From the numerous stories and experiences that have been told and written, it’s without a doubt that Paris is one of the greatest cities on earth. With its historical monuments, cultural history and avenues lined with stores, Paris is one of the places where you can find bespoke shoes, bags and even makeup. There are so many things to do and see and there is something for everyone. However, planning a Paris trip is no small feat. A Paris trip that’s completely tailored to your preferences can be overwhelming, especially if you plan to travel with friends or family. Perhaps you want a bespoke tailor in Paris? Or maybe you’re searching for the perfect makeup that matches your skin just right? This article is a straightforward guide on a bespoke Paris trip that ensures that you have a wonderful experience while in the French capital!
1. Bespoke make up: create your unique palette
If you have ever dreamt of finding the right makeup palette that suits your tone and skin type, the possibilities are not so far-fetched anymore. On your bespoke Paris trip, it is possible to create the unique makeup palette of your dreams. Founded in the year 1998 in Paris by legendary make-up artist Terry de Gunzburg, BY TERRY is a French luxury skincare and makeup brand that lets you fashion bespoke makeup in your own unique way. At its flagship store in the centre of Paris, it is possible to obtain a unique tailor-made eyeshadow, powder and lipstick.
With their technique of using chromatic measurement, BY TERRY’s La Haute Couleur process allows you to find the perfect foundation because an ideal formula will be crafted to match your skin tone. It’s a thorough process that takes about 3 weeks where your measurements (skin tone + type) are taken but you can be rest assured to receive the products manufactured just for you, whether by pick-up at their store in Paris or by mail to your home address anywhere in the world.
Understandably however, not many travellers have the luxury of staying in Paris long enough for La Haute Couleur. This is where the Palette Factory comes highly recommended. It’s such a luxurious and tailor-made experience that takes no longer than an hour (but of course, you’re welcome to stay for as long as you like).
The Palette Factory is a cross between a beauty counter and a laboratory where you can choose from several shades of colors and mix and match them as you like. You’ll even get to press the powder into the palette case yourself as well as select the design of your packaging! Definitely a bespoke Paris trip you can tell stories about to your friends and family.
The BY TERRY Palette factory is available at Galeries Lafayette Haussmann, and don’t forget that purchases amounting to €50, €200, or €600 gets you a free gift! Just make sure to present your INSIDR voucher!
BY TERRY Galeries Lafayette Haussmann
– 40 Boulevard Haussmann, 75009
– Line 7 or 9: Chausee D’antin Lafayette
– Open daily
2. Bespoke perfume: create your very own scent
For Perfume aficionados, a bespoke Paris trip must include an activity where you get to stimulate your olfactory senses by participating in a workshop where you can craft your own bespoke perfume. Luckily, Fragonard’s Musée du Parfum gives you the once in a lifetime occasion to create a unique scent by yourself. Of course, under the watchful eyes of a perfume connoisseur.
Located in the beautiful Opéra Garnier district in Paris, Musée du Parfum’s perfumery workshop is held every Saturday and it is a one and half hour journey into the world of bespoke perfume where you will leave with a unique scent that you created for yourself as well as an apron and an apprentice’s diploma. In addition to the workshops, you can benefit from other activities such as a free 30 minute guided tour and an olfactory conference held one Thursday a month.
Musée du Parfum Perfumery Workshop
– Workshop price: 95€
– 3-5 Square de l’Opéra-Louis Jouvet, 75009
– RER A: Auber | Lines 3, 7, 8: Opera
– Open from 9am to 6pm Monday to Saturday
3. Bespoke handbag: customize your own handbag
There is no better way to enjoy a bespoke Paris trip than stopping by the Longchamp luxury leather goods store to create and assemble a bespoke bag from beginning to end. Founded in 1948 by Jean Cassegrain, Longchamp has evolved from a small luxury leather fabricator for small goods such as wallets, to a leading French brand in the fashion industry.
