Some cities are best discovered through someone else’s eyes. This season, two friends of Melagence shared the corners of Paris they return to again and again: the quiet ones, the ones worth the wait.
Through Christina’s Paris, the day often begins with movement. At Reformation Paris, where reformer studios are scattered across Saint-Germain-des-Prés, the Marais, and Palais Royal, classes are offered in both French and English, always within reach.
Then, a pause. At FIKA, inside the Institut Suédois, a hidden courtyard garden waits behind a historic façade. Cinnamon buns, cardamom buns and a stillness that makes you forget you’re in the Marais at all.
Equally peaceful, you can find a café at the Musée de la Vie Romantique that was once the home of the painter Ary Scheffer. It’s mainly a place where you come to lose yourself, especially when the light is soft and spring is in the air.
When morning comes, Christina goes to UnionBoulangerie for bread and for their famous cinnamon rolls. In the evening she either returns to Kunitoraya or to Sam Sun, right next door, to enjoy Korean specialities.
For something to take home, Beige Habilleur offers quiet luxury fabric and craft over logos, just steps from the Jardin du Luxembourg.
On a clear afternoon, the Batobus drifts along the Seine, watching the city’s monuments slide by from the water, the light turning everything golden toward evening.
Le vrai Paris, celui qu’on ne trouve pas dans les guides.
Behind Paris’ famous addresses lies a quieter, more intimate city: one of hidden ateliers, discreet tables, and private spaces known only to those who truly live here. A journalist by training and Parisian by marriage, Carola Antelme has spent over a decade building the kind of trusted relationships that open these doors. At Panamour Paris Conciergerie, she designs personal, tailored experiences not as a guide for visitors, but as someone welcoming you inside, and now she has shared some of her absolute favourite places with us…
In Carola’s Paris, the day might as well start with ramen at Sanjo. Arrive right at noon, before the line forms, and you’ll slip into a table without waiting. Just steps away from the Tuileries, Rose Bakery at Jeu de Paume is perfect for a simple lunch: quiches, savory tarts and cakes that are unpretentious and comforting.
For a touch of whimsy, stop by Brigitte Tanaka - the smallest shop on Rue Saint-Roch, where everyday objects like sardine tins and baguettes are reimagined as collectible pieces. Mind your head on the way in.
If you’re in the mood for design and lifestyle finds, Merci #2 located on Rue de Richelieu offers a more intimate and curated version of the original Merci concept store.
For dinner, Le Mary Celeste is one of Carola’s favorite restaurants. In an atmosphere reminiscent of Berlin Kreuzberg more than Le Marais, enjoy creative and slightly unexpected dishes meant for sharing, ideal for a long evening with a few glasses of wine.
If you prefer something a bit sweeter, Café Bontemps, located not far away on Rue de Bretagne, is a true hidden gem. The sablé is delicate and melts in your mouth and the lemon cake carries a flavor that feels like a brief escape to Sicily.
Looking for a slightly different experience? The Musée de la Chasse et de la Nature mixes contemporary art, design and natural history in surprising ways. Walking into a room entirely covered in owl feathers is an experience you won’t soon forget.
To fully unwind after your visit, Maison Suisen offers traditional Japanese Shiatsu massage - the kind of place you leave feeling completely rejuvenated.
On the Left Bank, Le Petit Lutetia is a Rive Gauche classic traditional French bistro. Food, warm service and a chocolate mousse that’s the talk of Paris.
Just nearby, tucked away right behind the Jardin du Luxembourg, Localino is one of the best Italian restaurants in the city. Tiny, easy to miss, reservation-only, but definitely worth the detour.
Finally, for a little something to take home, Alix D. Reynis on Rue Jacob feels like stepping back in time. The eponymous sculptor is known for her refined porcelain and Carola’s favorites are the simple, beautifully understated napkin holders.
To finish, head to the flea markets of Saint-Ouen, where Les Merveilles de Babellou (Marché Paul Bert, Allée 1, Stand 12) is a treasure trove of vintage jewelry, rare bags, and pieces signed by Dior and Jean Paul Gaultier.
