Café des Musées – MatinSoir

Text by Tory Hoen

For Parisians, lunch is where it’s at. Breakfast usually consists of coffee and cigarettes (and maybe a tartine), and weekday dinners are often simple affairs as well. But lunch is the moment when many kick back and enjoy every last second before returning to the office. Weekday lunches can extend to 1.5 hours and weekend lunches are nearly interminable. Both often involve wine, philosophizing, and simultaneously savoring / complaining about life (a finely tuned Parisian art). But unlike dinner, you then have all afternoon to walk, nap, or work it off. In case you couldn’t tell: I am a fan of lunch.

Le Miroir – Maggie Battista

More importantly, lunch is also the best time to sample some of Paris’ best cuisine at reasonable prices, as many restaurants offer a prix-fixe lunch menu that highlights the day’s specials. While your options are limited, they will likely feature the freshest, most seasonal ingredients. So kick back and relax, knowing that you are in gastronomically capable hands. My top 5 picks are as follows.

1. Robert et Louise—Lunch deal of the century! For just 12€, you can select from a variety of entrées and the one or two featured plats of the day. Vegetarians beware: this place is all about meat, meat, and more meat (cooked on a fire right in front of you). This homey spot is the perfect place to curl up for a rainy day feast followed by an afternoon stroll (or, better yet, nap). 64, Rue Vieille du Temple, 3ème. Tel: 01 42 78 55 89‎. Metro: Saint Paul (Line 1) or Hotel de Ville (Lines 1 and 11).

Café des Musées – Matinsoir

2. Café des Musées—14€ will get you the specified entrée and plat of the day. When I last went, this included a warm lentil salad with fresh greens, followed by a serious coq au vin. We rounded it out with a carafe of nice house red. The waitstaff here is friendly and accommodating, and the resto’s location in the heart of the Marais makes it a great stop in between museums, galleris, or boutiques. 49, rue de Turenne, 3ème. Tel: 01 42 72 96 17. Metro: St. Paul (Line 1) or Chemin Vert (Line 8).

3. Café Constant—One of acclaimed chef Christian Constant’s institutions, this low-key spot is bustling with locals, visitors, and good vibes. Last time I went, the 16€ prix-fixe included frog’s legs (relax, they’re good) and duck with saffron rice. The wine list includes an interesting selection available by the glass, pichet (small pitcher), or bottle. 139, rue Saint-Dominique, 7ème. Tel:09 75 82 08 07. Metro: Ecole Militaire (Line 8).

Le Miroir – Maggie Battista

4. Le Miroir—A HIP favorite in Montmartre. The staff is friendly and helpful, and theprix-fixe includes a variety of options. For 18€, you get a plat, a glass of wine (expertly paired with your dish), and a scrumptious café gourmand which is the perfect way to round out the meal. 94, rue des Martyrs, 18ème. Tel: 01 46 06 50 73. Metro: Abbesses (Line 12) or Pigalle (Lines 2 and 12).

5. Glou—Hip, modern, and pricey (some might say over-priced) at night, this is a cool-but-not-pretentious lunch spot. You’ll have a few choices and can opt for menus of 16€ or 20€. Going on the early side ensures they won’t run out of anything! 101, rue Vieille du Temple, 18ème. Tel: 01 42 74 44 32. Metro: Saint Sebastien-Froissart (Line 8 ) or Arts et Metiers (Lines 3 and 11).

Café des Musées – Jean-Michel Volat

So there you have it. Now do you understand why I love lunch so much? Any great spots we missed? Let us know!

Note: It’s always smart to reserve ahead of time, especially during tourist season (April – October).

Café des Musées- Maggie Battista

Written by Tory Hoen for the HiP Paris Blog. Looking for a fabulous vacation rental in Paris, Provence, or Tuscany? Check out Haven in Paris.

I attended my first Paris party last week, and arrived with this apple and rhubarb tart from Les Petits Mitrons. (More on that Paris party in another post soon.) I was so enraptured by the crunchy crust, glazed apples and tender rhubarb that I fell in love on the spot. I carefully prepared for its purchase, visiting the shop a few times to ensure I’d find a fresh one on the day of the party. It was lovingly nestled into this pretty pink box.

The tart was so lovely on this delicate plate, provided by the hosts. No one wanted to cut into it, but everyone wanted a bite.

