How to Do Paris Like a Local, According to Violette
June 26 | 5 minute read
Words by Izzy Wight
When Violette Serrat travels back to her hometown of Paris, there’s one major difference that always strikes her. While her adopted New York City is in a constant state of fast-moving, fast-talking chaos, Paris remains beautifully languorous. “That mindset shapes everything,” Violette says. “We slow down, we enjoy, we prioritise happiness.”
As the modern arbiter of French-girl beauty, we couldn’t think of a better tour guide for a trip to Paris. From her favourite art gallery and the best artisanal pastries to the facial that leaves you “sculpted and glowing”, scroll on for her insider’s guide to the City of Lights.
Where To Stay
“I stay in the 5th arrondissement and I love it,” Violette says. “It feels tucked away from the tourist crowds – like its own little village.” For amazing dining and gallery perusing, she also recommends visiting the 6th arrondissement (make sure to hit Le Bon Marché while you’re there). “It’s definitely a part of the city that always inspires me,” she says.
Where To Experience Beauty
With their lab-coated salespeople and unwaveringly high product standards, French pharmacies are widely regarded as the European authority on skincare. For a more curated experience, Violette recommends visiting Officine Universelle Buly.There are multiple locations dotted around the city and Violette loves it for “its old-world luxury feel and thoughtful gifts”. (If you’re not heading to Paris soon, you can always shop the brand here.)
When it comes to pampering, Violette recommends the “truly incredible” treatments at Holidermie Spa in the Marais, founded by her friend Mélanie Huynh. “I also love a Kobido facial with Barbara Sand – her hands are magic, and you leave sculpted and glowing,” she says. For effortlessly good hair, Violette sees Christophe Pastel, while Samantha Mandova delivers the best lash perm: “natural, lifted and lasts for weeks.”
Where To Eat
For lunch, Violette recommends Toraya for “the best bento boxes,” while Le Voltaire is one of her favourite brasseries for classic Parisian experience. “Tapisserie and Brigat are both amazing boulangeries for artisanal pastries, and I love dinner at La Poule au Pot for the best comforting classic French fare,” Violette tells me. “Another recent favourite is Le Grand Café, located inside the Grand Palais with a beautiful Belle Époque-style terrace.”
Sitting on the northern edge of Paris, the expansive Les Puces de Saint-Ouen is Violette’s recommendation for a truly unique second-hand shopping experience. “I’ve found so many little treasures over the years that have influenced my brand – everything from packaging ideas and our Cabinet of Curiosities concept, down to the tiny objects that have inspired shades or textures in our formulas. It’s like wandering through a living mood board,” she says. “And while you’re there, if you want to really eat like a local, head to Le Comptoir des Puces.”
When it comes to vintage shopping, Parisians are truly spoilt for choice. "I love Thanx God I’m a VIP for menswear – great shirts, blazers and trenches,” Violette tells me. Collector Square is a “must” for handbags, while other favourites include Palace Callas and The Parisian Vintage. “You can tell everything is handpicked with such a sharp eye and the quality is always top-notch,” she says. “I also love browsing Nuovo, Erem, Plasir Palace and Pretty Box – each with its own distinct vibe and lots of gems.”
Where to View Art
A formally trained painter, Violette has a strong affinity for the city’s rich art history. “Galerie Amélie is one of my favourites,” she says. “I’ve sourced several pieces there for my Paris apartment – it has such a thoughtful, curated selection and the space itself feels more like a beautifully lived-in home than a traditional gallery. It’s intimate, inspiring and always evolving.”
“It’s nearly impossible,” Violette says, when asked to describe her ideal day. “There’s just so much to choose from.” She settles on keeping it close and considered – a quiet, picturesque day spent between the 5th and 6th arrondissements. “I’d start by grabbing a coffee at a bistro terrasse, wherever I happen to be. It’s less about the destination and more about the moment – watching the world move while you stay still,” she says.
“Then I’d walk to Sennelier, the legendary art supply store where everything feels precious and pick up a few essentials. From there, I’d swing by Officine Universelle Buly to enjoy beauty as a ritual, stop into Galerie Amélie Maison d’Art for some inspiration, then pick up a bento box to go from Toraya and enjoy it in the Jardin du Luxembourg.
“Later in the afternoon, I’d enjoy a bit of shopping at Le Bon Marché – [then] I’d ease into the evening with a glass of wine at the terrasse of La Palette and end the night with dinner at La Petite Chaise, a charming restaurant that dates back to 1680.”
