Where Molière ate
Born into a family of restaurateurs, twins Margot and Félix Dumant are on a quest to resurrect the traditional Parisian bistro, a concept some think is an endangered species in a fast-changing restaurant scene. Case in point: their 2025 reboot of the iconic Auberge du Mouton Blanc, once the stomping grounds of La Fontaine and Molière, and one of the city’s oldest eateries (1668). The redesign gutted the inauthentic interiors and added wood paneling, green leather banquettes, and terrazzo flooring. The menu dishes up bistro classics with a hearty Norman influence, like butter-basted sole meunière and moules-frites. This historic institution is once again the nexus of local village life.
Daily bread
Former bankers, the brother-and-sister duo Jérôme and Claire Bails pivoted to baking in 2021 with the opening of Boulangerie Basil. (The name is an anagram of their surname.) It was an instant hit, with locals lining up for beautiful loaves made with sourdough starters and organic flours from the Île-de-France region. Jérôme, a graduate of the Ferrandi culinary school, hails the nutritional benefits of mineral-packed heritage grains like petit épeautre, an ancient wheat variety. Don’t miss the popular chocolate roll—sparring with the traditional pain au chocolat for top viennoiserie (flaky baked goods). In the spring, the Bails will open a retail outlet inside their atelier near the Auteuil Church.
Stylish swimwear
Step into the luminous Anja Paris boutique and you’ll be instantly transported to tropical climes. The flagship for the Parisian swimwear brand offers a dose of sunshine with yellow-striped ceilings and changing rooms painted as windows to sunny destinations (Miami, Milos, Jaipur). Founder Alexandra Thiltgès drew on her experience in the cosmetics industry to launch the prêt-a-porter line in 2017 in all the colors of the rainbow. Her goal? To create the swimwear she couldn’t find herself: feminine, sensual, and designed for all stages of a woman’s life, from teen to grand-mère. Inspired by couture runway shows, the collections are made from European fabric. Follow Eva Longoria’s lead and buy the bestselling Plongeant, the sleek style with a plunging neckline.
