The French have a way with life that is unlike anywhere else in the world. Simple pleasures such as friends, family, food, and everyday objects are held in the highest regard, because life is for living. We have just returned home from a week in the city of Paris, visiting our makers and their ateliers. A feast for the eyes, and the spirit, the trip offered a smorgasbord of creativity, in many forms, and strengthened our existing friendships. We promise to share the time spent with our Parisian makers, but first here is our Paris Guide — tips on how to spend your time, where to stay, and where to eat, in a city that is overflowing with history and beauty...

TO SEE: The Picasso Museum — Located in the Marais area, is not only a glorious maze of a building, but sports a wonderful selection of Picasso's works, some of which we had never seen before. We appreciated that some sculptural works were hidden into various parts of the interior build. The main room, with the checkerboard tiled floor, bronze candelabras, and perfect-blue painted walls was awe inspiring.

Lemaire — The luxury of the brand spills out into their space. Walls lined in jute rugs, a staircase made from handcrafted tiles in a soft pink colour. Downstairs there is a Persian rug covered chaise lounge positioned on top of another Persian rug, it is a textile lovers dream. Upstairs the accessories are displayed on Enzo Mari build-your-own tables, painted in hues ranging from yellow to brick.

1 Rue Elzevir, 75003 Paris, France.

Em Archives — A sophisticated curation of worthy vintage pieces, offering runway exclusives (an Izzey Miyake two piece suit), and classics (Chanel wool trousers, a Jil Sander anorak), and a few new items, such a handmade jewellery from Sisi Joia. Em Archives also recently hosted a pop up with Paris Image Unlimited. We drank tea from Japanese ceramics while we tried on outfits, admiring the vintage lamp and the bespoke ceramic wall sconces Emma had made for the store by her friend Mad Morio.

10 Rue Cavendish, 75019 Paris, France.

Chateau Voltaire — Recommended to us by a very chic friend, for our final night of the trip we treated ourselves to the lush interior of Chateau Voltaire. We hardly left once we arrived, taking full advantage of the excellent bistro L'Emile located downstairs, and the house cocktail bar which was so thoughtfully designed, equipped with decadent textiles, decorative bar trimmings, gorgeous little lamps and wonderful menu of bar snacks, such a radishes with salted butter, and fresh tuna tacos. We wobbled back to bed and slept very well, thank you.

Chateau Voltaire, 55 Rue Saint-Roch, 75001 Paris, France.

Bouillon République — We had organised to meet a friend (a kiwi, living in France) for lunch, and this was her suggestion: a traditional Parisian bistro that is so popular it has a daily queue to get inside. We arrived early, ordering classic escargot and oeuf mayonnaise.

39 Bd du Temple, 75003 Paris, France.

L'Hommage — Founded by a Michelin star chef who wanted to do something more relaxing of his own, this bistro was the most outstanding meal we had in Paris. We were taken here by our friend Ricardo of Astier de Villatte, after visiting their showroom just around the corner. Standout dishes were the somehow-whipped Burratta with tomatoes and grapefruit juice, the melt-in-your-mouth slow cooked beef with roasted carrots, and for dessert: Creamy Iranian black lemon, praline, crumble & sesame sorbet. Take us back here any day.

36 Av. de Choisy, 75013 Paris, France.