Guy Savoy
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About
Housed in the historic Monnaie de Paris (The Paris Mint) overlooking the Seine, Guy Savoy's flagship is a pinnacle of global gastronomy. The restaurant features several dark-hued, elegant dining rooms adorned with contemporary art. Savoy’s philosophy is that 'cooking is the art of instantly transforming products laden with history into happiness.' The service is flawless, and the atmosphere is one of serene, high-level luxury. Expert recommendation: The Artichoke Soup with Black Truffle and layered Brioche is perhaps the most famous dish in modern French cuisine. Pro tip: This is a high-budget experience meant for serious gourmands. For a more 'accessible' taste of Savoy’s genius, he operates a rotisserie nearby called 'Atelier Maître Albert' which is much more affordable.
Highlights
- Top-tier Michelin dining
- Riverfront location in the Monnaie
- Art-filled sophisticated dining rooms
- Exquisite French gastronomy
Amenities
Nearby Attractions
Picasso's Atelier
This was the private studio where Pablo Picasso lived and worked between 1937 and 1955. It is most famously the site where he painted his masterpiece, 'Guernica.' The building is a 17th-century 'hôtel particulier' with a creaky wooden staircase and a storied history. While not always open for public walk-ins as a museum (it often serves as the headquarters for the Cité Internationale des Arts), the facade and the surrounding historic street evoke the peak of the 20th-century avant-garde. Expert recommendation: Look for the commemorative plaque on the wall and explore the nearby art galleries of Saint-Germain. Pro tip: Since access can be restricted, check the Cité Internationale des Arts website for special open-day events or exhibitions held within the historic studio space.
Pont Neuf
Despite its name meaning 'New Bridge,' Pont Neuf is actually the oldest standing bridge across the river Seine in Paris. Built in the late 16th century, it was the first bridge in the city to be built of stone and without houses on it. It features 384 'mascarons' (stone masks) depicting forest and field divinities. The bridge connects the Left and Right Banks via the western tip of the Île de la Cité. The atmosphere is quintessentially Parisian, with beautiful views of the river traffic. Expert recommendation: Walk down to the 'Square du Vert-Galant' at the tip of the island directly below the bridge for a picnic. Pro tip: This is the best spot to catch a Bateaux-Mouches or Vedettes du Pont Neuf river cruise, especially at twilight.
Kong
Perched atop the Kenzo headquarters, Kong features a spectacular glass dome designed by Philippe Starck, offering a 360-degree view of the Pont Neuf and the Seine. The decor is a surreal mix of Louis XV furniture and Japanese manga-inspired art. Famous for its appearance in 'Sex and the City,' the vibe is trendy, loud, and very 'Right Bank chic.' The menu is an inventive fusion of Japanese and French cuisines. Expert recommendation: The black cod and the 'udon with truffle' are fan favorites. Pro tip: It is more of a 'scene' than a traditional culinary temple. Visit for lunch to enjoy the views in full daylight, or come late at night when it transforms into a lively lounge/club atmosphere.
Musée du Louvre
The world's largest and most visited art museum occupies a former royal palace stretching along the Seine River, its 72,735 square meters of exhibition space housing 380,000 objects and displaying 35,000 works spanning 9,000 years of human creativity, from Mesopotamian antiquities to Neoclassical painting. The Mona Lisa's enigmatic smile, the Venus de Milo's armless grace, and the Winged Victory of Samothrace's dramatic flight are among the most famous artworks in human history, yet the Louvre contains hundreds of equally significant masterpieces—Vermeer's The Lacemaker, Caravaggio's Death of the Virgin, David's Napoleon Crossing the Alps—that in any other museum would be the centerpiece of the entire collection. The I.M. Pei glass pyramid entrance has become as iconic as the palace itself and is best photographed at dusk when the interior illumination creates a luminous geometric jewel in the courtyard.
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