STAY

Hôtel Balzac

At Hôtel Balzac, interiors strike a balance between quiet grandeur and lived-in ease. The lobby is defined by warm wood panelling and a checkerboard floor of Rosso Levanto marble and Romano travertine, softened by low, slipcovered seating and amber-lit corners. In the powder rooms, the rich Rosso Levanto marble wraps the walls and sink basins, with considered touches like Diptyque soap adding a note of quiet luxury. Upstairs, suites are adorned with textured wall coverings and trimmed in black, with sandy upholstery, pale carpets, and a restrained palette that lets the materials speak. Thoughtfully edited and grounded in comfort, the spaces feel both intimate and composed.

EAT & DRINK

Bouche
A Brutalist corner spot with a polished edge, Bouche serves globally inflected small plates and natural wines in a space that feels both sharp and inviting. Their sister spot RORI is just across the road—pizza by the slice or a proper pie, depending on your mood.

Taverna
Stainless steel counters and beeswax candles recall the mood at Linou Soumpasis & Sia in Athens. A relaxed, well-composed place for Greek-Cypriot plates and an easy evening.

Folderol
A local favourite with the city’s creative set. Daily-changing, small-batch ice cream - don’t miss the olive oil - and natural wines from thoughtful, small-scale producers.

Vivant 2
Candlelit marble counters, finely tuned small plates, and a sharp wine list. Elegant but unfussy, with just the right amount of edge.

SHOP

Ogata
Quiet and expansive, Ogata blends tea, craftsmanship, and Japanese design under one roof—home to a tearoom, gallery, shop, and restaurant, all rendered in tactile materials and hushed tones.

Sabre
Sabre brings a sense of play to the table, letting you customise cutlery by colour, shape, and finish—an easy pleasure for those who care about everyday details.

Galerie Paradis
Housed in a former ceramics atelier, Galerie Paradis is a large, light-filled space showcasing collectible furniture, ceramics, and sculptural pieces—at once industrial and quietly elevated.

INSPIRE

Musée Rodin
The seven acre garden with its gravel paths, rose beds, and clipped lawns is home to works like The Thinker and The Gates of Hell, placed with quiet intention among the greenery. Bring a book and settle in by the fountain.

Bourdelle Museum
Once the sculptor’s home and studio, this quietly atmospheric museum holds a mix of plaster, bronze, and marble works, set across timber-framed ateliers and leafy courtyards in Montparnasse.

Jardin du Palais-Royal
Tucked behind the arcades, this formal garden is a calm, geometric space with gravel paths, clipped lime trees, and green chairs arranged for quiet pause. Look out for Les Confidents, a group of sculpted conversation chairs by Canadian artist Michel Goulet.

GET THE ‘HÔTEL BALZAC’ LOOK