Paris with Laila Gohar
Point of View: The City of Light
For artist and designer Laila Gohar, Cairo is the motherland and Manhattan is home—but the French capital remains a frequent backdrop and muse for her idiosyncratic food installations. A swan-shaped centerpiece is painstakingly feathered in artichoke leaves; a tarte aux framboises runs the length of a table, classicism stretched to its very limits. Such edible tableaux for design firms and fashion houses reveal a melding of architectural rigor and fairy-tale fantasy. Gohar World, the home-goods brand she launched with her sister, Nadia, in 2022, leans into that joie de vivre, with a lineup that includes a beribboned satin baguette carrier. Gohar’s collaboration with The Luxury Collection continues that spirit of celebration, via a lace-trimmed cocktail napkin and an impossibly delicate Champagne coupe.
Why I Love Paris
“Everywhere you turn, there’s just so much beauty. I find that so inspiring and visually stimulating to be around. Paris has such a mix of different aesthetics—French modernism alongside the opulence of Marie Antoinette, say—and every little detail is considered. I really enjoy spending time in Paris. The light is incredible, and it feels like a home away from home because I work there very often. My ideal day involves going to one of the markets that I like and having a snack there, wandering around a neighborhood that I don’t know so well, and coming across different galleries or bookshops that are specific to the city. The souvenirs I bring back are food, primarily, like saucisson or chocolate or candied sweets. Recently I found these dried mandarins, which I had never had before. They eat kind of like a potato chip—weird but so good. To me, that’s a worthwhile discovery.”
Rue de Nil
“A street in the 2nd Arrondissement, I always buy my French charcuterie here.”
Les Deux Abeilles
189 Rue de l’Université, 75007 Paris, France
“This is a sweet little pastry shop. I love the wallpaper inside.”
Place des Vosges
24 Gal de Montpensier, 75001 Paris, France
“I really like to walk in Paris but it’s also just nice to sit in the public squares and people-watch.”
Picasso Museum
5 Rue de Thorigny, 75003 Paris, France
“The museum is hidden in the Marais. It’s a beautiful building filled with paintings and sculpture by the Spanish artist to admire at a leisurely pace.”
Where to Go
Labore Velit
Shopping
Labore Velit
Mélodies Graphiques
10 Rue du Pont Louis-Philippe, 75004 Paris, France
Send a postcard from Paris here. This is a little stationery shop I stumbled across, filled with beautiful Italian and Japanese art papers.
Labore Velit
La Maison du Miel
24 Rue Vignon, 75009 Paris, France
“It’s one of the oldest shops in Paris, founded in 1898 by the President of the Union of French beekeepers. You can find all kinds of honey products here.”
Labore Velit
Didier Ludot
24 Gal de Montpensier, 75001 Paris, France
“This is home to one of the city’s most legendary haute couture dealers since the 70s.”
Labore Velit
Restaurants
Labore Velit
Le Duc
243 Bd Raspail, 75014 Paris, France
“For seafood lovers, this is a real gem. I always order the salmon and potatoes.”
Where to Stay
Prince de Galles, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Paris
“The facade of this hotel is quintessentially French—just pulling up to it feels quite fancy, almost like being in a movie. There are a lot of Art Deco references throughout the property, which dates back to 1929, and the level of service leaves you feeling really well taken care of. The courtyard is my favorite part, with its wall mosaics and an open-air glimpse of the sky. Nearby you have the Arc de Triomphe and the Champs-Elysées, which are both so iconic. The neighborhood has an almost storybook quality: classic and beautiful and dramatic, in a way.”
Prince de Galles, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Paris
We welcome you to France’s storied capital with our 5-star service and Art Deco chic. Situated on Avenue George V, just a few steps from the iconic Champs-Elysées, our hotel places you near luxury boutiques, the tranquil beauty of the Seine and legendary landmarks including the Arc de Triomphe.
Hôtel de Berri Champs-Élysées, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Paris
Nestled within a rare green oasis in the heart of the city, Hotel de Berri, A luxury hotel in Paris is located in the fashionable 8th arrondissement. Celebrating the 20th Century’s greatest names in decorative arts, the hotel combines the cache of an esteemed private art collection with Parisian elegance to create an authentic and homely atmosphere.
Shop the Barware Collection
Laila’s Barware Line
Discover a globally inspired barware collection created exclusively for The Luxury Collection by our new Global Explorer, Laila Gohar.