Our Top Picks for La Rentrée

Back to school, back to work… La Rentrée is here. After a month(s)-long vacances, Parisians have returned to the city en masse. September marks a new beginning in France, not just for kids returning to class, but also for the general populace, rejuvenated after a stint in the provinces. Though the summer days (and blissfully late sunsets) are fading fast, there’s a buzz in the air. Many restaurants– shuttered for August– have thrown open their doors to reveal newly renovated interiors, and a slew of cultural events awaits. Here are some of our picks for the fall.

Restaurant: Goust

Our food critic Alec Lobrano always has the pulse on what’s on. As he reported earlier this summer, Goust is one of those restaurants reserved for a “special night out.” Enrico Bernardo—formerly named best sommelier in the world—made waves with his food and wine pairings at Il Vino. This new resto, opened last spring, is located at 10 rue Volney in the 2nd arrondissement.

Shops: Chanel Pop-Up Store

On a shopping spree in Paris? Our correspondent Jennifer Ladonne suggests the Chanel Pop-Up Store, open through December: “Making the most of the iconic Première watch’s 25th anniversary, Chanel has a pop-up store dedicated to the classic timepiece in Paris’s high-end Saint-Honoré shopping district.” Located at 19 rue Cambon.

Travel: A Lakeside Spa Retreat

Évian-les-Bains may be famous for its mineral water, but it’s also a fabulous resort destination. Think spa (including the cool Buddha Bar Spa inside the Hilton Hotel), boat excursions on Lac Léman (aka Lake Geneva), and golf with the pros. For more information, click here.

Museums: Head South to the Capital!

Marseille’s year in the spotlight as European Capital of Culture is coming to a close with a stellar line-up of events. Don’t miss the brand new MuCEM (Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilizations), designed by bad boy architect Rudy Ricciotti.

Culture: European Heritage Days

The weekend of September 14-15, 2013 marks Journées du Patrimoine, or European Heritage Days, celebrating its 30th year in 2013. Visitors can check out thousands of historic sites in France, many of which are usually closed to the public. In Paris alone, there are 350 waiting to be discovered. We highly recommend L’Observatoire de Paris. For the full programme, check out the official website here.