September is coming to a close and, with it, the frenzy of fashion weeks. Last stop: Paris. But since we know that your Instagram feed, like ours, is probably flooded with catwalk pictures, we thought we would focus on all things Parisian not directly related to fashion week!

For starters, the city itself: from enjoying a nice meal (with wine, of course) to Parisian people-watching (a national pastime), below you will find our top five recommendations.

Elsewhere in page five, we talk about wine in the latest instalment of Liquid Vintage, and spotlight one our favourite French designers of all time, amazing Christian Lacroix.

Enjoy!

Our top recommendations for Paris:

• City Pharma: No trip to Paris is complete without it; no, not because you need Aspirin from too much champagne the night before, but because the best beauty products in France are found here. Located on rue Dufour, it’s the one that has so many people in there shopping that it feels more like a happening nightclub. You will find all of the brands you have been hearing from your favourite makeup artists all under one roof. Try to avoid peak hours. City Pharma  26 rue Dufour 75006 Paris +33 1 4633 2081
• Carette: A Rive Droite institution is perfect for its stunning views, people-watching and let’s not forget the killer macaroons. We recommend keeping this one for Sunday morning breakfast. Place du Trocadero 75016 +33 1 4727 9885
• Le Petit Cler: This simple restaurant hidden in the 7th arrondissement is perfect for a great French meal; the atmosphere is very homey and you will only be surrounded by Parisians in-the-know. rue Cler 75007 Paris + 33 1 4550 1750
• Didier Ludot: This is THE vintage boutique in Paris. The owner is one of the top vintage clothing specialist in the world and his boutique is full of amazing treasures of the kind that you will might only ever see in a museum again. Jardin du Palais Royal 24 Gallerie de Montpensier 75001 Paris + 331 4296 0656
• La Pagode Cinema: This cinema is inside a Japanese pagoda in the heart of Saint-Germain and they often screen old movies. It’s worth going at the end of a long day to just relax, enjoy the screen and take in the unusual architecture. 57 bis rue de Babylone 75007 +33 1 4555 4848