Words by Aude Camus
After more than a decade of living in Hong Kong, I still call Paris home — not day to day, but deep down, where memory and rhythm live. Every summer, I return for a month (sometimes longer) to reconnect with the city that raised me. And while Paris is ever-changing, I find myself slipping back into the same rituals — long lunches, aimless walks, and a few favourite spots I visit like old friends.
If you're planning a trip and wondering what to do, here’s my personal list of things to do in Paris — the restaurants I never skip, the streets I walk every time, and the little moments that make the city feel like home.
Looking to enjoy a proper taste of Paris in Hong Kong? Some of my favourite French bistros in the 852 include Jean-Pierre (Sheung Wan), Marmo (Tsim Sha Tsui) and Bouillon (Sheung Wan).
Where to Eat in Paris: My Favourite Restaurants Right Now
Parcelles
13 rue Chapon, 75003
Hidden in the Haut Marais, Parcelles is the kind of place that makes me feel quietly smug about having a reservation. It’s small, warm, and always delicious. I have a soft spot for the sweetbread — golden, rich, and perfectly crisp — and the service strikes that ideal Parisian balance of professional without fuss. The wine selection is on point. Go hungry, book ahead (booking opens two weeks in advance, you’ll have to be quick).
Le Café Marly
Musée du Louvre, 93 rue de Rivoli, 75001
I know it’s touristy, but I fall for Le Café Marly every time. Sitting under the arcades of the Louvre with a glass of white wine, a plate of truffle tarama, and croque-monsieur? It’s a cinematic kind of lunch I never get tired of. Good to know: the better you dress, the more chances you have to be seated front-row on the terrace (it’s Paris baby – it can be snob sometimes but it’s worth the effort).
Carette – Place des Vosges
25 Place des Vosges, 75003
The hot chocolate is thick as custard and comes with whipped cream on the side. It’s pure comfort. I love coming to Carette with my daughter for a little breakfast date before we head to the playground at Place des Vosges — a ritual that’s now non-negotiable every summer (and winter).
Le Piaf
38 rue Jean Mermoz, 75008
After more than a decade of living in Hong Kong, I still call Paris home — not day to day, but deep down, where memory and rhythm live. Every summer, I return for a month (sometimes longer) to reconnect with the city that raised me. And while Paris is ever-changing, I find myself slipping back into the same rituals — long lunches, aimless walks, and a few favourite spots I visit like old friends.
If you're planning a trip and wondering what to do, here’s my personal list of things to do in Paris — the restaurants I never skip, the streets I walk every time, and the little moments that make the city feel like home.
Looking to enjoy a proper taste of Paris in Hong Kong? Some of my favourite French bistros in the 852 include Jean-Pierre (Sheung Wan), Marmo (Tsim Sha Tsui) and Bouillon (Sheung Wan).
Where to Eat in Paris: My Favourite Restaurants Right Now
Parcelles
13 rue Chapon, 75003
Hidden in the Haut Marais, Parcelles is the kind of place that makes me feel quietly smug about having a reservation. It’s small, warm, and always delicious. I have a soft spot for the sweetbread — golden, rich, and perfectly crisp — and the service strikes that ideal Parisian balance of professional without fuss. The wine selection is on point. Go hungry, book ahead (booking opens two weeks in advance, you’ll have to be quick).
Le Café Marly
Musée du Louvre, 93 rue de Rivoli, 75001
I know it’s touristy, but I fall for Le Café Marly every time. Sitting under the arcades of the Louvre with a glass of white wine, a plate of truffle tarama, and croque-monsieur? It’s a cinematic kind of lunch I never get tired of. Good to know: the better you dress, the more chances you have to be seated front-row on the terrace (it’s Paris baby – it can be snob sometimes but it’s worth the effort).
Carette – Place des Vosges
25 Place des Vosges, 75003
The hot chocolate is thick as custard and comes with whipped cream on the side. It’s pure comfort. I love coming to Carette with my daughter for a little breakfast date before we head to the playground at Place des Vosges — a ritual that’s now non-negotiable every summer (and winter).
Le Piaf
38 rue Jean Mermoz, 75008
Dinner with a side of party vibes. Expect classic French food (the fries are to die for), live music, and a crowd that’s clearly there for a good time. Le Piaf Paris is buzzy and bold in all the right ways — a solid Friday night spot when you’re in the mood for something fun. Fair warming though, the pianist will mainly play French music.
Aux Prés & Le Chardenoux
27 rue du Dragon, 75006
1 rue Jules Vallès, 75011
Cyril Lignac does no wrong in my book. Aux Prés is sleek and Left Bank cool with a touch of vintage and an French-Asian twist; Le Chardenoux leans more classic (cue the heritage-listed brasserie décor), but with an elevated touch. Both are reliably good and stylish without being overdone.
Disciples
136 boulevard Murat, 75016
Out in the 16th and well worth the taxi. The menu is short but full of off-menu suggestions, and the cooking is polished but not pretentious. We celebrated our civil wedding at Disciples, and served an epic ‘pheasant chartreuse’ so I’m biased — but I’d argue it’s one of the best restaurants in Paris right now. Don’t miss the chocolate soufflé.
Nonos at Hôtel de Crillon
Hôtel de Crillon, A Rosewood Hotel, 10 Place de la Concorde, 75008
Dinner under the stars at this palace hotel’s patio felt like a dream. The atmosphere at Nonos is grand without being stiff, the service is kind, and even our five-year-old was treated like a VIP. Bonus points for the people-watching and the signature gruyère soufflé.
