WHAT TO DO IN PARIS THIS MONTH?
Each month in Acumen, Flora di Carlo reveals new discoveries and her personal favorites: gourmet addresses, places to relax, cultural events. Follow the guide…

DISCOVER: "FAVORITE" ADDRESSES

L'ENVOL – A MUSICAL AND CULINARY DESTINATION
On the top floor of the Philharmonie de Paris, L'Envol invites you to an experience that awakens all the senses. Nestled in a modern and refined setting with neoclassical touches, this panoramic restaurant offers a gourmet interlude where gastronomy and music meet in perfect harmony. The menu, created by Michelin-starred chef Thibaut Spiwack and interpreted daily by the talented chef Sarah Ledu, blends creativity and finesse. Among the dishes orchestrated with almost musical precision, the celery leaf by leaf, subtly flavored with vanilla and enhanced by a dill cream, offers a balanced and surprising sweetness. The potato gnocchi, accompanied by a butternut squash purée with cinnamon and sage, reveal comforting flavors and a melting texture, while the pickled mustard seeds and black brie add a touch of character. To finish, the airy and tangy blackcurrant Mont Blanc brings the meal to a vibrant and refreshing close. The service is impeccable, attentive without being intrusive, and contributes to the restaurant's refined atmosphere. The prices, reasonable for such an experience, make this establishment even more appealing.
221, AVENUE JEAN-JAURÈS, PARIS 19TH
RESTAURANT-LENVOL-PHILHARMONIE.FR

KRAFT – THE ART OF BRUNCH REINVENTED
In the 15th arrondissement, Kraft is both a restaurant and an ode to art and creativity. This hybrid space, located on rue du Hameau, blends vibrant murals, reminiscent of Keith Haring's dynamic motifs, with minimalist furniture, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere.
In the kitchen, brunch is the star attraction at this arty spot. The fresh goat cheese toast, enhanced with almond pesto and delicately tangy pickles, offers an explosion of balanced flavors. Alongside it, the almond waffles delight with their light texture, topped with smooth crème fraîche, crunchy almond praline, and orange blossom-scented syrup for a subtly sweet touch. Each bite reflects the quality of the ingredients and the chef's inventiveness, with a perfect balance between indulgence and sophistication. The smooth and attentive service completes the experience in a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. With prices that remain accessible for such high-quality offerings, Kraft has established itself as a must-visit destination for brunch lovers and curious minds.
37, RUE DU HAMEAU, PARIS 15TH
KRAFT-HOTEL-PARIS.COM

MAGNOLIA – A GOURMET ESCAPE IN PIGALLE
On a quiet street in the 9th arrondissement, Magnolia has established itself as a must-visit address in Pigalle. Conceived by Maxime Vaudin, a former communications professional turned restaurateur, this chic and welcoming bistro offers an experience where simplicity blends seamlessly with elegance. The minimalist yet refined décor features a marble counter, a large mirror, and vintage wall sconces, all bathed in soft lighting that fosters a convivial atmosphere. In the kitchen, British chef Jack Bosco Baker, boasting a remarkable career, offers inventive cuisine that reinterprets classic dishes with a modern twist. Among the current creations, a fillet of pollack, accompanied by mussels and cuttlefish, stands out for its rich and complex red wine sauce, which reveals deep, subtly spicy notes. For dessert, profiteroles provide a sweet and comforting conclusion. The perfectly golden and crispy cream puffs are coated in a smooth chocolate sauce subtly infused with Armagnac. A reimagining of a classic that is both characterful and refined. The attentive service reflects the restaurant's elegant ambiance. In terms of price, Magnolia is in line with the average Parisian bistro, but the quality and enjoyment it provides fully justify the experience. The establishment stands out as a place where each dish tells a story, where one is swept away by the chef's creativity and the restaurant's intimate atmosphere. Like a magnolia in full bloom, this bistro is a poetic interlude in the hustle and bustle of the city, reminiscent of Italo Calvino's concept of lightness as the art of navigating the depths.
5, RUE HENRY-MONNIER, PARIS 9TH
RESTAURANT-MAGNOLIA.EN

LA COQUILLE D'OR – COCKTAILS AND GLAMOUR IN THE SAINT-HONORÉ DISTRICT
Located within the prestigious Château Voltaire, just steps from Place Vendôme, La Coquille d'Or is a discreet address that will appeal to lovers of mixology and refined elegance. Behind a discreet door, this intimate bar reveals a sophisticated décor: plush velvet banquettes, soft lighting that creates a warm and inviting atmosphere, and a gleaming bar counter that invites contemplation. Taking its name from the 16th-century motif adorning the building, La Coquille d'Or offers a unique ambiance, a blend of Renaissance splendor and Parisian modernity. As for cocktails, each creation is conceived as a sensory experience. The signature mix, Le Voltaire, perfectly blends gin, burnt lemon, bergamot, and lemon. Its complex aroma, both tangy and sweet, reflects the expertise of the house mixologists. For those seeking winter comfort, the mulled wine with clementine, combining red wine, citrus, and warm spices, is a true invitation to relaxation. The precise and courteous service adds a touch of elegance to the experience, making each visit memorable. The prices, while on the higher end of average, reflect the exclusive setting and the impeccable quality of the creations.
55-57, RUE SAINT-ROCH, PARIS 1ER
CHATEAUVOLTAIRE.COM

