The Eiffel Tower, the Musée d’Orsay, the banks of the Seine, the Rodin Museum... once you’ve visited these iconic landmarks, it’s easy to think the 7th has shown you its best side. Yet, Parisians jealously guard the district’s most delicious secret: the part that delights the palate with shopping streets overflowing with the very best of French cuisine, and offers plenty of ways to max out your credit card at chic, quintessentially Parisian fashion brands like Sézane or Balzac.
In this new ebook, I share all the hidden gems I’ve discovered during my years of wandering the streets of Paris. To me, the 7th arrondissement is the place to find the absolute finest of French gastronomy, fashion, and culture, and this ebook showcases that through its curated list of addresses:
In this neighborhood, you don’t need to spend a fortune to savor the classic French dishes that made France’s culinary reputation. You won’t find poke bowls or vegetarian-only spots here like in some of Paris’s trendier districts; the 7th is for ‘bon vivants’, lovers of fine meat and traditional slow-cooked dishes served on checkered tablecloths. All of this comes at reasonable "bistronomic" prices (gourmet cuisine at bistro rates), averaging around 25 euros per main course.
If you are already missing the delicious food you enjoyed in France, why not take some of it home? The 7th arrondissement offers two great assets for this: shopping streets where you can fill your suitcases with treats to delight your palate once you return. Here, you can stroll past cheese shops, greengrocers, wine merchants, and chocolatiers... all while the air is filled with the mouth-watering aromas of roast chicken, juicy peaches, and crusty baguettes fresh from the local bakery’s wood-fired oven.
It is no coincidence that Paris has long been the fashion capital, a title that perfectly captures the concept of "Parisian chic" and reflects the inimitable style and unique elegance of those who embrace it. Having style, yet with a certain nonchalance, as if you hadn't given it a second thought, is an art form that Parisians have mastered like no one else. The secret to Parisian chic lies in the art of mixing and layering. By playing with a blend of textures, colors, and volumes, Parisians create a unique style, that allows them to perfectly express their personalities. And rather than chasing fleeting trends, Parisian fashion focuses on timeless elegance, embodied by brands like Sézane, Balzac, and Les Petits Hauts, all of which have a strong presence in the 7th arrondissement.
the 7th arrondissement also celebrates culture with seven of the city’s most cherished museums. Among them is one of my personal favorites, the Musée Rodin, home to a magnificent garden where visitors can discover the famous sculptor’s work. Housed in the stunning Hôtel de Biron, Auguste Rodin’s vast collection of sculptures, including ‘The Thinker’, sits alongside works by international artists during temporary exhibitions.
If you’re a fan of French music like me, I highly recommend visiting Serge Gainsbourg’s house, where everything has remained exactly as it was since the singer’s death in 1991. As you walk through, you are accompanied by the smooth voice of his daughter, Charlotte, who recounts her father’s life as an artist throughout the tour; it is a deeply moving experience that leaves you with an intense desire to listen to all his records again, from "La Javanaise" to "Je t’aime... moi non plus."
For my paid subscribers: You can download your copy of “A Flaneuse’s Guide to the 7th Arrondissement” directly via the link below. It is perfectly formatted for your phone or tablet, so you can take it with you on your next stroll through the city.
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