Residential, chic, arty... The 16th is a unique district close to the vibrant heart of the City of Light.
Location
An exceptional location in the 16th arrondissement
An exceptional location in the 16th arrondissement
The district
The Beauséjour-Ranelagh hotel enjoys a privileged location right in the heart of the 16th arrondissement, in one of the most chic and secure districts of Paris, with its beautiful streets, fine buildings, designer boutiques, fashion boutiques and mouth-watering restaurants. Read our editorial! Gone is the namby-pamby, lonely 16th arrondissement. Here, you can breathe, escape the stifling noise of the city and enjoy the sunny terraces!
Just a stone's throw from the hotel, you'll find the Ranelagh Gardens and the Bois de Boulogne, the Gruss Circus and the finest museums. Don't miss the permanent collections devoted to Monet and Berthe Morisot at the Musée Marmottan, the memorable exhibitions at the Fondation Louis Vuitton, or contemporary art at the Palais de Tokyo and modern art at the MAM de la Ville de Paris next door.
If you'd like to take a boat trip on the Seine, the pier is next door to the Eiffel Tower! And if you'd like to book a Riva for two, just ask at Reception.
From the hotel, you can easily walk to the business district and embassies, including the OECD headquarters. We are the closest hotel to its headquarters, and we can show you the shortcut via the Jardin du Ranelagh.
Between your meetings and visits, don't hesitate to savour some gourmet moments in the district's fine restaurants. We've put together a guide to the best places to eat, which you can pick up at Reception. You'll never want to leave us...
How to reach the Hotel
By plane
A regulated tariff is applied for transport to and from the airports by taxi. Count on 50 euros to get you to Charles de Gaulle or Orly.
By train
We are less than 30 minutes from all the Parisian railway stations.
By car
From the Boulevard Périphérique ring road,
take the Porte d'Auteuil exit
then head up the Avenue Mozart
to the junction with the Rue Ranelagh.
By Metro
The Hotel Beauséjour Ranelagh is a 1-minute walk from Ranelagh Metro station,
which is serviced by line 9 (Mairie de Montreuil - Pont de Sèvres).
Parking
Private paid parking at the hotel.
Contact the reception for details.
Our recommended addresses
Restaurants
BRASSERIE
Le 41, Avenue Mozart
With its neo-industrial decor, cement tiles and slate-coloured walls, the industrial ambiance of this restaurant perfectly complements the freshness of each day’s menu. This offers numerous tips of the chef’s hat to the cuisine of the Basque Country (special mention to the pudding by Christian Pourra) as well as that of Japan, due to the chefs who work their culinary magic behind the scenes. The choice of dishes changes daily.
41, avenue Mozart - 01 45 03 65 16 – n41.fr
La Maison de la Radio - Radio Eat
Located at the bottom of the Rue du Ranelagh, 150m from the hotel, Radioeat is on the first floor of the Maison de la Radio. It has a very 70's atmosphere, all curves and wood, with a panoramic view of the Eiffel Tower and the towers of the Front de Seine. Designed by the architect Stéphane Maupin and managed by the famed actor Eric Wapler, the restaurant has a menu by Thierry Brassard that balances European and Asian inspirations. On the plate, a grilled sea bream the menu calls ‘adorable’, accompanied by mango and aubergine confit, or beetroot hummus and chickpeas. Dessert lovers will find the cheesecake irresistible. And for a last drink with a view of the Eiffel Tower, we recommend the Belair on the floor above.
116 Avenue du Président Kennedy - 75016 Paris - 01 47 20 00 29 - maisondelaradio.fr
Jean-Michel Breizh Bistro
Next to the Maison de la Radio, this new address makes our mouths water just by reading the menu and the wine too with incredible natural bottles. This bistro is a nugget ! The owner loves Brittany, to hear everything that is true and authentic. We recommend it very much. Life is a boat ⛵️
TUESDAY➖FRIEND. 12:15pm/14:15pm-7:30pm/22pm SAT.➖CONTINUE 1pm-9:30pm
7, rue Gros, 75016, Paris - 06.43.51.87.13
Le Brach
Customers rush to the Brach restaurant, which has become one of the hotspots of the 16th. In the large dining area, you’ll recognise the style of Philippe Starck in the furniture, but what will strike you the most is the layout of the premises. You first pass a counter filled with the wonderful pâtisseries of Yann Brys, Meilleur Ouvrier de France winner, then a long bar where you can see the team working in the kitchens, which open into the room. Chef Adam Bentalha offers dishes - in small portions – that are an ecstasy of flavours and textures. For a starter, you’ll be torn between the artichoke salad, sea bream tartare or hummus. For the main course, why not try the octopus tentacles à la plancha with black olives and confit tomatoes or the poached sole fillets and vegetable riviera with fennel salt? The team strives to satisfy the very demanding customers of the north 16th arrondissement. Not an easy task...
1-7, rue Jean Richepin, 75116, Paris - 01 44 30 10 00 - brachparis.com
La Rotonde
A few months ago, the famous family brasserie, an institution in the Muette district, underwent some renovation, courtesy of the design studio Roman & Williams of New York. Rather than indulging in a certain nostalgia, the place has received a real facelift, with walnut woodwork, wooden ceiling, brass table lamps and leather seats. On the menu, a croque-monsieur, a croque-madame, beef tartare, spaghetti bolognaise, sea bass fillet à la plancha, veal sirloin steak with cream and button mushrooms and artisanal andouillette, among other delights.
