Alice Wang's guide to the 'real' Paris – see her 7 favourite spots

I moved to Paris earlier this year, after spending half my life in Oslo; two cities that couldn’t be more different, yet both have shaped my eye for simplicity, quality, and quiet beauty. I used to approach the city like most visitors do, eager to capture its beautiful facades and always on the lookout for the next Instagram-friendly backdrop.

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Now, my relationship with Paris is unfolding more authentically. I see the city for what it is: beautiful, yes, but also raw, unpredictable, and most times even a little gritty. And maybe that’s what I love most; that it’s real. This is a collection of places that have stayed with me: some familiar, some new, but all memorable in their own way.

This is the kind of place you want to bring your friends to or go to on a date. There’s nowhere else in the city with this energy. One moment you’re seated in a chic Italian restaurant with white tablecloths, beautiful people, and genuinely great food; the next, the whole room turns into a party. People start singing, dancing on chairs, and it feels like you’ve suddenly stumbled into an intimate wedding celebration.

Hidden on the sixth floor of an unassuming building with brick walls that almost transport you to Brooklyn, Vecchio has a rare kind of energy. Order the lobster caviar pasta or the Alfredo. It’s the only Italian spot I go to in Paris. (Side note: Gianmarco, the ever-charming owner-chef, might surprise you with a tequila shot. But you didn’t hear it from me.)

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I stumbled upon this place while wandering through the 6th arrondissement and was initially drawn in by its interior, which looked like something from another time. Librairie Alain Brieux is a rare bookstore that has existed since 1958, specialising in antique science and medicine books, alongside antique instruments and curiosities.

Hanging in the store were also these exquisite cotton pyjamas. Pole Moult is a Viennese brand founded in 1949, which still sources its cotton from the same British South Indian fields and works with the same artisans to this day.

A well-kept secret among Parisians, Erem Vintage is one of my go-to spots for vintage gems. The curation is remarkably strong; a mix of high-end and more accessible pieces that capture that effortless Italian and Parisian chicness.

You’ll find everything from an insane Alaïa leather vest (I just saw it 2 days ago, so it still might be there), alongside this jaw-dropping Louis Vuitton coat shawl, to no-label treasures waiting to be discovered. I recently purchased this jacket that I am wearing there; impeccably cut and detailed, unlike anything I’ve seen.

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I stumbled upon their Paris store with my mum earlier this summer and spent a good hour there. Fortuny is a Venetian heritage brand from the 1900s that is known for its exceptional textile craftsmanship. The store is filled with beautiful sculptural silk lamps, richly coloured hand-printed textiles, and the walls lined with velvet tassels and kimonos. Everything feels impossibly chic.

The best Japanese curry I've ever tasted. Period.

They say this is the best ramen in the city, and I approve of this message.

I rarely find myself eating around the 1st arrondissement as, let’s be honest, it’s not exactly known for great food. But Maison François was such a pleasant surprise: incredibly chic with genuinely great food and service.

It’s the perfect lunch spot if you’re in the area for shopping and want to avoid the tourist traps lining the Champs-Élysées. I indulged in the chicken breast that came with this mustard and mango chutney sauce…YUM.