Le Bistro Paul Bert – I still love to be squashed into a table here. It’s a boisterous place full to the brim with interesting people who share an affinity for the little bistro’s impeccable food. Its prix fixe menu is a very good choice for something quick, simple and delicious.

Bistrot des Tournelles – This bistro opened on the former site of Gaspard de la Nuit, so the interiors go back nearly 100 years. It’s a timeless restaurant and chef Geoffroy Langella’s mashed potatoes are still something I dream of. 

Huîtrerie Régis – If we can’t get into Clamato, we might wander over to this seafood bar to have a few oysters. I always love to have a few before I head out for dinner in the evening. 

Louie Louie – Our kids love this place. It’s a lively pizza joint in the 11th and the service is always warm. They’re all wood-fired pizzas, and it’s an easy choice for us when we’ve had our fill of French food for one trip. 

Bars

The Peninsula – You have to visit the Peninsula for a nightcap with a side of amazing views of Paris. 

Dirty Lemon – If you’re in the 11th, this is definitely the place to visit. It was designed by brilliant architect Viviane Chil-Hagopian, and the team has an amazing selection of top-shelf liqueurs. 

Patisseries

Du Pain et Des Ideas – The orange blossom brioche here is a favourite with my whole family. It’s a house speciality pastry there – the brioche dough is scented with just the right amount of blossom water to lift it to incredible heights. And the sprinkle of sugar crystals on top… none of us can resist.

Ten Belles – There are a few of these around the city. It’s a speciality coffee roaster that makes a very good sourdough. I believe all the flour is more or less made from local grains, and you can feel this in the quality of the bread they bake.

Breizh Cafe – My kids love a trip to Breizh for crépes with the corners folded over. The signature dish is artisan ham with comté cheese, and it’s delicious.

Stores

Merci – This is a three-storey concept store. It’s an independent boutique but on a much bigger scale and set right in the Marais. As you head up to the third floor, you can pick up clothes and then they have a smart collection of furniture, with a little restaurant at the bottom for a very simple lunch.

La Frange à l’Envers – We spent a lot of time in this shop during our last visit to Paris. It’s full of second-hand clothes. You can get completely lost in here looking at all the beautiful things. 

Markets

Marché Aux Puces De La Porte De Vanves – We always visit this market for antiques. Some might say it’s full of junk, but the gems are always hiding in there if you look closely enough.

Marche Ru Cler – I think a trip to Paris always needs to include a visit here. You’ll stumble across it in the 7th, and it’s great as it’s full of locals. On a Sunday mornings, all the producers put on the most amazing display of fine foods, perfectly ripe cheeses, bouquets of flowers and good wine. It’s everything needed for a relaxed Sunday at home.

Galleries

Le Louvre – It’s a classic for a reason. A visit here is always a special thing. The building alone is incredible. 

Musée de l’Orangerie – If you visit in the middle of the day during the summer months, this place let’s all the dappled light stream into the building as you wander through the rooms of Claude Monet paintings. It’s breathtaking. When you’ve torn yourself away, you can then look around the wonderful Tuileries Garden.

Maison Proust – Uber-stylish, we love it here. It’s a restored six-storey townhouse on a quiet back street tucked away from the shopping district. As soon as we set our stuff down, we head to its salon bar for a drink in the banquettes. You have to visit the spa if you’re staying – it’s excellent.

The Peninsula – If you stay here, you’re right in the very centre of Paris. The attention to detail is unmistakable. We love to lean out of the bedroom window and look out onto the Eiffel Tower or across to the Arc de Triomphe, both glistening in the evening. It’s also the best place for a nightcap.

For more from Claude, follow @ClaudeBosi1. You can – and should – book at table at Joséphine at JoséphineBistro.com