channeling your inner marie antoinette – eating in paris

If you come to Paris occasionally and just love 18th century decor, and styles that are inspired by Marie Antoinette, then you may like to know where to go to channel your inner queen.   The best time to indulge is breakfast and tea time, when meals are more about small portions and pretty porcelain, than meat and wine.

Here is a quick run down of several places to go in Paris, and simply soak up the 18th century decor and tablescapes.

At the top of my list is breakfast at Le Meurice.   This picture is taken in the Ducasse restaurant, and having enjoyed breakfast there myself, I can assure you it is an experience not to be dismissed.  The ceilings are sky high, the chandeliers sparkle, and the walls and woodwork could be taken directly from Versailles.

The Café Pouchkine is on the Place de la Madeleine and has just had a major makeover.   Wooden floors, painted walls and sweeping staircases, all serve as a stunning backdrop to their divine pastries, tiny works of art in your plate.

The Jacquemart André museum is a favourite in Paris.  Its art collection carefully curated in former private rooms, so that you feel as you are walking through a very privileged 18th century home.  And when you have admired the portraits by Viée leBrun and other celebrated painters, then why not enjoy tea in their beautiful salon de thé.

Ladurée requires little introduction, their macarons are sold all around the world, and in Paris they have several tea rooms where you can enjoy the pastries and the tea selection in a decor that matches the brand colour palette.