Paris Insider by AH Travel Club

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INSIDER

Bonjour from Paris, Following our ethos of independent thinking and freedom of choice, we have tapped into our network to unlock our Travel Guide to the city of romance and nostalgic Parisian living. Through cultured connections and unique experiences, this is how we roam through Paris. Here is your exclusive all access pass to the best bits of the city, from where we eat, sleep, play and who or what to discover in Paris.

YOUR WORLD. YOUR WAY.

Paris Insider WRITTEN BY AH TRAVEL CLUB It's time to concern yourself with minimalistic fashions of perfectly tailored black classics. Forsee that love may be found in the corner of a dark cobbled street, where banging burlesque music may be the soundtrack of your hot Parisian romance. Literally loose yourself in translation, because if you can't utter a word in french then you can forget about that hot Parisian love affair...but then again, who needs words. In the realm of art , music and culture dive in like it's your baby, passionately converse about how controversial the forms of expression may be, and if thats not for you, fake it till you make it. Your momentary Parisian episode may be lost in the credit card bills of major shopping sprees, cheese platters covered by breathe mints. The time you spent staring at the overwhelming Mona Lisa painting, in cigarette filled rooms sipping the pulp of french vineyards or under ruffled white sheets after a totally worth it one night stand..... whatever it may be, "Paris is always a good idea".

WHERE WE STAY UBER LUXE With the Champ-Elysees basically in the backyard, Le Reserve is #lifegoals for the ultra chic and the tres exclusif. Spend hours just bathing in your marble tiled bathroom, or poshing-out with your new BFF butler. Relais Christine is another one of our absolute favourites, perfectly located on the left bank, your suite awaits you with a private garden set for the ultimate nudist for an elegant nature stroll (in the summer of course).

SEXY SOHO For an edigier feel, La Pigalle is a glorious setting of vintage meets contemporary. A place where everything else but sleep happens, and where the tone of the uncharted city jungle is set as foreplay. Remaining with the sensual traits of Paris, Maison Souquet is a passionate stay offering the historic glamour of Bohemian chic.

FASHION'S HEARTBEAT If you're staying central it's well worth being a fashion guru. Grand Hotel Du Palais Royal is only minutes away from the ritzy shops on Rue Saint-Honoré. Fresh vibes from the days of Marie Antoinette. Hotel de Vinci is another one of our #fashionloves, the black-and-gold frontage micmics the the sharp sophistication of the fashion industry in Paris. Your pit stop for an area lined with boutiques, and a goldmine of antiquarian shopping.

WHERE WE EAT

BREAKFAST If you're more of the "grab a coffee, a Pain au Chocolate and get on your way’ type, Cafe Kitsune is your hipster heaven for those on the move. If you're the ‘breakfast is the most essential meal of the day’ type, Cafe Oberkampf is great for hearty Breakie and a favourite amongst the French foodies.

BRUNCH Wanna know how we do brunch? First of all, starve yourself, you will need that bottomless stomach. Dress to kill, because honestly we only do brunches for the ‘Gram’. Grab your besties, get tipsy, and finally make sure your Parisian brunch takes place at Café Antonia at Le Bristol.

LUNCH Not French cuisines but so Instagrammable, Zazza is our favourite trendy setup for a Cafe, Cocktails and Italian Bistro food. Auteuil Brasserie is a classy restaurant perfect for a day untampered by the clouds, with Asian Art Deco and delicious thai cuisine (again not French but still damn good)

DINNER We appreciate that sometimes dinner turns into drinks and drinks turn into well you know exactly what that turns into. Manko is made to get you prepared for a wild night in a lavish setting, and a great menu to line that stomach. Septime is kept at the very top of our list, for the simple reason being that they exclusively deliver in every way possible. You need to book months in advance for a table, but don't you worry we have the keys.

WHAT WE DO DAYCAP

FASHION ALWAYS IN PARIS Paris is at the forefront of fashion and yes we could easily spend our whole day shopping and that will be satisfactory in every way possible. But what's so special about shopping at brands that you could find in a 100 different countries?? The birth and history of fashion lives in Paris. We’d like to fantasize that there are underground tunnels of designer warehouses holding pieces from the 40s to the 90s - dont bash our dreams this could very well exist! We haven't discovered it yet...but we are all about making magic happen! Because we are just the bomb.com, we had access to a number of small private appointments with some of Paris' underground designer vintage collectors. First of all being up close and personal with Coco Chanel pieces from the early 60's is no joke, especially when you get a glimpse of the price tag. #NotForSale Access aint so easy when you're not a member of the AH Travel Club, so we'll give you some classic tips for your classic finds. Find yourself a designer golden-age steal of either a Paul Smith or Jean Paul Gaultier collectors piece at the treasure trove that is Kiliwatch Paris. After you’ve had enough of hunting for such treasures transfer yourself to Merci at Boulevard Beaumarchais for your all inclusive experience. A concept store, designer furniture store, exhbition space, restaurant, discovering place and tastemaker meeting spot.

