Each month, Flora di Carlo unveils for Acumen Her favorite Parisian addresses and recommendations: gourmet restaurants, hidden gem hotels, and cultural venues. Here is this month's selection.
Hotel Massé – A night in the heart of Pigalle
"It all starts in Paris." Nancy Spain
At 32 bis, rue Victor-Massé, between neighborhood cafes and old instrument shops, the Hôtel Massé breathes a discreet elegance into the heart of the 9th arrondissement.e arrondissement. Conceived by Corto and Eole Peyron, a brother and sister team of travelers, this new hotel in the South Pigalle district reinvents the Parisian spirit: sincere, warm, and open to the world. Behind the Haussmannian façade renovated by the Olivier Guyot agency, the Gasparetto Parenti duo has created a décor that blends natural materials and soft lighting. Blond wood, sand-colored carpeting, Ingo Maurer lamps, and midnight blue uniforms from Studio de Lostanges compose a serene atmosphere, somewhere between minimalism and understated refinement. The 40 unique rooms reveal carefully considered details: open bathtubs, views of zinc rooftops, and vintage furniture. In each bathroom, a tile by Héloïse Rival pays homage to the Pigalle of yesteryear. In the morning, the scent of croissants from Le Pain Retrouvé mingles with the aroma of coffee. Typology toiletries and Plaq chocolates remind guests that luxury lies in the details. Opening soon (in January), the Trente Paris bar, next door to the hotel, will extend the spirit of the place: small plates, natural wines, cocktails, and relaxed conversation. At Le Massé, luxury is understated, far removed from ostentation. It's a haven for those who love Paris in all its complexity: its beauty, its contrasts, and its gentle mornings. A getaway for one night or more, the price of which is fully justified.
Hotel Massé
32 bis, rue Victor-Massé, Paris 9e
Les Deux Magots – Jazz evenings in Saint-Germain-des-Prés
"Jazz is the expression of life." Louis Armstrong
In Saint-Germain-des-Prés, Thursday evenings evoke a timeless Paris. Bathed in the golden light of the square, Les Deux Magots regains its former glory. Inside, the "Jazz Thursdays" series brings together a new trio or quartet of guitars, brass, vocals, and double bass each week, giving each evening its own unique rhythm. That evening, the Sandro Zerafa Trio made the walls of the legendary café vibrate: a few guitar chords, a whisper of drums, a double bass conversing with the vocals. Conversations become hushed, the place transforms into a stage. Around the marble tables, one can savor avocado and pink shrimp tartare, melting duck foie gras, or beef fillet with five-pepper sauce. Then, a selection of fine cheeses or a Valrhona chocolate mousse perfectly punctuates the evening. Here, one doesn't just come for dinner, but to listen to time slip by, between improvisations and a glass of wine. The prices blend into the sweetness of the moment: you pay as much for a meal as for a fragment of history.
Les Deux Magots: "Jazz Thursdays"
Thursdays from 19:30 pm
6, Place Saint-Germain-des-Prés, Paris 6e
lesdeuxmagots.fr
Charles – Baudelaire's intoxicating flowers
“One must always be drunk […]. On wine, on poetry, or on virtue, as you please. But get drunk.” Charles Baudelaire
In the quiet of Rue Duphot, Le Charles, the bar at the Burgundy Paris, stands as a literary alcove. Beneath the monumental fresco by Marco Del Re, every detail—gilded brass, deep velvet, subdued lighting—evokes poetry. The new cocktail menu pays homage to the world of Baudelaire. Baudelaire's Flowers Marie gin with rose and champagne; Absinthe of the mind mixes absinthe, grapefruit and mint; Smoky dream combines rum and smoked tea. Even alcohol-free creations, like Going Far Away ou Intoxication without remorseThe reverie continues. Chef Mylo Levin's dishes perfectly complement these "liquid flowers": delicate portions, subtle pairings, and balanced flavors. Every first Wednesday of the month, "Wednesday at Charles's" transforms the bar into a musical lounge, where the music resonates with voices and the clinking of glasses. A discreet haven, where one can sip poetry as readily as cocktails. The bar's positioning reflects the venue's exacting standards and refinement, perfectly in keeping with the Burgundy Paris's aesthetic.
Charles: "Wednesdays at Charles's"
Every first Wednesday of the month from 19 p.m.
Hotel Le Burgundy Paris
6-8, rue Duphot, Paris 1er
leburgundy.com
Kimpton St Honoré – The Library's Electric Nights
"Music gives a soul to our hearts and wings to thought." Plato
Beneath the glass roof of Boulevard des Capucines, the Kimpton St Honoré Paris blends the elegance of a palace with the energy of a private club. In the Library, leather armchairs and golden lighting create a hushed atmosphere where the city seems to slow down. Every first Monday of the month, the "Music & Talk – Kimpton x Gibson" evenings infuse the venue with a unique ambiance, where music becomes the heart of the gathering. The program changes with each event: singers, guitarists, songwriters, and acoustic duos take turns performing in an intimate and vibrant setting. On October 6th, Joseph Chedid kicked things off with a blend of understated rock and poetic musings. The bar extends the evening with cocktails inspired by classic hits, sharing plates, and a relaxed atmosphere true to the Kimpton philosophy. The prices reflect the subtlety of the place: fair, measured, embodying a luxury experienced without ostentation. Here, music regains its intimacy, its sincerity. At each session, an artist, a guitar, and this suspended moment where Paris vibrates to a different rhythm.
