A Week with the Hotelier King of Paris

The last place I had a fabulous meal

I always enjoy a lunch at L’Affable, just a stone’s throw from the hotel. The owner Olivier Hélion and his team always ensure you enjoy the moment. If I may, I would recommend the home-made terrine followed by the octopus served with a chickpeas houmous…délicieux!

At the weekend

I live in the 14th district, and its streets are full of surprises. I like running in the Cité Universitaire, sipping a coffee at Chinchin’s terrace and walking the small, cobbled streets lost in greenery, by the Parc Montsouris. Then I push to Rue Daguerre and its amazing market where you can find anything you need for a Sunday Roast. On my way home, I take a  mandatory stop at La Ferme d’Alexandre, a fromagerie – a must for the cheese addict I am.

My perfect evening in Paris involves

You know, evenings are always perfect in Paris! Wherever you are, you can have an amazing view and find a wonderful place to gather with friends or loved ones.  Being a Parisian, for me, means going to the Musée d’Orsay on Thursdays for their late opening, followed by a walk through Saint-Germain-des-Prés streets to reach Auguste, a Michelin fine-dining restaurant owned by the very talented chef Gaël Orieux. He will cook a meal you will never forget.  If the night is still young, I take a last drink at Les Deux Magots, to feel part of the artistic vibe of Saint-Germain.

For a truly Parisian experience I always recommend our guests

I am a big fan of rock music and vinyl discs, so I like rummaging in small, vintage and dusty discs’ shops around Les Halles. My favourite is Monster Melodies, rue des Déchargeurs. Be patient; it’s a tiny place but you will definitely find the very piece you are missing in your collection. I will stop by Boulinier bookstore where you can find second hand books for a very affordable price.

You can’t come to Paris and not..

..cruise on the Seine river. It's  the best way to see most of Parisian monuments from a different perspective. My advice is to do it by using Batobus. It is part of the public transport, you can hop on and off very easily, and remember, there are never traffic jams on the river!

My favourite new thing to do in Paris is 

I discovered La Bourse du Commerce – Pinault Collection a year ago. The way the building was refurbished and embellished by architect Tadao Ando is stunning and the collections exhibited are latterly enhanced by the décor.

For me, the most beautiful experiences to enjoy at Hotel Pont Royal are

Sipping a tailor-made cocktail, seated in one of those comfy Chesterfield leather armchairs listening to the three-pieces jazz band at our Bar Signature every other Monday.  Looking at guests’ eyes when they discover the view from our top Suite, embracing the whole Paris, from the Eiffel Tower to Notre-Dame or Sacré-Coeur. 

For late October into November my culture picks are..

The Edvard Munch exhibition at the Musée d’Orsay. The collection presented is breath-taking, even in the absence of The Scream, too fragile to be shipped to Paris.  The Salon du Chocolat from 28 October to November 1 at Porte de Versailles. The best place on earth to see, smell, taste and literally bath in chocolate. You will find there the best pastry chefs and specialists like Victoire Finaz, one of the only “chocologue” on Earth. If you like chocolate, don’t think twice and come over.

Visit Hotel Pont Royal and immerse yourself in literary and artistic Paris.

Enter our competition to win a two night stay at the hotel.

Thank you Frédéric Le Gallois