J’aime Paris by Alain Ducasse: A Curated Culinary Tour of Paris

I have read the book entitled J’aime Paris by Alain Ducasse, an internationally renowned chef, restaurateur, book author and mentor. He is famous in the culinary world and in 1998 he was the first chef to run two 3 Michelin starred restaurants.

J'aime Paris book cover

source: amazon.com

Ducasse is a curious chef who loves to travel and he runs restaurants located in France, United Kingdom, United States, Monaco, Japan, China and the Middle East. He also runs inns and a culinary school in Paris.

In his book, J’aime Paris, Ducasse takes the readers on a curated culinary tour of Paris. One gets to take a peek at the places that he loves. The book is certainly a good guide for travelers and foodies since it features nice cafes, restaurants, wine bars, cheese and chocolate shops and artisanal culinary shops in Paris.

As a traveler and foodie, it was cool to discover that some of my favourite eating places in Paris are featured in the book and are recommended by Ducasse as must-try places for excellent French gourmet finds.

Below are some of the cool places that I like in Paris that Ducasse featured in the book:

Café De Flore

Café De Flore is the one of the oldest and the most prestigious coffeehouses in Paris. It is located at Boulevard Saint-Germain in the 6^th arrondisement. The café became a popular hub of famous writers and philosophers. Regular café customers included Pablo Picasso, Robert Desnos, Léon-Paul Fargue, Raymond Queneau.  The place remains to have the same look for several years since its classic Art Deco interiors with red seating, mahogany and mirrors have been kept since World War II.

Café de Flore is a good place to go to for breakfast. The place serves good croissants, omelet and hot chocolate. It is my one of my favourite cafes in Paris.

Les Deux Magots

Les Deux Magots means “two stocky figurines from the far East” in English. The café interiors include two statues of Chinese magicians. It is a café known to be frequented by the literary and intellectual elite in Paris. Some of their well-known customers are Jean-Paul Sartre and Ernest Hemingway. It is also located at Saint Germain in the 6^th arrondisement and is just a few steps away from Café De Flore.

Les Deux Magots restaurant facade

source: Les Deux Magots website(lesdeuxmagots.fr)

The two stocky figurines are prominently seen mounted on
 a pillar at Les Deux Magots

source: Les Deux Magots website(ledeuxmagots.fr)

Fouquet’s

This restaurant is a traditional French cuisine restaurant and has an ambience of a luxe brasserie. Fouquet is located on Champs Elysee at the 8^th arrondisement and is just a few steps away from the Louis Vuitton flagship store in Paris. It is a known meeting place of people from cinema, arts and culture.

Fouquet restaurant

source: Fouquet website

I remember that it is where I ate a delicious French cuisine that was nicely plated for lunch after shopping with my brother at the nearby stores on Champs Elysee.

Laduree

Laduree is a reflection of great French patisserie tradition. It was founded in 1862 and has been known by Parisians and travelers for its wide selection of teas and macaroons.

Laduree on Champs Elysee

Laduree made the pastries featured in the film Marie Antoinette that was directed by Sofia Coppola. If you watched the TV series called Gossip Girl from the United States, Laduree macarons is one of Blair Waldorf’s favourite patisseries in Paris.

My favourite lemon and chocolate flavoured macarons
from Laduree paired with tea

My first experience of dining at Laduree in Paris was truly memorable. The interiors of the place is just so French.

I remember  having colourful and delicious macarons and champagne from their shop on Champs Elysee. It was certainly a wonderful experience.

Whenever I am in Paris, I also drop by the Laduree shop that is walking distance from Café de Flore  on the 6^th arrondissement since their window display is always so pretty.

Colourful and creatively executed window display at
Laduree in Paris

Jean Paul Hevin Chocolatier

Jean Paul Hevin is a must-try for chocolate lovers. Hevin’s passion for making high quality chocolates is reflected in their shops. Their chocolates and macarons are very good.

Jean Paul Hevin chocolate gift box

source: Jean Paul Hevin website(jeanpaulhevin.com)

Mariage Freres

This tea company was established since 1854 and is known for high quality tea products.

Mariage Freres shop in Paris

source :Mariage Freres website(mariagefreres.com)

It is one of my favorite tea brands and one of the best teas that I have tried. The company makes use of nicely designed packaging that some tea shops today try to imitate.

At home, I keep different flavours of Mariage Freres teas since it is a high quality tea that makes afternoon tea time more delightful.

Mariage Freres Tea in can

source: mariage freres website(mariagefreres.com)

Mama Shelter

Mama Shelter is a boutique hotel in Paris that is both hip and modern. It is designed by well- known designer Philippe Starck.

Philippe Starck

source: interiordesign-tips.org

The hotel is located at the 20^th arrondissement but even if the hotel is not in the city center it is a nice place to stay at and the price of the rooms are quite affordable.

I stayed at this hotel during a trip with my brother years ago. We like hotels that are well-designed so this Starck designed boutique hotel was quite a good choice for us since we wanted to experience staying at a hotel that inspires us since it is designed by one of the best designers in the world.

Reception area at Mama Shelter Paris

source: Mama Shelter website(mamashelter.com)

Mama Shelter Paris restaurant

source: Mama Shelter website(mamashelter.com)

The rooms at Mama Shelter are not big but their rooms are nice and comfy. It also good that they have Apple screens in each room that provide visual entertainment for guests. Plus, the hotel is environment friendly too since their hallways are lighted up using a sensor so they also save a lot of energy. Apart from this, they also have a hip restaurant that serves guests and visitors.

Room at Mama Shelter Paris


source:: Mama Shelter website(mamashelter.com)

After reading the book by Ducasse, I realized that there are so many cool culinary places that I have yet to visit in Paris.

I will definitely take note of all the interesting cafes and restaurants that I have yet to try from Ducasse’s list of highly recommended places in Paris so that next time I go to there I will be able to have new culinary experiences. Cheers!