Kimpton St Honoré Paris – “Music & Talk – Kimpton x Gibson” Evenings
Every first Monday of the month from 19 p.m.
27-29, Boulevard des Capucines, Paris 2e
kimptonsthonoreparis.com
Classic brasseries – The elegance of a bygone era
"In Paris, even meals tell a story." Paul Morand
Refuges of an eternal Paris, these brasseries where copper shines, where waiters greet even before you order, between effervescence and nostalgia, offer this rare luxury: suspended time.
Lorraine – Foam and Light
Located on Place des Ternes, La Lorraine remains one of the grand dames of seafood. Beneath its Art Deco ceilings, oysters are served on immaculate tablecloths, and the midday light glides across the silver platters. Mimosa eggs, topped with salmon roe, precede a grilled sea bream with lightly seared vegetables—simple and perfect. For dessert, bourbon crème brûlée and floating island elegantly evoke childhood flavors. Here, the sea becomes a promise of balance—tradition without heaviness, generosity without excess. An address where the quality of the ingredients and the mastery of classic dishes are naturally reflected in its upscale positioning.
Lorraine
2, Place des Ternes, Paris 8e
Bofinger – The Memory of Alsace
Beneath Bofinger's glass dome, not far from the Bastille, lingers the spirit of another era. Founded in 1864, one of Paris's oldest brasseries celebrates Alsace with splendor: signature sauerkraut served in its gleaming copper pot, kugelhopf, and flammekueche. Not forgetting the seafood, with lobster flambéed in whisky, its flames dancing on the metal. One can then savor a Munster AOP cheese followed by a reimagined Black Forest cake. And one can finish on a frozen note at Procopio, a historic neighbor and the doyen of Parisian ice cream parlors. Prices reflect those of a renowned Parisian brasserie, commensurate with the establishment's location and the care lavished on the cuisine.
Bofinger
5-7, rue de la Bastille, Paris 4e
Picto – The sandwich in season
Just steps from Rue du Faubourg-Saint-Denis, Picto puts a fresh spin on a simple yet delicious dish: the sandwich. Here, there's no kitsch or nostalgia, but a genuine desire to do things right: crusty bread, seasonal ingredients, and perfectly balanced combinations. The menu changes with the market: Comté cheese and black cherry jam, Aubrac roast beef with tartar sauce, fresh goat cheese and roasted pumpkin… Each creation evokes a region, a memory. Everything is made to order, without unnecessary haste. The bright and unpretentious space allows what truly matters to take center stage: the taste, the freshness, the quality of the ingredients. At Picto, the sandwich is restored to its rightful place: that of a genuine and thoughtful everyday meal, to be enjoyed between two streets or on a sunny bench.
Picto Grands Boulevards, artisanal sandwich shop
159, rue Montmartre, Paris 2e
picto.paris
Café Shin – A taste of Seoul at the Palais-Royal
Between the columns of the Palais-Royal and the hushed boutiques of Rue de Richelieu, Café Shin exudes a singular charm, halfway between Paris and Seoul. Conceived by Shin Eun Jung and Julien Sebbag, this second location extends the spirit of the original coffee shop: a refuge from everyday life, as calm as it is inspiring. The décor, designed by Uchronia, plays on contrasts: hammered stainless steel, pinkish bricks, and mirrored ceilings blend with the warmth of light wood. Upstairs, people come for a creamy latte, a kimbap or a bingsu airy chocolate-banana; below, the coffee transforms into listening room where you can listen to a really good playlist. When the music and the food are good, you can fully enjoy it, especially since here, pleasure remains accessible.
Café Shin Palais-Royal
28 bis, rue de Richelieu, Paris 1er
cafeshin.fr
Château de Lestang – The art of wine and light
"With the fireside, family, a few friends [...] we gently go through life." — Jean-Guillaume Hyde de Neuville
Two hours from Paris, on the slopes of Sancerre, Château de Lestang embodies the rare balance between heritage and renewal. Founded in the 16th century, this estate has seen a succession of writers, ministers, and travelers. Today, under the guidance of Rémy Graillot, it has regained its splendor: a place where the vine engages in a dialogue with art, nature, and memory. Lestang 1573 wines are distinguished by their minerality and precision, crafted with respect for certified low-carbon agroecological practices. Recently, the estate has embraced contemporary creation, notably by welcoming Victor Cadène, a visual artist whose colorful compositions blend drawing, collage, and visual poetry. His creation, made of various fragments, is conceived as a dialogue with the site, a natural echo of the meticulous work in the vineyards. Suspended between earth and light, his work transforms the building's façade into a living gallery. At the heart of the estate, light plays on the pale stone of the contemporary winery designed by Joséphine Fossey. Between tradition and modernity, Lestang 1573 is not just a wine: it is an experience of sharing, a tribute to the land, to art and to that discreet elegance that only time can offer.
