Paris is a wanderer’s delight at any time of year – but springtime illuminates a special kind of magic

Lead image: Hotel Dame Des Arts

By Cheryl Caira

Sipping espresso on rattan chairs. Soaking up avant-garde artwork. Finding the cherry blossoms cascading across the city. The ways to enjoy the lighter days in Paris are enjoyably endless – it’s an intoxicating metropolis that keeps drawing you to return. Here are some coveted hotspots to explore during a spring sojourn. 

Jardin des Tuileries

Credit: Sarah Sergent

A place to appreciate the beating heart of Paris, and sitting resplendently between the Louvre and Place de la Concorde, this pretty garden opened to the public in 1667. Pull up a pew in the sunshine and enjoy the seasonal blooms – with flowerbeds jaunty with tulips, daffodils, hyacinths and pansies. 

Le Bar Botaniste

Credit: Elise Quiniou

A sleek hideaway tucked into the lobby of Shangri-La Paris (once a mansion house built for Napoléon’s great-nephew, now a five-star hotel), the bar’s cosy corners and cocktail offerings celebrate all things botany. Sultry low lighting and touches of tiger print go hand in hand with delectable concoctions – all with an evocative story behind them – whether summer nights in Southern France or the Rolling Stones and the Roaring Twenties.

Frame

Primed for people-watching and a little tipple over brunch, Frame’s location on the Left Bank of the Seine is the main draw. Set back slightly from the throngs visiting Paris’ most famous landmark, and within the Pullman Paris Hotel, the menu mainly covers French brasserie classics – with a decent side of Eiffel Tower views. The 10th floor rooftop opens on a seasonal, pop-up basis – keep an eye on their instagram for updates.

Musée National Rodin

Credit: Jacques Lebar

An insight into the the founder of modern sculpture, this lovely museum is spread across the 18th-century mansion where Rodin lived and worked, and elegant gardens dotted with major works – including The Thinker and The Burghers of Calais. A calm setting to while away a balmy afternoon.

Hotel Dame Des Arts

A glass of red wine, a gorgeous sunset and the Parisian skyline – all we need now is a city rooftop where the three can merrily mingle. Open from late April into the summer months in the heart of the Latin Quarter, the hotel’s sky-high bar is the place everyone wants to gather, with a stunning 360-degree panorama.

Rue de Lévis

Les Résidents

A treat to stroll down from start to finish, this traditional and charming market street has everything you could wish for on a pleasant, sunny day. Bakeries laden with temptation, independent boutiques and outdoor fruit and flower stalls are just some of what you’ll find – look out for historic confectionery store, À La Mère de Famille, and restaurant Les Résidents, where guest chefs take up culinary residencies.