{"id":3000008693,"date":"2020-03-03T12:35:00","date_gmt":"2020-03-03T17:35:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.wework.com\/ideas\/?p=3000008693"},"modified":"2024-05-28T14:36:35","modified_gmt":"2024-05-28T18:36:35","slug":"the-wework-guide-to-paris-france","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.wework.com\/ideas\/professional-development\/creativity-culture\/the-wework-guide-to-paris-france","title":{"rendered":"The WeWork guide to Paris, France"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Headed to new territory for work? Our <\/em>City Guides<\/strong><\/em><\/a> bring you tips from resident WeWork members and employees to help you do business lunches, coffee breaks, and culture like a local.<\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

WeWork in Paris<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

WeWork has 10 open locations in Paris<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eat<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For mystery and innovation: <\/strong>Japanese chefs continue to make a mark on Paris\u2019s modern gastronomy scene, but two chefs, in particular, stand out for their mystery menus. Katsuaki Okiyama plates the likes of kiwi-topped crudo and leek-stuffed crevette at his perpetually-hard-to-book Abri<\/a>, in the 10th arrondissement. Meanwhile, over on a quiet street in the 11th, chef Sota Atsumi (who popularized Clown Bar) opened Maison<\/a> in fall 2019, where he serves mains like monkfish in a mussels emulsion. Tip: Both restaurants offer set degustation menus that change often, so picky eaters should seek sustenance elsewhere.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For Seine-side eats: <\/strong>If you\u2019re looking to snack on more than a plate of charcuterie while hanging by the river, head to Maison Maison<\/a>. In the summer, its large outdoor terrace is the<\/em> place to enjoy burrata drizzled in EVO, washed down with locally brewed Deck and Donahue beer. Inside the quai that leads up to Pont Neuf, you can dine on more elevated fare, like herb-roasted rabbit or bergamot crumble (for dessert).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For a crazy-good lunch deal: <\/strong>The prix fixe or formule<\/em>, as it\u2019s known in France, is not only an excellent way to save money on an upscale dining experience but also a chance to experience the creativity of local bistro chefs who change their lunch menus daily. La Vierge<\/a>, in the 20th, and Les Arlots<\/a>, in the 10th, offer three-course midday meals (\u20ac20\u2013\u20ac23) that highlight seasonal produce and lesser-used cuts of meat or fish.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For classic steak frites: <\/strong>Don\u2019t be shy\u2014we know you want a plate of perfectly cooked beef with a side of fries while you\u2019re in town. Surprisingly, many bistros and brasseries get this simple combo wrong, but not Le Bon Georges<\/a>, in the 9th arrondissement. Satisfying steak frites plus quintessential non-fussy decor (wooden tables, chalkboard menu, etc.) equals you dining in the Paris-set movie of your dreams. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For when you feel like pizza: <\/strong>Nathalie Palud, community associate at WeWork 20 Rue la Fayette<\/a> in Paris, recommends Pink Mamma<\/a> in the heart of the Pigalle district\u2014\u201cone of the best Italian restaurants in Paris,\u201d she says. Its fresh homemade pastas and pizzas are served in a four-story building that is \u201cone of the most Instagrammable establishments in town.\u201d Post meal, head to No Entry<\/a>, a secret bar hidden inside the restaurant, for classic cocktails made from ancient bottles of Italian liquors. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Drink<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For high-end tipple: <\/strong>Hotel bars have upped their game to keep up with the demand for speakeasies and other stand-alone cocktail joints. Case in point: Les Ambassadeurs<\/a>, inside the revamped Rosewood Hotel de Crillon. Sip on your choice of more than 100 bottles of champagne in an impressively opulent setting (think marble walls and crystal chandeliers that hang from a sky-painted ceiling).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For Sunday morning hair of the dog: <\/strong>No one does a Bloody Mary like Divine Bar<\/a>. Pair it with chilaquiles or chicken and waffles, followed by the funnel cake with ricotta ice cream. In the evenings, try to choose just one drink from the illustrated and descriptive menu that boasts options dubbed Umami and Bananarama.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For all the natural wine: <\/strong>Head to the always-packed Chambre Noire<\/a> to mingle with les bobos<\/em> who prefer their wine stanky, cloudy, and unfiltered. There are plenty of options by the glass, although ordering a bottle gives you access to exclusive funky sips. If you\u2019re hungry, order up a few shared plates presented by various visiting chefs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coffee and snacks<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For jazzy tunes and a buzz: <\/strong>Not all corner caf\u00e9s are equal, which is why you should know that the best terrace for relaxing in a rattan chair while sipping a noisette is La Fontaine de Belleville<\/a>. In addition to serving truly tasty coffee (made with locally roasted beans), the caf\u00e9 also has free live jazz on Saturdays starting at 4:30 p.m.