6 ways to make your Paris Olympics trip more stylish: book in at Le Royal Monceau, grab a Dior Book Tote, explore Dover Street Market and check Matthew Barney’s latest work Secondary

01/07/2024

Philippe Starck renovated Le Royal Monceau while other chic boutique stays include the new Le Grand Mazarin - modelled after Wes Anderson's The Grand Budapest Hotel - and Chouchou
Siena is a celebrity fave, with Julia Roberts, Kendall and Kylie Jenner, Gigi Hadid and Sofia Vergara all spotted at the Italian restaurant in the Place du Marche Saint-Honore

Joining the throng heading to Paris for this summer's Olympics? Then read on for a few ways to make your trip to the City of Light that little bit more stylish ...

As the city gets ready to host the Olympics (July 26-August 11) and Paralympics (August 28-September 8), here are a few of the hottest of hotspots to check out.

Get around: with a Louis Vuitton city guide

6 ways to make your paris olympics trip more stylish: book in at le royal monceau, grab a dior book tote, explore dover street market and check matthew barney’s latest work secondary

The latest Louis Vuitton city guide is an introduction to the city's sports scene in honour of the Olympics

Since 1998, Louis Vuitton - a brand that's associated with the art of travel more than most - has been publishing city guides devoted to destinations ranging from its hometown of Paris to Hong Kong, Bangkok, Istanbul and San Francisco.

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The latest cities to be added to the portfolio are Chengdu and Dubai, while on June 14, the maison is also releasing a special edition focusing on sports in Paris, in time to celebrate the city's hosting of the Games.

Where to shop: Dover Street Market Paris

A display at Dover Street Market in Paris, which opened in May. Photo: Handout

The eighth outpost of Dover Street Market - the fashion boutique first established in London two decades ago by Comme des Garcons founder Rei Kawakubo, and her business partner and husband Adrian Joffe - has recently opened in Paris.

Located in the Marais neighbourhood, the store is housed in the HOtel de Coulanges, a building dating back to the 17th century. It stocks items from brands ranging from Simone Rocha and JW Anderson to Sacai and Undercover. Art, literary, music and community events are held in the building's courtyard.

What to see: Matthew Barney's Secondary

Matthew Barney's Secondary is at the Fondation Cartier Pour l' Art Contemporain until September 8. Photo: Julieta Cervantes

Matthew Barney, the American artist once married to BjOrk and known for The Cremaster Cycle, a video and multimedia installation that culminated in a blockbuster show at the Guggenheim Museum in New York more than two decades ago, has an exhibition at the Fondation Cartier Pour l'Art Contemporain.

Titled Secondary, the show centres on a video of a famous incident in American football history during a game in 1978, when Jack Tatum, a player for the Oakland Raiders, tackled Darren Stingly, a wide receiver for the New England Patriots, and left him paralysed. New works inspired by the video are shown alongside. Open until September 8, the exhibition will also feature a special screening of The Cremaster Cycle.

Where to stay

A colourful bedroom at Le Grand Mazarin

Le Grand Mazarin is Paris' new eccentric boutique hotel: the colourful property is covered in patterns and art influenced by Wes Anderson's The Grand Budapest Hotel. Also located in the heart of the bustling, LGBT-friendly Marais district, the dollhouse-like hotel has artwork curated by Amelie du Chalard, fabrics from Maison Pierre Frey and bronzes by Maison Lucien Gau, while the pool has a hand-painted, vaulted ceiling.

The facade of Hotel Chouchou near the Paris Opera

Chouchou Hotel is around the corner from the Paris Opera - an area home to theatres, restaurants, bars and department stores like Printemps and Galeries Lafayette. Fun and buzzy, the 63-room hotel caters to locals and tourists alike by hosting cool events and live music. For those who want to unwind after a busy day spent shopping and sightseeing, the hotel also offers three private "baths", equipped with a jacuzzi, a lounging area and a sensory shower that guests can book for 90-minute sessions.

The mirrored bathroom at Le Royal Monceau. Photo: Patrick Locqueneux

Among Paris' five-star hotels, Le Royal Monceau, which first opened in 1928 and is now part of Raffles Hotels, stands out for its opulent interiors courtesy of Philippe Starck, who gave the property a major renovation in 2008-2010. With its mirror-lined bathrooms, fiery-red Smoking Room, crystal chandeliers and quirky art scattered throughout, it provides plenty of photo ops. It is also a celebrity favourite and a popular hang-out spot during fashion week.

Where to eat: Siena

Pizza dishes at Siena, one of the hottest restaurants in Paris. Photo: @siena.paris/Instagram

Julia Roberts, Kendall and Kylie Jenner, Gigi Hadid and Sofia Vergara are among the celebrities who have been spotted at Siena, the Italian restaurant in the lovely Place du Marche Saint-Honore, where an outdoor food and produce market is held twice a week.

Gigi Hadid and Kendall Jenner at Siena, one of the hottest restaurants in Paris as it builds towards the Olympics: here are more tips on what to do and see, and where to stay. Photo: @siena.paris/Instagram

Specialising in Tuscan fare, Siena offers pasta dishes such as linguine cacio e pepe and truffle ravioli, as well as a great variety of pizzas.

Look the part: Dior Book Tote

A Dior Book Tote bag in white and black with Tour Eiffel embroidery

If you're looking for a very fancy souvenir to take back from Paris, this latest Book Tote from Dior fits the bill. Part of the label's autumn 2024 collection, this version of the practical carry-all is embroidered with a black and white illustration of Paris' most famous landmark: the Eiffel Tower.