The Virtual Maison et Objet Pairs Travel Guide

Like many of you, we’re dreaming of Paris – Especially during the September Maison et Objet fair.

In a parallel universe where 2020 didn’t happen the way it did, our MC&co people would be marching the streets of Paris and digesting all the magnificent creative work from over 5,000 home and interior brands globally at Maison et Objet.

Since we can’t go this year, we want to share with you our favourite and most inspiring places to stay, shop & eat from our past trips, and future travel plans in Paris.

Where To Stay In Paris During Maison et Objet

Located in the 16th ARR, Brach, a newly designed Hotel by Philippe Starck (A favourite architect and designer of ours!) has fast become a true Parisienne treasure through its unique culture and contemporary feel, influenced by Africa, Asia and South America. If we can’t stay here, we will definitely be heading to the cocktail bar for a Negroni to experience this stylish universe. 

If we desire a more traditional Parisienne experience, we like to stay at J.K. Place which is located on the south side of Louvre, Tuileries in the 1st ARR. It’s not suprise to us that it has recently been placed on the 2020 hotlist for best hotels in the world. Offering five-star rooms, marble bars and mouldings as the artwork, this hotel has the savvy-style travellers eagerly awaiting.

Hotel Montalembert is a favourite of ours and is ideally located on the left bank in the heart of Saint Germain-des-Prés, a stone’s throw from the Louvre Museum and the Orsay Museum. This five-star luxury boutique hotel combines chic luxury and contemporary design referencing precious woods, aged brass, a playful colour palette and wild silk for the curtains. 

We choose Hotel De Crillonif we are searching for a grand and extravagant cocoon as it offers a traditional experience marrying both 18th-century heritage with contemporary sophistication. If you are passing, step into the grand marble foyer and feel small underneath their chandeliers, you will be greeted by their lovely concierge dressed to Parisienne perfection. And not forgetting to mention the incredible views of the Eiffel Tower. 

One that’s on our list to visit, when we can… is Hotel De Berri. Having just recently opened, their opulent and playful aesthetic is nestled within a green oasis and celebrates the 20th Century’s greatest names in decorative arts creating an authentic and homely atmosphere. We’re looking forward to a cocktail in The Bizazz Bar!

Where To Shop In Paris During Maison et Objet

For an Americana presentation with a European touch, we love to visit Ralph Lauren in St Germain; their flagship store. Lauren’s signature collections hang neatly amidst a true Parisienne backdrop, raw oak wood shelves, ornate gold mirrors and large chandeliers. Grab a coffee whilst you are there, their restaurant offers great American food in the most beautiful and romantic setting.

To feed our interior architecture and design appetite, we love visiting Liaigre who offer two showrooms which are both in walking distance from Louvre Tuileries. This style showcases clean lines and perfect proportions available in the finest materials such as wood, bronze and leather. Liaigre manufactures his lines of lighting, furniture and accessories with renowned craftsmen located in France. Liaigre has remained a true Parisienne brand for over thirty years embarking on a new chapter in the form of a flagship store on the city’s covetable rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré.

Maison Sarah Lavoine leaves us feeling inspired every time we visit her Parisienne universe. Having a father who worked at vogue, Lavoine quickly saw the beauty in the world of design and tapped into the furniture, decoration, lighting, tableware and fashion scene with a desire to create timeless and lively spaces. We love to go here for colour palette inspiration.
 

Nestled in the upmarket department store, Galleries Lafayette sits The Conran Shop. A unique and personal blend of furniture, lighting, home accessories and gifts from some of the most iconic designers, inspiring its followers for their considered design and curated living ethos. Galleries Lafayette is a truly magnificent building and we spend a lot of time in here for the architectural aspect.

Other notable stores we recommend are B&B Italia a leading brand in designer furniture, located in the 1st ARR, offering sophisticated designs with comfort at the forefront. And Caravane, a family-owned business who allow traditions from faraway lands to travel to your doorstep and be welcomed into your home. Heavy use of linen, hand-weaving techniques and hand-painted ceramics make this possible.

Where To Eat In Paris During Maison et Objet

If you are looking to encapsulate a truly authentic Parisienne way of life, then head to one of the oldest coffee houses in Paris, Cafe de Flore– A Karl Lagerfeld favourite. Situated in the 6th ARR, the exterior boasts historic Gothic architecture inspired by the 13th century, complete with expansive windows (perfect for people-watching) and sweeping canopies.

 Also in the 6th ARR is Le Cafe Procope, a traditional venue allowing you to submerge into the Parisienne lifestyle. Rich colours of blue and red attract you from the outside initially, whilst the mid-century dining interior allow you to escape to another universe when dining in. We like to order the steak here.

Paris has an extensive restaurant offering, but few stand out like Le Kong; another project by Philippe Starck and located in the 1st ARR. The interior has a contemporary Japanese feel, bold and modern and has successfully captured the concept of a UFO landing in Paris. The glass room offers a spectacular view of the Seine, whilst you are surrounded by Louis XV armchairs at the bar, plasma screens, a fluorescent staircase and a carpet of pebbles.

For food presentation, we highly recommend Restaurant Georgette. You will discover Georgette with its flower-filled and sunny terrace on the edge of the Luxembourg Gardens. Read their menu on their ornate chalkboard whilst sitting on a delicate and traditional mosaic floor.

MC&Co Offer The Best New Way To Travel To Home Trade Fairs, Virtually.

While we can’t physically be in Paris for Maison et Objet this year, we hope that this post has inspired you to revisit the twinkling streets of Pari. 

Due to travel restrictions many buying teams are missing out on their favourite fairs. They can’t experience the virtual fairs either because day to day tasks get in the way of delving into the massive amounts of content being released by each trade fair.

That’s why we offer our Trade Fair Reports – designed to bring you to the fair without you having to leave your desk.  

We scour through thousands of images, assess the best artisans and designers, and report back to you in an easy to understand formats the ‘must know’ information from each fair. 

Our September 2020 Maison et Objet Report launches next week so sign up for the waitlist if you’d like to be notified when we launch.