While Paris hosts some of the world’s best collections during Fashion Week, there is a lot more to the event than what’s on the runway. The entire city transforms itself as the world’s designers, models, influencers, editors, buyers and photographers descend on the French capital. From opening show to the last after-party, the industry’s players are out in full force and donning their best street style regalia. Front row seats for the fashion shows may be reserved for celebrities and industry insiders, but if you are looking for a ticket to see the human spectacle of fashion week, drinking a café crème can get you the best view. There is a reason why Parisian cafes line the seats like bleachers: to watch people. SLEEK compiled a list of some of the city’s best establishments for your viewing pleasure, and of course a couple of things to try while you’re there:
Les Deux Magots
Situated on Boulevard Saint Germain, Les Deux Magots has been a Left Bank people watching post for over a century. You not only get the foot traffic from the boulevard, but you can also glance over at the neighbouring clientele of Café Flore and Brasserie Lipp. Order the escargot.
Café de l’Esplenade
A short walk over the Alexandre III Bridge from the Grand Palais, where heavyweights like Chanel show their collections, Café de l’Esplenade is just far enough from the main drag, but close enough to the action to make for a excellent people watching post. The fact that it offers valet parking makes it an easy fashion crowd favourite. Order the tartare.
L’Avenue
You will find L’Avenue along Paris’ golden triangle, which connects Avenue George V, The Champs Élysées and Avenue Montaigne, and hosts some of the city’s most upscale storefronts. This one is a bit further from the city’s ‘starving artists’. Order the moelleux chocolat.
La Perle
The café may forever live in infamy because of a certain cellphone video that got John Galliano kicked out of his role as creative director at Dior, but its location in the middle of the Marais still makes it a good place to see what the creative set are up to as it’s next to the ateliers and showrooms. Order the croque madame.
Le Nomad’s
Flanked by fashion week hot spots: the Opera Garnier, Pace Vendôme, the Palais Royal and the Tuileries Garden, a seat outside at Nomad’s puts you in the epicentre of the industry action. Although it is tucked off of the main road, there is plenty of to see during the city’s busiest time. Oder the tapas.