Paris in Spring: A Design-Lover’s Travel Diary
My five favourite experiences - architecture, art, food and the joy of wandering.
By Britt Howard - Creative Director, Britt White Studio
There’s something about Paris. The light feels softer, the energy sharper and the beauty? Effortless. Keen readers of our Journal and the BWS Instagram will know I was recently lucky enough to join a design tour through Europe, starting in the ever-enchanting French capital…I’m still riding the creative high.
From a private tour inside a Parisian apartment of quiet luxury to the most perfectly roasted chicken I’ve ever eaten, the city unfolded in ways I didn’t expect. Whether it was discovering architectural wonder in the curve of a staircase or catching a glimpse of Sacré-Cœur through the spring haze, it reminded me that great design isn’t always in the spotlight. It lives in the details. In history, atmosphere and surprise.
Before we made our way to Milan and the design mecca that is Salone, I soaked up every minute of our time in Paris. Here’s a look at what stood out, shaped my thinking and sparked serious studio daydreaming… my Top Five Paris in Spring experiences:
1. A Private Tour of Sophie Dries’ Apartment: Quiet Luxury in Every Detail
Tucked away on the premier étage, the first floor traditionally reserved for nobility, Sophie Dries’ apartment is everything you’d imagine from one of Paris’s most refined design talents…and then some. It’s not open to the public, so being personally shown through by Sophie herself was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Without a doubt, this was the standout moment of my time in Paris.
Sophie’s work has always struck me for its balance - artistic yet grounded, contemporary but deeply respectful of craft. That sensibility was everywhere in her home. From the moment we stepped inside, it was clear this was a space curated with intent and lived in with soul. The apartment retains its original oak floors, grand proportions, intricate ceiling linings and that glorious Parisian light, all made even more special by the absence of overhead lighting. Not a single downlight to be seen. Instead, a careful orchestration of wall lights, floor lamps and table lighting preserved the integrity of the ceiling frescoes while adding depth and atmosphere throughout.
Every corner of the apartment felt considered but not contrived. Sophie lives here with her partner Marc Leschelier, who is an artist, and together they’ve designed furniture pieces that blur the line between sculpture and function. There’s a beautiful dialogue between their practices, refined yet expressive, elegant without being precious. The way their worlds overlap, quite literally in the living room, was a reminder of how design can be both deeply personal and quietly powerful.
Sophie herself was as graceful and generous as her work. Humble, warm and so open in sharing not just her space, but her process. We even bumped into her again in Milan where she made a point of stopping to say hello, offering a few more insider tips like we were old friends. It’s rare to meet someone whose work you admire so deeply and discover they’re just as inspiring in person.
There’s a calmness to Sophie’s apartment that stayed with me long after we left. It’s a masterclass in restraint, materiality and emotional connection. Sophie’s apartment is proof that you don’t need to over-design when every choice is purposeful.
No…that’s not a rolled up dropsheet. It’s a stunning sculptural stool by Marc Leschelier.
2. Lunch at Les Deux Magots: A Parisian Classic, Perfected
Tucked into a crimson booth at Les Deux Magots, with the hum of Saint-Germain-des-Prés just outside and jazz notes floating through the air, I had the best roast chicken of my life! It sounds simple, but this dish, with golden, crisp skin and rich herb jus, was anything but ordinary.
A favourite of artists and intellectuals since 1884, Les Deux Magots is layered with history, but it doesn’t feel like a museum. It’s warm, elegant and alive with the rhythm of Paris. The chicken, succulent and cooked in duck fat, was the kind of perfection that doesn’t need to shout. Paired with silky herbal mash, it was classic French comfort food, executed with quiet brilliance.
Sometimes it’s not the showstoppers, but the simplest moments, done flawlessly, that stay with you.
3. Bourse de Commerce: Where Art Meets Architecture
One of my true highlights of Paris was stepping inside the Bourse de Commerce, home of the Pinault Art Collection, and feeling completely captivated by the dialogue between contemporary art and architectural history.
Originally built as a grain exchange in the 18th century, the circular form and vast copper dome were beautifully reimagined by architect Tadao Ando for Paris’ newest art gallery. His raw concrete insertions sit in deliberate contrast to the historic detailing, creating a space that feels both reverent and radically contemporary. It’s a masterclass in architectural restraint, where light, shadow and scale do much of the talking.
The art itself was equally bold. Spanning sculpture, video, photography and installation, the rotating exhibitions challenged and surprised at every turn. Some pieces were provocative, others deeply moving…but each one was thoughtfully placed to respond to the building, drawing your eye upward, around, or deep into the layers of the structure. It felt less like walking through a gallery and more like entering an ongoing conversation between the past and the present.
4. The Stairs of Paris: An Unexpected Obsession
It might sound simple, but the stairs of Paris were one of the most inspiring architectural elements of the entire trip. From tucked-away stone spirals in historic buildings to wide outdoor climbs like the 222 steps of Rue Foyatier in Montmartre, each staircase felt like a moment of quiet theatre.
They’re everywhere, but not always obvious. The trick is getting off the main routes and looking up (or down). Whether in the Louvre, the Musée Rodin or a tiny courtyard off a side street, the staircases hold a kind of magic. They frame new vistas, curve gently into the light and carry a sense of history in every incredibly worn step.
What struck me most was their human scale. They’re grand, yes, but never over-designed. There’s a humility in their craftsmanship, a timelessness in their proportions. In a city so often photographed for its façades, the real beauty, I found, was often found in the in-between spaces.
They are not always obvious, but nearly always memorable.
5. Wander & Discover: The Joy of the Unexpected
If there’s one thing I’d urge anyone visiting Paris to do, it’s this: walk with no agenda. Wander aimlessly. Get a little lost. The true beauty of Paris reveals itself when you’re not looking for it.
Some of my favourite moments came from slow strolls through hidden parks or quiet streets, where the springtime blooms were just starting to show off. The city’s green spaces (often small, perfectly manicured and sometimes tucked between buildings) offered moments of calm and charm that no itinerary could predict.
And don’t forget to look up. Truly. One of my most vivid memories is of watching a bird in flight, glancing skyward and catching a glimpse of the Sacré-Cœur Basilica sitting proudly on a hill, perfectly framed, from more than one kilometre away. It was quiet, breathtaking and entirely unscripted. Paris has that kind of magic if you leave space for it.