At the Longchamp flagship store, you will have the opportunity to customize your own Le Pliage bag. The Longchamp experience gives you the flexibility to design a bespoke handbag by giving you the freedom to choose the colour of the leather, have your initials embroidered, embossed, punched with holes and printed on the bag. Longchamp’s environmental commitments ensures that your bags are durable, and they provide a repair service available to their customers.
Longchamp Saint-Honoré
– 404 Rue Saint-Honoré, 75001
– Line 1: Concorde
– Available from 10:30am to 6:30pm Monday to Friday
Longchamp Champs-Élysées
– 77 Avenue des Champs-Élysées, 75008
– Line 1: George V
– Available from 10:30am to 6:30pm Monday to Friday
4. Bespoke tailor: get your own custom suits
Enjoy the ultimate fashion experience by treating yourself to a custom-made suit or shirt with a bespoke tailor. Since 2003, The French Tailor has been in the men’s clothing game, creating bespoke clothing at the best value for money. This means that the items from its custom-made range come in at the same price as its ready-to-wear collection. From fabric to finish, The French Tailor offers a flexibility of options to create made-to-measure suits and shirts at reasonable rates. This is all thanks to its in-house garment workshop where you can choose your fabrics, take your measurements and place your order.
Your custom suit can be delivered in 3 weeks anywhere in the world. The French Tailor has boutiques in Paris, Brussels, and Shanghai, and tailors make office calls in all these locations to take measurements and present fabric choices.
The French Tailor
– 22 Rue de l’Arcade, 75008
– Lines 8, 12, 14: Madeleine
– Open from 11:30am-7:30pm Tuesday to Friday; 10:30am to 6:30pm on Saturday
5. Bespoke shoes: walk in the shoes made to fit you
An ageless brand founded in 1894, Maison Massaro is the one shoe maker in Paris where you are guaranteed to find the right fit and style for any occasion. Massaro boasts of famous clientele and is the designated shoemaker for Karl Lagerfeld’s/Chanel’s Haute Couture collection. He has a savoir-faire that is unique and considered an institution in the French luxury world. With a department maintained for orthopaedic solutions, Massaro has continued to merge creativity with the proficiency of its very talented designers, to create comfortable yet timeless bespoke shoes.
Maison Massaro
– 2 rue de la Paix, 75002
– Line 14: Pyramides
– Open from 10am to 1pm; 2pm to 7pm Monday to Friday
6. Bespoke meal: enjoy a custom-made menu just for you
After all that shopping, it’s time to enjoy Paris and sample the numerous delicacies of the French cuisine. So why not go all out and get a custom-made menu that you, your friends and your family can enjoy? La Belle Assiette offers a service where you wouldn’t have to think about logistics to have the ultimate dining experience on your Paris trip. All you need to do is select a menu and sit back as the chefs go shopping for only the freshest ingredients and cook and serve it in your accommodation in Paris. You don’t even have to worry about cleaning up after. You can book this service online and get ready to stimulate your taste buds through a flawless and redefined fine cuisine.
La Belle Assiette
– Menu prices start from 39€ per person
– Reach them by email: contact@labelleassiette.com
7. Bespoke wine: mix your own wine
For wine enthusiasts, a bespoke Paris trip would not be complete without French wine and wine tasting. Paris boasts of Les Caves du Louvre, which is a unique venue in Paris where you can have the ultimate wine experience. Les Caves du Louvre is an 18th-century royal cellar located right in the heart of Paris that gives you access to various rooms including the winery, the private tasting rooms, the bottling rooms, etc. However, the essential experience at Les Caves du Louvre is the workshop with the wine making and tasting sessions.
These sessions comprise of a two-hour workshop. You will be assigned a personal guide to accompany you and teach everything about making your very own wine. You’ll sample and blend several grape varieties. You will also be tasting and adjusting along the way to create the unique taste that you want. You will also get to design a personalized label for the bottle that you will take away. The result is a bespoke wine inside and out personally crafted by you.
Les Caves du Louvre
– Workshop price: from 75€
– 52 Rue de l’Arbre Sec, 75001
– Line 1: Palais Royal-Muée du Louvre
– Available Wednesday to Sunday