Welcome to An Artist In series. In this series a different artist, that is intimate in different parts of the world, will share their insider tips for where to eat, stay, see the best art, sketch the best views, rest at their favorite cafes and more. You will be able to go out and adventure here in the US and abroad and feel like your best friend shared the best kept secrets about an area and you can explore with confidence.
The tenth in the series is An Artist in Paris Part II with Julia Muller. You can read previous episodes, An Artist in Florence HERE , An Artist in Tuscany HERE, An Artist in Marrakech HERE, An Artist in Lombardy HERE , An Artist in Oaxaca HERE, An Artist in Lisbon HERE, An Artist in Bellagio HERE, and An Artist in Paris HERE.
I recently graduated from college and the next day my mom and I headed to the airport to spend a week in Paris to be filled with inspiration and beauty. French culture and the city of Paris continues to be a constant muse in my life as it influences my artistic style and is a place I always find myself daydreaming about. Visiting artists studios and museums, wandering down charming side streets and rummaging through boxes of antiques at the flea markets.. just to name a few of my most favorite things about what makes Paris so special to me. I gathered my photos and wanted to share some of my favorite spots with you from this trip.
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Where We Stayed
One of my favorite parts about traveling is staying in an airbnb that is nestled into the charming neighborhoods of wherever we are going, to get the most authentic living experience within the culture. This airbnb had such an old time Parisian feel to it. Every detail of this home overwhelmed me and it felt like a dream getting to live amongst its beauty for a few days. Bookcases in every room filled with old French art books, beautiful lighting fixtures and the sweetest French kitchen floor tiles. It is one of those places that I will think about often and always remember the comforting feeling of being in this home, cooking in the kitchen and getting ready every morning to go out and explore this beautiful city.
https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/616406306584819832? source_impression_id=p3_1718219935_P3M-14gKYRXqmh8o
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Hot Chocolate with Chantilly from Carette
This place has been on my list for years as I have seen many posts about this decadent hot chocolate with the giant tower of Chantilly and it did not disappoint. I ordered the hot chocolate with Chantilly and a lemon crepe. The crepe was topped with candied lemon peel and the dollop of cream in the hot chocolate was a dream.
Address: 4 Pl. du Trocadéro et du 11 Novembre, 75016 Paris, France https://www.instagram.com/caretteofficiel/?hl=en
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Food, Food, Food
Saint Pearl
Pictured in the center is the gluten free flowery pancakes from Saint Pearl. Made with banana, oat, maple syrup, vanilla ice cream, fruits, roasted granola and herbs. Saint Pearl is a small but sweet cafe that makes unique breakfasts, coffee, fresh juice, teas and even matcha brownies. The plate was covered in beautiful and colorful fruits and flowers and was absolutely delicious.
Address: 38 Rue des Saints-Pères, 75007 Paris, France https://www.instagram.com/saint_pearl/?hl=en
Aux Merveilleux de Fred
A centuries old dessert, Merveilleux, is a deliciously light and airy mound of meringues layered with whipped cream and topped with different flavored chocolate shavings. The name itself means “wonderful” and that is exactly what it is. There are other locations around the world, be sure to be on the look out!
Address: : 29 Rue de l’Annonciation, 75016 Paris, France https://www.instagram.com/auxmerveilleuxdefred/
Les Saisonniers – Poissonniere
The first day we arrived, we went out exploring around the streets by where we were staying to see what was around us and we walked by the most beautiful food market that made me gasp out loud. Right outside the door spilling into the streets were crates filled with strawberries, pots of basil and buckets of peonies. This tiny market carries fresh cheese, meats, heirloom tomatoes, bundles of herbs, the biggest lemons and oranges I have ever seen in my life and other organic goods, vegetables and wines. We picked up some items to make dinner back at our house.
Address: 10 Rue Poissonnière, 75002 Paris, France
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Le Rhodia at Musee Bourdelle
Although I have been to the Bourdelle Museum before, I had no idea there is a beautiful cafe upstairs that serves organic foods, coffee and tea. It was a bit cold and rainy this day so the warm carrot soup was perfection!
Address: 18 Rue Antoine Bourdelle, 75015 Paris, France https://lerhodia-bourdelle.fr/
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Le Labo
One thing about me is, if there is a Le Labo.. I will be stopping by. I have been wanting to smell the Paris City exclusive scent, Vanille 44, and it was just as I imagined it. I am not a strong perfume lover but this scent was peppery, musky and relaxing. It reminds me of a rainy stroll in Paris. I have always loved their branding and attention to detail!
Address: 4 Rue Marbeuf, 75008 Paris, France
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Merci
Merci is a coffee shop/cafe combined with a store tucked away in a courtyard. It is packed with unique booths of different brands. From clothes to kitchen goods, there is a wide range of products here and it is so fun to look around at the unique items. I got suckered into buying a candle that was shaped like butter because there was no other option. It just felt right. Ya know?
Address: 111 bd Beaumarchais 75003 Paris https://www.instagram.com/merciparis/?hl=en
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Librairie Couleur du Temps
This book store is a must. It has crates and crates filled with rare and archival copies of books ranging from art to photography and exhibitions. I felt like a kid in a candy store. Each book is so intentionally hand selected to be in this store and if you are an art book lover, this is the place for you. I picked up an art print by dutch artist Guillaume Corneille and a book about an artists exhibition at Musee Picasso. It truly felt like magic all around from floor to ceiling.
