From Paris to New York City: Francophile Fun

Channel your inner Francophile and jet set to one of the world’s most romantic destinations with this quick guide to La Ville-Lumière. Want to experience some Parisian magic without leaving the city? Check out two of our favorite French foodie spots.

PARIS: LA VILLE-LUMIÈRE

STAY

Hotel Montalembert
3 Rue De Montalembert

Built in 1926, the Hotel Montalembert is a historic landmark located in the center of Paris in the chic Left Bank district. Its location in the heart of Saint Germain des Pres means guests are just steps from luxe art galleries, antiques, fine shopping and the Musee d’Orsay and the Louvre.

EAT

While Paris has no shortage of amazing restaurants, the following are some of our favorites right now. Bon appétit!

Racines 2
39 rue de l’Arbre Sec

This French néo-bistrots is an offspring from the original Racines with interiors designed by Philippe Starck.

Sur Mesure par Thierry Marx
251 rue Saint Honore

Sur Mesure, located in the Mandarin Oriental Paris, is a culinary delight that offers a gourmet sensory experience in an elegant white setting. Two-Michelin-starred chef Thierry Marx presents intricate and profound dishes made with seasonal ingredients and intended to provoke light, sound and taste.

Royal Monceau
37 Avenue Hoche

Stop by the luxurious, five-starRoyal Monceau for afternoon high tea and pastries by Pierre Hermé, known as the “Picasso of pastry” because of his uniquely flavored macarons.

DO

Embrace romance, culture, art and history as you stroll through the streets of Paris. You’ll be sure to warm someone’s heart during one of these great experiences.

Lock it Up
Pont des Arts Bridge

Who needs a rock when you can solidify your love with a lock? Couples have been sealing their relationship at the Pont des Arts pedestrian bridge, which links the Institut de France and the central square of the palais du Louvre, for years. Duos inscribe their names and sweet nothings on a padlock, attach it to the bridge and romantically toss the key into the Seine.

Tours Galore
Embark on a private tour led by a renowned art historian and graduate of the prestigious Ecole du Louvre. Tours can be catered to interests, preferences and group dynamics, but the following are great for the month of love.

Fall head-over-heels on The Eros Tour at the Louvre, which showcases pieces related to love, Venus and Eros. It includes masterpieces such as Venus de Milo, the Great Odalisque and Venus and Psyche and lesser-known works such as la Belle Nani and Pygmalion and Galatea. Spice it up on aWomen in ScandalsTour, (Musée d’Orsay) offering a glimpse at famous art depicting women who provoked scandals in the 19th Century. Thrill your taste buds on a French Foodie Tour that travels through a range of famous Parisian districts and presents the city’s delicacies – bread, cheese, chocolate, macarons, honey, mustard and more.

Crystal Clear
Baccarat Showroom and Museum
11 place des Etats-Unis, 16e

Learn about the history of the unique art of handmade crystal, perfected since 1764 by Baccarat craftsmen in France, and view more than 500 timeless pieces. Enjoy a meal prepared by a Michelin-starred chef in the beautiful Cristal Room Baccarat, a genuine living space situated in the former dining room of Marie-Laure de Noailles.

BONJOUR NEW YORK

La Promenade des Anglais

461 West 23rd Street, near 10th Avenue

La Promenade des Anglais, located in the heart of Chelsea and just steps from the High Line, is a charming bistro from French chef Alain Allegretti (former executive chef of Atelier). The restaurant opened in September and has gained acclaim from critics from both the New York Times and NY Mag, receiving two stars from each. Pegged as one of the “most adept practitioners of modern French cuisine,” Allegretti created menus that blend cuisine inspired by the French Riviera and various regions of Italy.

The interior pays tribute to Allegretti’s southern French roots and features Côte d’Azur blue walls, brass fixtures, antique mirrors and a long, polished white marble bar. Rich dark wood paneling, blue velour banquettes and a ceiling mural create an environment that is decadent yet inviting.

La Promenade features an all-day bar menu in addition to lunch, dinner and weekend brunch. Brunch suggestions include the almond crusted fresh toast; zucchini flower beignets; poached eggs “Riviera style”; and the frittata. For dinner, try: prosciutto and clam croquettes; baby artichokes; fried gnocchi; Perugina sausage; sweet red shrimp tartare; trofie; striped bass; pork loin; baba au rhum.

Maison Ladurée

864 Madison Avenue, between 70th and 71st Streets

Highly acclaimed and wildly popular Parisian pastry shop Maison Ladurée opened its doors on the Upper East Side last fall. The boutique is best known for its luxurious, pastel-colored French macarons in flavors such as caramel with salted butter, pistachio and almond morello cherry, but also sells cakes, pastries and chocolates. The store is the company’s first in the US and includes a sales room and a tea room for sitting and conversing on antique chairs covered in 19th century fabrics.

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Jenene Ronick is one of the foremost experts in concierge services and lifestyle management.  Over the past 10 years, Jenene forged and executed concierge programs with some of the world’s leading hoteliers, real estate developers, hedge funds, and Fortune 500 clients. Previously, Jenene ran guest relations at CNN for 7 years. At CNN, she learned to address the exacting demands of high net worth clients, and developed relationships with hundreds of exclusive vendors to seamlessly execute and exceed  requirements.  At Luxury Attaché, she leveraged her expertise to create a unique lifestyle service provision fueled by proactivity to provide clients with personalized service delivery, access, convenience and once in-a-lifetime experiences.  Jenene attended the NYU Stern School of Business, and the University of Colorado, Boulder.