The best brunches in Paris

Le Royal Monceau - Raffles Paris, the gargantuan brunch

The hotel? Just a stone's throw from the Arc de Triomphe on Avenue Hoche, this Parisian garden palace, opened in 1928 at the end of the Roaring Twenties, quickly became a favorite haunt of artists, intellectuals and politicians from all over the world. Redesigned a decade earlier by architect Philippe Starck, the hotel Le Royal Monceau - Raffles Paris, with its Michelin-starred Italian cuisine restaurant Il Carpaccio, also offers a Brunch Royal, in its nearby restaurant La Cuisine.

Brunch? A Sunday rendez-vous at the Royal Monceau, this gargantuan seasonal buffet, with fine products selected from producers, is a paradise of refinement for both the eyes and the taste buds. On the menu: a choice of hot dish - this day a crispy poached egg with asparagus - a selection of breads and exquisite viennoiseries from Frédéric Lalos, Meilleur Ouvrier de France Boulanger. A a variety of burger stations, meats and roast beef ribs with honey and soy, fresh pasta, gnocchi and tagliolini. An assortment of beautifully decorated salads and cosmopolitan cold dishes: lebanese mezze, an array of delicately smoked fish... and even a seafood platter, including Fines de Claire d'Oléron oysters, shrimps and lobsters. On the sweet side, you'll fall for the gluten-free corner and chef Quentin Lechat's creative pastries, a chic treat that's best accompanied by a fresh fruit juice and a divine mocha coffee, a must-try.

Le Royal Monceau
Every Sunday from 12 to 4 pm, Brunch Royal, 200 €
37 avenue Hoche, 75008 Paris

Cali Sisters, welcome to L.A.

Head to the West Coast for a California-scented brunch near the Bourse. In a beautiful glass-roofed room, open kitchen, palm trees and cactus, rattan chairs and selected crockery distill an atmosphere from L.A. to San Diego, as warm as the staff's welcome. An exotic, urban bohemian-chic setting that doubles as a gourmet feast, starting with a good cup of coffee. Here, as in Santa Monica, everything is possible: filter coffee, latte, cappuccino, oat or almond milk... or look for the perfect eye-opening vitamins in the Green Detox smoothie (apple, spinach, cucumber, ginger, kiwi) or the Pink Sunset (apple, strawberry, orange, raspberry, coconut milk, orange blossom).

Classic pancakes are in the mix, fluffy as can be and topped with whipped mascarpone, seasonal fruit and dukkah, as are waffles, granola, chia seed pudding and an airy lemon zest cheesecake that could be eaten by 2 (or even 3).

In addition to the avocado toast, we fell for the turkish eggs (perfect eggs, labneh, roasted cherry tomatoes, chipotle-spiced oil, focaccia toast, herbs) and the Perfect Eggs sandwich, which looks like an XXL burger in its brioche bun topped with organic egg, bacon, cheddar sauce, spicy mayo, spinach shoots, onion pickles and seasonal shoots. Fresh, quality ingredients to start the day on the right foot.

Cali Sisters
Saturday and Sunday from €39, €49 with unlimited mimosa
17 rue Notre-Dame-des-Victoires, 75002 Paris

Le Meurice and its French brunch

The hotel? Ideally located between the Place de la Concorde and the Louvre Museum, Le Meurice is the very first Paris hotel to receive the title of palace. Inaugurated in 1835 and named after its first owner Charles-Augustin Meurice, the hotel, once known as "l'Hôtel des Rois" for its many royal guests, is home to a quintessence of delicately styled rooms and suites, including the Prestige and Belle Étoile suites, both of which boast exceptional views of the Tuileries Gardens.

What about brunch? Inspired by the decor of the Salon de la Paix at the Château de Versailles, Le Meurice's double Michelin-starred Alain Ducasse restaurant offers a Parisian brunch served at the table on Sundays, in exceptional French luxury. In addition to the divine viennoiseries, signed by the world's best pastry chef Cédric Grolet, which accompany the start of the meal with a hot drink and fresh fruit or vegetable juice, we note the refined details, right down to the butter in the shape of a book stamped with the Le Meurice coat of arms. This is followed by a farandole of hot and cold starters cooked with fine produce, in keeping with the flavors of the land, sea and plants: this day, mortadella from Franco Gulli, pâté en croûte from Arnaud Nicolas, thin slices of marinated beef, turnip kabu and blackberry, octopus cooked to perfection with spices, Soustons peanuts and black lemon, sea bass marinated with sweet chili and seasonal flowers, toasted bread, eggplant, herbs and goat's curd. The feast continues with a hot dish of your choice, this day wild sea bream, roast duck, or eggs prepared to your liking. To finish on a sweet note, Cédric Grolet's famous trompe-l'œil fruit sculptures are served with his signature pastries.

