 7. www.madamebrasserie.com
With roots in Amelia in the region of Umbria, this little chunk of Italy is nothing other than the family pastry shop of actor Terence Hill. Duplicated in Paris, Girotti conquers hearts and gourmets with its fabulous, 100% natural ice-creams made in the most classic tradition. On the menu, a cult pistachio adored by Mister Terence, and surprising salty ice-creams to accompany certain dishes. Girotti, 120 boulevard Raspail, Paris 6. 01 43 35 34 30.
Already running almost a dozen restaurants in the world, the Spanish Salvaje brand has introduced its successful concept within the walls of the Hôtel du Collectionneur. Exuberant decor, an incandescent ambiance, and matching cuisine signed by chef Fermin Azkue, who offers a blend of flavours from Japan, the Mediterranean and Latin America. In charge of the shaker, a world-class name, barman Borja Goikoetxea conjures up extravagant cocktails in tune with the dishes. All in all, simply explosive ! Salvaje Paris, Hôtel du Collectionneur, 51-57 rue de Courcelles, Paris 8. (01 58 36 67 16).
The youngest star-rated chef in France has taken up her quarters until September 30th on the roof-top terrace of Le Radisson Blu in Nice for the hotel’s 25th anniversary. Inside the restaurant, called “Calade by Julia Sedefjian” for the occasion, this Parisian Chef (born in Nice) has orchestrated a menu with resident chef David Rodriguez, dedicated to Riviera tastes and flavours and served at lunch and dinner time, Wednesday to Sunday. La Calade, 223 Promenade des Anglais, Nice (04 97 177 177).
Twenty years ago, entrepreneur Jack Penrod presented the first concept in Europe of a luxury beach club. To celebrate its 20th anniversary, Nikki Beach is staging “remix” sessions every Friday throughout the summer, paying tribute to star DJs of the past two decades, from Bob Sinclar to David Guetta and Martin Solveig, along-with dinners beneath the stars, a Dom Pérignon lounge, and pop-ups proposing international brands and young designers. Nikki Beach, 1093 chemin de l’EPI, Ramatuelle (04 94 79 82 04).
The French group Millésime has just inaugurated La Plage Blanche at the Château de Théoule. In a stunning location facing the Bay of Cannes, this new seaside address has been fully renovated, with white as its central theme. It plays host to a restaurant for 100 guests, a lounge-bar, 120 sun mattressess, a beach boutique and a well-being area. Plage Blanche, 55 avenue de Lérins. Promenade de la Darse, Théoule-sur-Mer. (06 01 58 32 07).
The only star-rated Japanese restaurant on the Côte d’Azur, Yoshi takes up its summer quarters around the Odyssey pool with decor designed by Karl Lagerfeld, within the Metropole Hotel in Monaco. On the programme, a delicate Japanese menu proposed by Chef Takeo Yamazaki, to be relished along with exceptional sakés and green teas. Yoshi, 4 avenue de la Madone, Monaco. (00 377 93 15 13 13)
An iconic restaurant on the Sentier du Littoral in Cap d’Ail, right next to Monaco, La Pinède has re-invented itself, with a new team. The decor has also changed completely, thanks to the talent of the Bleu Gris interior design agency in Nice, giving a retro-chic look to this former fisherman’s hut with six terraces overlooking the Mediterranean. La Pinède, 10 avenue Raymond Gramaglia. Cap d’Ail (04 93 78 73 78)
Like a phantasmagorical jungle, the Titi Palacio on the 1st floor of the lifestyle hotel “The People Paris Marais” is a sight for sore eyes ! On the menu, a 40-metre bar, the longest in Paris, with zellige tiles and green marble, an indoor “guinguette” seating 200 guests with a café atmosphere by day, bar/pub by night, a restaurant in bistronomic style, half-green, half- yummy, headed up by Lisa Desforges (ex-L’Ami Jean), and a patio-terrace basking in light. All against a backcloth of DJ sets, concerts and special theme evenings, orchestrating a festive spirit with coolness and flair. Titi Palacio, 17, boulevard Morland, Paris 4. www.titipalacio.com
After launching their Levantine bakery in 2020, Sarah and Emmanuel Murat are doubling up with their Babka Zana bakery/coffee-shop proposing treats a stone’s throw from the Place des Vosges. Clients come looking for its fetish products, can also take a seat, taking time out for a leisurely breakfast (addictive oriental granola), a well-deserved pause at noon (hallah sandwiches, vegetarian salads) or a timeless tea-time discovering Ghriba in particular, small biscuits made of chickpea flour and cinnamon, irresistible almond “croquants” or the knock-out pistachio and orange-blossom “Tropézana”. Babka Zana, 8, rue du Pas de la Mule Paris 4. Du mardi au samedi de 8h à 18h30 / dimanche de 8h30 à 18h.
