On a recent trip to Paris heavily inspired by Lindsey Tramuta’s book The New Paris (available in the shop and the next book for my coffee table book club!), I set out to do all things Parisian in a (very short) long weekend. Here are my top picks!

Stay
Hotel Providence Paris
90 rue René Boulanger, 75010
There are not enough wonderful things to say about the Hotel Providence Paris. It is fairly new and it is as chic and local as it is clean and comfortable. Each room comes with an international smart phone that you can use complimentary for telephone calls and internet and they list a super useful selection of shopping and dining that were mostly on my list. Insider notes: Even the small rooms are perfect for two - ours had a great mini bar and wonderful balcony with bistro chairs and table with a sweet view. The café on the ground floor is where many locals come for after work cocktails even on the coldest of days under outdoor heaters and inside cozied up in nooks and near fireplaces. Pick up one of the hotel's beautifully scented candles as a reminder when you get home of your incredible trip. When using uber, use the Porte Saint-Martin square as a point of pick up and drip off and walk the half block to the hotel up tiny street rue René Boulanger as the GPS system for uber will just bring the driver around and around 

Coffee
Ten Belles
10 Rue de la Grange aux Belles, 75010
Start any/all days with coffee and pain au chocolat here. It was the best café au lait I’ve ever had in Europe and perfect for walking around the Canal Saint-Martin to window shop and take photos over the bridges.

Shop
Merci 
111 Boulevard Meaumarchais, 75003
This Parisian concept store has two floors of art, home, apothecary and clothing and a sweet Instagram-worthy courtyard (you have seen it a million times with the mini red car!). There’s also a very cozy café lined with hundreds of books. Insider note: the queue for the café is inside where the store meets the restaurant, not out the front door.

Jacques Genin, Fondeur en chocolat
133 Rue Turenne, 75003
These are the best eclairs in the history of time and I am not ashamed at how many I bring back in my carryon luggage. #worthit

Librairie des Archives
83 Rue Vielle du Temple, 75003
Stacks and stacks of vintage French lifestyle and fashion magazines.

O/HP/E
27 Rue du Château d’Eau, 75010
This part home/kitchen shop with beautiful wares from porcelain dishes to printed tea towels all the way to locally made honeys and jams, this is the perfect spot to grab a little snack and a few gifts to return to the states with - I highly recommend the petit breads. 

Pharmacies
These goldmines of French skincare are throughout France and usually marked with a large green cross. Think all natural deodorant, night creams and beauty products we just don’t have in the states. Stock up!

Eat
Candelaria
52 Rue de Saintonge, 75003
Walking from Hotel Providence Paris you can walk through Le Republique where the French go to be heard during demonstrations and is always lively on weekends. Candelaria serves up Mexican street food, which I love and they have great vegetarian options and shots of Mezcal and Mexican soda. After dinner, slip through the backdoor to their speakeasy style bar serving up artisan craft cocktails.

Carbón
14 Rue Charlot, 75003
This gorgeous restaurant is true farm to table with lush salads filled with seasonal vegetables and beautiful cheeses and meats prepared perfectly accompanied by an amazing wine list. Reservations highly recommended, also open for lunch. 

Les Philosophes
28 Rue Vieille du Temple, 75004
On my last day in Paris I always eat breakfast here and write my postcards and a quick list of last minute shopping and stops to make before take off. The eggs are dreamy. 

Le 404
69 Rue des Gravilliers, 75003
I love the ambiance at this long standing Moroccan spot complete with hundreds of candles and hanging lanterns with a menu perfect for all diet types. 

Drink
Le Comptoir Général
80 Quai de Gemmages
This local spot near the Canal Saint-Martin is lovely for late afternoon drinks in their cute courtyard.

Le Syndicat
51 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Denis, 75010
Get here a little earlier to avoid queues. We went quite late in the evening and the doorman was funny and from Italy and let us in just a minute after arriving which we were thankful for as it had started raining. Insider note: get a seat at the bar in front of one of the incredible mixologists to get a front row glimpse of your libation being expertly crafted and served in beautiful etched crystal and if you’re brave enough attempt your French and ask for a specialty cocktail made for you using your favorite spirit. Mine was delicious made with cucumber, St Germain and champagne. 

Hotel du Nord
102 Quai de Jemmapes, 75010
This is a fun spot on early evenings for locals gathering for drinks before dinner and even a bit afterwards. I love the energy near the Canal Saint-Martin and this indoor/outdoor cafe has fine dining and a bar I love to sit at people watch. 

Art
Centre Georges Pompidou 
Place Georges-Pompidou, 75004
I have seen some of the most incredible exhibitions at the Pompidou including César and an entire retrospective of Salvador Dalí. The permanent collection is also a breeze to walk through and George on the roof is an amazing place for an aperitif and a few photos of the Paris skyline. Insider note: purchase your tickets online before arrival to get in the shorter queue.

Slow Galerie 
5 Rue Jean-Pierre Timbaud, 75011
Part tea house, part gallery of graphic art. Great spot to pick up a small treasure.

Various Galleries
Rue Beaubourg, 75003
Just a few blocks from the Pompidou find dozens of independent galleries along Rue Beaubourg and the surrounding side streets filled with contemporary art.

 Boulangerie photo courtesy of Sam Cassidy, all others Kristen Coates. Special thanks to Hotel Providence Paris for the amazing stay and to Sam Cassidy and Fatiha Salem for the exceptional eating, arting and drinking.