Up close, I admired the glazed apple wedges and bits of still bright red rhubarb, a fruit that tends to lose its color after being cooked. Les Petits Mitrons must use some sort of magic on their tarts because STILL BRIGHT RED.

The tart was one of the last things we cut into that evening. For me, I just wanted to stare at the glorious site.

And as the sun set, the tart remained intact for a few minutes after I snapped this shot. The setting sun granted us permission to finally cut it up into thick wedges. It was very fruity, and not too sweet. The crust was burnt and caramelized, in the best possible way.

Enjoy these links to other folks who love this tiny shop as much as I do:

• Dig a Cherry: Les Petits Mitrons (in French)
• The Sneaky Magpie: My Little Paris (in English)
• Chocolate & Zucchini: Le Fondant au Chocolat de Tante Amelie (in English)

Les Petits Mitrons is located at 26 rue Lepic, Paris (75018), France. Telephone 01-46-06-10-29. Metro: Blanche or Abbesses.

This post originally appeared on Eat Boutique.

Written by Maggie Battista for the HiP Paris Blog. Looking for a fabulous vacation rental in Paris, Provence, or Tuscany? Check out Haven in Paris.

Text and photos by: Meg Zimbeck

I panicked, on a recent winter night, when some friends asked me to organize a dinner. Choosing a restaurant is something that I usually enjoy, but the guests for this particular occasion were a couple of chefs. And not just any chefs, but senior chefs working in three-star restaurants.

My anxiety subsided as soon as I remembered Les Papilles. This homey little spot near the Jardin du Luxembourg is a favorite among food and wine insiders. I think it’s something to do with the simple and honest cooking, the well-priced wine selection and the likability of owner Bertrand Bluy.

Bluy worked for years as a pastry chef (Fauchon, Troisgros) before opening his own place under a refreshingly simple banner: “des beaux produits traités simplement et de bons vins . . . C’est tout, on n’est pas là pour se prendre la tête!” Bluy’s mission—to serve beautiful products, prepared simply, with good wine and without frills—makes Les Papilles a place that’s enjoyed by both big spenders and budget travelers.

The core of any experience here is the no-choice prix-fixe menu “retour du marché.” For 31 euros, diners all experience the same starter, main dish, cheese and dessert. Our recent meal began with a generous pitcher of creamy endive soup poured over a mound of croutons and smoked ham spiked with piment d’Espelette. It continued with fork-tender beef cheeks, braised in red wine and served from a gleaming copper casserole. For cheese, there was Fourme d’Ambert (a mild blue) paired with a fat and sticky prune, and we finished with pineapple panna cotta topped with caramel emulsion.

Bottles of wine, ranging from steal to splurge, are selected from wooden shelves that line the restaurant walls (corkage 7 euros). While it’s possible to order by the glass, I don’t know anyone who does this. Les Papilles is the place to come when you want to drink a great bottle without the normal restaurant markup.

Price check: The prix-fixe menu “retour du marché” is one of the best values in town, offering four no-choice courses for 31 euros. Even cheaper is the stand-alone “marmite” option for 16 euros—that’s the same main dish but without any padding.

In a nutshell: Bertrand Bluy’s restaurant near the Jardin du Luxembourg is a homey, low-fuss place to enjoy market cooking and great wine. The menu changes regularly but offers no choices, so this place isn’t for picky eaters. Wines by the glass and bottles ranging from sweet to stratospheric.

Les Papilles
30, rue Gay-Lussac, in the 5th Arrondissement.
01 43 25 20 79. Open for lunch Tues–Sat. Closed Sun–Mon.

Catch more of Meg Zimbeck’s fabulous writeups here and here.

Looking for a fabulous vacation rental in Paris, Provence, or Tuscany? Check out Haven in Paris.

Text by Tory Hoen & Photos Erica Berman

One of my favorite times of year in Paris is the transition between winter and spring. It’s that miraculous moment when the gray dampness lifts and the first rays of warm sunlight begin to creep their way along rooftops, through windows, over bridges. It’s still coat weather, but hope is in the air.

More importantly, it’s the moment when droves of Parisians emerge from indoors after months of hibernation. A few months from now, they will undoubtedly look healthy and bronzed and full of life; but for the moment, they are pale and wan (and still dressed in black) and seeking sunlight as if it were their lifeblood. I remember walking through the Jardin du Luxembourg on the first warm day last year and being convinced that the city was awash in a sea of vampires. I had never seen so many black leather-clad beings, their skin sparkling beneath the first rays of springtime sun.

