Vincent Rae, restaurateur, hotelier and property developer who regularly jets away to Fiji and Australia shares his tips for a perfect day in his hometown of Paris...

How do you start your day?

I start my day early around 5 with a instant hit of fine espresso coffee then an hour of yoga. A cold shower then more coffee, green juice and emails to my businesses in the east. Due to the time difference, early Paris mornings work well with Skyping my management in my establishments in Asia and the Pacific. I arrive at Raes by 9 am.

Leisurely lunch go to?

Lunch in Paris is a treat, so much choice. The best pizza in town is Arcimboldo on Rue Cadet with owners Tony and Killian. It's easy relaxing on the petit terrace watching people go by.

Favourite way to pass the time in Paris?

Paris is eye candy everywhere you look. Just keep walking and you’ll find what you're looking for and more. When exhausted from all that beauty, have a well deserved rosé from Provence on one of Paris's many terraces, where its a French way of life. 

Favourite Paris landmarks, and why?

The Thinker at the Musée de Rodin and the Jardin de Luxembourg. I play tennis here, it has such a wonderful family feel with ponies rides and families picnicking on the lawns.
Another pleasant escape from busy Paris is Notre Dame. I lost my father very recently, so lit a candle in his memory there. It's very old and real. It's hard to describe the feeling, but it only comes from history.

Tipple of choice and favourite cocktail hangout?

There are too many great bars in Paris and I’m supposed to be working during the day! A couple that I manage to escape to are Candelaria for tacos and margaritas and Rosebud in the 14th for quiet old school cocktails with a white-jacketed barman..I'll have a dirty martini, thank you. And Hotel Particulier for an afternoon bellini in the garden.

Favourite dining destinations, and why?

Septime in the 11th is a favourite for a long lunch, great food handled with care. Clown Bar for a cool, unpretentious dinner or another old favourite with international guests is Hotel Coste for true Parisian decor.

Final stop for a nightcap, and why?

Castel's for a late supper and a giggle at the “in crowd”, or Silencio around the corner from Raes where the management are friends and true professionals. They boast a great choice of fine old whisky.

Best hangover remedy?

I'm only afflicted by these on Sundays unless on holiday. Billicart Salmon brut followed by oysters and clams at the bar Clamato. I can be tempted by an old fashioned or spicy bloody mary if it's been a long night, which doesn’t happen like the good old days when I was cooking in my kitchens and suffering Sunday lunch hangovers with my team of chefs.

Where next on your travels?

With my business overseas I tend to travel every couple of months. I leave next month for Bali where I have a restaurant and club called Shanghai Baby, then on to Sydney for Christmas and my Hotel
Harry in Surrey Hills. Stopping off in Fiji at my Wakaya villa for more Christmas cheer with staff, then home to Paris to start another year on the grind...and loving it.

Vincent's Rae's Paris is a culinary and atmospheric destination in the 2nd Arrondisement.

Ideal For

being in the know...