Carboni’s
45 rue de Poitou, 75003
This place nails the mood: warm lighting, great energy, and small plates made for sharing. The kind of spot where one glass of Italian wine turns into three, and suddenly it’s midnight and you’re still nibbling on delicious pasta.
Le Grand Café
Rotonde Clémenceau, 1 Place Clémenceau, 75008
Set inside the newly reopened Grand Palais, Le Grand Café is nothing short of stunning (with prices to match I have to say). It feels like the glamorous cousin of a traditional Parisian brasserie — elevated in every sense. The floating island dessert is a must — designed to share it easily serves four.
Where to Stroll in Paris: My Go-To Walking Itineraries
When I’m in Paris, I walk everywhere. No itinerary, no pressure — just beautiful routes I return to summer after summer.
Right bank — Le Marais
I usually begin the day in Place des Vosges, right on my in-laws’ doorstep, with breakfast under the arcades at Carette — hot chocolate and viennoiseries, especially if I have my daughter with me. After that, we wander down Rue des Francs-Bourgeois and Rue Vieille-du-Temple, dipping into concept stores like Merci when something catches my eye.
There are a few boutiques I never skip: Ysé (117 Rue Vieille-du-Temple) and Livy (83 Rue Vieille-du-Temple) for delicate, very French lingerie; Jonak (22 Rue des Francs-Bourgeois) and Bobbies (123 Rue Vieille-du-Temple) for well-made, stylish shoes; Sézane (33 Rue des Blancs-Manteaux) and NOO (128 Rue Vieille-du-Temple) for that cool, easy Parisian look. I also love stopping at Courrèges (27 Rue des Francs-Bourgeois) — I’m slightly obsessed with their ‘60s-inspired silhouettes.
If hunger strikes, Marché des Enfants Rouges is always a good idea — the buzz, the mix of scents, the little terraces that feel like summer in full swing. And then there are the sweet stops. We often detour to Bontemps La Pâtisserie (57 Rue de Bretagne) — their sablé cakes are delicate, creamy, and just a bit magical.
Le Marais is actually a dream for sweet tooths. My favourites?
· Dunes Blanches (54 Rue des Archives), for freshly baked cream puffs that originated in the southwest of France
· Maison Aleph (20 Rue de la Verrerie), where Levantine flavours meet French technique — think orange blossom, rose, pistachio
· À La Mère de Famille (16 Rue Rambuteau), for pralines, chocolate, and a nostalgic design that feels like a scene from a film
· Pâtisserie Michalak (16 Rue de la Verrerie), where I go when I’m craving flan
Left Bank — Saint-Germain-des-Prés
While staying in the Marais, I often cross the Seine on foot — passing Notre-Dame, then following Quai Saint-Micheluntil I reach Place Saint-Michel and turn onto Rue Saint-André des Arts. This stretch is one of my favourites for slow strolling. I always stop at Boulangerie LIBERTÉ (40 Rue Saint-André des Arts) — don’t miss their Pavé au Chocolat, a rustic cacao bread dotted with chunks of white and milk chocolate. Heaven.
From there, I continue onto Rue de Buci, which I love for its bustle and terraces. At the start of the street is Comptoir Les Deux Magots (2 Rue de Buci) — the takeaway outpost of the iconic Saint-Germain café. It’s much quieter than the original address, so perfect if you’re after their famous hot chocolate without the queue. A few steps away, Taschen (2 Rue de Buci) is my go-to for beautifully designed coffee table books — what better place for a literary browse than Saint-Germain-des-Prés?
If I’m in the mood for something savoury, Cul de Cochon (32 Rue de Buci) calls with its deeply satisfying ham and cheese sandwiches. A few doors down, I always stop at Maison Gazelle (160 Boulevard Saint-Germain) for a takeaway box of gazelle ankles — delicate almond-filled pastries with a Moroccan twist.
Once on Boulevard Saint-Germain, I turn right if I feel like revisiting the classics. Café de Flore and Les Deux Magots may be cliché, but I still take a seat if the queue isn’t too long — who doesn’t love a little cinematic glamour? Just next door is L’Écume des Pages (174 Boulevard Saint-Germain), one of Paris’ most beloved independent bookstores, and always worth a browse.
No visit to Saint-Germain is complete without a stop at Citypharma (26 Rue du Four). Yes, it’s always busy — but don’t be put off by the queue at the cashier, it moves quickly. You’ll find all the cult French pharmacy brands at unbeatable prices: Nuxe, La Roche-Posay, Christophe Robin, Cut by Fred… My suitcase is never light on the way back.
From there, I wander down Rue de Sèvres to Le Bon Marché (24 Rue de Sèvres), Paris’ oldest department store and still — in my opinion — its most beautiful. Right next door is La Grande Épicerie (38 Rue de Sèvres), a temple to all things edible. Between the fashion and home décor at Le Bon Marché and the pastries, cheeses, tins and teas at La Grande Épicerie, I could easily lose an entire afternoon.
If I still have time (and energy), I walk back via Rue du Bac, which is full of little treasures:
• Le Grand Comptoir (116 Rue du Bac) for chic gifts and homeware
• Angelina (108 Rue du Bac) for a decadent hot chocolate or a slice of Mont-Blanc
• Oh My Cream! (104 Rue du Bac) for beautifully curated skincare
• Des Gâteaux et du Pain by Claire Damon (89 Rue du Bac) — her pastries are edible sculptures
It’s a walk I do every time I’m in Paris — a little indulgent, a little inspiring, and completely Parisian.
