The Places That Shaped Patrick Gilles and Dorothée Boissier’s Taste

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‘The Places That Shaped My Taste’ is TQE’s take on a city guide. Yes, we’re interested in the new restaurant that’s surprisingly worth the hype – but we’re also asking local tastemakers to dish on the decades-old strip mall joint they’ve frequented since high school, the crystal shop that got them through their rough patch, and the barber who defined their style.

For more than two decades, Patrick Gilles and Dorothée Boissier have been shaping the way some of the world’s most stylish people eat, shop, stay, and live. The French design duo behind Gilles&Boissier has dreamed up everything from Moncler boutiques around the world to New York’s Baccarat Hotel, bringing their distinctly French sense of l’art de vivre along with them.

So, while there are seemingly endless city guides, restaurant lists, and must-see museums dedicated to the City of Love, we’d rather take our recommendations from the partners – in life and work – who have turned good taste into a profession. Below: the museums, cafes, restaurants, and clubs that shaped theirs.

The Musée Bourdelle in Paris, Paris 15th 

PATRICK: The place where I feel most at peace in Paris is the Musée Bourdelle. I especially love visiting in spring or summer, when its sculpture gardens come to life.

Hidden away from the city's bustle, it remains one of Paris's best-kept secrets. It is an intimate museum where time seems to slow down. I often find myself wandering through the gardens, sitting quietly among Bourdelle's monumental sculptures, simply enjoying the silence and the changing light. It feels like a secluded retreat, almost disconnected from Paris itself.

What fascinates me most is the play of scale throughout the museum. You move from the intimacy of Bourdelle's former studios into the breathtaking Great Hall, where soaring ceilings and monumental sculptures create a striking sense of grandeur. This constant dialogue between intimacy and monumentality makes every visit a unique architectural and emotional experience.

The Palais Galliera Museum, Paris 16th

DOROTHEE: The Palais Galliera is another museum I return to again and again. I have always been drawn to its architecture. Nestled in the 16th arrondissement, this beautiful Neo-Classical building sits at the heart of its gardens, with one of the most elegant views of the Eiffel Tower. It is a place that feels both grand and serene, where the architecture alone is worth the visit.

The quality of its exhibitions is equally remarkable. I have discovered some unforgettable shows there, from Paolo Roversi to Rick Owens. Each exhibition is conceived as a complete immersion into the designer's universe. They are consistently thoughtful, beautifully curated, and incredibly rich, making every visit both inspiring and deeply memorable.

Musée Nissim de Camondo, Paris 8th

DOROTHEE: One museum I never tire of visiting is the Musée Nissim de Camondo, just a short walk from where we live. It is an extraordinary place, first for its Neo-Classical architecture, inspired by the Petit Trianon at Versailles, but also for the exceptional quality of its collections.

What makes this house museum so special is the feeling of stepping into the private world of an aristocratic family at the beginning of the twentieth century. You discover not only their remarkable collections of decorative arts and furniture, but also their vision of beauty, craftsmanship and the French art de vivre. There is an extraordinary sense of taste in every room.

It is a museum I can visit endlessly. Each visit feels like an immersion in timeless elegance, a perfectly preserved fragment of early twentieth-century Paris. It has become a true source of inspiration for us; in fact, the kitchen of our current residence was conceived as a subtle homage to this place, echoing a detail from a house we have always admired.

“Les Deux Abeilles” Restaurant and tea salon, Paris 7th 

PATRICK: One of the places I visit most often for lunch is a charming little restaurant and tea room called Les Deux Abeilles. It is wonderfully simple, offering beautifully prepared seasonal dishes alongside wonderfully indulgent homemade desserts. I never resist their chestnut cake or chocolate cake, always served with an exceptionally generous homemade whipped cream.

What I love most about this place is its authenticity. There is no desire to impress, no unnecessary sophistication—just sincere, comforting food made with great care. It is one of those rare Parisian addresses where simplicity becomes a true luxury.

Le Café de l’Alma, Paris 7th 

PATRICK AND DOROTHEE: One of our favourite restaurants in Paris is Café de l'Alma, a project we designed several years ago for close friends, the Boudon family. They are behind some of the Left Bank's most iconic addresses, including La Fontaine de Mars, L'Éclair, and soon, Le Basilic.

What we love about Café de l'Alma is the atmosphere it creates, a true refuge in the heart of the city. The interiors weave together different influences, from the warmth of a French bistro to the intimacy of an English club and subtle Milanese references. The result is a place that feels vibrant, generous and effortlessly elegant, much like its owners, and especially Jeanne Boudon, whose energy, curiosity and youthful spirit inspired us for the design. 

The cuisine reflects this same philosophy. Rooted in the traditions of the French bistro, it celebrates quality above all else. Every dish expresses a quiet elegance and generosity, making Café de l'Alma the kind of place you return to as much for its atmosphere as for its table.

Mariages Frères Ternes - Tea Salon, Paris 8th 

PATRICK AND DOROTHEE: Mariage Frères Ternes is a tea room we often visit as a family, especially on weekends. It is a place of effortless elegance, where you can enjoy exceptional teas in a calm and welcoming atmosphere—the perfect Parisian tea time.

What makes it particularly special for us is the little family ritual we have created there. Each member of the family has their own favourite order, and we always end up choosing the same things each time we visit. These small habits have become moments we truly cherish.

We especially love the “Rose in Love” tea, as well as the iced “Milky Blue” tea. We also enjoy having brunch there from time to time. For us, Mariage Frères is a simple, elegant and familiar place that belongs to our family memories.

51 Iéna, Paris 16th

PATRICK AND DOROTHEE: 51 Iéna is one of Paris’s private clubs that we often enjoy visiting. It is also a place where we love spending time together as a family.

What we appreciate most about the club is its Italian restaurant, a true trattoria where the quality of the cuisine is exceptional. Some of our favourite dishes include the Tagliata and the Vitello Tonnato, both prepared with remarkable ingredients, beautifully accompanied by delicate sides. The shrimp carpaccio is also a true highlight—simple, refined and absolutely delicious.

The pistachio ice cream is another example of this attention to detail. Although it is a very simple dessert, everything about it is perfectly balanced: the subtle sweetness, the roasted pistachio pieces, and the authentic, almost Sicilian bowl in which it is served. It is a small detail that reveals a great deal about the spirit of the place.

What makes 51 Iéna so special is its authenticity and discretion. It is a preserved address where you immediately feel at ease. The service contributes greatly to this feeling the staff are warm, attentive and welcoming, creating an atmosphere of genuine generosity. A simple, elegant and timeless place where we always enjoy returning.

Galerie Christian Astuguevieille

PATRICK: The Christian Astuguevieille Gallery, located on the charming Rue Vivienne, is a truly unique place of discovery a meeting point between a cabinet of curiosities and the universe of an artist.

It is one of the rare places where I feel like a child again, discovering each object with the same sense of wonder and fascination. What makes Christian Astuguevieille’s work so extraordinary is the way he blurs the boundaries between art and everyday life. Furniture, stools, chairs, tables and cabinets are not simply functional objects; they become true works of art, with the same presence and emotion as a painting or a sculpture.

I have always been a passionate admirer of his work and his universe. The memory of my visits to this gallery remains one of the strongest impressions I have of entering a space a place where every discovery feels unexpected, poetic and deeply inspiring.

Inspired by Patrick Gilles and Dorothée Boissier’s taste? Follow them @gillesetboissier & @gillesetboissier.home for more.