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For a croissant alternative: <\/strong>It\u2019s hard to get tired of croissants\u2014but when you do, you have options. Babka Zana<\/a>, just off rue des Martyrs in the 9th, makes the famed Jewish pastry in not one, but four different flavors: pistachio orange blossom, cinnamon sugar, chocolate hazelnut, and halva lemon. Over on the Left Bank, Circus<\/a> is churning out 6\u20ac cinnamon buns by the trayful every 20 minutes. They\u2019re gooey, delicious, and worth every euro.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For when you need it iced: <\/strong>Unless you go to Starbucks (why would you do that? You\u2019re in Paris!), it\u2019s next to impossible to find proper iced coffee in this city. But over at Dreamin\u2019 Man<\/a> on rue Amelot, barista Yuichiro Sugiyama blends a perfect latt\u00e9 poured over giant ice cubes. Insider tip: It\u2019s best consumed sur place<\/em> (on the spot) in a tall etched glass alongside a dish of creamy, caramelly Japanese pudding, which is available only on Wednesdays and Saturdays.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the ultimate pick-me-up: <\/strong>Palud recommends Peonies<\/a>, a small caf\u00e9 on rue du Faubourg Saint-Denis that offers beverages ranging from the classic espresso to a decadent pink matcha latte. Round out a drink with one of their homemade cakes, or try avocado toast for brunch. Peonies\u2019s other speciality? \u201cFlowers,\u201d she says. You can purchase dry or fresh blooms on the way out, or register for one of the caf\u00e9\u2019s workshops to create your own perfect bouquet. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Explore<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For viewing art in peace: <\/strong>Instead of following the masses to crowded museums like the Louvre and the d\u2019Orsay, head to the Mus\u00e9e de Montmartre<\/a> for a more secretive slice of art history. Located on a small, cobblestone street behind Sacre Coeur, it\u2019s a former atelier and meeting place for artists like Auguste Renoir. Today it pays homage to Paris\u2019s Butte, as this quartier on the hill is known, with posters that reflect the cabarets of the Lapin Agile and the Moulin Rouge. Don\u2019t miss the vineyards out back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For ogling modern architecture:<\/strong> \u201cIs it a museum?\u201d \u201cIs it worth going all the way there?\u201d<\/em> The answers to these oft-asked questions about the Frank Gehry\u2013designed Fondation Louis Vuitton<\/a>, which opened in 2014, are yes and yes. It\u2019s definitely worth venturing to the outer edges of the city just to marvel at the incredibly designed structure itself. But you\u2019ll also be rewarded with one of many temporary exhibits\u2014from Egon Schiele to Basquiat to the upcoming Cindy Sherman\u2014at this modern art museum. Plus, the roof offers incredible views of the Eiffel Tower and the entire city.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For picnics in a fairy-tale setting: <\/strong>The 60 acres that make up Buttes Chaumont<\/a> park, in the 19th arrondissement, feature a variety of wonders, including a waterfall, castle, cave, suspension bridge, and the ideal grassy knoll for a sunny-day picnic. Built on quarries, this is the green space where local Parisians go to run, meditate, and escape the everyday hustle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For art that\u2019s not hung on a wall:<\/strong> Street artists have been blasting the city\u2019s public spaces and buildings\u2014legally and illegally\u2014for years now, whether with mosaic (courtesy of the masked artist Invader) or spray paint (from graffiti artist Miss.Tic). But the 13th arrondissement, with its unusually tall buildings, definitely has the most commissioned murals in any one area. Thanks to Galerie Itinerrance<\/a> (who reps a handful of urban artists, from Shepard Fairey to D*Face) and the local city hall, there\u2019s a self-guided walk<\/a> to discover them all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stay<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For exquisite decor and service: <\/strong>Tucked away behind the Champs-\u00c9lys\u00e9es and adjacent to the U.S. Embassy, La Reserve Hotel & Spa<\/a> is a 26-suite mansion that reopened 160 years after its original construction. From marble fireplaces and Corinthian columns to mirrored hallways, brocade drapes, and herringbone oak parquet floors, La Reserve is elegant with a side of swank. It also has a 52-meter indoor pool, a garden for afternoon tea, and a Michelin-starred restaurant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For businesses-friendly beds: <\/strong>No detail is forgotten at Le Grand Quartier<\/a>, which opened near the Canal Saint-Martin in fall 2019. No time for breakfast? They’ll deliver a bag with fresh juice and a power bar to your room before your first meeting. Forgot your body lotion or have a hankering for chocolate at midnight? There\u2019s a \u201cmini market\u201d (a trendy gift-shop-slash-convenience-store) located in the lobby. Each of the 83 modern rooms features pops of gemstone colors against raw wood, and the communal spaces\u2014including an inner courtyard and a rooftop terrace\u2014make socializing easy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For couples looking for romance: <\/strong>Designed by French interior architect Tristan Auer (who also helped give the Rosewood Hotel de Crillon a makeover), the new 43-room hotel Sinner<\/a>, in the Haute Marais, is tr\u00e8s<\/em> sexy. Candlelit common spaces feature pink- and red-hued couches, while the hallways are dark, mysterious, and church-like, brightened up only from the light filtering through colorful stained-glass panels. <\/p>\n\n\n