In the Press
Are you interested in the Olympics, faire du shopping or is Emily in Paris your guilty pleasure?
We stroll from Gare du Nord Eurostar station to La Fantaisie in Faubourg Montmartre. The sage green facade welcomes with sunny yellow blinds and plants at the entrance. Bienvenue! La Fantaisie, a 5-star hotel designed by Martin Brudnizki, is a lush green oasis in Paris. Relaxing rooms in pastel shades bring nature in. In-room facilities include a bird-shaped corkscrew, kettle, coffee maker, Roberts radio, and Tuileries Jardin wallpapered wardrobes. Bathrooms have squiggle wooden framed mirrors, glass lampshades, bathrobes, and gorgeous Holidermie products. From the hustle and bustle to individual havens of peace, our boudoir looks down on the planted courtyard.
Lunch is at Golden Poppy restaurant, its glass roof inspired by an antique greenhouse, a wall of botanical paintings above upholstered sofas, pastel blue chairs, and parquet flooring for a modern vintage vibe. We sit outside on red chairs amongst the greenery of the charming secret garden. The table is beautifully laid; white tablecloth, green and gold cutlery, gold plates, a tasty amuse-bouche served with incredible butter - du beurre with flower garnish and pleasantly amused by a glass of champagne for joie de vivre. Starter of moules, sea bass with fennel, and delicious Parker house rolls served warm in a pan. The great thing about fine dining is I can usually mange-tout, Rodney.
Appetite sated, we wander to nearby Passage Verdeau and Jouffroy with their fascinating vintage shops. A la Mère de Famille, founded in 1761, transform chocolat into an art form. The Montmartre area is beautiful with lots of stairs. Rue des Martyrs has lovely boutiques, bear right to take the funicular up to avoid even more steps - here are plenty of souvenir shops.
At the top, Square Louis Michel offers an incredible view of Paris (the fence weighted with padlocks). Sacré-Cœur Basilica looms behind. People clutter up the coloured steps of this place of worship. Inside, visitors admire the golden mosaic, stained glass and light a candle.
The 19th arrondissement has lovely cafes and we promenade past to pastel pink La Maison Rose, notorious for its historic guests - famous artists, writers and singers. (On the corner of Rue de l’Abreuvoir, a set menu with pre-bookings). Outside is a popular spot for photos and selfies.
At Bar sur le Toit for cocktail hour above the Parisian zinc rooftops. The intimate rooftop bar has a rose wallpaper ceiling reminiscent of a country cottage garden, velvet upholstered barstools, wickerwork armchairs and a jukebox. Surrounded by greenery, the space opens out to a terrace with roses and French garden furniture. With the Sacré-Cœur as a backdrop, a full ‘Flower’ moon in the sky, we indulge in delicious ‘French’ Martini cocktails and snacks.
Heading down the wonderfully scented corridors, papered with green leaf and gold key wallpaper, to the yellow door of our pied-à-terre. Crisp cotton sheets and green silky eye masks literally bid us a Bonne Nuit, a good night! I’ve packed Innisfree Green Tea Caffeine Bright-Eye Serum as the cold roller ball depuffs and is a joy to use.
In the morning, I’m off to the spa. Bird song plays in the lift. Lights twinkle above the steam in the hammam. A restorative dip in a thermal bath, then cold - f.f.f. froid! Back into chaud to warm up. Bliss! La Fantaisie’s fragranced boujis bougie/candle smells absolutely delightful of blackcurrant, tomato and cedar. I always pack a delectable Maison Louis Marie fragrance, perfect for travelling - Antidris Cassis Perfume Oil reminds me of La Fantaisie’s scent. Try the Discovery Set. I’m more of a Nouvelle Vague!
After a buffet breakfast, we meander past the golden facade of the Folies Bergère, to nearby Sézane to absorb French cool-girl chic. You can also explore Pigalle, Moulin Rouge, or Museum of Romantic Life in the area.
Lunch is at contemporary, gastronomic restaurant Nectar within Hôtel Maison Mère. A chic home-from-home in the 9th arrondissement with a co-working space and a concept store; with artworks in the art gallery for sale. Creative culinary dishes create a sensory experience. The lunch is magnifique and I highly recommend the rosé champagne!
Next day we take the Metro to Pont de Bir-Hakeim, walk to cobbled street Avenue de Camoëns (join a small polite queue), and take photos with a view of the Eiffel Tower as backdrop. Through the Jardins to Place du Trocadéro and down beside the Seine River, enjoying the views. Pont Les Invalides prompts us to sit at a floating bar (we rack up an insane 20,000 steps today). Saunter in the sunshine past Pont Alexandre 111 to Musée de l'Orangerie (book a ticket to see Monet’s water lily murals) and the oldest Parisian garden Tuileries Jardin, ending up at the glass pyramid of the Louvre. “To know Paris is to know a great deal”, Henry Miller. If you have more energy and time, check out Jardin du Palais Royal, Petit Palais, or the sculpture garden Musee Rodin.
Où est la bibliotheque? It’s our last day and we head to eclectic boutique Merci for un café in the cafe full of books. Indulge in Pierre Hermé’s macarons or grab a cheeky cakeand a ‘baguette magique’ (phallic pastries) at Legay choc. We loved sitting at the crossroads of Rue de Temple, people-watching. Parisian women have enviable, effortless, ageless style.
Marin Montagut boutique has marvellous souvenirs on Rue Madame. Enjoy a drink outside the iconic Café de Flore, or Les Deux Magots on Boulevard Saint Germain. We walk past the church of Saint-Germain-des-Prés, art galleries on Rue de Saint Peres, and dine at Pizza Chic. Sitting on the pedestrian bridge Pont des Arts as buskers play, to witness the glittering Eiffel Tower’s hourly twinkling light display in the City of Light. Don’t get any ideas though - padlocks once collapsed the bridge so they’ve glazed it to stop romantic offenders!
I wish I’d stocked up on La Fantaisie’s fragranced candles but otherwise… Je ne regrette rien!
Written by Crystal McClory
Paris is just 1 hour, 20 mins from London airports or 2 hours, 15 mins on the Eurostar train. The Olympic Games in Paris are from 26 July to 11 August 2024.
See our special offers with Maison Mère or La Fantaisie hotels.
Read about La Fantaisie, and our staff blog Natalie in Paris.
For more info or to book, contact Abbotts Travel at 134 George Lane, South Woodford, E18 1BA, on 0208 989 9445 or email info@abbottstravel.com
In the Press: pages 74-75 of July issue of Absolutely West Essex and Essex magazines.
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