Yes, this is the best moment of the year, and it’s not just about the weather. I think it has something to do with humility, with the fact that despite being the coolest people in the world, even Parisians have to admit: sunlight is pretty sweet. They’re not necessarily going to get all smiley about it (Parisian facial muscles are not equipped to smile for long periods of time), but they are going to install themselves on park benches and scowl up at the sun—a symbolic smile, of sorts.

In addition, this moment marks the beginning of “loitering season” in Paris, which typically lasts through October.  As of last week, it’s beginning to happen. The parks are filling up with families, the quais of the Seine are dotted with groups of young hellions, and there seems to be a city-wide consensus about the importance of getting outside and staying there for as long as possible.

This might not sound so remarkable—it happens each spring in cities all over the world. But in Paris, it’s particularly gratifying to observe because, as blasé as Parisians might be for most of the year, the brink of springtime has the ability to render them ever-so-slightly giddy. It’s not full-out spring fever; it’s more like spring peaked-ness. But I’ll take it.

Written by Tory Hoen for the HiP Paris Blog. Looking for a fabulous vacation rental in Paris, Provence, or Tuscany? Check out Haven in Paris.

Text and Photos by Tory Hoen

It’s easy to eat well in Paris, but to truly eat like a local is a whole different endeavor. At the heart of the Parisian culinary experience are the city’s markets, and eating like a Parisian means knowing where to get the “best” of everything—the freshest produce, the most interesting wines, the best baguettes, the most unique specialty products. The preparation of a perfect at-home meal is a nuanced process that involves the assembly of carefully selected puzzle pieces—not to mention the actual cooking, plating, presentation and consumption rituals.

Luckily, there is a short-cut in the form of Paule Caillat’s Promenades Gourmandes: personalized culinary excursions that allow anyone—from novices to gourmands—to access the pleasures of French home-cooking done right.

Recently, I was lucky enough to participate in one of Paule’s promenades (which are half or full-day workshops in English and are capped at 8 people). We met on rue Montorgueil, a historic market street that is still home to some of Paris’ best traiteurs, to pick up ingredients for the workshop. While Paule normally leads each tour herself, her collaborator Sarah McDonald led our shopping excursion; and as we hopped from the boucherie to the fromagerie to the boulangerie to the produce vendors, Sarah pointed out tips for how to select the best ingredients and seek the advice and expertise of food merchants.

When we arrived at Paule’s gorgeous apartment in the Marais, we were welcomed with tea and coffee as we discussed how to turn our many ingredients into a coherent feast. Paule’s kitchen is both inviting and state-of-the-art (obviously, I took careful notes for my future dream kitchen), and provided the perfect backdrop for our day of cooking. On the menu: Velouté de Potiron (Creamy Pumpkin Soup), lamb shoulder with spring vegetables, and an Apple Tarte made with Paule’s secret family crust recipe. Sound intimidating? It is. Or at least, it was. But under Sarah and Paule’s guidance, I learned that even sophisticated French menus are manageable once you’ve got some basic techniques down. And of course, working with the best possible ingredients helps too.

Around noon, we broke out a bottle of crisp Sauvignon Blanc from the Loire Valley and sampled cheeses that ran the gamut from soft to hard and represented five major regions of France. Paule gave us a quick tutorial on French cheese—from what order the cheeses should be eaten, to how they should be cut, to how and where they are produced.

As we cooked and chatted, Paule and Sarah fielded our questions and offered insider knowledge on everything from the merits of the French tablespoon (it’s bigger than its American counterpart), to where to get the best pistachios in Paris (the vendor who used to be at the Richard Lenoir market but is now at the Marché Raspail), to how to plan and pace the preparation of a multi-course meal. In our discussion of salt, one member of the group dared so suggest, “To me, salt is salt.” This assertion was met with an audible gasp, and a lively discussion about the variety and use of different salts ensued. (Unsurprisingly, the world of artisanal French salt is highly nuanced and could inspire a workshop unto itself).

One of the highlights of the day was Paule’s demonstration of her family’s secret family recipe for a tart crust that can be used in sweet or savory recipes. We combined it with golden delicious apples and a buttery-sugary glaze to create the perfect final course for the day. In my opinion, secrets always taste better than non-secrets, and this one was no exception. (For the record, Paule also shared her secret recipe with sassy food blogger David Lebovitz).

