Annual trip

Recently, I embarked on a trip to Paris with my friend Katja. We woke up early in the morning; to catch a flight from Zagreb, Croatia. Our journey began smoothly, but upon our arrival in Paris, we experienced the chaotic public transport and constant construction typical of the city. Despite the initial hiccups, we managed to find our hotel quickly. We had chosen to stay at the unique and stylish 25hours Hotel, known for its exquisite concepts. This chain of hotels can be found all over the world.

The hotel in Paris boasts a prestigious design by the architectural firm AXEL SCHONERT ARCHITECTES, with the interior crafted by the creative team of Armin Fischer, Andrea Kraft-Hammerschall, and project manager Esther Anthony. The entrance area is reminiscent of a traditional kiosk, with classic tiles from the metro stations and a colourful piece of wall art that brings the lively atmosphere of the district into the hotel.

The rooms have an eclectic mix of African and Asian style elements in invigorating colour schemes. Carpets with Asian-graphic
ornaments, African fabrics, and wallpapers with floral motifs provide a cosy ambience. Ceramic wash bowls lend the bathrooms a touch of the Orient, and filigree lamps made of brass-coloured metal create a warm glow. Instead of cupboards, guests can hang and stow their clothes in mobile racks inspired by classic hotel trolleys. My favourite part of the hotel room was the breath-taking view of the Gare du Nord and Montmartre and Sacré-Coeur.

After settling in, we went out to explore the city, visiting various concept stores such as Merci and some smaller second-hand shops. We then indulged in some delicious French cuisine, where I decided to be adventurous and ordered snails and other typical foods, which turned out to be amazing!

Our day ended with an adventurous search for a hidden cocktail bar called No Entry, whose location is unknown. We almost gave up, but luckily some internet reviews helped us find it. In the following days, we visited Sacré Coeur and the Eiffel Tower. I also searched for a colourful basketball court, that I found on Instagram years ago but could not get to see it last time – Pigalle basketball, unveiled by Nike, Ill Studio, and Stéphane Ashpool. It is the fifth iteration of the Pigalle Duperré court in Paris, this time featuring a more graphical, block colour design to tie in with the new Nike Pigalle Converse collection.

One of the highlights was lunch at Au Petit Riche, where the kindest waiters served traditional bourgeois cuisine. The atmosphere of this specifically traditional interior makes the experience special.

The last day of the trip proved to be a race against time. Despite the challenges we encountered with the public transportation system in Paris, we remained determined to make it to the airport on time. It was crazy, but everything turned out well in the end.

As I returned home, I was overwhelmed by my experience and immediately searched for any art residencies in Paris where I could apply. Unfortunately, I have not found any yet. However, I am now determined to make Paris my annual trip.