For Trilobe founder Gautier Massonneau, the French capital is an endless source of inspiration, shaped by history, design and global flavours
As the founder of Trilobe, an independent watchmaker focused on design and innovation, I am constantly inspired by my surroundings, and nowhere more so than in Paris.
Though I was born on the Left Bank, the Marais has been my home for many years. It is a vibrant cultural district that still feels like the perfect place for a slow walk to clear the mind.
I often suggest a stroll through Hôtel de Sully (62 Rue Saint-Antoine; hotel-de-sully.fr), which leads unexpectedly into the iconic Place des Vosges. For a moment of quiet reflection, I visit the Church of Saint-Paul-Saint-Louis (99 Rue Saint-Antoine; spsl.fr) to admire Eugène Delacroix’s rare religious painting, Christ on the Mount of Olives.
What I tell anyone eager to skip the usual tourist routes, and what I do myself when I need some inspiration, is to visit the Luxembourg Garden (jardin.senat.fr) or wander through the narrow streets of the Latin Quarter just a 12-minute walk away. There is a certain magic in these areas, where the architecture seems to breathe alongside the people.
The architecture of ingenuity
Design in Paris is woven into the very fabric of the city, shaping how we live and work. I am always fascinated by its hidden passages, such as Passage des Panoramas (11 Boulevard Montmartre) and Galerie Vivienne (4 Rue des Petits Champs; galerie-vivienne.com). These are intimate worlds where you can find everything from artisan workshops to rare bookstores.
For visual and technical inspiration, I return frequently to Musée des Arts et Métiers (60 Rue Réaumur; arts-et-metiers.net). Its horology section is especially captivating, tracing the evolution of French watchmaking – a true journey through human ingenuity. For a more poetic experience, the gardens of the Rodin Museum (77 Rue de Varenne; musee-rodin.fr) never fail to cast their spell, offering a masterclass in form and movement.
A global palate
Paris is a paradise for food lovers, and what I love most is its global culinary diversity. While I enjoy the excellent French options in the 7th arrondissement, I am always exploring new flavours that challenge the palate.
I’ve discovered a wonderful Armenian restaurant in the 5th arrondissement called Hébé (15 Rue Frédéric Sauton; heberestaurant.com), as well as a shop near the Institut du Monde Arabe, Cow – Cheese of the World (30 Boulevard Saint-Germain; c-o-w.fr) which carries an impressive selection of international varieties – just not French, funnily enough.
My absolute favourite place for coffee in Paris is Kiji (5 Rue Gaillon; @kijiopera) in the Opéra district, a Japanese spot where I truly discovered the depth of coffee. Of course, the quintessential Parisian experience remains the simplest: sitting on a terrace all year round, watching the world go by – one of the few rituals in the city that never loses its charm.
