WHAT TO DO IN PARIS THIS MONTH?
Every month, in Acumen, Flora di Carlo reveals what's new and what's hot: gourmet addresses, places to relax, cultural events. Follow the guide...

TO DISCOVER: "COUP DE COEUR" ADDRESSES

L'ENVOL - A MUSICAL AND CULINARY ADDRESS
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, refined setting with neoclassical accents, this panoramic restaurant offers a gourmet interlude where gastronomy and music meet in harmony. The menu by Michelin-starred chef Thibaut Spiwack, interpreted daily by talented chef Sarah Ledu, combines creativity and finesse. Among the plates orchestrated with almost musical precision, the celery leaf, subtly perfumed with vanilla and enhanced by a dill cream, offers a balanced and surprising sweetness. Potato gnocchi with crushed pumpkin, cinnamon and sage reveal comforting flavors and a melt-in-the-mouth texture, while mustard seed pickles and black brie add a touch of character. Finally, the airy, tart mont-blanc cassis closes the meal on a vibrant, refreshing note. Service is equal to the score, attentive without being intrusive, and contributes to the hushed atmosphere of the place. Prices are low for such an experience, making this address even more delicious.
221, AVENUE JEAN-JAURÈS, PARIS 19E
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 venue, located on rue du Hameau, combines vibrant murals reminiscent of Keith Haring's dynamic motifs with minimalist furnishings, creating a bright, friendly atmosphere.
On the food side, brunch is the highlight of this arty address. Fresh goat's cheese toast, topped with almond pesto and delicately tangy pickles, offers an explosion of balanced flavors. Alongside, the almond waffles seduce with their light texture, embellished with smooth crème fraîche, crunchy almond praline and orange blossom syrup for a subtly sweet touch. Each bite reflects the quality of the products and the inventiveness, with a perfect balance between gourmandise and sophistication. Smooth, attentive service completes the experience, in a warm, relaxed atmosphere. With prices that remain affordable for such a high-quality offering, Kraft has established itself as a must-visit address for brunch lovers and curious minds alike.
37, RUE DU HAMEAU, PARIS 15E
KRAFT-HOTEL-PARIS.COM

MAGNOLIA - A GOURMET EVASION IN PIGALLE
In a quiet street in the 9th arrondissement, Magnolia has established itself as a must-visit Pigalle address. Conceived by Maxime Vaudin, a former communications specialist turned restaurateur, this warm, chic bistro offers an experience where simplicity meets elegance. The décor, minimalist and refined, features a marble counter, a large mirror and vintage sconces, all bathed in a subdued light conducive to conviviality. In the kitchen, English chef Jack Bosco Baker, with a remarkable track record, offers an inventive cuisine that revisits the classics with a modern twist. Among his current creations, a pavé de lieu, accompanied by mussels and cuttlefish, stands out for its red wine sauce. Rich and complex, it reveals deep, slightly spicy notes. For dessert, profiteroles bring a sweet and comforting conclusion. The puffs, perfectly golden and crisp, are topped with a creamy chocolate sauce subtly infused with armagnac. A revisit of a classic that lacks neither character nor finesse. The attentive service reflects the place's refined ambience. In terms of price, Magnolia is in the mid-range of Parisian bistronomic addresses, but the quality and pleasure provided fully justify the experience. Magnolia is a place where every dish tells a story, where you can be carried away by the chef's creativity and the hushed atmosphere. Like a magnolia tree 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 in depth.
5, RUE HENRY-MONNIER, PARIS 9E
RESTAURANT-MAGNOLIA.FR

LA COQUILLE D'OR - COCKTAILS AND GLAMOUR IN THE SAINT-HONORÉ NEIGHBORHOOD
Located within the prestigious Château Voltaire, a stone's throw from Place Vendôme, La Coquille d'or is a confidential address that will appeal to mixology and refinement enthusiasts. Behind a discreet door, this hushed bar reveals a sophisticated décor: deep velvet banquettes, subdued lighting creating an intimate atmosphere, and a sparkling counter inviting contemplation. Named after the 16th-century motif adorning the building, La Coquille d'or offers a unique atmosphere, halfway between 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 yellow lemon. Its aromatic complexity, both tangy and sweet, reflects the expertise of our in-house mixologists. For lovers of winter comfort, the clementine mulled wine, combining red wine, citrus fruit and warm spices, is a real invitation to relax. Precise, courteous service adds a touch of elegance to the experience, making every visit memorable. Prices, though in the upper mid-range, reflect the exclusive setting and impeccable quality of the creations.
55-57, RUE SAINT-ROCH, PARIS 1ER
CHATEAUVOLTAIRE.COM

