Rude to go to a trade show in Paris & not check out Paris itself don't you think, so here's a quick round up of the best bits! 

I've wanted to go to the Catacombs ever since the McQueen collection that was inspired by them & I wasn't disappointed. As you walk through the sub-terrainian tunnel network you start forgetting they are actually skulls & bones that are making up the patterned walls rather than just stones, spooky stuff but fascinating & well worth the hour of queuing to get in. Well worth popping into Ladurèe (Rue Bonaparte, Saint Germain branch) for breakfast (highly recommend the french toast) or afternoon tea, not only because it's the most famous Patisserie in Paris but to see the beautiful, hand painted wall murals creating a truly exotic & luxurious setting for tea. Just around the corner is the Lacroix shop showcasing the new interior collection which looked fab, loving the trellis print shown below on the screen. 
I was lucky enough that there were a couple of great exhibition on while I was there, Sonia Delaunay at the Paris Museum of Modern Art which is coming to Tate Modern in April too. Love her use of colour & the fact she covered everything in print, truly multi-disciplinary & way ahead of her time. A real treat was 'Luminères: carte blanche à Christian Lacroix' at Musèe Cognacq-Jay on until 18th April '15 & throughly recommend. Lacroix has expertly curated the private art collection & exhibited it amongst his beautiful wallpapers, rugs & couture pieces to fantastic effect to appeal to a more contemporary audience. The arrangement of pictures, the use of a bold stripe or dominant colour, all enhanced each piece & made you look again. It's all about the mix!
Shop-wise, always worth a trip to Merci concept store in the Marais where I saw these great test-tube vases & round the corner from my fave Parisian cafe 'Cafè Charlot' (art deco love) & the food market I spotted this rudey print of peeps with their hands down each others pants that made me chuckle. Great interior shop called Fleux is well worth a visit all stocked up on Ferm Living products & some great little restaurants around St Paul metro (perfect stop for shopping in the Marais). 
Couldn't leave Paris without taking in a flea market, so no lie-in for me on Sunday morning as I was up & out to Porte de Vanves to enjoy a few hours strolling amongst beautiful vintage french paintings, paperwork, antique textiles, ceramics & furniture. Got some little beauties that will be making an appearance in the new collection. Thoroughly inspired & cultured up, j'adore Paris!