Meurice
Every Sunday from 12.15 to 2.30 pm, €190 with a glass of Moët & Chandon Champagne
228 rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris

Le Prince de Galles, the artists' brunch

The hotel? Just a stone's throw from the Champs-Élysées, on the legendary Avenue George V, this 5-star hotel, opened in 1929 at the request of the Prince of Wales himself, quickly established itself on the Parisian scene, welcoming the most prestigious artists such as Michael Jackson, Elvis Presley and Mick Jagger. Since then, the hotel's original Art Deco style has been revamped by architect Pierre-Yves Rochon, who is no stranger to palaces.

Brunch? Bar 19.20 is the place to enjoy one of the best brunches in Paris, a buffet served with hot drinks and freshly squeezed fruit juices, also enjoyed from the hotel's gentle outdoor patio with its period mosaics and ebony parquet flooring. The festivities begin in the Michelin-starred Akira Back restaurant with a savoury selection from chef Gérald Poirier: seafood, sushi and california rolls, charcuterie, fine cheeses, fresh pasta, mini burgers and wraps, among Japanese and Lebanese-inspired dishes, accompanied by L'Étoile du Berger breads. A chef's corner offers customized salads, some cooked directly from a wheel of Parmesan cheese. The menu also offers eggs prepared to order, as well as a new hot dish every Sunday: chicken fricassee and basmati rice with curry, ginger and coconut. For the sweet buffet, head to the Alcôve with the creations of pastry chef Hélène Kerloeguen. Viennoiseries, cakes and delicious cookies sit alongside a farandole of desserts, including her signature pastries.

Prince de Galles
Every Sunday, from 12.30 pm to 3 pm, €165
33 avenue George V, 75008 Paris

Madame Rêve, the confidential brunch

The hotel? Housed in the former Louvre post office founded in 1888, the Madame Rêve hotel was designed by architect Dominique Perrault. Prized for its romantic panoramic view over the rooftops of Paris, the Eiffel Tower and Montmartre, the hotel in central Paris boasts a rooftop garden at the top, as well as the Madame Rêve Café on the first floor, where the Parisian brunch is served.

Brunch? Under 8-metre high ceilings, authentic Eiffel beams and mahogany woodwork harmonize with contemporary frescoes by artist Olivier Masmonteil, illuminated by fantastic chandeliers designed by the architect. The gourmet buffet, featuring fine seasonal produce, is organized around hot and cold dishes: boiled egg cooked to perfection; sautéed button mushrooms; spinach ricotta ravioli with datterino tomato; cacio e pepe gnocchi; Mediterranean-style beef sauté; smoked salmon with lemon-chive cream; or an assortment of charcuterie and mature cheeses. A hot dish, served at the table, is also prepared on request, including this creamy carnaroli risotto with market vegetables. A selection of Frédéric Lalos breads and pastries accompanies the Italian-inspired meal, along with a hot drink and fresh fruit juice. For an extra treat, choose the pretty Douce France non-alcoholic flower cocktail with raspberry, sage and pineapple. For dessert, among other sweet treats, delicious pastries by artisan pastry-baker Benoît Castel. The best part? During the summer season, the confidential Cour Gutenberg terrace opens its doors, giving you the chance to enjoy a convivial moment in the sunshine.

Madame Rêve
Every Sunday from 11.45 a.m. to 3 p.m., €60
48, rue du Louvre, 75001 Paris

Café Mulot, the literary brunch

The setting? Nestled in the Maison Victor Hugo museum on Place des Vosges in the Marais district, Café Mulot is a charming address where you can spend a relaxing moment out of sight. The place opens onto a small romantic terrace with a fountain, very pleasant during the summer months, and adjoining the restaurant's winter garden-style interior lounge. Designed by architect Thibault Marca and decorator Paul de Coudenhove, the Parisian restaurant is adorned with fabric works by artists Florentine and Alexandre Lamarche-Ovize, largely inspired by the Art & Craft movement.

Brunch? Every Saturday and Sunday, Café Mulot offers a simple, effective brunch menu: organic poached egg on buckwheat bread toast and spinach shoots; mini plate of smoked salmon and blini; all accompanied by a hot drink of your choice, an Alain Milliat fruit juice, two small macaroons and a basket of breads and pastries from Maison Mulot, the Saint-Germain bakery and patisserie founded in 1975 and taken over a few years ago by chef Fabien Rouillard, owner of Café Mulot. A true moment of poetry, where the soul of Victor Hugo hovers in these moving premises, where he lived with his family between 1832 and 1848, just before his exile to Guernsey.

Café Mulot
Every Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 3.30 p.m., €35
6 place des Vosges, 75004 Paris