16/02/2026
Our team trip to Paris las weekend! I’ve worked out it’s the 8th time I’ve gone to Paris although 4 of those were fleeting visits. I don’t know why it has taken me so long but I am at long last utterly charmed by the city. I have little crushes all over the place now but my main love affair is certainly E. Dehillerin, kitchen utensils in this very spot since 1890 (Pic 1&2). The allure lies in the combination of French passion for elaborate cooking and the utility of it all, the undone displays of everything you could ever imagine needing. After enjoying the ridiculous setting of Le Train Bleu (3) at Gare du Nord we went to sleep in our weekend home of Hôtel de la Boétie which we designed some years ago (4, 5, 6). I/we had an actually profound experience at the Rodin museum (7,8) just as they opened Saturday morning – our fantastic guide introduced subjects of serious depth combined with an intolerance for toddlers that made us giggle. Corbusier using colour not as decoration but as a way of making us feel the architecture in Maison La Roche (9), I imagine and hope this central atrium felt full with life when it had large Picasso oils on its walls (10). Walking around the city, Place de Voges (11), Snooping in doorways by Hector Guimard (12), visiting Bode (13). Giacometti’s studio (14), walls and all moved to the Art Deco home of Paul Follot in Montparnasse (15). Perfect meal and table foot at La Coupole (16, 17). Followed by the best bar visit I can remember at Le Rosebud around the corner (see stories ). We visited the vast Flee market on Sunday morning, which was peaceful and tidy and never ending. Walking around in a crisp, sunny dream (18, 19). Sunday Lunch at Le Grand Colbert (20) and then back on the train to London. Paris, tu me manques.