When everything was ready, we sat around Paule’s elegant table and shared in yet another French ritual—the leisurely enjoyment of outrageously delicious food in good company. We shared anecdotes from our lives, and Paule talked about her business and all the people that have passed through her kitchen over the years. While the meal was “restaurant quality,” the overall experience was so much more memorable and personal. It’s no wonder that Paule has developed a global following of foodies.

I came away from the workshop with the feeling that I was probably a lot more capable in the kitchen that I had previously thought, and excited to try out my skills on unsuspecting friends at home. There’s no question that Paule’s advice and techniques can be applied at any market or in any kitchen, anywhere in the world.  But let’s be honest… shopping, cooking, and, of course, eating are just that much more decadent in Paris. Next time you’re here, Paule’s customizable workshops should be stop #1 on your culinary agenda.

For more information on Paule’s classes and tours, FAQ’s, and pricing information, click here.

For a recap of my workshop with Paule and Rosa Jackson in New York’s Culinary Loft, click here.

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Written by Tory Hoen for the HiP Paris Blog. Looking for a fabulous vacation rental in Paris, Provence, or Tuscany? Check out Haven in Paris.

Introduction by Maggie Battista

I’m in love, and it’s not just with Paris.

As a member of the Haven in Paris team, I feel very lucky to get to know amazing people from all over the world who stay in our luxury Paris apartments. Guests are very dear, and it feels as if we let them in on a little secret: they can indeed feel like real Parisians by staying in well-stocked, carefully decorated Paris homes. The saying ‘home away from home’ was coined for our apartments.

While each and every guest is special, I met up with the perfect guest at the perfect moment last week. I’ve been a bit lonely, missing my husband, Boston friends and all my blogger friends. And as I’m still learning French, it’s not easy to make new friends. That’s where our guest Kari saved the day.

Kari happens to be a New York City blogger, photographer and all-around great lady. We met up for a quick drink. Four drinks and four plates later, we were fast friends. She blogged about her Haven in Paris apartment and let us re-post it here. If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to stay in one of our apartments, and specifically one of our Montmartre properties, read on. Thanks for the kind words, Kari!

***

Text and photos from Lit-Wit

My first trip to Paris? Accommodations mattered. Were critical, in fact. I had no desire to spend a week in a hotel—although I love hotels—because hotel rooms feel stale after a while (no matter how grand) and I’m not the sort of girl who would ever say, Oh, I won’t be spending any time in my room anyway. I like rooms! Also, I like naps. I have only two feet and two eyes and I find sightseeing, as an hours-long hobby that requires my active attention and participation, fundamentally exhausting. Ditto chit-chatting daily with concierges, bellhops, and maids, and doubly so in a foreign city where I do not speak (or really understand) the language. I wanted freedom of movement and a modicum of space in which to unwind and absorb, to occasionally buy my own food and cook my own meals, and to go or stay at my leisure on a common city street.

(Is there a common city street in Paris?)

(These paragraph breaks are arbitrary, by the way. I am in the mood for e x p a n s i v e t h i n k i n g .)

So when I read about the short-term rental apartments at Haven in Paris on the blog A CUP OF JO last September I signed up immediately, after performing the requisite checks and reading copious online reviews. (Repeat: I’m a planner, and I don’t cut corners when I travel alone. Which explains my attachment to Town Car International, as well.)

I’M SPENDING A WEEK IN AN APARTMENT IN PARIS! I sang to myself daily for six months. Honest, I did. And now that I’ve done it (sigh! it’s done), I sing to myself, I LIVED FOR A WEEK IN AN APARTMENT IN PARIS! Because this wasn’t visiting, this was living. I had an elevator and a huge open space on the seventh floor flooded with natural light and a full bath and shower and a queen-sized bed and a real kitchen and table and a French press for coffee and a stove to scramble eggs on and a corkscrew and wine glasses and a view of Sacré Coeur and all of Montmartre—all of Paris—right there at my feet. And I loved it. I loved everything about it.

And when I go back next year, I’m staying here.

See more great photos and read the rest of Kari’s post.

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Written by Maggie Battista for the HiP Paris Blog. Looking for a fabulous vacation rental in Paris, Provence, or Tuscany? Check out Haven in Paris.

