Paris in Bruno Frisoni’s Footsteps

Born in Burgundy to Italian parents, Bruno Frisoni has been a fixture of the Paris fashion scene for 25 years. After studying fashion in the city, he rose through the ranks designing accessories for and collaborating with several of France’s most lauded couture houses (Karl Lagerfeld, Lanvin and Yves Saint Laurent among them). In 1999, Frisoni launched his eponymous shoe label, which became an immediate success. So much so, that just a few years later he was tapped to be creative director at Roger Vivier. His artistic vision—and chic stilettos—helped the brand grow into a 200 billion-euro titan, and—in 2018—Frisoni left, and later restarted his own line.

“I was 19 years old in 1989 when I arrived in Paris. And I never left.” What makes him proud to call the city home: “For the culture and the beauty of it all.” Here, Frisoni shares his guide.

How to Spend a Day

Go sightseeing and walk, walk, walk. Paris is great for walking, nothing is too far and it is the best way to look at buildings and discover unexpecting places or things.

Advice for Repeat Visitors

Never go to the place you have been before, go for new and discovering.

Museum Musts…

On Thursday or Friday mornings…I try to disconnect and either go to galleries or the latest great exhibition I am interested in. Everyone has a different speed to look at things in a museum, so I believe one feels more free to concentrate when you’re alone or with a close friend. I usually end in the museum bookstore. (I love books, and I hardly ever leave the place without buying something).

Paris is one of those cities with so many incredible museums to visit, it’s quite difficult to say one. But for the best art from the 19th century, I would say Musee d’Orsay also because of Gae Aulenti’s reinterpretation of the space from a train station into a museum. And for modern art, the Musee d’art Moderne. Both are in great neighborhoods where you can find a great place for lunch or tea. If someone is more curious, let’s go to the Maison de Victor Hugo on Place des Vosges.

…and Museums Worth Revisting

Le Louvre or Centre Pompidou

Where to Wander…

The Palais Royal area and St Germain. To me these areas kept the old Parisian charm and are quite in the heart of Paris. I love Place Furstenberg—a hidden square in the heart of St Germain. Musee Delacroix is just next door, it is worth a visit.

…and Where to See a Show…

I like to go to the Théatre de l’Atelier in the 18th.

…And Where to Find Nature

Nature for me is definitely outside of town, in our country house in Burgundy. In the city, I would have a lovely walk through Iles St Louis and Panthéon to end at Jardin du Luxembourg.

Restaurant Favorites

For lunch I like to go to Le Petit Célestin. I love the friendly atmosphere. It’s a young spot and it is run like an old bistrot. There is also a great terrace for when it’s sunny. And for dinner: Mori Venice Bar

Quick Bites

Boucherie Gardil, on Iles St Louis. Just on the other side of the street you can get ice cream at Berthillon, a classic.

The Hotel Scene

L’Hotel on Rue des Beaux Arts—each room has a different décor. Plaza Athénée for the restaurant, Le Relais Plaza with its original décor from the 30s. And Le Bristol, where I have a regular lunch with one of my best girl friends. It is for me the best place in Paris, something like true understated luxury…and, they have a cat!

For Heartfelt Gifts

An art gallery is where I would go: a unique piece is always a special gift. Gallery Andréhn-Schiptjenko has some curious things and they are good friends of mine, which makes it a doubly good reason.

Top Clothing Stores

I love to go to Dries van Noten on the Quai Malaquais, where I know I will always find something for me, YSL for women and, for kids, traditionally I go to Bonpoint.

Favorite Paris-Based Book

La Place de l’Étoile by Patrick Modiano