WHAT WE DO NIGHTCAP

For our night time escapades we believe there's only two options for making those midnight demons arise. You either go ‘Bad' or ‘Boujee' BAD For our ‘Bad’ operations we head to Club Silencio. The club’s name pretty much says it all, this is for all you lowkey Baddies out there, who know that what happens in the club stays in the club. Nevertheless It's a new kind of members club dedicated to creative communities, we can definitely hook you up with this joint. BOUJEE For our ‘Boujee’ stunts there’s only one spot to get posted exclusively and pop bubbles like nobodies business. Le Dokhan’s Champagne Bar, serving up to 70 different types of champagne, there is no doubt that the bubbles are going to get you going.

OUR 'IT' SPOTS KILLER VIBES

Looking for your dose of typical french minimalism, Empreintes is a French craft concept store that houses home decor, kitchen supplies, jewellery pieces, a cafe, a library and projection, it's easy to spend your entire day here. Creators, creatives and clubbers, the MOB hotel should definitely find a place on your to do list. A dreamer’s republic of togetherness and generally very cool people, find yourself bumping into some celebs, watch a film in the open-air cinema, or hangout on the rooftop garden. This vibrant place is a social spot that must be visited. A fictional-themed underground nightclub, Titty Twister is our biggest secret. We're going to be a bit stingy and just keep it at that.

WHO WE WATCH OUT FOR CONNECTING WITH AMAZING LOCALS

RENAN PACHECO Parisian living cannot be embodied without its unique ambassadors. Living through the romantic opulence of music, art and cinema, we tend to keep our eyes fixed on Renan Pacheco. First of all can we just say HABA HABA. Grabbing the public eye as a menswear digital influencer, his Instragram account is stylish in so many ways. This nonchalant, simplistic and flawless Parisian man looks like youth will never run away from his veins. Anyway we digress,. as a French actor and film director, Renan takes his skills with him whenever he travels, capturing his wanderlust journeys.

YLENIA CUELLER If you’ve ever wandered what it’s like to be at Paris Fashion Week then look no further than our favourite street style photographer, Ylenia Cueller. Normally behind the camera snapping the hottest looks at shows and editorial shoots, her passion for fashion lives through her picturesque style. Not only focusing on fashion, she manages to bring you right into the special moments of the moody Parisian lifestyle. Ideally you should be trying to become BFF's with her, as she knows the ins and outs of the trendy city, from tastemakers, to models, designers and film makers. Ylenia is our ultimate Parisian gal, giving us life with her love for Paris.

HOT HAPPENINGS CATCH IT BEFORE IT'S OVER

Haute Couture and Paris go hand-in-hand with one another. Visit the Musee Des Arts Decoratifs to catch a glimps of the Dior exhibition, celebrating 70 years of Franceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best-known couturier. Foundation Louis Vuitton Museum is a structural masterpiece, the building itself is an unimaginable art piece. The museum is the home of modern & contemporary art exhibitions and a cultural center. Although there are yearly installations and activitions, it's best you keep your eyes peeled to their showcasing.Â What could be more Parisian than perfumes? Delicious scents, advanced technology, and style, less than a year old Le Grand Musee du Parfum is an immersive experience unlike any other. A scent-centric attraction made for a multi-sensory experience.

PFW

HIGHLIGHTED THROWBACK We make waves for our Tribe, when Oum wanted to rock Paris Fashion Week, we pulled our tricks out the bag and hooked her up. Runway show access, private fittings, mid-show coffee breaks (a lot of those), brunches and sumptuous dinners, taxis runs to the next shows, traffic Instagram catch-up moments and an overdose of stylish connections. Killer highlights for the fashion killer.Â

Fashion Killer

'PLANT A SEED' - THE FOCUS UTOPIA56 There is no doubt that the conversations of refugees and migrants displaced in France has whittled down to such an extent that it almost never happened. Yes, there are still major issues for the refugees in France, and little to nothing has been done by the government. And so of course it is up to the people to take action and take care in rallying up to help the refugees. Utopia 56 is an organisation created by citizens, who aim to gather and coordinate volunteers in helping the refugees in France. It’s not an easy job to simply rely on the good will and kind hearts of strangers in the community, but through compassion Utopia 56 has maintained their platform as a means for which volunteers can assist thy fellow man. Collaborating with other existing operations in order to organise 2700 volunteering days a month in helping the refugees. The Utopia 56 centre in Paris is a full-time, full-forced operation that requires 25 volunteers working in shifts needed 7 days a week, with both a day and night team between 9am and midnight. Assisting in any way that they can, the selfless volunteers look to support the refugee community in numerous ways. From simply supplying these individuals and families with basic human resources, providing materials for make-shift shelters, and blankets to keep warm and dry from the rain. Using the Utopiamobiles, the volunteer teams can move an inventory of supplies looking for refugees to help. They distribute meals, clothes and basic living tools. They accompany refugees to hospitals, as well as taking part in rounds to clean the living spaces. They support minors who seek medical assistance, and some volunteers provide lessons to the young to establish some sort fo educational structure in their lives. With a number of development events arranged to take place in both Paris and Calais, Utopia56 is constantly working to reduce the poverty in such circumstances, helping these individuals find the necessary support systems needed, in order to attain the momentum for progression, helping them establish a more ‘normal’ life.

