Francis Kurkdjian: Paris

Francis_Kurkdjian_Sandra_Bauknecht_Paris

The freshness of an early morning. The sparkle of a grand soiree. I live in the rhythm of this magical, luminous Paris. I love those special moments which have inspired me to create these two perfumes – a fragrance journey into the heart of the City of Lights. ” – Francis Kurkdjian

Accompanying the launch of his two new fragrances dedicated to Paris, Petit Matin and Grand Soir, which will both be available in September 2016, the famous perfumer shared his favorite spots in the French capital with us. (If you are in Zurich, you can find his creations at the newly opened counter at Jelmoli or at Perfumery Osswald. To shop his creations online, click here please.)icon

accueil2-hotel-3-etoiles-paris-1

Your favourite city?
PARIS, because it is Paris. It is my hometown.

XVM8a503644-5de8-11e5-a48b-004c3f9d281e

Your favourite hotel?
HOTEL LA PROVIDENCE in the 10th arrondissement. A charming small boutique hotel with a great restaurant, good food and a lovely bar.
90, Rue René Boulanger, 75010 Paris, Phone: +33 1 46 34 34 04

dame-de-pic-2

Your favourite restaurant?
LA DAME DE PIC by Anne Sophie Pic, who is one of the best chefs in the world and France’s first woman to win three Michelin stars.
20, Rue du Louvre, 75001 Paris, Phone: +33 1 42 60 40 40

silencio-upload-0392eadb74a5c880c9c6f178861b8773b77f5275

Your favourite nightclub?
SILENCIO because I love the decor.
142, Rue Montmarte,  75002 Paris, Phone: +33 1 40 13 12 33

photo-635312859285630456-2

Your favourite sightseeing spot?
The rooftop of the restaurant GEORGES which has the best view over the city.
6th floor, Palais Beaubourg, Place Georges Pompidou, 75000 Paris, Phone: +33 1 44 78 47 99
The view from the PLACE DU TROCADERO with the Eiffel Tower in the back is spectacular, especially at night as well as the PONT ALEXANDRE III (pictured), the beautiful deck arch bridge that spans the Seine. It is so Parisian.

PalaysRoyal_Garten

Your favourite park?
I adore the PALAIS ROYAL GARDEN, not a real parc, more a garden between my office and my home. Very French but not too touristy like the Tuileries that are just across.
6 Rue de Montpensier, 75001 Paris, Phone:+33 1 47 03 92 16

carte-de-voeux-hd

Your favourite shop?
ATELIER REYNARD
. It is more a secret spot, an atelier. It is the place where I get all my leather goods. The owner is so talented.
3 Place du Palais Bourbon, 75007 Paris, Phone: +33 1 45 51 77 87

Scented Card Wallets

Your must-have accessory?
My SCENTED CARD WALLET that is hand made and that can be exclusively found in my Paris store.
Maison Francis Kurkdjian, 5, rue d’Alger, 75001 Paris , Phone: +33 1 42 60 07 07

rubon621

Your favorite museum?
MUSEUM NISSIM DE CAMONDO. It was owned by a banker, Count de Camondo. I love the spirit of it. It had been a private mansion that was turned into a museum. It houses a spectacular collection of French decorative art from the second half of the 18th century.
63 Rue de Monceau, 75008 Paris, Phone: +33 1 53 89 06 50

Circu_Alineados_multiview_088-2000x1334

Your favourite piece of art?
I like the work of SOPHIE DELAUNAY that you can explore at the Musée d’Art Moderne. Her art is colorful, avantgarde and deconstructed.
11 Avenue du Président Wilson, 75116 Paris, Phone: +33 1 53 67 40 00
ELIAS CRESPIN (pictured) – very contemporary, he does mobiles floating in the air with very centric movements full of electronics. It is to die for.
Galerie Denise René Espace Marais, 22 rue Charlot, 75003 Paris

le-pont-mirabeau-apollinaire

The best book to read while being on vacation there?
Poetry by GUILLAUME APOLLINAIRE. I love his universe. His poem LE PONT MIRABEAU is my favourite. It is about the Seine.

Paris_Metro_Sign

The smell of Paris?
The SUBWAY. When you walk through the streets, you can smell the ventilation. For me, this is very French!

Thank you, Francis, for sharing your insider scoop on Paris with us!
My dear readers, if you like to know more about Francis, I have some great news. An amazing interview will be coming up shortly. So stay tuned please!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of the locations, © David Lynch, © Sylvain Leurent and © Sandra Bauknecht

Sophie Mechaly: Paris

SOPHIE ALBOU-MECHALY-PARIS

Fashion designer SOPHIE MECHALY, founder of the Paul & Joe icon(named after her two sons) and Paul & Joe Sister clothing lines, shared her travel tips for Paris with us. The city where she was raised, lives, works and enjoys every moment of her busy life.

What is your favourite city?
PARIS of course! That’s where I was born, where I’ve always lived, where I work, all my friends and family are there too. Paris is the most beautiful city. I love its neighborhoods, they are all so different; its wonderful monuments; its architecture; its cultural richness…

What is your favourite hotel?
I love go to the BRISTOL to have a drink or do my business meeting. I love the atmosphere very classy and cosy. It’s a great mixture of tradition and modernity.
112 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, 75008 Paris, +33 1 53 43 43 00

What is your favourite restaurant?
I like to go to MADAME SHAWN for lunch, it’s close to the office. It’s a Thai restaurant where the food is really great.
18 Rue Caffarelli, 75003 Paris, +33 1 42 72 36 6

What is your favourite dish there?
I love their FISH COOKED IN A BANANA LEAF and their TAPIOCA WITH COCONUT MILK for dessert.

What is your favourite bar/nightclub?
I really like the SILENCIO in Paris. It’s a club opened by David Lynch few years ago. The musical selection is always very specialized, projections are organized and I love the cozy and intimate atmosphere.
142 Rue Montmartre, 75002 Paris, +33 1 53 65 65 58

What is your favorite sightseeing spot?
The BRIDGE ALEXANDRE III, where you can see all Paris. On the one hand the Invalides, on the other hand the Grand Palais and the Eiffel Tower… Paris makes complete sense at this place, it’s magic and exhilarating.

What is your favourite parc?
The LUXEMBOURG GARDEN (Jardin du Luxembourg) in the heart of St. Germain des Prés. It is a magic place, full of history, calm, romantic. I love strolling in the alleys. And sometimes I go there to jog.
6e Arrondissement, 75006 Paris, +33 1 42 34 23 62

Your favourite shop?
LE BON MARCHÉ, it’s an important store in Paris, Rive Gauche, near where I live. You can shop everything: fashion, food, books, beauty…. The fashion department is really great: the selection is refined and interesting aswell as the books or design section. The food department is amazing: you can find products that you couldn’t find anywhere else in Paris. It’s a real luxe…
24, rue de Sèvres  75007 Paris, +33 1 44 39 80 00

Your favourite accessory?
The MINI TOM in the collection! Since I’ve created it, I cannot separate myself from it. It is perfect: convenient, light and feminine. This is my new classic.

What is your favourite playlist?
PSYCHEMAGIK DIABOLICAL SYNTHETIC FANTASIA
Chic – I want your love (Todd terje édit)
Midnight magic – Beam me up
Bennis Cletin – Jungle magic
Part Magic – Sonando de ti

What is your favourite holiday book ?
TWENTY-FOUR HOURS IN THE LIFE OF A WOMAN by STEFAN ZWEIG – a real intense and strong story and he is one of my favourite writers.

Thank you, Sophie, for sharing your insider scoop on Paris with us!

LoL, Sandra