Address: 24 Rue Dauphine, 75006 Paris, France
Other book stores to visit are: Librairie Francois Chanut (F. Chanut) and The Red Wheelbarrow Bookstore
https://www.librairie-couleurdutemps.com/PBSCCatalog.asp?ExitMobile=1 https://www.instagram.com/librairie_couleur_du_temps/
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Flea Markets
Another one of my favorite parts about traveling is visiting the local thrift stores or street flea markets to bring home treasures that remind me of my travels. When in Paris, I love searching for old postcards, vintage clothes, artworks and art books. I scored two postcards, some wood block stamps, two floral ceramics and a silk neck scarf.
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Giacometti Institute 
Getting to visit sculptor Alberto Giacometti’s studio left me speechless. They recreated and preserved his studio space and put glass right up against it so that you can get very close to his work to truly take in each and every detail. Every inch of his space has some sort of art on it. Even the cabinet has a face drawing etched into it. The peeling mustard walls and the sculptures and palettes lining every surface. It is just magic. I had to sit there for some time and take it all in. Inside is a library with chairs and art books that are there for anyone to sit and look through. After being in this space, I immediately wanted to go and play with clay. One door down from here is where Picasso spent a few years of his life working. My mom and I were so desperate to experience every inch of this place that we signed up for a children’s class that was in French only. We got to create clay forms with wire and then learn about light and shadow play through taking Polaroids and creating cyanotypes.
Address: 5 Rue Victor Schoelcher, 75014 Paris, France https://giaco.shop.secutix.com/content
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Museo de Montmartre 
A charming 17th-century home and garden in Montmartre where many artists spent their time, including Renoir. There is the most beautiful and painting-like garden with a cafe where you can get coffee and tea, and different buildings filled with exhibitions and artworks. One of my favorite parts about this place is the studio of Maurice Utrillo and Suzanne Valadon. Other artists that have spent their time here are Emile Bernard and Charles Camoin. It is relaxing space to sketch, explore and soak up the gardens that once inspired so many artists and their works. I picked up a book in the gift shop, “Charles Camoin: The Free Fauve” and it has beautiful history about his time in Montmartre and his relationship with other artists like Henri Matisse.
Address: 12 Rue Cortot, 75018 Paris, France https://museedemontmartre.fr/en/musee-jardins/
Book: https://www.amazon.com/Charles-Camoin-1879-1965-Fauve-libert%C3%A9/dp/ 2382030615 ____________________________________________________________________
Bourdelle Museum 
A breathtaking art museum in the old studio of French sculptor Antoine Bourdelle. Nestled away from the busy city streets, this place feels like a hidden wonder in the midst of Paris. The outdoor gardens mixed with sculptures is just beautiful. Make sure to head upstairs to their cafe, Le RHODIA, for some delicious lunch.
Address: 18 Rue Antoine Bourdelle, 75015 Paris, France https://www.bourdelle.paris.fr/en
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Art and Mineral Museum
Some other cool museums to add to your list are “Le monde comme il va” at Bourse De Commerce and Musee de Mineralogie Mines Paris. An art museum and a mineral museum! These are two unique spots that are fun to explore.
Addresses: 2 Rue de Viarmes, 75001 Paris, France 60 Bd Saint-Michel, 75006 Paris, France
https://www.pinaultcollection.com/fr/boursedecommerce
https://www.musee.minesparis.psl.eu/Accueil/
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The Seine
There is nothing like a rainy stroll with umbrellas along the Seine. We love to stop at the book sellers and wander the charming streets while taking in the historic buildings and bridges.
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Treasures
While packing up my suitcase to head home, I love gathering everything I bought during the trip and seeing it all together. Filling my space at home with the small treasures from my travels is what makes my soul thrive. A few things that I purchased on this trip. A Bourdelle museum booklet filled with inspiring photography and typography, a sheet of handmade jute grid paper, a pack of paper and a restock on my jumbo oil pastels from Sennelier along with my vintage flea market treasures.
I picked up a small journal and tape at Muji so that I could fill it with my papers and wrappers that I held onto during the trip. I sat at the dining room table the night before we left and filled the pages with things like museum booklet pages, metro tickets and
photobooth photos. I always hold onto random pieces of papers from trips and they all usually just sit in a box but I want to continue making little journals in the moment on trips to look back on.
I feel so blessed to have been able to spend more time in this magical city and getting to capture the details that ignite my inspiration. I would love to hear about some of your favorite spots in Paris or spots you’re dreaming up of visiting!
Beautiful, lucky girl. Your appreciation for your adventure shows in your writing and your photos. I enjoyed your tour very much
What a kind response to Julia! Thank you.
Thank you so much!
How lovely! We were in Paris for the first week of May and of course, it was fantastic. Love your ‘documenting’ and beautiful framing of your photography! Thank you for sharing this!!
Thank you April!
So beautiful! The photos the writing… thank you for sharing! I leave for Paris in September and this information is precious! Thank you from the top of my heart!
Thank you for reading! I hope you have the best time
I too dream “In Paris” … last December I fell in love with the city that glowed with a light that felt like it was filtered through a silk scarf. In hindsight I saw Paris through a tourist eyes but next time I am planning to be an “Artist in Paris” . This blog post is a perfect nudge in that direction! Beautifully done! On Y Va!!
“light that was filtered through a silk scarf” THIS!!!!!! wow. thank you for sharing and reading along!
Paris is a magical place and it is even more beautiful when seen through the eyes of another. Thank you for sharing some new to me museums like the mineral museum!
Thank you Elizabeth! The mineral museum is such a fun and unique one
Love your tour. I haven’t t been in Paris for years but your beautiful photos and comments make me definitely want to return. Thanks so much for sharing! ❤️
Oh Julia, I enjoyed your vision of Paris so much and it took me back to the Paris of my days as an ‘au pair’ girl there many, many years ago. I try to go back to Paris every year and each time discover a new place. Each time I go back I am 19 again!! Thank you for taking me back there again. Sandra