Hi! My name is Laura Lambrecht, I’m the Senior Design Manager here at Tea. One of my favorite perks of the job is using the Tea Travel Allowance to see the world. This year, I was thrilled to take time off for a trip to Paris with my sister. Traveling to Paris is always amazing, but it’s especially great to be there on vacation, with my sister!
Of course we did lots of walking, eating, drinking, shopping and sightseeing. One of the best things we did was a guided food tour in the Latin Quarter and Saint-Germain neighborhoods. We spent half a day trying all the best cheeses, chocolates, breads, croissants and wines. We learned about the Meilleurs Ouvriers de France, or MOF, which means “the best craftsperson of France”. The MOF was created as a way to encourage artisans, as well as to preserve and promote traditional crafts. The competition is held in France every three to four years. Awards are made in over 200 categories, including best pastry, butchery, charcuterie, bread making, ice cream, chocolate, cheese as well as many non-food crafts such as best glassmaking, textiles and hospitality. Winners given the MOF designation are the best at what they do and they hang signs at the front of their businesses to let everyone know. So if you’re ever in France and you see a sign reading MOF, it’s guaranteed to be amazing. If you’re interested you can read more about the competition here and here.
Meantime, I’ve compiled a list of recommendations below, including several MOFs. I hope it’s helpful when planning your own trip to the City of Light!
x LL
EAT + DRINK
PARIS BY MOUTH (Guided food tours)
MERCI CINÉ CAFÉ (Fantastic spot for lunch or afternoon dessert + coffee)
LA GRANDE ÉPICERIE DE PARIS (Massive food hall. Great for gifts.)
POULETTE (French Brasserie)
PIERRE HERMÉ (The best macarons)
MIZNON MARAIS (Delicious fresh pita sandwiches + whole roasted cauliflower)
FROMAGERIE LAURENT DUBOIS (MOF winning Cheese Maker)
BONNE AVENTURE (Lunch near Saint-Ouen flea)
LE SOUFFLÉ (Sweet + savory souffles)
NOIR (Coffee)
DU PAIN ET DES IDÉES (Boulangerie famous for their chocolate-pistachio escargot)
BRASSERIE BOFINGER (French Brasserie open since 1864)
LA MAISON D’ISABELLE (MOF winning Boulangerie)
PARCELLES (French Bistro classics)
BREIZH CAFÉ (Crepes)
KUBRI (Lebanese)
CHEZ JANOU (Provençal-style dishes. Excellent chocolate mousse)
UNE GLACE A PARIS (MOF winning ice cream)
MOKONUTS (Seasonal menu, natural wines)
JUVENILS (Bistro + Wine bar)
SHOP
MERCI (concept boutique – fashion + home goods)
MARCHÉ AUX PUCES DE SAINT-OUEN (Huge flea market open every Fri-Mon)
LE BON MARCHÉ (Oldest department store in Paris)
CENTRE COMMERCIAL (Boutique, by the founders of the sneaker brand Veja)
SMALLABLE (Family concept store)
THANK GOD I’M A VIP (Vintage)
KILO SHOP (Vintage)
SABRE (French cutlery)
DEHILLERIN (Julia Child’s favorite kitchen supply store)
CITY PHARMA (French Skincare)
OFFICINE UNIVERSELLE BULY (Custom lip balm)
STAY
WELCOME HOTEL ($$ 6th arr.)
HOTEL PROVIDENCE ($$$ Between 3rd and 10th arr.)
AIR BNB ($-$$$)
SEE
MUSÉE DE L’ORANGERIE (The Water Lilies is a must see)
LA GALARIE DIOR (Exhibition about the history of the famous Parisian fashion house)
JARDIN DES TUILERIES (Public garden)
ATELIER BRANCUSI (Constantin Brancusi’s studio)
CENTRE POMPIDOU (Modern art museum)
PALACE OF VERSAILLES (1hr Metro ride from Paris)
RUE DE L’UNIVERSITÉ (Great view of Eiffel Tower. Go early)