PARIS PHOTO FAIR WITH SOFIA BERTILSSON

Fads pass but style is forever. Yves Saint Laurent gave us Le Smoking, the Safari jacket, and lots of “simple” clothes with outrageous accessories. The recently opened Musee Yves Saint Laurent Paris is a must for any Fashionista – and art lovers as well. Don’t miss the sparkling jacket embroidered with Vincent Van Gogh’s famous sunflowers or the Studio where Saint Laurent worked at a simple desk with lots of pencils and his Frenchie Moujik.

Paris famously attracted artists in the beginning of the 20th century, until the Second World War put an end to the moveable feast of Hemingway and his peers. Still the city has the power to attract and mold future stars like George Condo who left East Village in the 1980’s to live in Paris. Now back in New York and at the top of his game, currently his show Life is Worth Living is on view at Almine Rech, a gallery to have on your to-do list. His figurative paintings with linear, cartoonish figures found him his personal voice in relation to the greats – and especially to Picasso. Croquis smoking 1 Yves Saint Laurent original drawing. Haute Couture collection A/W 1966. © Fondation Pierre Bergé Yves Saint Laurent, Paris

Mentioning the man himself, Musee Picasso is located in le Marais, where the art crowd hangs out and home to many of the must-see galleries such as Marian Goodman, Almine Rech and Thaddeus Ropac. Pink period, Cubism, a touch of Surrealism some say Pablo Picasso changed style after his many women. At the lovely museum, an old palace perfect for dreaming away a rainy day, his bright, sunny works from the year 1932 with portraits of the young and beautiful Marie-Therese Walter are on view.

Join the hunt! Sophie Calle, one of France’s most celebrated and intriguing artists become famous for stalking strangers on the streets and mixing autobiographical and fictive narratives. Fittingly, her work is now on view at the quirky Musee de la chasse et nature. Hunt around for her ruthlessly personal stories and installations, such as her red almost-wedding dress impaled by the antlers of a stuffed stag and the wig she wore as a stripper. Paris has many exquisite museums but this one tops most. Visit this enchanted palace with a collection on the theme of hunting that frequently collaborates with top artists.

Slow down with a visit to the Marian Goodman gallery, tucked away in a very Parisian courtyard in Marais, it has a top list of artists and a reputation for museum quality shows. Currently showing the Japanese multi-talented artist Hiroshi Sugimoto, a visit takes you through darkened spaces with photographs of the sky and the sea from his famous “Seascapes” series, ending with a surprising subterranean vault.

Hiroshi Sugimoto installation views Maran Goodman Gallery, Paris Courtesy of the artist and Marian Goodman Gallery New York, Paris, London, 2017 Photo: Rebecca Fanuele.

Exhibition view of “Days are Dogs”, Carte Blanche to Camille Henrot, Palais de Tokyo Courtesy of the artist and kamel mennour (Paris/London); König Galerie (Berlin); Metro Pictures (New York) © ADAGP, Paris 2017 Photo: Aurélien Mole

Camille Henrot, Monday Camille Henrot, A Long Face (detail), 2016. Photo: Daniele Molajoli Courtesy of the artist, Fondazione Memmo (Rome) and kamel mennour (Paris/London) ; König Galerie (Berlin) ; Metro Pictures (New York). © ADAGP, Paris 2017

Thursday doesn’t even start / It’s Friday, I’m in love. Take your cue from cult rockers The Cure and join a roller coaster through the days of the week with rising French art star Camille Henrot, the Gods and friends, at hip and open late Palais de Tokyo. A respected art institution but also a fun place to visit with friends or a date. Put this show on your list to be in the know and to have a memory for life!

Written By Sofia Bertilsson

TIPS & TRICKS

GET FAMILIAR WITH THE FACTS • Avoid Paris during its peak summer travel month, it makes sense to experience a destination when you're not waiting hours in a line or getting turned away because of over-crowding. The city is 'parfait' between the months of April to June and September to November. • With twenty arrondissements, you better become aware of your surroundings, getting lost in Paris is not an option. • If you do happen to find yourself in this situation just ask another traveller for directions. Don't bother asking any french locals, because you will get either the cold shoulder, blank face stares, and impenetrable rapid-fire french speaking. • Looking for the best view in Paris? Head to the top of Notre-Dame. Yes it's corny but Quasimodo must have deeply loved something up there to keep his bell-ringer title top notch. • Paris is filled with beautifully kept gardens - preferably in the summer or fall - arrange your delicious picnic baskets from Papa Sapiens deli, they know what they're doing! • Skip modern designers and shop designer vintage instead, the city is filled with treasures unimaginable. • Lay off the liquids, free Public Toilets are a rare find. • Time to let your devilish alter-ego out the bag, best believe our guide is only for those with dark and twisted hearts.

YOUR WORLD. YOURÂ WAY.