Opened in 2011 by the people at Magnum Photo Agency (their Paris bureau is a few streets away), Le Bal is an institutional exhibition space dedicated to the documentary image. For the most part that means lots of photography exhibits but they like to mix up the shows with videos and especially books. They hold conferences with a great line-up of guest speakers and screen documentaries and other films at the nearby Cinéma de Cinéastes. Be sure to check out the bookshop where you can browse through their connoisseur’s collection of high-end photo books and limited edition zines. Le Bal Café is a great place to meet friends for a quick drink or sit down and taste Anna and Alice’s Anglo-French cuisine. And if you’re wondering why it’s called Le Bal, the space was once a dance hall cum brothel in the roaring ‘20s.

Jardin du Palis-Royal - 1780  Secret place. Between the Louvre and the Place de la Concorde, a wonderful french-style garden. In the 1780’s, Philippe IV of Orleans (later named “Philippe Egalité” ) acquired the whole place. Extravagant and overly indebted, he decided to build shops around his gardens and rent them out. Convinced by the idea of having a theatre, the Duke thus decided to build the “Comédie française”.

Ofr. is a bookshop and art space in Le Marais. What. A. Place. Stacked full of beautiful magazines, special edition art, design, fashion, photography and architecture books, with a bonus collection of vintage clothing in the back. My perfect shop. 

Art deco brasseries in the 1st near by the Comédie Française

Bakery & pastry close to Montmartre in the 18th arrondissement of Paris, near Les Abbesses. Sébastien Mauvieux, the owner & baker, has been awarded for the best baguette of Paris in 2012. I recommend les chouquettes and also le flan ! And I had the pleasure to create the visual identity and packaging.