Okay, so I may not be able to fly you above the rooftops of Paris ala this whimsically bee-you-tiful Sophia Coppola short film for Dior, I am, however, able to intro you to the most awesome Paris tour-guide you’ll ever wish to meet – Miss Marine.

Not only does she create totally crushable-on items of adorability – check them out: www.misssugarcane.com, she’s worked for the super swank Chanel and other fabu designers, she loves Marilyn Monroe and she’s spilling her classified insider info on SM’s city du jour, Paris – who WOULDN’T heart, Marine?!

The Insider’s Guide to Paris – by Marine – MissSugarCane

Hey Sassy Minxes – I’m born in Paris, I’ve always lived here, but everyday I see Paris in exactly the same way a tourist does. I live 5 minutes walk from Pigalle and the Moulin Rouge, Paris is not a very big city, so don’t be afraid to lose yourself in it!

EAT

Stohrer : 51 rue Montorgueil 75001. Métro: Etienne Marcel. In a nice district, typical of the old Paris centre, go to this famous baker,y open since 1730 and have a spinach and shrimps salad with a delicious “flan” or a “Baba au rhum”-  a speciality of this pretty, pretty place.

Ladurée: You can’t miss this beautiful place. Feel like a queen and eat the same macaroons as the truly decadent Marie Antoinette! The history of Parisian tea salons is intimately tied to the history of the Ladurée family.

It all began in 1862, when Louis Ernest Ladurée, a miller from France’s southwest, created a bakery at 16 rue Royale in Paris 75008. Métro Madeleine. These small, round cakes, crisp on the outside, smooth and soft in the middle, are made every morning in Ladurée’s ‘laboratory’. With each new season, Ladurée pays tribute to this, its most famous creation, by creating a new flavour.

My personal favourite is the Rose one – yummy!

Marché des enfants rouges: 39 rue de Bretagne, 75003 Métro Arts et métiers – Tuesday to Saturday. The oldest market of Paris, built in the 16s century. Eat a wonderful spicy Moroccan tagine outside, facing the sun and feel like you’re on in Marrakech in the middle of Paris. Then, while your food goes down, take a  stroll to the rue Vieille du Temple for some shopping, Vanessa Bruno, 4me, and most exciting of all, Abu dhabi bazar at number 125: an amazing selection of clothes and accessories for all budgets.

DRINK:

Hotel Raphaël Bar: 17, avenue Kléber, 75016 métro Charles de Gaulle/ Etoile. Warm and cosy atmosphere with red velvet and amazingly magical views of the Eiffel Tower.

Work your best Audrey Hepburn look – black dress and big sunglasses – sip a Mojito, and if you’re lucky, you’ll meet a few stars incognito!

Le Cyrano: 3 rue Biot 75017, métro Place de Clichy.
Man Ray, Max Ernst, Dali used to met there to imagine a new vision of life in this typicall Parisian café. You can feel the spirit of the 30’s on the wall and enjoy the cool vibes of young parisian way of life.

DANCE

If you’re in Paris for our National Day, July 14th, you must go to one of the ‘Bal des pompiers’ – fireman party. My best one is at: 200 quai de Valmy 75019 – Métro: Jaurès on the dock next to the ‘Point ephémère’. Cheap drink and and retro orchestra for a popular and hot party time!

Chacha club: 47 rue Berger 75001.Sophisticated and glam club, good music and trendy customers. Closed on Sunday.

Bellevilloise: 19/21 rur Boyer 75020 – Métro: Ménilmontant. Very cool venue where you can have dance lessons, go to concerts, eat food, and attend funky parties. Before having a nice time there, have a walk at the Père Lachaise cemetary – Métro: Père Lachaise to say “hello” to some ghosts o’ Paris – Jim Morrison, Edith Piaf, Oscar Wilde, Ingres, Visconti, Gertrude Stein… then get lost in the Ménilmontant and Belleville streets.

SHOP

Mamie: 73/69 rue de Rochechouart 75009 РM̩tro: Anvers. One of my best addresses in Paris. Fact.
For girls who have always dreamed of being Betty Page or Brigitte Bardot. Vintage finds from the 40’s through to the 60’s. Set aside an entire afternoon for a visit!

Guerrisold: 33 avenue de Clichy 75017. Métro: Place de Clichy.
Vintage again, but very low priced bags, shoes, clothes, scarfs. You can find real treasures for around 5 or 10 euros

WALK AROUND

Marché aux puces Vernaison. Métro: Porte de Clignancourt
Open from Saturday thru to Monday – 9.30am to 18.30pm. You will fall in love with this market full of furniture, vintage Chanel bags, old lace clothes and generally funny and quirky stuff. Then, have a Jamaican break at the Red Gold and Green bar for a slice of delicious banana cake.

MUSEUMS

If you’re a true fashionista, then you must visit the Musée Galliéra, and see the wonderful exhibition about fashion history and designers.
Métro: Iéna / Alma-Marceau. open from 10am to 6pm. Closed on Monday.

Musée Gustave Moreau - 14 rue de la Rochefoucauld 75009. Métro: Trinité
Closed on Tuesday.
There is something very special about the Gustave-Moreau museum. The painter himself had it established and designed, so that his works could be gathered and displayed the way he wanted. The building was built at his expense, at the very spot where the artist lived and worked all his life. Gustave Moreau’s masterpieces, 4.800 drawings and 450 watercolours.

The Gustave-Moreau museum is exceptional in the way it lets visitors share the intimate life of a painter and his work – and its ability to preserve the magical atmosphere despite the passing decades.

ROMANTIC LOCALES

Hotel Amour – 8 rue de Navarin 75009  – Métro: Saint Georges.
This is a very romantic and hip address. Nice hotel, two steps far from Montmartre and  the famous Moulin Rouge, with a little garden and fancy rooms designed by contemporary artists: André, Sophie Calle, Marc Newson… Don’t go there for good food, but do go for a beautiful night o’ love.

Five minutes walk from Hôtel Amour, you’ll find heaven in Paris – Le Musée de la vie romantique. 16 rue Chaptal. 75009 – Métro: Saint Georges ou Pigalle.
Open from 11am to 6pm. Closed on Monday.
You can visit the small 19’s century art collection and also take tea in the rose garden. Tres romantique!

RELAX

Go to the roof of the Galeries Lafayette – 40 boulevard Haussmann 75008. Metro: Chaussée d’Antin.
You can enjoy the beautiful view of the city for free – perfect spot for a summer afternoon break!

Spend a lazy oriental afternoon at the turkish bath, Hammam Pacha. Clean, exotic and not too expensive.
147 rue Gabriel P̩ri Р93200 Saint Denis M̩tro: Saint-Denis Basilique.

Parc André Citroën: A big and beautiful park built in 1992, on the banks of the river. A japanese garden, exotic greenhouses, waterfalls and prettiest of all, a balloon where you can see Paris from 150m high for free!
2, rue de la Montagne de la Fage ou 2, rue Cauchy, 75015. Métro: Javel – André Citroën/ Lourmel / Balard

Have a fun time at the Fete Foraine – the fun fair in the Tuileries gardens.
Rue de Rivoli. M̩tro: Tuileries ou Concorde Рopen from June to August.
Feel like you’re 8 years old again, have a drink at the gypsy bar and jump on the big wheel!

Hope you have a tres bonne stay in Paris, Sassy Minxes – be sure to share your own fave Paris discoveries with us, won’t you?!