Text and Photos by Maggie Battista

When I said I was moving to Paris for three months, those who know me well were worried for me. I’m a city girl, so adapting to the hustle and bustle of this little métropole (metropolis) wasn’t a concern. They knew I’d adapt eventually, and I totally have.

My friends, my family and (especially) my husband were all concerned that Paris would prove to be a frenetic playground on which I’d wield my stash of credit cards. They were worried I’d arrive with two suitcases and return with seven, stocked to the brim with pricey designer fashions and cool vintage finds. I promised everyone, especially my husband, that I’d closely monitor my passion for shopping (including my ongoing quest for the perfect handbag), focusing on the bare necessities and perhaps, from time to time, a great deal.

Of course, while visiting Le Bon Marche, I lost myself for a moment. Everything was so pretty that I almost convinced myself that a soft blue scarf with a €245 price tag was, in fact, a steal. Whoever said you could find a steal in Paris was either a true local or a very well informed touriste (tourist).

To ensure I fit into one of those categories, I paid an initial visit to Le Marché aux Puces in Saint-Ouen. As the world’s largest flea market, Le Marché aux Puces is filled with every sort of find, from furniture and clothes to books and house wares, and on occasion, a great deal. On this visit, I examined my options. After a little more hunting across the city, I’ll return to Saint-Ouen, with deals (and steals) in mind. Until then, here are some of my favorite finds.

If you plan to visit Paris soon and love to shop the flea markets as well, look me up – I’d love a shopping partner-in-crime!

Looking for more insight on flea market shopping in France? Check out Erica Berman’s interview of Claudia Strasser, interior decorator and Parisian flea market shopper extraordinaire.

Written by Maggie Battista for the HiP Paris Blog. Looking for a fabulous vacation rental in Paris, Provence, or Tuscany? Check out Haven in Paris.

Text by Tory Hoen

Ah, life in Paris. One day, the city is invaded by the cat-walking, champagne-sipping Jet Set; and the next, it is overrun with guys dressed up as life-sized vegetables (literally). Yes, the Salon International de l’Agriculture is here, and eco-friendly agriculturists and the gourmands who love them are in town to partake in the year’s biggest agricultural extravaganza. In thinking about it, this week strikes quite a nice equilibrium for those of us who can appreciate both a killer stiletto and a tub of artisanal foie gras. After all, isn’t balance what life is all about?

Erica Berman

The Salon runs from February 27 – March 7 and is held at Paris’ Porte de Versailles convention center (Metro: Porte de Versailles, Line 12).  And while Fashion Week (let’s be honest) is all about exclusion, the Salon International de l’Agriculture is all about inclusion. It attracts serious foodies and industry professionals, but it’s also a great event for families (who want to introduce their kids to local products) and for groups of friends who want to get drunk off said products (or sample them in moderation).

From 9am-5pm each day (and until 11pm on Friday March 5^th), visitors can wander freely, sampling products from all of France’s major regions, interacting with the more than 330 animals who are in attendance, meeting artisanal producers and farmers, and perhaps even gaining some much-needed insight about where our food actually comes from.

It’s a much-anticipated event, and if you’re looking to avoid the Fashion Week scene, there’s no better place to do it. Conversely, if you’re into the Fashion Week scene, the Salon has the most stylish milk in town. Trop fashion!

Entrance to the salon is 12 € for adults, 6 € for children 6-12 years and students with valid ID, and free for children under 6. Buy tickets in advance here.

Read more about the salon here, and hear what bloggers Soyez Bienvenue Chez Moi and Richard Nahem had to say about last year’s event.

Written by Tory Hoen for the HiP Paris Blog. Looking for a fabulous vacation rental in Paris, Provence, or Tuscany? Check out Haven in Paris.

womensmafia.com/tapisserie-jdsavoye.com

Text by Tory Hoen

Brace yourself, Parisians! The Jet Set is about to  descend upon the city for yet another fashion week. This year’s Ready-to-Wear shows run from March 2-10, but as we all know, fashion week is about much more than just the shows themselves. It’s about exclusive parties, insider meetings, an endless flow of champagne, and looking ultra-stylish at all times. In other words, c’est trop fashion. (Yes, in Paris, we actually use the word “fashion” as an adjective).

For those of us not directly involved in the fashion industry, Fashion Week can inspire one of two reactions: 1) dress to the nines and try to get in on the action by talking your way past the velvet ropes (good luck!). Or 2) hunker down and keep a low profile until the mayhem subsides. Whether you’re an action-chaser or an action-avoider, we have some tips for you.