Château de Lestang – Winery and exhibition venue
Sancerre (approximately 2 hours from Paris)
Temporary exhibition by Victor Cadène
A LUXURIOUS BREAK
SPA & WELLNESS
Pilgrim – The Seventies Spirit Revisited
At 11 rue de Poissy, the Pilgrim hotel, the latest creation of the Ginto group, breathes a retro-chic air into the heart of the 5th arrondissement.e district. Between raw concrete, deep velvet and vintage furniture, the decor by Cyril Durand Behar blends brutalist spirit and bohemian softness. The large, light-filled living room opens onto a terrace adorned with a fresco by Redfield & Dattner – a pleasant living space at any time of day, from morning coffee to evening cocktails.
For your well-being, a 37-square-meter swimming pool (available for private hour bookings), a hammam, a fitness room, and L:A Bruket treatments invite you to absolute relaxation. Customized Swedish massages, anti-jet lag massages, or reflexology extend this calm and sensory interlude. A unique address, both urban and serene, where 1970s aesthetics are given a modern makeover.
Hotel Pilgrim
11, rue de Poissy, Paris 5e
CULTURAL ESCAPE
Exhibitions
Mickalene Thomas: Love at Work
The Grand Palais is dedicating a major retrospective to Mickalene Thomas, the first African-American artist honored with a solo exhibition at the Parisian institution. "All About Love" revisits more than twenty years of her work, blending painting, collage, photography, and installation, celebrating the visibility of Black women and love as a force for liberation. A vibrant immersion where pleasure, identity, and empowerment redefine our perspective.
"All about love"
Grand Palais
17, avenue du Général-Eisenhower, Paris 8e
Until April 5, 2026
Georges de La Tour: The Sublime Chiaroscuro
The Jacquemart-André Museum is dedicating a rare retrospective to Georges de La Tour, a master of chiaroscuro who had long been forgotten. Through a remarkable selection of his nocturnes and intimate scenes, the exhibition "Between Shadow and Light" illuminates the fascinating rediscovery of an enigmatic painter whose mastery of light continues to captivate contemporary viewers.
"Between shadow and light"
Musée Jacquemart-André
158, boulevard Haussmann, Paris 8e
Until January 25, 2026
Edward Weston: When Modernity Takes Shape
The Maison Européenne de la Photographie (MEP) brings together around one hundred prints by Edward Weston, a major figure in modern photography. From his still lifes to sculptural bodies, his refined images explore form with an almost carnal intensity. A journey through his radical work, from pictorialism to the most acute modernity.
“Edward Weston – Modernity Revealed”
European House of Photography
5/7, rue de Fourcy, Paris 4e
Until January 25, 2026
Films
The Stranger of the Great Arch
In the early 1980s, François Mitterrand launched the largest architectural competition in history: to design the future Grande Arche de La Défense, a symbol of a Paris embracing modernity. Against all odds, it was the Danish architect Johan Otto von Spreckelsen, unknown to the general public, who won the competition. The film retraces the human and political journey of this visionary man propelled into a monumental construction project, where creativity clashes with the realities of power. An architectural and human drama about the pursuit of perfection and the disillusionment of modernity.
In theaters from November 5, 2025
The richest woman in the world
Directed by Thierry Klifa, this drama brings together Isabelle Huppert, Marina Foïs, and Laurent Lafitte in an elegant and intoxicating portrait of power, wealth, and consuming passions. She, an all-powerful heiress, reigns over an empire. He, a writer and photographer, is fascinated by her enigmatic nature. Between them, attraction becomes a battle, and seduction, a strategy. Family secrets, betrayals, and desires intertwine in this chillingly beautiful tale, brought to life by a dazzling cast.
In theaters from October 29, 2025
Eleanor the Great
In her directorial debut, Scarlett Johansson delivers a bittersweet dramedy starring June Squibb, Erin Kellyman, and Chiwetel Ejiofor. At 94, Eleanor Morgenstein recounts her story following a devastating loss. Blending humor and melancholy, the film explores the quiet strength of age and the beauty of second chances. A tender and luminous look at aging, memory, and the courage to move forward.
In theaters from November 19, 2025
"My Name is Orson Welles"
The French Cinematheque celebrates the iconoclastic genius of Orson Welles, creator of Citizen Kane and a major figure in 20th-century cinema. The exhibition unveils more than 400 works: photographs, drawings, film excerpts, and rare archival material. It reveals a multifaceted artist—filmmaker, actor, draftsman, and sculptor—whose audacity revolutionized the grammar of cinema. A masterful tribute to an inventor of forms, a poet of light and movement.
French Cinémathèque
51, rue de Bercy, Paris 12e
From 8 October 2025 to 11 January 2026