Chaussée de la Muette - 75016 Paris - 01 45 24 45 45 - rotondemuette.paris
Le Bois
In the heart of the Muette district, the Bois brasserie has certainly made a name for itself. Its bistronomic and creative cuisine is homemade using fresh produce. Its starred chef Alexis Mathey sources ingredients from local producers and finds inspiration in world travel to create his signature dishes such as tuna tataki with sesame and crisp vegetables or wok-cooked poultry. Connoisseurs of good meat will find their pleasure with the 300g steak cooked over a wood fire, accompanied by a sublime Béarnaise. Also note the selection of homemade desserts worthy of the greatest pâtissiers.
29, rue Bois Le Vent - 75016 Paris - 01 40 72 03 41 - restaurant-lebois.fr
Brasserie Auteuil
The Brasserie Auteuil, located in the street of the same name, is perennially popular. With its interior design by Laura Gonzalez evoking a very warm Tuscan vibe, the Brasserie Auteuil is an unusual place that spans several floors. There’s a café, a bar, a brasserie, a terrace and even a rooftop. The restaurant has taken over the entirety of the old SNCF railway station. The ambiance of the various spaces is certainly diverse. The restaurant gives pride of place to Italian specialties such as squid à la romaine, arancini, smoked burrata, Neapolitan pizzas, Milanese veal cutlets and more. Don’t miss the lovely rooftop hung with foliage and dotted with colourful banquettes.
78 Rue d'Auteuil - 75016 Paris - 01 40 71 11 90 - auteuil-brasserie.com
Brasserie Paris Longchamp
Decorated by the Studio Be-Poles (The Barn, Wild & the Moon), the Brasserie Paris Longchamp ticks all the boxes as the perfect foodie hot spot for enjoying the sun this spring. Located in the heart of the Hippodrome racecourse, it offers a mainly locavore cuisine that is impeccably sourced and features platters to share, whole artichoke, sea bass carpaccio, rib steak and homemade fries, linguine with vegetables, chocolate mousse, strawberry whipped cream... To be savoured in the bright surroundings of the restaurant or on the beautiful tree-lined terrace.
2, Route des Tribunes - 75016 Paris - 01 44 30 75 52 - brasserie-parislongchamp.com
Mamie par Jean Imbert
After launching the Swan with Pharrell Williams in Miami and B.B, the trendy restaurant of the Blanche club, in Paris, Jean Imbert made a 180-degree turn. Remembering Sundays spent cooking with his grandmother, Mamie, the chef pictures her by his side. Located between the walls of the Acajou, this is a hugely appealing restaurant with a retro ambiance and is fully attuned to fresh produce and the turning of the seasons. On the menu? A sea bream gratin with mushrooms, pullet with mash and herb juice followed by a chocolate mousse and a surprise snow egg created in partnership with Cédric Grolet.
35 bis, rue Jean de la Fontaine -75016 Paris - 01 42 88 04 47 - mamiejeanimbert.com
Huîtres et Saumons de Passy
Close to the Maison de Balzac, Huîtres et Saumons de Passy is the new seafood restaurant opened by Victor Seisson-Dirat and Timothée Berthet, the leading lights behind the delightful épicerie next door, which offers good wine and fine seafood. The duo’s latest enterprise has a Scandinavian-inspired decor with cognac leather benches and light wooden tables. On the menu? A farandole of dishes with Nordic flavours: salmon eggs and blinis, tarama truffle, tender octopus and even golden scallops. Nothing is left to chance.
17 Rue de l'Annonciation - 75016 Paris - 01 42 88 19 64 - huitres-et-saumons-de-passy.com
MEDITERRANEAN STOPOVER
Non solo Cucina, Pane e Olio
Without hesitation, we recommend both Non Solo Cucina, 100 metres from the hotel, in the same street, and Pane e Olio, 117 Avenue Mozart, close to the Jasmin Metro station! Giuseppe Messina fell into a pasta pot as a child. Originally from Cefalù, a chic seaside resort in the north of Sicily, near Palermo, he validates the cliché of the bambino who’s always in the kitchen clinging to the skirts of his nonna (grandmother). In 1998, he joined his brother Ignazio, also a chef, in Paris. In 2000, they opened their first trattoria together, Aux Amis des Messina. Then Giuseppe moved from the kitchen to the office and, in 2009, went his own way and settled in the 16th arrondissement, on the Rue du Ranelagh, under the banner of Non Solo Cucina. He then opened a new establishment, Pane e Olio. Located in the Avenue Mozart, this Sicilian tavern provided a delicious opportunity for the Italian chef to revisit the recipes of his childhood. On the menu? Beignets de chou-fleur de Uncle Pasquale, caponata chicken de Papa Salvatore, beautiful veal chops served with the famous Messina family sauce, tiramisu de Mamma Lina... To be enjoyed in the colourful setting of the restaurant or on the terrace.
Non solo cucina - 135 rue du Ranelagh - 75016 Paris - 01 45 27 99 93 - non-solo-cucina.fr
Pane e olio - 117 Avenue Mozart, 75116 Paris - 01 40 71 13 11 - paneeolio.fr
Daroco 16
Parisians are already crazy about the previously established Daroco in the heart of Paris, so Daroco 16 has some big shoes to fill, and does so in style. Instead of the old Zebra, we find Alexandre Giesbert, Julien Ross and Romain Glize at the helm, once again proving that Italian cuisine is constantly gaining ground in the capital. Amidst the amazing decor of marble, brass and shimmering reflections designed by Francesca Errico, diners sit on velvety armchairs and banquettes to experience a hugely appealing cuisine that reinterprets the best of Italy. Starting with crispy arancini, creamy burrata and colourful tomatoes, sardines served with smoked ricotta and grilled pistachios, the dinner continues with tasty pizzas cooked in a traditional oven, gourmet linguine with lemon or ravioli with stracciatella and tomato sauce. The cherry on the cake? The homemade desserts (tiramisu, chocolate mousse, gelati ...).