A LUXURIOUS BREAK: SPA & WELL-BEING

SPA CLĒMĒNS - AQUATIC PARENTHESIS OUTSIDE TIME
In the heart of the 7th arrondissement, the spa Clēmēns invites you to an incomparable experience where body and mind come together in perfect harmony. Inspired by ancient thermal baths, this intimate, refined venue offers five pools heated to 35°C, where the warmth of the water and the soft, subdued lighting envelop you from the very first moments. Delicate mosaics and dancing light create a soothing atmosphere conducive to total disconnection. Your journey begins at the welcome desk, where a smiling practitioner guides you with kindness. The ritual begins with a cup of tea or a glass of cool water, before moving on to the changing rooms and 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 into an almost uterine dimension, where the body relaxes completely, floating to the rhythm of the water.
Sensations are amplified by total sensory immersion: underwater, the ears pick up spellbinding music, while the play of light and shadow animates the walls, creating a veritable visual spectacle. The practitioner's every gesture is precise, every movement seems choreographed to release tension and soothe the mind. Spa Clēmēns is for everyone: pregnant women, young children, or those in search of a regenerating interlude. You'll emerge transformed, filled with total serenity, ready to face the hustle and bustle of everyday life with renewed lightness. A true bubble of well-being, where every detail is designed to offer an unforgettable experience, at the crossroads of the senses and emotions.
14, RUE DES SAINTS-PÈRES, PARIS 7E
SPACLEMENS.COM

CULTURAL BREAKAWAY: FILMS AND EXHIBITIONS

THE BRUTALIST - A HUMAN AND ARCHITECTURAL DRAMA
The Brutalist, from director Brady Corbet, tells the story of László Toth, a Hungarian architect and concentration camp survivor, whose life becomes a never-ending quest for creation and renewal. Spanning three decades, the film recounts his exile to 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 faithful to the modernist architecture that gives the film its title, every shot becomes a visual tribute to human resilience. The sobriety of the sets and the depth of the 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
FOR RELEASE FEBRUARY 12, 2025

"SUZANNE VALADON " L'AUDACE D'UNE FEMME DANS L'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 emblematic model for 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 depict a full frontal male nude in large format, she captured the artistic and social effervescence of Paris with modernity. Between bohemian scenes and aesthetic revolutions, this monograph sheds light on her links with the great painters of her time and her crucial role in the Parisian avant-garde. This unprecedented retrospective reveals a powerful, visionary body of work that continues to inspire with its freedom and profoundly human character. A fascinating plunge into the world of an artist at the forefront of her time. The exhibition invites us to rediscover this extraordinary woman and her influence, still relevant today.
" SUZANNE VALADON " CENTER POMPIDOU
PLACE GEORGES-POMPIDOU, PARIS 4E
UNTIL MAY 26, 2025
CENTREPOMPIDOU.FR/EN/PROGRAMME/AGENDA/EVENEMENT/5MOMJYY

"DENNIS MORRIS - MUSIC + LIFE" ICONS FIXED IN TIME
At the Maison Européenne de la Photographie (MEP), Dennis Morris opens a door to essential moments in pop culture through his lens. From intimate shots of Bob Marley, imbued with spirituality and the struggle against oppression, to striking images of the Sex Pistols, embodying punk rebellion, each photograph tells a vibrant, timeless story. The MEP's sober, uncluttered setting sublimates these works, leaving plenty of room for the raw emotion that emanates from them. This retrospective is a fascinating plunge into the musical universe and cultural tensions of past decades. A must-see exhibition for fans of music and iconic images.
" DENNIS MORRIS - MUSIC + LIFE"
MAISON EUROPÉENNE DE LA PHOTOGRAPHIE (MEP)
5/7, RUE DE FOURCY, PARIS 4E
UNTIL MAY 18, 2025
MEP-FR.ORG/EN/EVENT/DENNIS-MORRIS-MUSIC-LIFE-2