Lucien Laviscount’s guide to Paris: the best restaurants and hidden gems

Emily in Paris may have jetted off to Rome for her latest jolly, but Lucien Laviscount, who plays her charming, English love interest, Alfie, remains steadfast in Paris. Here are his views on the city of lights.

Le Marais. It was the first place I landed when I got to Paris, and it’s just the gift that keeps on giving. Sometimes people say touristy, but I think it’s beautiful, bustling and alive. There’s great people watching, great cafes and great shopping there – there’s a wicked vintage shop. I bought the most expensive vintage items I ever bought there, old leather, worn out coats, long leather trenches. I still haven’t worn it. It may have been in my suitcase for two years, but I have it.

The best thing about Paris is just disappearing. There are so many. The Tuileries Garden by the Louvre is simply stunning. Just being is the thing to do in Paris. When we shot Emily in Paris, we were out there for about four months at a time, so we were in the Parisian life. And it’s a real joy to do this job. I have a friend who travels for work but only a few days in the place, while we can handle the city. And I’m not Emily in Emily in Paris, so I’ve got a really nice day so I can explore.

I feel more comfortable in Paris than in London. There is nothing like getting off the plane at Heathrow – Gatwick which is a bit of a pain in the ass – when you arrive early in the morning and there is a cold misty, together with that “not like the one at home” feeling. But Paris only opened up to me a few years ago. The thing I love about Paris is that you can be any version of yourself. There, Parisians are the best, they let you do whatever you want to do.

I had the pleasure of staying at the Hôtel de Crillon, which was amazing, and the people at the Hôtel Plaza Athénée were so giving and beautiful, and I spent a lot of time with the staff there. It has an old-school feel and vibe, and both are cornerstones of Paris. I also like Hotel Costes, it’s dark and moody and it’s one of those places where you can go and you’ll definitely bump into people. Great food, great service.

There’s an amazing restaurant called Sugaar, and everywhere I’ve had an amazing meal in Paris. I’m a big show person when it comes to food – I know some people don’t – so we’ll order half the menu and then everyone can get a bite. Everything is regular on the menu, I can not fault it. I would also say that you should go to The Café Charlot in Le Marais. For amazing views, it’s hard to beat Monsieur Bleu. My birthday was last year, and it was right by the Eiffel Tower. I was also on the summer solstice which in Paris is a big celebration, and they have fireworks and everything – it’s normal.

I would say the first thing is to have breakfast at Paperboy in Le Marais, it’s cool, it’s trendy, there’s usually a DJ playing in the morning which is a perfect start – and if you have a hangover, you can have a Bloody Mary. Then from there, depending on the weather, I’m going to walk down to the Seine and stop at a few bars there while enjoying the view of Notre-Dame, the parliament building, and the lady’s own Eiffel Tower down the street.

Next, I’ll probably go to Girafe, which is on the roof and has a bad view, so take it all in, then go back to Le Marais – I grew up in Le Marais as you can imagine – then go to Café Charlot for a drink, which is which is especially good around 5pm for people watching because everyone is outside doing their thing, it’s noisy and noisy.

Then I will come back, have a quick change, and then go to Sugaar for the last dinner, which they do in Paris. Then, depending on the vibe, I say go to either Le Colonia, which is a little cool spot, or Silencio if that vibe is for a little bit of dance, a little bit of groove. If you like a little hip-hop, I would definitely go to Jangal Paris for old school hip-hop.

If I had to recommend something not to do in Paris, I would say you should see Crazy Horse. It’s a burlesque place, and I’ve been there twice this year. I even took my mother. It’s stunning, and you can press that after dinner, have a bottle of champagne, watch the show, and then see where the night leads you. Who do you spend time with in Paris? I have a great crew of friends, including Benoit, who is super, super French, Willy Cartier, and Tyrone Dylan, and they all live in Paris. Also Paris is a stopping place for my friends. I never had anyone visit me. I just shot this film in Spain in the middle of nowhere, but I was in Paris for a week and people said, “Lucien, I want to visit”, so I hosted it. many in Paris.

I paired the fragrance with the character I was playing and I chose Kilian Old Fashioned as Alfie for Season Four. I immediately liked it, it was very cool. Old Fashioned is something I didn’t know I needed in my life. I live in this moment. I was actually introduced to By Kilian when I bumped into him at an event after presenting at the Brit awards, so being an ambassador for him was amazing.

Samuel Arnold, who played Julien in Emily in Paris, put me in touch with a brilliant barber called J when I got to Paris and he cut my hair. He usually comes to the set, but if I’m in town I like to go to the store and kick with him there. I met the artist Kalash there, who is also from the French West Indies, and we’ve been jamming together quite a lot ever since.

I was once knocked out by some kid on a scooter in Paris walking back from the gym. I turned the corner and they were on the sidewalk and took me out. The next thing I know, I’m waking up in a cafe around the corner because I’ve been out cold. My amazing make-up artist, Sarah Damen, who worked with me at Emily in Paris, covered up my scratches and bumps.

As told by Madeleine Spencer.