Sigh. Paris. Sometimes, not much more needs to be said. In fact, we believe that to really experience the City of Light in all its baguette-scented, terrace-filled, haute couture glory—to truly live it like les Parisiennes—is to do so through the senses.
But while le Tour Eiffel is grand to look at, and those salted butter caramel macarons from Ladurée are divine to taste, there’s a bevy of beauty beyond the obvious within the 20 arrondissements. With Kimpton’s new boutique hotel debuting among them come 2020, we couldn’t wait to share such undiscovered pleasures with our guests so here are five ways to indulge tout de suite—right away!
SMELL Buzzy Beans Roasted Right in Town
To while the day away over a coffee on a terrace has long been the dream of many a Paris visitor or expat. (See: Hemingway and Café de Flore on the Left Bank.) But truth be told, the coffee at most traditional cafés or brasseries can be a bit…bitter. Sure, nothing beats those round tables and rattan chairs, but once you get a whiff of what they’re roasting over at some of the city’s newer coffee shops there’s no turning back.
From Belleville Brulerie in the 19th arrondissement, who sources their beans from countries like Colombia and Ethiopia and roasts them on site, to Coutume on Rive Gauche, where Brazilian or Burundian beans are ground and brewed into lattes and noisettes (espresso with milk), the city has added a much-needed jolt to its caffeine culture. Places like Fondation, Cafe Oberkampf, Cream, and KB Coffee Shop also brew from these local beans or their own. And this May, the folks behind Belleville Brulerie opened La Fontaine du Belleville (ironically located in the 10th arrondissement) featuring sidewalk seating, so now you can have your aromatic filter coffee and terrace, too!
Read about our favorite ways to experience Paris through all the senses: what we love to taste, see, feel and hear in the City of Light.
— Sara Lieberman
I’m thrilled that the Kimpton Brand has decided to venture into the European market with hotels in Paris & Amsterdam. This will allow me to have a piece of home when traveling abroad. My only disappointment is that they are not opening sooner! Which arrondissement will the hotel in Paris be located?
A Loyal Inner Circle Member
Thanks Antonio, we’re excited to have you feel at home in Paris! We don’t yet know exact arrondissement but please keep an eye on our website – we’ll post more exciting details as they become available!