3 Place Clément Ader - 75016 Paris - 01 44 14 91 91 - daroco.fr
Bistro Mavrommatis Passy
The three Mavrommatis brothers bring their Cypriot origins to bear in one of the capital’s most appealing eateries. Here, from hot sandwiches to take away or enjoy in the mezze cellar, to the dishes served in the dining area on the first floor, everything is focussed on the gastronomy of the Mediterranean basin. The fresh ingredients used on site are checked every day by the Michelin-starred chef. A selection of groceries and carefully selected beauty products are also available.
70, av. Paul Doumer - 75016 Paris - 01 40 50 70 40 - mavrommatis.com
Tapas
Ensemble on the Rue Spontini is the latest project of restaurateurs Mathieu Darmont and Aude Bourguignon, as well as chef Jérôme Moinard (already famed for his work at Tous). In a refined décor designed by Nathan Brami that mixes copper-coloured walls, brass lighting fixtures and grey velvet armchairs, you can share (or not) beautiful little dishes capable of seducing all palates (veggies, carnivores, pescatarians…). Bringing together Italian and Asian influences, the menu offers a fabulous salmon tartare with herbs and pickled ginger; a tender Puglia burratina with truffle oil; a pot-au-feu cromesquis and tartar sauce; a chestnut & parmesan risotto, not forgetting the salted butter caramel cheesecake and honey roasted figs. Not to be missed!
11 Rue Spontini, 75016 Paris - 01 45 05 14 87 – Sur réservation
GASTRONOMIC
Le Pré catelan – cuisine française
Frédéric Anton and his three stars settled into a lovely spot here in the Bois de Boulogne, in a very chic Napoleon III style pavilion. Le Pré Catelan is considered one of the foremost Parisian restaurants. On the menu are sea urchins (small fluffy flan, lightly aromatic celery, fine paprika jelly), Breton lobster (roast, gourmet peas flavoured with garlic, capers and mushrooms ...), sardine curry...
Route de Suresnes - 75016 Paris - 01 44 14 41 14 - leprecatelan.com
L' Astrance – cuisine française
To get a table at l'Astrance you must book at least a month in advance, which gives you some idea of its success. With its two Michelin Guide stars, it offers an exciting experience for the epicure... You’ll appreciate the very contemporary decor and the cuisine of chef Pascal Barbot that is prepared in accordance with the seasonally available ingredients and served by Christophe Rohat in the dining area.
4, rue Beethoven - 75016 Paris - 01 40 50 84 40 - astrancerestaurant.com
L’Archeste
L'Archeste offers several formulas with 3 or 5 courses for lunch and 7 courses for dinner. All carefully prepared by chef Yoshiaki Ito. Awarded a star by the red guide after only five months of existence, this restaurant led by its Japanese chef is one to watch.
79, rue de la Tour - 75016 Paris - 01 40 71 69 68 - archeste.com
Substance
Stéphane Manigold, chef Matthias Marc and Anthony Pedrosa launched Substance on the Rue de Chaillot. A delightful restaurant that revisits the classics of cuisine and adds the seasoning of a modern twist. For starters you can enjoy a crispy egg, grilled artichoke with sesame vinaigrette or a scallop carpaccio served with a hay vinaigrette. Dinner continues with a spelt and vegetable risotto or tender veal before concluding with a delicious Sao Tome chocolate soufflé and fir ice cream. The cellar rises to the occasion with great vintages and lesser-known regional wines that rub glass shoulders with an extensive selection of champagnes.
18 Rue de Chaillot -75116 Paris - 01 47 20 08 90 - substance.paris
HOT SPOTS
Girafe
Situated in the heart of the Cité de l’Architecture in Paris, Girafe swiftly joined the 16th arrondissement’s foodie hotspots, having only opened its doors last summer. The latest project of Gilles Malafosse and Laurent Gourcuff, the fine team who previously made a mark at Monsieur Bleu and Loulou, this restaurant’s interiors were designed by Joseph Dirand. Immersed in the spirit of the 30s, visitors discover a delightful décor that brings together cream banquettes, a marble bar, tropical plants, original pilasters and more, all in perfect harmony. Chef Benoît Dargère takes the helm in the kitchen. Seahouse style fish, shellfish and seafood in general parade across the plates in all its diversity. The classics in ultra-fresh trays, the raw version in the form of a ceviche and sashimi, but also expertly golden (lobster, sole, turbot, etc.), in accordance with whatever catches arrive in the kitchen. This restaurant also boasts a superb terrace where you can be one-on-one with the Eiffel Tower.
1 Place du Trocadéro et du 11 Novembre - 75016 Paris - 01 40 62 70 61 - girafeparis.com
The Grands Verres at the Palais de Tokyo
Behind the stove is Preston Miller, an American fan of neo-Mediterranean cuisine who has graced the finest restaurants in Seattle, Boston and New York with his talent. Behind the bar is Hyacinthe Lescoët, representing a whole new generation of very exacting bartenders. The menu is relatively short (phew) and changes regularly. The dishes, imbued with the ‘eco-responsible’ spirit of the creators of the place, are as beautiful to look at as they are good to eat.
