Gildas Loaëc

One of my favourite things about a short break in Paris is having the time to sit in a cafe and watch the world go by. Of course there is no shortage of cafes to refuel in Paris, whether you’re after a traditional espresso at the counter of a tabac, a chic café crème on the terrace at Café de Flore or a chai latte and vegan cake at a hip place near the Canal St-Martin.

Café Kitsuné Paris at Palais Royal is rather special and a joyful blend of all of the above. Best of all, it was right on our doorstep when we stayed at the beautiful Grand Hotel du Palais Royal for two nights.

Created by Gildas Loaëc and Masaya Kuroki in 2002, Maison Kitsuné is a music, fashion and lifestyle brand that’s always ahead of the rest. I became a fan of Kitsuné soon after its launch from seeing the label’s bands and DJs play at their gigs and club nights. I also can’t resist the modern-classic, well-cut clothes – one day that luxurious lambswool fox sweater will be mine.

So, I was pleased to find that Café Kitsuné lived up to expectations and is the perfect place to sip a matcha latte in the heart of Paris. It’s a tiny cafe in the Galerie de Montpensier with simply a mirrored counter to stand and drink. However, there are plenty of tables outside where you can watch the ebb and flow of the Palais Royal Garden.

We ordered a chai latte and an almond milk matcha latte and browsed the Maison Kitsuné products while waiting at the bar. The extensive drinks menu also includes coffee using Daterra Santa Colomba beans from the Minas Gerais region of Brazil (roasted in London), artisan teas and cold-pressed juices from Parisian favourite Bob’s Juice Bar. For something to munch on, there are slices of cake, cookies and cute foxy shortbread from nearby organic, gluten-free bakery Noglu.

My almond milk matcha latte was so dreamy and delicate (the trick is not to burn the matcha with boiling water) and Steven’s chai latte was punchy and aromatic, made with proper spices rather than syrup.

There is a a larger, colourful Café Kitsuné at Filles du Calvaire which I’m planning to visit on my next trip, but the Palais Royal cafe is a must for its picturesque, inspiring location. What better way to spend an hour or so in Paris?

Photos by Chérie City

Wanderlust, the multi-disciplinary space at Les Docks, Cité de la Mode et du Design, has proved to be the place to enjoy summer in Paris. Overlooking the Seine at quai d’Austerlitz, Wanderlust includes a restaurant, bar and club that also boasts the largest terrace in Paris and an 80-seat outdoor cinema.

Run by Savoir Faire – the people behind Social Club and Silencio (David Lynch’s cultural nightclub) – Wanderlust hosts a programme of cultural activities, collaborating with London’s V&A and the adjacent Institut Francais de la Mode. Events include fashion film screenings, sewing classes, children’s workshops, monthly food market and Sunday morning yoga and brunch.

At night, the terrace becomes a club with light shows and vido projection, featuring DJs such as Cassius, Busy P, M.A.N.D.Y, Gildas Loaëc of Kitsuné, Jean Nipon, Feadz and Yuksek. Le Baron also takes over the roof with its outside bar, next to the permanent Moon Roof restaurant and lounge bar.

The restaurant, with a menu by young chef Benjamin Darnaud, is a casual, hip cafe during the day which gets more lively at night. We visited for a cup of Dammann Frères tea in the late-afternoon, after viewing the two fashion exhibitions by Musée Galliera at Les Docks.

While the museum is undergoing an extensive refurbishment, it has created Galliera Museum Without Wall, featuring two exciting temporary exhibitions at Les Docks – Cristóbal Balenciaga: Fashion Collector and Comme des Garçons: White Drama.

Cristóbal Balenciaga: Fashion Collector celebrates the 40th anniversary of the great couturier’s death with 40 key pieces from his career dating from 1937 to 1968. The exhibition is fleshed out with Balenciaga’s sketches, lithographs, traditional Spanish dresses and garments from earlier centuries. The elegance of the embroidered silk ball gowns, black cocktail dresses and fitted skirt suits are an interesting contrast to the industrial, futuristic setting.

Comme des Garçons: White Drama shows Rei Kawakubo’s Spring/Summer 2012 collection in giant transparent plastic bubbles. White Drama references monumental moments in life, such as birth, marriage and death, with exquisite, all-white looks. Expect to see architectural silk dresses, ceremonial hoods, cocoon coats, bohemian crochet shawls, exquisite embroidery and lace bubble coats and elaborate headwear.

Both exhibitions are beautifully-presented and are just the right size to explore in around an hour and then explore the rest of Les Docks.

During our visit, it was Paris Design Week, so we visited Now! Le Off – a showcase of innovative products by leading design companies. Apart from the free copies of L’Officiel and Jalouse, my favourite discovery was this incredibly awesome ‘Blogger Chair’ – now that’s my kind of innovation!

Cristóbal Balenciaga: Fashion Collector and Comme des Garçons: White Drama run until 7 October 2012. Wanderlust is open from 12pm-6am, Wednesday to Sunday until 14th October at Les Docks, Cité de la Mode et du Design (34 quai d’Austerlitz – 75 013 Paris).

For more information, visit: www.wanderlustparis.com and www.paris-docks-en-seine.fr

All photos by Cherie City

The Best Lattes at Café Kitsuné Palais Royal in Paris

Wanderlust at Les Docks Paris