"The Bar Vendome serves an excellent coffee. With the sunrise and a newspaper, it's a great way to start the day."

"I have a weakness for some of the smaller and more intimate museums: Jacquemart-Andre has a unique collection and a great bistro restaurant in the museum. Musee Rodin is perfect if you like sculpture and statues, with a beautiful park and nice cafe where you can enjoy the gardens. If you are interested in Auguste Rodin, then Maison de Balzac where he used to live is an unusual but charming place to visit."

"For bistronomy, I love Verjus on Rue de Richelieu. They have an innovative fresh farm menu and the restaurant captures that quintessentially cosy and intimate Parisian setting. For the adventurous diner, Septime on Rue de Charonne helps you discover amazing food you would never order yourself.  Both
SMA and Sola serve Michelin-starred Japanese cuisine with a very French touch.  And if there's one place you have to eat during your Parisian stay, you should enjoy the spectacular cuisine of Nicolas Sale at La Table de l’Espadon. It's one of the most beautiful restaurants in Paris - candles, high ceilings and surrounded by the history of l’Espadon."

"I think everyone wants to stay somewhere that is personalised but discreet, warm without being informal. The atmosphere we create at The Ritz Paris makes it more than just a hotel. First of all, it is the last family owned hotel left in Paris in our category (non-chain, non-collection). It's located in the heart of the city, overlooking historic Place Vendome and within a five-minute walk to all of Paris's biggest sites: from the Louvre and the Seine, to the Opera Garnier and shopping at Rue Saint-Honore. With a wide selection of restaurants, bars and spa facilities, you might not want to leave the hotel, though."

"If you like food, don't miss out on taking a short cooking class at the Ritz Escoffier School. It actually overlooks the kitchen of the Ritz Paris, with its 120 cooks - so you get to witness plenty of arguments and action. If you want to pamper yourself after, take a loot at the first ever Chanel au Ritz Paris, which offers luxurious massages and facials. "

"Paris is actually a surprisingly small city. The neighbourhoods are easy to walk around, and if you have time, it's a great base for day trips: Champagne is only 45 minutes by the TGV, and Loire Valley or Bourgogne are an hour or two drive."

"If you like sport, running is a great way to explore Paris. My favourite routes are the roads around the art quarter and Sacre Coeur where you can see the whole city, and also by the Fondation Louis Vuitton in Bois de Boulogne. If you want something lower energy, a stroll in Jardin du Luxembourg is a great way to clear your head and discover this beautiful city."

"Unless you have never seen the Champs-Elysees, stay off the beaten track. Paris has so many more charming and intimate shopping districts - the 11th, around Canal Saint-Martin is great for boutiques. For some really unique finds, don't underestimate the little Parisian markets, either."

"The French people, and the food. You've got to love the French, and Paris is a fantastic, dynamic city with a romantic and beautiful culture. And with over 14,000 restaurants you could live here for 40 years and never eat at the same restaurant twice."

This article first appeared on hk.asiatatler.com