Photos: Photo Agency; Sojones.com; L’Express.com

Where the Action Is

During the day, head to the Tuileries, where many of the shows take place in tents (near Metro Louvre-Rivoli). There are always fashion-y types milling around (or stumbling around in their 6-inch heels), and it’s a good place to gawk and potentially catch a glimpse of some industry heavyweights.

For coffee and people-watching, hit up Café de Flore. It’s always a scene, but during Fashion Week, it’s a super scene. 5 € is pretty steep for an espresso, but for an espresso next to Karl Lagerfeld? Maybe worth it. (Note: Lagerfeld sighting not guaranteed).  For a cheaper and more mellow option, head to La Perle, where the fashion set congregates in the evening hours for low-key apéritifs.

Later, the action moves to various establishments run by the uber-trendy Costes brothers (Hotel Costes, L’Avenue), and other nighttime hotspots like Le Montana, Le Baron and Le Régine. Disclaimer: If you’re not a fashion insider, it’s safe to say you probably won’t get into many of these establishments (at least, not this week). But if you’re determined, it’s worth a try. Bon courage!

www.styleclicker.net

Where the Action Isn’t

Everything from reservations at trendy restaurants to unoccupied taxis can be in short supply during Fashion Week. This makes it a good time to explore lesser-known spots, quiet bistros in your quartier, or that hole-in-the-wall café you’ve been eye-ing. You may make some unexpected discoveries.

Alternatively, throw an anti-fashion party chez vous (or in a fabulous vacation apartment)! Stock up on supplies from your local market, pick up some macarons and champagne, invite some friends over, and bask in the pleasure of being decidedly un-fashion.

To follow the action online, check out our friend Didier’s blog, and some of the big ones: The Sartorialist, Garance Doré, and Style Rookie.

Written by Tory Hoen for the HiP Paris Blog. Looking for a fabulous vacation rental in Paris, Provence, or Tuscany? Check out Haven in Paris.

Photos: styleclicker.net

Text by Tory Hoen

While there are some things you can always count on in Paris—fresh bread, the reliable Metro system, the weekly markets—there are other things you can never count on. The weather is one of these things. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve woken up, looked out the window, dressed accordingly, and then stepped outside to find that the weather has completely changed within the span of 15 minutes. On one occasion, my picnic on the Pont des Arts began bathed in rosy summer light and ended in a torrential downpour that left me resembling a drowned rat (not a good look). On the contrary, the other day I ducked into the Metro to escape a rain shower and emerged 10 minutes later to find the sky had turned a brilliant blue.

The moral of this story? Paris is a lawless land (climatically speaking) and one must prepare for any and all possibilities. In short, this means layers… lots of them. And while the type and quantity of layers may vary from season to season, the overall concept is a Parisian constant. Scarves, for example, are a year round staple for both men and women. Word to the wise: don’t show up scarf-less.

When I’m out-and-about over the course of a day, I will find myself intermittently shivering, sweating, bundling, un-bundling… but such is life in Paris. Here are a few suggestions for layers to consider as you head out for the day.

Winter layering: In the winter, you can’t go wrong with some combination of boots or cool sneakers, pants (or leggings and a skirt / dress), shirt, sweater, scarf, and warm coat. A cute hat and/or gloves are a plus. Fur accessories add a little chic on very cold days.

Summer layering: Flats or sandals, a dress or jeans and a tank top, a long-sleeve shirt or cardigan, light scarf, and a light jacket or blazer for evening.

Fall and spring are a bit trickier, but you get the idea. Try to choose layers in neutral colors that can easily be mixed and matched. Black, navy, gray, olive and brown reign supreme in Paris.

A word about umbrellas: No matter what the season, Paris has a way of knowing when you don’t have an umbrella, and it will drench you just to teach you a lesson. (Obviously, when you do have your umbrella, you’ll get nothing but sun).

So there you have it. Layering in Paris is an endless exercise in outsmarting Mother Nature—or at least out-maneuvering her. At the very least, it gives us an excuse to hit the stores. After all, we’ve got to make sure our layers are up to snuff when each new season rolls around.

For more layered looks, check out Refinery 29, The Sartorialist, and Garance Doré.

Written by Tory Hoen for the HiP Paris Blog. Looking for a fabulous vacation rental in Paris, Provence, or Tuscany? Check out Haven in Paris.