13, Avenue du PDT Wilson - 75116 Paris - 01 42 89 88 10 - lesgrandsverres.com
HEALTHY
Holiday Café
Hidden in the depths of the 16th arrondissement, not far from the Porte de Saint-Cloud, the Holiday Café is the haunt of a crowd of fashion journalists and trendy stylists. The place was inspired by the legendary Holiday magazine itself. On the menu is a granola comprised of cottage cheese, organic muesli, honey and seasonal fruit and cream. We bet your entire meal will end up on Instagram. We’re not kidding!
Holiday Café - 192 Avenue de Versailles, PARIS 16th Metro Porte de Saint-Cloud
Open Tuesday to Thursday from 09:00 to 17:00, Friday to Saturday from 09:00 to 22:00, Sunday from 09:00 to 15:00, closed Monday - +33 (0) 1.422.490.21
Thé cool
In the mid-1980s, this tearoom launched its iconic ‘Starlette’ gâteau with 0% fat white cheese long before the fashion for high protein diets. As a result, success shone on this establishment and it continued to make detox delicious with the likes of its five vegetables gâteau, fresh fruit cocktails, etc. And in keeping with the chic tone of the neighbourhood, the interior decor, redone three years ago, is by Sarah Lavoine. No wonder the locals and regulars feel such passion for this peaceful place.
The Cool - 10, rue Jean Bologne 75016 Paris - 01 42 24 69 13 - thecool.fr
Diet Kate Café
Kate was in communications before a change of career led her to open her healthy canteen and become a naturopath (specialising in nutrition) at the same time. There’s no high concept here; it’s a real canteen that focusses on the home-made, healthy and organic while offering irresistible temptation. Witness the huge cakes that make every customer gaze in awe upon entering the Café. Under bells, the cheesecake, chiffon cake and carrot cake are proudly displayed on the counter. Kate offers different diet bowls every day. You might want to opt for the original pink couscous with quinoa, beetroot, chickpeas and Chinese grapefruit. It’s generous, fresh, healthy and deliciously seasoned. Each dish has pep, just like the sharp decor.
111 rue de Longchamp 75016 Paris - 06 20 41 05 34 - dietkatecafe.com
PARIS BY NIGHT
Le Bel Air, Maison de la radio
On the second floor of the Maison de la Radio, you’ll find this great bar, the Belair, which boasts the best afterwork ambiance in western Paris. A wealth of cocktail options, a breathtaking view of the retro-futuristic towers of the Quai de Grenelle, Stéphane Maupin architecture, an indie playlist rocking a luminous dance floor, velvet banquettes... This speakeasy offers the utopia of a semi-exclusive club where you can rub shoulders with a wildly enthusiastic social scene afloat on an ocean of light. The Maison de la Radio even records live broadcasts there… The impeccable staff will guide you when you’re choosing from the wealth of à la carte creations. The Call Me Back, a cocktail mixing mezcal and avocado (€12) swings a double uppercut and rings the beginning of the intoxication. If your energy level drops, a la carte snacks are on hand to replenish empty stomachs!
116 Avenue du Président Kennedy - 75016 Paris - 01 47 20 00 29 - maisondelaradio.fr/page/bar-le-belair
Cravan
Vermouth, picon and curação. Take advantage of being in the 16th arrondissement to try a neighbourhood cocktail. And not just any cocktail; this is the Trocadéro. In this charming micro-bar, you’ll forget the passing of time and your increasing intoxication. Inspired by Oscar Wilde’s nephew, the poet and boxer Arthur Cravan (who dreamed of opening a cafe), the Cravan is set up within the walls of a former coffee shop. The place is unique, with its Hector Guimard facade, glazed earthenware and mirrors, glass ceiling, etc. And behind the huge zinc bar, mixologist Franck Audoux weaves liquid enchantments. He’s never stingy with tasting advice and also offers dishes evocative of evenings at home, but better (scrambled eggs, croque madame, steak…).
17 rue Jean de la Fontaine - 75016 Paris - 01 40 50 14 30 -
Métro : Jasmin
Manko
In this astonishing place that’s half restaurant and half cabaret, the great Peruvian chef Gastón Acurio shows off the cuisine of his country, a cuisine that has been inspired by just about all the cultures of the world, from Europe to Japan, and from China to Africa. The former Drouot auction house has been completely redesigned by Laura Gonzalez, a Parisian architect with strong convictions. Here she wanted gilding, warm colours, noble materials (terracotta tiles, tables and chairs in fine wood, with golden patinas and aged silver leaf). It’s all inspired by South America, and the Andes in particular, without falling into caricature. Gastón Acurio is a star in his country, the first great Peruvian chef to promote the cuisine of the Andes all over the world. There’s ceviche and tiraditos in plenty (marinated fish reign supreme) but you can also enjoy Peruvian grilled meats (octopus or flank steak from the Amazon region) or a vegetarian quinoa burger, then finish with a maracuya passion fruit cream, banana crisps, chocolate, or tonka bean ice cream. So that the capital’s night owls can hit the dance floor, the club offers live concerts every Friday and Saturday evening, plus surprises until the end of the night! From midnight to 05:00 on those evenings, Manko - The Club has a happy crowd dancing the night away as soon as the doors of the Théâtre des Champs-Elysées, just a stone's throw away, close.
With its chic but festive atmosphere, this club hosts a live concert in the first part of the evening until 01:30 with a New House Disco vibe before piling on surprise after surprise with guests and celebrities until the dawn of a new day.
