Our Week in Paris - We Fled The City

We’ve been taking a little vacation this week, so you won’t find our usual snapshots of life in Paris in this edition. The newsletter might feel a touch shorter, but don’t worry—we’re still keeping up with our journey through the arrondissements! This week, we’re exploring the 8th arrondissement, home to one of Paris’ most iconic landmarks and a few hidden treasures.

Linking You to Paris

➡️ 10 Buy-It-for-Life Essentials  Every Traveler Needs: This Condé Nast Traveler gallery highlights a selection of long-lasting travel essentials, from sturdy luggage to practical clothing, suited for a trip to Paris or anywhere else. It’s a straightforward look at items built to endure years of use.

➡️ A Guide to Tipping in Paris: This Condé Nast Traveler article explains tipping etiquette in Paris, noting that service charges are typically included in restaurant and café bills, but small tips are appreciated for exceptional service. It also covers tipping norms for taxis, hotels, and other services.

➡️ The 13 Most Beautiful Villages in the French Countryside: This AFAR article highlights some of France’s most picturesque villages, including several near Paris, showcasing their charm through cobblestone streets, historic architecture, and scenic landscapes. It’s a guide for travelers looking to explore quaint, less-touristed destinations beyond the capital’s bustle.

➡️ The best things to do in Paris, according to a former tour guide: This House & Garden article offers a comprehensive guide to the best things to do in Paris, tailored for various travelers—first-timers, families, culture enthusiasts, fashionistas, hipsters, and foodies.

VISITING PARIS
The 8th arrondissement

This week, we’re exploring the 8th arrondissement! If you’ve missed our takes on the 1st through 7th, you can catch up on all the articles at TheParisLoveLetter.com—perfect for planning your next Parisian adventure.

The 8th arrondissement, known as Élysée, sits on the Right Bank and is a district that balances glitz with unexpected calm. I don’t often linger on its flashy boulevards like the Champs-Élysées or in the Golden Triangle—those spots are fun to visit once in a while, but they’re not my Paris. I’m more drawn to the tucked-away corners, like Parc Monceau, where I can escape the crowds and breathe in a quieter side of the city. The 8th is a place of prestige, no doubt, but its hidden pockets have a subtler charm that keeps me coming back.

History and Main Sights

The 8th took shape in the 19th century under Haussmann’s grand redesign, its wide boulevards and ornate buildings reflecting Parisian prestige. The Champs-Élysées, a 1.9 km stretch, draws crowds with its shops and cafés—locals see it as a high-end outdoor shopping mall, and to me, it feels like an adult Disneyworld, a manufactured Paris vibe. For visitors, it’s definitely worth a quick stroll for the experience, but I’m usually headed elsewhere.

The Arc de Triomphe, built from 1806 to 1836, offers stunning views from its top. Place de la Concorde, the site of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette’s executions in 1793, anchors the avenue with its Luxor Obelisk. The Élysée Palace, home to the President since 1848, adds a layer of political history, though you can only admire it from the outside. The Grand and Petit Palaces, built for the 1900 World’s Fair, are beautiful structures that host art exhibitions.

Art and Culture

The 8th has a refined cultural scene, less bohemian than some districts but no less interesting. The Grand Palace hosts various expositions, such as the upcoming Dans l’intimité d’une collection, an Art brut exhibit from June 11 to September 21, 2025. Meanwhile, the Petit Palace offers rotating shows that often surprise me.

Musée Cernuschi on Avenue Velasques is an excellent museum for Asian art. The Musée Nissim de Camondo, located at 63 Rue de Monceau, feels like stepping into an 18th-century aristocrat’s world, with its collection of French decorative arts. This arrondissement's galleries, especially around the Golden Triangle, lean modern, but I prefer the understated elegance of its museums over the flashier art spots.

Food and Hidden Gems

Dining in the 8th can be a delight, especially if you know where to go. Le Mermoz, located at 16 Rue Jean Mermoz, is recommended by our friend, the Mystery Parisian. It’s a modern bistro with a creative twist on classic bistro dishes, and it will be featured in our upcoming restaurant guide. For history, Fouquet’s on the Champs-Élysées, open since 1899, is a Parisian institution—its red awnings have welcomed everyone from Charlie Chaplin to presidents, serving brasserie classics. Ferona, at 7 Rue du Chevalier de Saint-George, brings Argentine flavors with its chimichurri, a taste of Buenos Aires I didn’t expect to find here. L’Orangerie at the Four Seasons Hotel George V is a splurge, with French cuisine in a garden setting.

As a bit of a joke, the only place I don’t recommend is Five Guys on the Champs-Élysées—I can’t believe there’s an American fast food joint here, even if their burgers are good! For quieter moments, Parc Monceau at 35 Boulevard de Courcelles is my haven—a park with statues and ponds, perfect for a peaceful walk. See our previous article about Parc Monceau HERE.

Where to Stay

The 8th offers some of Paris’s most upscale stays, though I’d pick quieter spots over the tourist-heavy ones. Le Bristol Paris, located at 112 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, is a 5-star classic hotel with elegant rooms, with rates ranging from 800 to 1,200 euros per night. Hôtel de Berri, at 18 Rue de Berri in the Golden Triangle, has a chic feel for 400–600 euros, close to luxury shopping if that’s your thing. Grand Powers, at 52 Rue François 1er, is a boutique option with a spa, around 350–500 euros, and a bit more tucked away.

Metro lines 1 (Champs-Élysées-Clemenceau, George V), 2, 6, 8, 9, 12, 13, and RER A (Charles de Gaulle-Étoile) keep you connected, though the 8th’s quieter areas make it feel removed from central Paris’s hustle. It’s pricier than the 7th, but the elegance is undeniable.

PARIS HIDDEN GEMS
Hôtel Salomon de Rothschild Garden

At 12 Avenue de Friedland in the 8th arrondissement, the Hôtel Salomon de Rothschild Garden is a peaceful escape I discovered while seeking a break from the Champs-Élysées bustle.

This private garden, part of a 19th-century mansion built for Baroness Adèle de Rothschild in 1878, feels like a secret oasis. The mansion, a Second Empire gem, was once a hub for high society, hosting lavish parties—Adèle’s art collection even helped shape the Louvre’s early donations.

The garden itself is a delight, with manicured lawns, old trees, and sculptures. I love how it feels worlds away from the 8th’s glitz, a perfect spot to sit with a book or listen to the birds.

It’s not always open—now used for private events, it welcomes the public for free during special occasions, such as the European Heritage Days in September. Check ahead, but if you catch it on an open day, it’s a rare treat!

FRENCH SONG OF THE WEEK
Mozart Opera Rock - C'est Bientôt La Fin

"C'est Bientôt La Fin" is a song from Mozart, l'opéra rock, a French musical that premiered in 2009, blending Mozart’s classical brilliance with modern pop-rock vibes. The music video was shot in Paris, which adds a fun connection to the city’s artistic charm. It’s a great blend of theatrical flair and a fresh take on Mozart’s story—definitely worth a listen if you enjoy a mix of history and modern creativity.

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