View from a suite at Shangri-La Paris.

Part 2: Bright Lights, Small Cars, Gay Clubs & Big Cities continued: PARIS

During the second half of our “What’s Old is New Again” tour, we arrived in the city of romance: Paris, France via train (Rail Europe of course). Just like London, Paris offers some of the most opulent hotels (and more on their way), chic casual dining, “it” French designers and arguably some of the best wine and cheese on the planet (especially paired together).

The regal lobby of Shangri-La Paris.

1. ZZZZZ…Where to Stay

– Shangri-La quite literally has the best views of Paris, especially if you splurge for one of the suites on the top two floors. The lobby and surrounding bar area look and feel like you’re living in a private chateau– all accompanied with fireplaces and insanely friendly, knowledgeable staff. The Bulgari in-room amenities are an added bonus.

A glimpse of the restaurant kitchen in action Le Royal Monceau.

– Le Royal Monceau has my favorite décor by none other than Ian Schrager and the ridiculously vast wine selection is complimented by their award-winning sommelier Manuel Peynrondet, who was just awarded Meilleur Ouvrier de France (best Sommelier in France) by the Association de le Sommelliere Internationale. Wish him luck as he competes for the global prize in 2015! You can also read more about this hotel from our stay last year.

L’Eclaireur, the incredibly well-curated shop at Le Royal Monceau.

3. In August of this year, keep an eye out for the new Peninsula Hotel which will open in one of the most famous neighborhoods in Paris and at one of the most historic addresses in the city… the suspense!

2. MMMMM…Eating & Drinking

– Ferdi: Casual, fun, local and absolutely delicious. Local as in you will see Parisians dining here, but the food is a crazy mix of Moroccan, French, Spanish, cheeseburgers and international cuisine all stuffed on one menu. Bookings suggested.

– Hotel Costes: You just can’t visit Paris without having at least a drink here. It’s always a scene. Sit outside day or night (no worries, they have heat lamps), but note that bookings are not optional. There will undoubtedly be someone famous and you will likely pay more than you ever have imagined for a glass of champers. But you will leave feeling like you’ve had a proper Parisian night out on the town.

Unique entertainment at the underground cabaret, Aux Trois Mailletz.

– Aux Trois Mailletz: You can catch a traditionally sexy cabaret show at Crazy Horse, or more of a variety jaw-dropping stunt show at Mugler’s Follies—both entertaining and likely different than what you do on the average Sunday evening, but whether you dine or drink at Aux Trois Mailletz, the experience is quite literally without compare. We started late for a Sunday in Paris: 11pm. We were whisked downstairs from the piano bar to the dimly lit, cavernous basement and sat at an empty communal table for 16. By 2am, I had cleared my glass and bottle of wine (as had the 14 people sharing our table), no short of 13 times for a Latin vocalist sporting a mullet, French dynamos in perfect sequence, a dancing gypsy and a member of Gypsy King to dance past and then in front of me. The food was “ok” but you really aren’t going there to eat. It’s about the hilarious entertainment, the company and never-ending drink. When we left at 4am (on a Sunday), the place was still packed.

The awe-inspiring and romantic Lock Bridge.

3. OHHH…Unique Experiences

– Walk through the Latin Quarter, the Marais and the Jewish District for a slightly off the traditional French radar experience. Of course you should visit Lock Bridge, the Louvre and Notre Dame, but also discover all that the winding laneways of lesser-known arrondissements (neighborhoods) have to offer.  Stumble upon the antique curio store Librarie Alain Brieux, the galleries Yellowkorner and Galerie Gng on Rue Visconti and favorite French designers like Isabel Marant. And you’ve got to have a macaron (the obvious choice being Laudree)!

Love and locks in the city of romance.

Notre Dame towering above.

– No visit to Paris is complete without a walk down the Rue Saint Honore for a little window shopping and fashion inspiration. A visit to Colette is a long time crowd pleaser. From avant-guard fashion (read: expensive), to the custom sneakers, explore new releases for up-and-coming DJ’s, iPhone accessories and crazy coffee table books, this multi-floor store has something for everyone. For better or worse, I found myself leaving with an impulse “Twerk & Go” black cashmere stocking cap. It was just so outrageous, I had to have it. If you don’t know what twerking is, Google it. You won’t be alone, the auto-populated Google search for, “What is” was “twerking” for weeks, only to be replaced recently with “Bitcoin“.

Paris by a Glass course via Mr. Aristotle. Colin Glaum takes a quick sniff before sipping his bubbly.

– And make sure to book a market visit to buy all your fresh French ingredients and make your own local lunch under the careful eye of a culinary expert.  You can also learn to make your own macron or become a French cheese and wine pairing expert with Cook’n with Class and the Paris by a Glass who offer courses daily. You can book your private experiences via Mr. Aristotle.

Before waving “bon voyage” check out more of our Paris insider info. from sipping and swimming in luxury to shopping and dining through Paris’ lively and local neighborhoods.

Now just Twerk & Go!

Le Louvre au nuit.