When you stay at the Hôtel The Peninsula (19 Avenue Kléber, 75116 Paris) in Paris, you not only indulge in a world of glamour and sophistication, you are also in the perfect location to explore the City by bike. Set in Avenue Kléber, just steps from the Arc de Triomphe, some of the city’s best spots are very close by. And what’s even better: The hotel has a fleet of highly original cars, from a vintage 1934 Rolls-Royce Phantom II to customized Mini Coopers, as well as a fleet of BMW bicycles that guests can rent for free as a perfect way to get around town, take in the sights and feel like a local.
The Peninsula concierge was even so kind to put together a customized itinerary for IRMA that will allow you to take in some of the best sights, shops and boutiques in the Palais Royal neighborhood. So hop on your bike and enjoy all that Paris has to offer, especially during Paris Fashion Week, when the streets are jammed.
Start in the direction Arc de Triomphe and cruise along Avenue de Friedland and Boulevard Haussmann. Turn right on Boulevard Malesherbes before making a first stop at the famous leather glove shop Causse Gantier in the heart of the old luxury goods district (12 Rue de Castiglione, 75001 Paris). Founded in 1892, they opened their first Paris boutique in 2007 and offer a wide range of the finest leather gloves in all colors. You may even want to pick up a pair of soft, elegant gloves for bicycling.
Nearby, in the courtyard of the Palais-Royal, discover young designers and talents such as the controversial art installation “Colonnes de Buren” in the Cour d’Honneur of the Palais-Royal by French artist Daniel Buren. Now it’s time for a cup of coffee or a cold-pressed juice, so stop by Café Kitsuné (51 Galerie de Montpensier, 75001 Paris). It’s a stone’s throw from the Louvre and set right amongst the boutique arcades of the Jardin du Palais Royal. See if you can resist one of their delicious (and gluten free!) baked goods.
Looking for more than a small bite to eat? Luckily in Paris good restaurants are rarely far away. Verjus (52 Rue de Richelieu, 75001 Paris) offers a highly creative seasonal tasting menu that changes daily. With high ceilings, wicker chairs and lots of green marble and velvet, Da Roco (6 Rue Vivienne, 75002 Paris) is a stylish place known for its authentic Italian pizza.
Visit the covered arcade Galérie Vero-dodat, which is listed as a historical monument and one of the 25 remaining passageways built in Paris) and is home to several elegant boutiques. And just around the corner is the iconic boutique & atelier Louboutin (19 Rue Jean-Jacques Rousseau, 75001 Paris).
Nose (20 Rue Bachaumont, 75002 Paris) is a great concept store and an online boutique dedicated to creators’ brands and based on a idealistic vision: finding the perfect fragrance.
Have a final stop and enjoy a cup of coffee at L’arbre à Café (10 Rue du Nil, 75002 Paris), just a few steps from the famous restaurant Frenchie (5 Rue du Nil, 75002 Paris). It is notoriously hard to get a table at this tiny restaurant, but at lunchtime on a weekday you might just get lucky. And if not? Well, there is alway Frenchie To Go.