My name is Magdalena Brzozowska. I’m the co-founder and designer behind UMIAR. I work with form, proportion and material, and I see travel as a natural extension of that process. Our jewellery was recently shown in Paris during two editions of Paris Fashion Week. This time, it was my turn.
Paris is a city that always feels different, no matter how many times you come back. This time I had a few places in mind, but as always, I ended up discovering new ones along the way. These are the addresses I keep coming back to. I know our Warsaw guides are something you find useful, so think of this one in the same way. A short list of places I would genuinely recommend.
I’ll start with the places I kept thinking about long after I left.
1. Musée Rodin
One of the most moving experiences of this trip. Seeing Auguste Rodin’s work in person, after years of only knowing it from books, felt very personal. The first art book I ever had as a child was filled with his sculptures. What stays with me most is the contrast. The weight of the material and at the same time a real sense of lightness and movement. Rodin understood that moment between form and emotion better than anyone.
2. Espace Niemeyer
Designed by Oscar Niemeyer, this building feels surprisingly current. It’s very intentional, almost futuristic, but also highly functional. What I remember most is the light. It comes through long, narrow windows and moves across the curved surfaces. Everything feels soft and continuous, very cohesive.
3. David Zwirner Gallery
I visited during Rose Wylie’s exhibition, her first solo show in Paris. At first, the paintings feel almost naive, like quick visual notes. The longer you look, the more deliberate everything becomes. The composition, the rhythm, the way image and text interact. It looks intuitive, but it’s very precisely built. There’s also something interesting about seeing contemporary art in a city so deeply rooted in history.
4. Azzedine Alaïa Foundation
This place made a strong impression on me. It’s very quiet and very focused. The foundation is located in Azzedine Alaïa’s former studio, and you can really feel that. It doesn’t feel like a typical exhibition space. More like a place where work happened, and still somehow does. You can get very close to the pieces. See the construction, the seams and the proportions. It’s a completely different way of looking at fashion.
A few places that capture the rhythm of the city at the table.
1. Tempête
Hidden on a side street that’s very much alive. I counted nine restaurants there, all full. Noise, conversations, tables almost touching. Very Paris. People focused on food and on each other. You can just sit and watch for a while. It feels like a local spot rather than something made for tourists. Not the kind of place you would easily stumble upon. And that’s exactly why it works. The food is really good too.
2. Billie
Pasta with tequila. Hard to explain, you just have to try it. It’s worth going there for that one dish alone. The interior is very considered. Heavy curtains, soft light, a sense of intimacy. Everything feels intentional. There was a small dog sitting at the table next to me, which somehow made the whole experience even better.
3. Cassaro’s
This is exactly what you imagine when you think of a Parisian restaurant. Elegant, slightly theatrical, very much an evening place. Just be careful with the desserts. I thought I was ordering something small and ended up with a huge cake, more like something from a wedding. There’s also a club downstairs, so the night doesn’t have to end after dinner.
4. Sugaar
My favourite place from this trip. The leek tart was excellent. Simple, but done perfectly. The atmosphere is great. Nothing overdone, just well-balanced. The service feels natural and attentive. The interior is calm and beautiful. If you can, book a table upstairs.
Places it’s hard to leave empty-handed.
1. Iconic Vintage
The best selection of vintage bags I’ve seen in Paris. As a fan of Gucci from the Tom Ford era, I paid attention to almost every piece. A very strong selection, especially if you’re interested in late 90s and early 2000s designs.
2. Officine Universelle Buly
A perfect place to find something to take back with you. Brushes, combs, balms, all beautifully made and customisable. I bought a small brush with my initials, perfect to carry in a bag. While you wait for the engraving, you can sit down for a coffee in the same space.
3. Entremains
A very strong clothing selection, but what stayed with me even more was the space itself. It’s one of those places you don’t visit just to shop. The interior is as considered as the clothes.
4. Duo Paris Vintage
The selection changes daily. Great accessories, a lot of vintage sunglasses and shoes. Even a quick visit is worth it. You never really know what you’re going to find, and that’s the best part.
Paris doesn’t need recommendations. But it’s good to have a few places you genuinely want to come back to. These are the addresses I keep after every trip. The ones I know I’ll return to. If you want more of these, you can also find them on my profile @mabrzo.