A LUXURIOUS BREAK: SPA & WELLNESS

SPA CLEMENS – A TIMELESS AQUATIC BREAK
In the heart of the 7th arrondissement, the Clēmēns spa invites you to an unparalleled experience where body and mind find perfect harmony. Inspired by ancient Roman baths, this intimate and refined space offers five pools heated to 35°C, where the warmth of the water and the soft, diffused lighting envelop you from the very first moment. Delicate mosaics and dancing lights create a soothing atmosphere, conducive to total disconnection. Your journey begins at reception, where a smiling therapist guides you with care. The ritual starts with a cup of tea or a glass of fresh water, before moving to the changing rooms and then to the pools. Once immersed, let yourself be enveloped by the comforting treatment. The floating massage, a subtle blend of sophrology, stretching, and letting go, transports you to an almost womb-like state, where the body completely relaxes, floating to the rhythm of the water.
The sensations are amplified by total sensory immersion: underwater, your ears are enveloped by enchanting music, while the interplay of light and shadow animates the walls, creating a truly captivating visual spectacle. Every gesture of the therapist is precise, every movement seems choreographed to release tension and soothe the mind. The Clēmēns spa caters to everyone: pregnant women, young children, or anyone seeking a rejuvenating escape. You emerge transformed, filled with complete serenity, ready to face the hustle and bustle of daily life with renewed ease. A true haven of well-being where every detail is designed to offer an unforgettable experience, a fusion of senses and emotions.
14, RUE DES SAINTS-PÈRES, PARIS 7TH
SPACLEMENS.COM

CULTURAL ESCAPE: FILMS AND EXHIBITIONS

THE BRUTALIST – A HUMAN AND ARCHITECTURAL DRAMA
The Brutalist, directed by Brady Corbet, tells the story of László Toth, a Hungarian architect and Holocaust survivor whose life becomes a relentless quest for creation and renewal. Spanning three decades, the film recounts his exile in the United States with his wife, Erzsébet, and their struggle to build not only architectural structures, but also a new dream, far removed from the traumas of the past. With a raw aesthetic, true to the modernist architecture that gives the film its title, each shot becomes a visual tribute to human resilience. The starkness of the sets and the profound silences convey the protagonist's inner struggles, offering a poignant reflection on memory, ambition, and the transformative power of design.
THE BRUTALIST BY BRADY CORBET
Scheduled for release on February 12, 2025

“SUZANNE VALADON” THE AUDACITY OF A WOMAN IN ART
At the Centre Pompidou, the exhibition dedicated to Suzanne Valadon celebrates the extraordinary career of this major artist of the turn of the 20th century. Initially a muse and iconic model in the cafés and cabarets of Montmartre, Valadon quickly established herself as a talented painter, recognized during her lifetime by her peers and critics alike. The first woman to dare to depict a male nude facing the viewer in a large format, she captured the artistic and social effervescence of Paris with a modern sensibility. Between bohemian scenes and aesthetic revolutions, this monographic exhibition highlights her connections with the leading figures of painting of her time and her crucial role in the Parisian avant-garde. This unprecedented retrospective unveils a powerful and visionary body of work, which continues to inspire with its freedom and profoundly human character. A fascinating immersion into the world of an artist at the forefront of her era. The exhibition invites visitors to rediscover this exceptional woman and her enduring influence.
“SUZANNE VALADON” CENTRE POMPIDOU
PLACE GEORGES-POMPIDOU, PARIS 4TH ARRONDISSEMENT
UNTIL MAY 26, 2025
CENTREPOMPIDOU.FR/FR/PROGRAMME/AGENDA/EVENEMENT/5MOMJYY

“DENNIS MORRIS – MUSIC + LIFE” ICONS FROZEN IN TIME
At the Maison Européenne de la Photographie (MEP), Dennis Morris offers us a glimpse into pivotal moments in pop culture through his lens. From intimate snapshots of Bob Marley, imbued with spirituality and a struggle against oppression, to striking images of the Sex Pistols, embodying punk rebellion, each photograph tells a vibrant and timeless story. The MEP's understated and elegant setting enhances these works, allowing the raw emotion they convey to take center stage. This retrospective is a fascinating immersion into the musical world and cultural tensions of past decades. A must-see exhibition for lovers of music and iconic images.
“DENNIS MORRIS – MUSIC + LIFE”
EUROPEAN HOUSE OF PHOTOGRAPHY (MEP)
5/7, RUE DE FOURCY, PARIS 4TH
UNTIL MAY 18, 2025
MEP-FR.ORG/EN/EVENT/DENNIS-MORRIS-MUSIC-LIFE-2