15 Avenue Montaigne, 75008 Paris - 01 82 28 00 15 - manko-paris.com
Matignon
Near the Avenue Montaigne and opposite the gardens of the Théâtre Marigny you’ll find the club restaurant called the Matignon. The Parisian clientele includes artists, international dandies and celebrities. This place is vibrant every day and at all hours, whether you want a breakfast on the terrace, brunch on the veranda or a cocktail at the club bar. For dinner, the Matignon offers some delightfully cosy spaces infused with refinement and sensual modernity. Jacques Garcia designed the interiors of the restaurant with its iconic chandeliers, chainmail and majestic mirrors. To add a chic touch to the modern gastronomy, DJs fill the evenings with the sound of their sets. Around 23:00, the club and the bar open their doors. The décor of this Parisian nightspot par excellence is the work of Charles Tassin. The designer pays homage to the safari-club of yesteryear by mixing 70's fabrics, leopard print carpets and Impressionist canvases. With its cult evenings, the Matignon is a dance hub of the capital.
3 Avenue Matignon - 75008 Paris - 01 42 89 64 72 - matignon-paris.com
There’s also the Café Chic, Le Speakeasy, Le Piaf, Madame Sarfati, Les Jardins du Presbourg, Le Victoria, Balagan and more.
Outdoor and Indoor Sport
Jogging, walking, tennis, fitness, Pilates, meditation…
Breathe in… breathe out...
At the Hotel Beauséjour Ranelagh, we can recommend jogging, tennis, outdoor walking and green space routes suitable for your sports and exercise sessions, whatever your preferences. You can even book a personal trainer through our reception. In the Jardin du Ranelagh, the Bois de Boulogne or along the banks of the Seine, you can unwind before or after a day of work, with a few stops along the way to soak up some culture. It’s a great way to discover Paris and its monuments.You can also go to our hyper-equipped and professional partner sports club 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 6 minutes walk from the hotel with hammam and sauna.
Your personal trainer will suggest an exercise regimen to suit your fitness level. Starting from the nearby Jardin du Ranelagh, you could run along the Petite Ceinture or in the Jardins du Trocadéro and enjoy a stretching or yoga session to give yourself an energy boost.
Jardin du Ranelagh
It’s a delight to take a meditative stroll among the chestnut trees of the Jardin du Ranelagh, one of which is 200 years old. You’ll also discover magnificent Turkish hazelnut trees that tower 19, 21 and even 28 metres into the Parisian sky. The park, named after Lord Ranelagh, an Irish politician and diplomat of the early 18th century, is one of the few in Paris to be open both day and night. Athletes and sportspeople train there while children can enjoy outdoor games and the Théâtre Guignol.
Bois de Boulogne
These 846 hectares of trees, lawns and lakes, an area twice the size of Central Park, comprise one of the capital's green lungs. Ideal for cycling, jogging, a gentle stroll or even a boat ride on one of the many lakes of this former royal hunting ground. In addition to a 14 km long hiking circuit, a similar amount of cycle paths and 28 km of bridleways, you will also find a 2,500-metre sports circuit with apparatus.
Stade Roland Garros
The famous stadium with its courts that are used for the French Open tennis tournament are located a few minutes away, on the edge of the Bois de Boulogne.
Parc des Princes
The home ground of the Paris Saint Germain football club, the Parc des Princes is an all-seater stadium that also hosts rugby matches and numerous concerts...
Hippodrome Paris Longchamp
Also located in the Bois de Boulogne, this world-famous racecourse hosts prestigious equestrian events such as the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. Designed by the architect Dominique Perrault, this historic temple of horse racing, nestled in the heart of the Bois de Boulogne, appeals to racing enthusiasts and neophytes alike. You can dine in one of the restaurants or have a drink in the rooftop lounge.
Serres d’Auteuil botanical garden
Located in the Bois de Boulogne, the Serres-d'Auteuil botanical garden, along with the Parc de Bagatelle, the Parc Floral and the Arboretum, has been part of the Botanical Gardens of the City of Paris since 1998. It offers visitors an unusual journey back in time and through the world of plants. It combines the elegance of a classic public park with the charm of architecture dating from the end of the 19th century and the exotic appeal of tropical plants from a wide variety of environments and distant lands.
Jardin de Bagatelle
As mentioned above, this is another of the Botanical Gardens of the City of Paris located in the heart of the Bois de Boulogne. The garden resulted from a bet between Queen Marie Antoinette and her brother-in-law, the Count of Artois. This famous wager gave us one of the most beautiful green spaces in the capital. Breathe the perfume of 10,000 roses representing 1,200 different species, meditate before a 140-year-old weeping willow whose branches overhang the Water Lilies basin, pick some raspberries at the bottom of the vegetable garden, admire the peacocks strutting by, see the many charming architectural follies, watch as a squirrel bounds across your path... and simply unwind amidst tranquil splendour!
Shopping
Yes, it’s the Rue de Passy!
Les Halles reigns supreme!
This covered shopping mall is dotted with cute signs: ‘Alain and Francine, au Petit Maraîcher’, ‘Boucherie François Bailleul’, ‘Au panier de Nicolas’ and many more. Here, you’ll find everything you need, whether from a butcher, charcutier, poultry or game merchant, cheese maker, caterer, florist or pharmacy. Rest assured that the quality is high. Not to be missed is the Poissonnerie de Passy, a fishmonger deserving of its excellent reputation, where you’ll find various counters with, in addition to a wealth of beautiful fresh fish, an intriguing seafood tasting bar.
