Two Fulfilling Days in Paris' Le Marais

The ultimate starting point for any explorer in Le Marias is Place des Vosges — the oldest planned square in Paris. Flanked by seventeenth-century French architecture and vaulted walkways, Place de Vosges is located in the heart of Le Marais. Spend some time exploring the galleries and independent boutiques surrounding the pavilion. Tea lovers should visit the flagship store of Dammann Frères, where hundreds of varieties of tea are available to taste and to buy. It's also the perfect souvenir to take back home.

Stop for brunch under the arches at Carette, where, no matter the weather, you can enjoy traditional Parisian fare while looking onto the square and enjoying a spot of people-watching.

After lunch, it is time for some serious shopping and exploration. Rue des Francs Bourgeois is the central shopping street that branches off into a maze of local and international brands and boutiques. A must visit: L'Artisan Parfumeur, a French perfume brand, for a fragrance consultation.

And look at that, it’s five o’clock (well, it is somewhere) and time to recharge with a glass of something chilled. La Belle Hortense is an incredible wine-come-book-shop where guests can sip on a glass of Saint-Emilion while listening to some French literature readings. (Who cares if you don’t speak French?)

Time to head back to the hotel to get dressed for dinner. Tonight's dress code is effortless, yet chic: à la française.

For dinner, head to Chez Janou. This intimate French bistro is popular with locals and visitors alike. It offers Provençal-style cuisine and eighty flavors of pastis, a local French aperitif. Spoiler alert: the menus are all en français, so for those who don’t speak the language, Google Translate is a must. Start with the Tuna Carpaccio with honey. Then, the duck. Finish with chocolate mousse. Tout Délicieux!

If your hips and feet aren’t hurting from all of yesterday’s exploration, you didn’t cover enough ground. Why not start today with some rest and relaxation?

After breakfast, walk or take the metro to Les Bains du Marais. Here, relax in the sauna and hammam and recharge those batteries. Prices start from €40, but definitely opt to add a body scrub for an extra €30. Word of warning: swimsuits are not permitted in the sauna or hammam.

When you feel ready to go again, head upstairs to the Pillates Restaurant and enjoy a light lunch and a healthy juice.

Time for some modern art and culture in what some might consider the ugliest building in Paris: Le Centre Pompidou. Check out which exhibits are on and spend a few hours getting lost in its many rooms and floors.

Once again, it is cocktail hour. This afternoon, walk over to Bisou and while en route, check out Les Jardins des Archives Nationales. At Bisou (which means kiss in French) every cocktail is inspired by the season and readily available ingredients. There is no menu. Instead, speak to the mixologist about your likes and dislikes and they will create the perfect cocktail just for you.

And what better way to celebrate your final night in Paris than having a traditional… Italian dinner? Oh yes — tonight, head to Le Petit Italien. Don’t be fooled or concerned. Pasta and Campari are on the menu, but you’ll be in a beautifully French setting. This restaurant is a gem, but once again, the menus are only in the local tongue. Go for the burrata, followed by the filet de bœuf.