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#GUIDES
30 June, 2025
Treat yourself: an insider guide to the best coffee & cake in Paris’s 8th arrondissement
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A behind the scenes guide to one of Paris’s most iconic neighbourhoods
Published
30 June, 2025
Edited
17 July, 2025
Mere moments away from the Palais de l'Élysée, The Élysée Collection sits in the heart of Paris’s celebrated 8th arrondissement, rubbing shoulders with flagship fashion stores, elegant cavistes and a wealth of excellent restaurants. The magnificent Avenue des Champs-Élysées sweeps through the neighbourhood at a diagonal, connecting the grandeur of the Arc de Triomphe with the bustle of Place de la Concorde.
Locally, the shopping, sightseeing and dining options are endless, with a shop, restaurant and museum to suit every mood and whim. A cluster of high-end galleries adorns the locality, drawing in artists and art lovers from all corners of the world. After a busy day of exploring all the city has to offer, the comfort and elegance of The Élysée Collection await. Designed for the discerning traveller, each apartment has been thoughtfully imagined and lovingly created to offer a haven of serenity and rest in the heart of one of Paris’s chicest arrondissements.
Savour a wealth of culture
Savour a wealth of culture
The Élysée Collection couldn’t be better placed to explore all that Paris has to offer. A short stroll towards the Seine will bring you face-to-face with a collection of the city’s biggest cultural giants and iconic sights.
Visit an exhibition at Le Grand Palais or admire the works of art at Le Petit Palais. Head to the ornate Pont Alexandre III and be entranced by views of the iconic Eiffel Tower and Invalides’ gleaming gold dome. Carry on to Place de la Concorde and enjoy a spot of people-watching at the Jardin des Tuileries. All within a mile’s radius of your home-away-from-home.
Those who want to take things to the next level can scale the Arc de Triomphe for an incredible view out over the city. Meanwhile, budding chefs can get hands on with a pastry or cookery class at the prestigious Le Cordon Bleu.
Come evening, there’s a full programme of ballets and opéras at the Palais Garnier to catch, as well as glamorous cabarets at Crazy Horse. A sunset stroll along the Seine is another ‘must-do’, with a stop off at one of the riverside bars for an evening glass of Champagne.
Park life
Park life
The city of Paris is home to wonderful parks, and Parc Monceau has to be one of the loveliest of them all. Spanning 8.2 hectares, the park may not have the sweeping space of Bois de Boulogne or Parc de Vincennes, but what it lacks in size it more than makes up for in character.
As you wander along the pretty promenade, you’ll be charmed by the ornate statues, spectacular trees and an array of birdlife. The park’s crowning piece has to be the romantic Renaissance arcade which encircles one side of a pretty lake; this is all that remains of the former Hôtel de Ville de Paris, which used to be on this site.
Another one of the 8th arrondissement’s green jewels is the Jardin des Tuileries. Paris’s first public park, it was created by Catherine de Medici as the garden of the Tuileries Palace in 1564, and became a public park after the French Revolution.
Today, the Jardin des Tuileries is a green oasis in the centre of the city, offering visitors a chance to wander along the pretty promenades and admire the collection of vases and sculptures which have been deposited in the gardens over the years.
An abundance of art
For the art aficionados, the allures of the Louvre, the Musée de l'Orangerie and the Musée d'Orsay are but a stone’s throw away from The Élysée Collection. As well as the French President, you’ll have some of the world’s most iconic paintings as your neighbours, from Mona Lisa’s enigmatic smile to Monet’s famous waterlilies.
While the stunning exteriors of the Grand Palais and the Petit Palais are worth a visit in their own right, there’s plenty to see inside too.
The Grand Palais hosts an array of temporary exhibitions, events and fairs: from modern art and photography to concerts and shows. Meanwhile, the Petit Palais is home to a wonderful permanent collection of fine art and a gorgeous garden space, perfect for your afternoon tea or goûter.
Delve into the world of Eastern Art at The Cernuschi Museum, a beautiful building housing a wonderful collection of art from China, Japan, Vietnam and Korea.
Or discover further continental delights at the Jacquemart-André Museum: a beautiful mansion filled with artwork ranging from Italian Renaissance art and French furniture to frescos and sculptures.
Galerie Dior is a captivating museum for fans of the fashion world. While art lovers can also find an array of smaller galleries in the vicinity, including Mennour, Gagosian and Hauser&Wirth.
Where to shop
Where to shop
For anyone wishing to indulge in a spot of luxury shopping, the 8th arrondissement is utter heaven. Spend a day or two browsing the world-class collection of luxury flagship stores lining the Avenue des Champs-Élysées, Avenue Montaigne, Rue Saint-Honoré and Place Vendôme.
From Chanel, Cartier and Dior to Guerlain, Yves Saint-Laurent and Louis Vuitton, you’ll find the finest haute couture in this neighbourhood.
The Champs-Élysées is also home to a magnificent Galeries Lafayette department store spanning over 6,500 m² and stocking everything you could ever need. You’ll also find Galerie des Champs and Galerie du Claridge on this illustrious avenue.
Design lovers will want to make tracks for L’éclaireur, a luxury lifestyle store hosting creations from some of the country’s chicest designers. The 8th arrondissement also plays host to some of the city’s biggest auction houses, including Sotheby’s, Christie’s, Artcurial & Bonhams, in case you’re looking for precious Old World antiques and art pieces to take home.
Fashion fans will also want to stop off at Le Grand Appartement Sézane in Batignolles, a 15-minute walk from The Élysée Collection.
Known for its classic yet casual French style, Sézane’s fan list is filled with A-listers, including Sienna Miller, Kate Middleton, Selena Gomez and Sofia Richie.
Wining & dining
Wining & dining
From Michelin dining hotspots to refined Japanese eateries, the local area has it all. For a special occasion, Restaurant Pierre Gagnaire is the place to go.
Holding not one, not two, but three Michelin stars, the restaurant is the pinnacle of chef Pierre Gagnaire’s illustrious career, offering diners an insight into his culinary genius. The dishes are creative and beautifully presented, and matched with a service that is thoughtfully tailored to each group’s ambience and needs.
Those wishing to sink their teeth into one of the city’s juiciest steak frites should head to The Grill Room. This outstanding spot merges the lifestyle of the Hamptons with the refinement of Ralph Lauren to produce a convivial and elegant restaurant whose menu revolves around cooking's most primal ancestor: the flame.
A little further afield, you’ll find HANDO, an incredible Japanese restaurant serving immaculate handrolls in a beautifully designed setting. Small, yet mighty, this petite restaurant opens up a world of fresh flavour and simple yet refined dishes - ideal for those craving a break from the richness of traditional French cuisine.
Finish your night off at one of the 8th arrondissement’s chic bars. Mūn Rooftop Bar pairs stunning views of the city with an extensive cocktail menu - the perfect spot for a sundowner, or two…
Unplug Bar offers playful and creative cocktails amidst an immersive setting, whisking drinkers away on a sensory journey. Meanwhile, Le Melville is renowned for excellent jazz and world music performances amidst an elegant backdrop.