Throughout the 16th arrondissement, concept stores and beautiful boutiques flourish, brimming with the best brands, great designs, and accessories to make you melt with envy... Here’s a guide to our recommended shops.
PATTISERIES
Aux Merveilleux de Fred
Who doesn't know the Merveilleux de Fred, which has spread its branches worldwide? Don’t miss taking a trip to 29 Rue de l’Annonciation, where the great pâtissier from Lille offers his thousand and one delights.
Meringues topped with whipped cream are traditional delicacies from the North of France and Flanders. They are frequently overlooked, sometimes forgotten, often neglected, but Frédéric Vaucamps was able to bring them back into the spotlight with the recipe he created in 1985.
Our favourite is the Incroyable, a crunchy and creamy meringue heart with a dollop of whipped cream speckled with speculoos rolled in white chocolate shavings, but we also love the coffee Impensable, the cherry Excentrique, and the Magnifique with its praline coated with almond pieces and caramelised hazelnuts. Then there’s the latest; Sans-Culotte with a whipped caramel cream and crystallised meringue. These irresistible wonders are available individually or for sharing.
29 Rue de l'Annonciation - 75016 Paris - 01 45 20 13 82 - auxmerveilleux.com
Philippe Conticini
You’ll find the patisserie Gâteau d'Emotions at the top of the Rue de l'Annonciation in the Passy district. This was Philippe Conticini’s first bakery and today offers a beautiful range of breads and viennoiseries, in addition to the delicious pastries we all love.
In this spacious address, the chef has teamed up with the talented boulanger Sébastien Crouzat. Together, they’ve created a superb range of breads and pastries. The delicious natural leavened breads are made with the finest flour from the Moulins d’Antoine. Our favourite is the Limagne baguette.
You’ll also want to try the famous Roulés de Philippe; super light and fluffy Japanese-inspired cakes. Be careful, they’re addictive!
Of course, the chef's wonderful pastries are also there in bountiful splendour and will soon be available from a new outlet on the Muette side. For now, we head to 42 Rue de l'Annonciation (75016) to feast on the chef’s viennoiseries, breads and numerous patisseries, either on the spot or to take away.
42 rue de l’Annonciation – 75016 Paris – 01 56 40 01 22 - philippeconticini.fr
La Grande Epicerie Rive Droite
We already love the original La Grande Epicerie on the Left Bank, now the brand has a second store on the Right Bank, where you can choose from some 6,000 grocery products from all over the world, including salts, mustards, vinegars, teas, jams and much more. Greek olive oil, Alicante nougat, Panang curry paste, you name it... A tour of the world’s finest products plus an unparalleled presentation of local specialties that honour the name of France.
The selection is overwhelming, and the shop’s decor is to die for. A visit that’s well worth your time!
80, rue de Passy - 75016 Paris - 01 44 14 38 00
Pastavino
Since 1989, the owner Leandro, he of the lovely Perugia accent, has seen countless local children grow up and become customers. He is now the official supplier of the district’s Dolce Vita restaurant. His Parma ham, San Daniele ham, truffle pizza and Lombardy lasagne have earned him a well-deserved reputation. The wooden chair in his shop once welcomed the academician and Hellenist Jacqueline de Romilly, with whom Leandro, his Mediterranean blood rising, took part in heated discussions!
26, rue de l’Annonciation - 75016 Paris - 01 42 30 76 36
BEAUTY
Aesop – exquisitely fragranced care products
The Australian brand, whose product packaging is as refined as the decor of its stores around the world, has opened shops here, too. And it offers a big first; since early October, customers have been able to benefit from beauty treatments, too. Forty-five minutes of bespoke bliss in the hands of a London-trained aesthetician in full accord with the brand's protocols. Another way to shine in the 16th!
16, rue Jean-Bologne - 75016 Paris - 01 40 50 90 32
Oh my cream
With its exclusive, organic, natural products, this is THE essential concept store for any self-respecting ‘beautista’. Building on its dazzling success since 2013 on the Internet and in Paris, the Oh My Cream brand found a natural home in the 16th arrondissement last March. Care, skin diagnostics, the possibility of finding that certain cream that you can usually only buy in New York; these are the signs of a combination of high standards and quality. Please note that all products are certified petrochemicals-free.
2, rue Guichard - 75016 Paris - 01 45 04 59 32
MEN'S FASHION
Holiday Boileau
Tucked away in a 60s building in the 16th arrondissement, a stone's throw from the Café Holiday, is hidden a menswear boutique with an emphasis on lifestyle and the art de vivre. Designed as an art gallery, Holiday Boileau celebrates the mid-20th century American travel magazine Holiday and offers a wardrobe of Holiday-style basics and Parisian collaborations at the height of cool. Last but not least, vintage style specialist Gauthier Borsarello has installed his showroom in the basement.
11 rue Parent-de-Rosan - 75016 Paris
Beige Habilleur & Les éditions du Kiosque
Men, head to the 16th arrondissement where Basile Khadiry and Jean-Baptiste Ménestrier, the muscular duo behind the Beige Habilleur brand, have set up shop. The boutique brings together more than fifty French, British and Japanese brands, all cultivating ‘the art of good work’ that is the spearhead of Beige Habilleur. There’s also a fine selection of books published by the Editions du Kiosque brand which shares the space.
