Paris Fashion Week: A Sighting Guide
Paris Fashion Month is here, with men’s shows having started January 17th, and Haute Couture the following week. If you’ve been in Paris during fashion week, you know that during this period the whole city seems to be abuzz; overheard conversations all seem to be about fashion week, models are crawling the streets and restaurants, branded cars drive through the streets, and the occasional celebrity is sighted.
Courtesy of 10 Days in Paris
The first thing to do is keep track of the fashion week schedule; knowing which shows are happening when is a good strategy, because while locations are no longer public knowledge, there are certain brands that usually hold their shows in the same place. For example, Dior usually holds its show at the Musee Rodin, so it may pay off to be in the area around the museum the day of the Dior show. Hang out at Invalides, a beautiful stretch of green lawn facing the stunning Hôtel des Invalides. Where you can visit one of the many Haute French restaurants around the museum, such as Auguste or Arpege: go to Coutume, Certified Café, or Grace Café for coffee. This specific area of Paris is surprisingly sparse in good coffee spots, so chances are if someone needs a caffeine fix in that area, they will go to one of these hip spots. The museum itself is definitely worth it, so I recommend paying it a visit, Dior or not.
Courtesy of Musee Rodin
The Louis Vuitton show, on the other hand, is usually held at the Louvre. Luckily, the area around the Louvre is full of great spots to see and cafes to visit, since it is smack dab in the middle of the city. Walk through the Jardin des Tuileries, where many models, influencers, celebrities, and generally well-dressed people are photographed during fashion week. The Jardin du Palais Royal is a similarly good spot to pass time and maybe get your photo taken. Right next to the Louvre is Le Nemours, a classic, chic coffee spot. Le Nemours does not take bookings, so while it is certain to be incredibly busy during fashion week, if you are patient, you can grab a seat outside under the heaters, look out at the street right behind the Louvre, and enjoy people watching.
Courtesy of PhilArty
It can also pay off to expand your geographical circle, exploring less central Arrondissements. Shows are spread out all over the city, and at night, models and other figures can be seen throughout Paris, enjoying the hip nightlife of places like the Marais or the eleventh Arrondissement. Check out Aujourd’hui Demain (literally, Today Tomorrow) for an incredible vegan brunch, and you are certain to spot someone cool, especially if there is an event happening at the nearby Gallerie des Lumieres (be prepared to wait a while for a table, though, especially on the weekend).
Courtesy of Urban Insider
In Le Marais and Enfants-Rouges, check out Candelaria, a funky Mexican restaurant with a dark and intimate speakeasy in the back. This place is frequented by models during fashion week, and celebrities like Kim Kardashian and her family have dined there in the past. Sinner is another hot spot in the Marais: this sensual, dark hotel has a restaurant with a live DJ and bar that are frequented by various French celebrities, including Lily-Rose Depp and Olivier Rousteing. For a bustling, vibrant lunch, go to Marche Enfants-Rouges, a crowded half indoor-half outdoor market with a variety of carry away restaurants.
Courtesy of Sinner Paris
In terms of coffee, there are dozens of famous spots all across the city to visit. A couple that are worth noting, however, are Soho House Paris, Moulin de la Vierge, and Café de Flore. Soho House opened in Paris just last year. It is a stunning hotel in Pigalle, Paris’s former red light district, and is already a celebrity hot spot. Its exterior is discrete, but once you find the entrance, the building opens up and there is a beautiful courtyard restaurant-cafe. Make sure you have a reservation or know someone who does before you visit, however- they will check your name at the door before letting you enter.
Courtesy of Urbanologie
Moulin de la Vierge is another classic Parisian café, with a stunning bakery just a couple blocks from the Louvre. Situated right on the corner of several spots, its outdoor seats are the perfect people-watching spot. I visited this spot during fashion week in 2021, and was rewarded with several model sightings, including one woman who sat down in a couture outfit, left, and came back after ten minutes wearing a change of clothes.
Finally, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention Café de Flore; as one of the oldest and most famous cafés in Paris, its reputation precedes it, and it is still commonly visited by models, designers, and celebrities.
Courtesy of Viator