83 rue Chardon Lagache - 75016 Paris
Museums
The 16th arrondissement has the largest concentration of museums in Paris. There’s the Fondation Louis Vuitton in the Bois de Boulogne, Musée Yves Saint-Laurent inaugurated in 2017, Museum of Modern Art of the City of Paris, Musée Marmottan Monet, Palais Galliera, Aquarium de Paris, Maison de Balzac and more. In short, you can avail yourself of plenty of culture simply by wandering around the district. And if, like us, you love contemporary art and are keen to see work by the rising stars of the art scene, head to the Palais de Tokyo, which has 22,000 m² of exhibition space spread over four floors and offers exhibitions, performances, bookstores and concerts!
Fashion Museum - Museum of Modern Art of the City of Paris - Palais de Tokyo - Museum of Man - Fondation Louis Vuitton - Musée Marmottan Monet - Musée de l’Homme - Museum of the Navy - City of Architecture - Musée Guimet
Monuments
Eiffel Tower
Would Paris be Paris without the Eiffel Tower? The question is a valid one as the monumental creation of Gustave Eiffel has become virtually synonymous with the French capital and is a major tourist attraction and national symbol. The Iron Lady, as she is affectionately known, was built for the Universal Exhibition of 1889 as a temporary structure to mark the 100th anniversary of the French Revolution. Of course, she is now considered most definitely permanent! This great monument is 324 metres high, comprised of 18,000 pieces of puddle iron and 2,500,000 rivets, and has welcomed more than 300 million visitors since it first opened to the public! There are two ways to access the floors of the Eiffel Tower. If you think you’re fit enough, climb the 1,665 steps! For the less athletic, there are old school elevators to take visitors to the third floor. Here, you can see Gustave Eiffel’s office, enjoy a spot of refreshment at the champagne bar and, above all, contemplate the beauty of a 360-degree view that stretches more than 65 kilometres in clear weather.
The Palais de Chaillot
This immense pseudo-classical building was built by Azéma, Boileau and Carlu for the 1937 Universal Exposition. In keeping with the Exposition’s aim to encourage the revival of the decorative arts, the building’s decor was entrusted to many painters and sculptors, to better represent all French contemporary art trends of the time. You can still see the giant sculptures by Henri Bouchard and inscriptions by Paul Valéry.
The Palais de Chaillot was built on the ‘inspired hill’, a vantage point that was for a long time the stronghold of two religious orders, to replace the Moorish-style Palais du Trocadero. The final building, which has a classicised ‘moderne’ design, opens majestically onto the Champ-de-Mars.
The Palais de Chaillot hosts the National Maritime Museum and the Museum of Man. The Théâtre National de Chaillot (which has kept its original home) and the City of Architecture and Heritage occupy the east wing.
The Jardin d’Acclimatation – a treat for the children
The Jardin d'Acclimatation is the oldest amusement park in France. Created under Napoleon III in 1860, this 18-hectare park situated in the middle of the Bois de Boulogne is a favourite for Parisian family outings. It has around forty rides and other attractions - including seventeen new ones – each designated as suitable for one of three age groups. Among them are a zip line ride, mini-rollercoasters, animal rides and a famous narrow-gauge railway that has been around since 1878, and which connects the park to the Porte Maillot. The Jardin d'Acclimatation is also home to almost 500 animals, including a large aviary and the livestock of the Saint-Hilaire educational farm. The park has a dozen different eateries, so your family will enjoy plenty of choice.
The Fondation Le Corbusier, open to the public
This foundation devotes all its resources to the conservation, dissemination and honouring of the work of the Swiss-French architect Le Corbusier.
The Maison La Roche and Le Corbusier's apartment - 24 Rue Nungesser et Coli, 75016 Paris - are open to visitors all year. The Maison Jeanneret welcomes students and researchers daily. In July 2008, major works were undertaken to restore the interiors of the Maison La Roche and upgrade the building to ensure visitor safety.
The foundation presents exhibitions in the Maison La Roche designed to contribute to the public’s knowledge of the man and his creations. It also devotes significant resources to encouraging and facilitating the work of researchers interested in Le Corbusier. The documentation centre is open daily for those in need of its facilities. There are grants for young researchers, residences in Le Corbusier's apartment, seminars and scientific publications. The Fondation Le Corbusier responds to requests from students and researchers requiring information or who wish to obtain reproductions of documents for their studies. At their disposal are all the works published by and about Le Corbusier throughout the world, and even his personal library. Over 400,000 digitised documents can be viewed in the documentation room.
The Hippodrome d’Auteuil
Close to the Porte d'Auteuil in Paris, on 33 hectares at the edge of the Bois de Boulogne, is the Hippodrome d’Auteuil racecourse. This is the main venue for steeplechase racing in France, hosting all nine of the Group 1 hurdle and steeplechase events that take place on French soil. These are held in early spring, then in the autumn until early December. The going can be ‘heavy’ at those times of year and this has a great bearing on the skills of French steeplechasers.
The excitement and unpredictability of a race over various obstacles plays a big part in the popularity of this sport among the public. Competitors converge from all over France, including the famed thoroughbred breeding regions of the west and central eastern areas of the country, to attend the Weekend International de l’Obstacle in November and the Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris in June.
Visits
The Studio Apartment Le Corbusier – Restored to greatness
A visit to the former apartment of one of the greatest architects of the 20th century is now possible! After two years of restoration, the apartment-studio where Le Corbusier lived and created from 1934 to 1965 with his wife Yvonne Gallis reopens its doors to the public. This duplex, located on the 7th and 8th floors of the Molitor building, designed and built between 1931 and 1934 by Le Corbusier with his cousin Pierre Jeanneret, was also the architect’s painting studio and an extension of his architectural thought. By restoring the studio apartment to its 1965 state, the Le Corbusier Foundation has succeeded in showing how the place looked during the architect’s lifetime.
Opening times:
• Monday, Tuesday and Friday from 14:00 to 18:00.
• Saturday from 10:00 to 13:00 & 13:30 18:00.
The Studio Apartment Le Corbusier - 24, Rue Nungesser-et-Coli - by appointment: reservation@fondationlecorbusier.fr
The Rue Mallet-Stevens; an architectural manifesto in ParisOn July 20th, 1927, the Rue Mallet-Stevens in the Auteuil district was inaugurated with great fanfare and a significant page in the history of modern architecture was written. Built on the model of Parisian ‘villas’, the street’s houses stand in a 77-metre long cul-de-sac. Designed by the French architect Robert Mallet-Stevens, these are five private mansions of reinforced concrete with cubist volumes of varying proportions. The buildings have roof terraces and their smooth walls are painted white, setting off the black window frames. The large windows allow in plenty of natural light. The effect creates what was referred to at the time as the ‘ocean liner’ style, which the reactionaries then called the ‘German’ style, in reference to the Bauhaus that preceded the modern movement in France by a few years. With their turrets and stepped appearance, the street’s buildings resemble abstract sculptures and constitute a small but coherent urban ensemble, although each is unique.
Robert Mallet-Stevens was 41 years old at the time and this street constitutes his architectural manifesto. “Robert Mallet-Stevens successfully demonstrated his expertise and the possibilities of modern architecture on a public works scale. He not only designed all the houses, but also the pavements, planters and streetlights,” observed Richard Klein, curator of the exhibition entitled Robert Mallet-Stevens and his Photographers, as presented at the Villa Cavrois in northern France. The sole master builder on ‘his’ street, Mallet-Stevens nevertheless surrounded himself with collaborators well-known in the day, including master glassmaker Louis Barillet, designer Charlotte Perriand and ironworker Jean Prouvé.
Two years earlier, following the 1925 International Exhibition of Decorative Arts, Mallet-Stevens had acquired a reputation equalled only by that of Le Corbusier.
Read “La rue Mallet-Stevens, manifeste architectural à Paris” by Laurène Champalle, in Beaux-Arts Magazine, issue number 431, July 18th, 2018.
The Rue Berton
The bucolic secrets of Passy and the 16th arrondissement in general are jealously guarded from view. Winding up the hillside is the Rue Berton, named in homage to the composers Pierre Montan Berton (1727-1780) and Henri Montan Berton (1767-1846). It begins picturesquely on the Avenue Marcel Proust.
A narrow right of way evocative of the Paris of old, this charming cobbled street runs between two blind walls hung with ivy and verdant foliage and is punctuated at intervals by ancient street lamps dating from the days of gas lighting, and nowhere exceeds 1.50 metres wide. Like a lane preserved from the rural past when Passy was a village, the Rue Berton originally wound its way from the banks of the Seine through vineyards to the hilltops of Passy.
Built on terraced slopes, modest houses rubbed shoulders with the luxurious mansions of aristocrats. After the Revolution, the plots were divided up. Today, the Rue Berton gives access to the last vestiges of the terraces of Passy dating from the 16th century, terraces that disappeared during the urban renovations that took place from 1860.
The Maison de Balzac
Number 24 Rue Berton is where you’ll find the ground floor of the Maison de Balzac, a writer’s house museum dedicated to the great novelist and playwright Honoré de Balzac. The house is accessible from the Rue Raynouard, but the door leading to the Rue Berton is the stuff of legend. It was a secondary exit that the novelist could use when trying to escape his creditors. Honoré de Balzac lived on the floor of the house that overlooks the garden from 1840 to 1847, but it is not known whether the staircase between the floors existed at that time. From 1912 to 1913, dinners in Passy brought together many creative people at 24 Rue Berton, which became the Balzac Museum in 1908 under the leadership of Louis Baudier de Royaumont, a man of letters. The writer Guillaume Apollinaire, the poet and playwright Paul Fort, the painter Francis Picabia, the poet Sébastien Voirol, the architect Auguste Perret and his brother Gustave, and the artist Marcel Duchamp met there regularly. From 1917 to 1918, performances of the Théâtre Idéaliste were given. In 2002, archaeological excavations undertaken on the plot revealed that the cellars gave access to troglodyte dwellings dating from the Middle Ages. These are unique in Paris and a fascinating look back to the days when the village of Passy was populated by peasants, winegrowers and quarry workers.
The Perret Building
At number 38 is a remarkable building created by the French architect Auguste Perret, a pioneer in the use of reinforced concrete. The building’s facades and roofs are listed Monuments Historiques, as are its common areas and the seventh floor, Perret's former home. Built between 1928 and 1930 to replace the architect's mansion, the basement once housed the studio of the Perret Brothers.
At the end of the Rue Berton, the steps that rise to the Rue Raynouard almost have a feel of Belleville, according to the photographer Willy Ronis. Heading up a little way, you soon reach the main entrance to the Maison de Balzac writer’s house museum, to which we will devote an article very soon.
Rue Berton - Paris 16th arrondissement - https://4.bp.blogspot.com
Access by crossing the Rue d'Ankara and Avenue Marcel Proust on one side, the Avenue de Lamballe and the steps to 57 Rue Raynouard on the other.