When Setsuko Klossowska de Rola met Balthus in Tokyo in 1962, she was a 20-year-old French language student at Sophia University, and he, a successful 54-year-old artist, was visiting Japan for the first time. They hit it off. In 1967, they married and moved to Rome’s Villa Medici, then relocated to Gstaad a decade later. While her husband painted jarring portraits in oil, Setsuko quietly pursued her own subtle still-life paintings.

After Balthus’s death, in 2001, Setsuko settled in Paris, where she continues to live and work on delicate ceramics—intricate arrangements of flowers, trees, and vines. In 2005, she was named UNESCO’s Artist for Peace, and this January she unveiled a much-acclaimed exhibition at Gagosian on New York’s Upper East Side. Here, the Japanese artist shares her favorite restaurants, hotels, and sights in the city she calls home.

A room in the Hôtel des Marronniers, in Paris.

HôTEL DES MARRONNIERS

This cozy, charming hotel is located on the same street as my apartment. One night, I accidentally forgot my house keys and ended up staying there. The staff was incredibly welcoming, and the room I stayed in was very comfortable. It turned out to be a wonderful experience! (hoteldesmarronniers.com)

Le PAVILLON DE LA REINE

After my first grandson was born, I began looking for an apartment in Paris. During the search, my daughter, grandson, and I stayed at this hotel for a week. It was a perfect stay … (en.pavillon-de-la-reine.com)

YEN

… Every day during that time, Yen, a Japanese restaurant in the First Arrondissement, sent us their special bento. If you’re in town, you absolutely must try it! (yen-paris.fr)

AZABU

This Japanese restaurant has become my go-to spot since I moved to Rue Jacob. (azabuparis.com)

An exterior view of the Café de Flore.

CAFÉ DE FLORE

I love their club sandwich. (https://cafedeflore.fr/)

OGATA

One of the few places in Paris where you can experience authentic Japanese traditions. (ogata.com)

Astier de Villatte

Astier de Villatte is one of my favorite spots in Paris. It holds great significance for me, as it was where I first began to explore the world of ceramics. (astierdevillatte.com)

Inside the Curiosity Lab, an Indian craftsmanship shop.

CURIOSITY LAB

This store offers a wide range of beautiful Indian textiles and accessories. I recently purchased a ring there, and I wear it quite often. (curiosity-lab.com)

Pastel sticks from Sennelier, the French art material manufacturer.

Sennelier

Balthus used to visit this shop to purchase his art supplies, and now I find myself following in his footsteps. (sennelier-colors.com)

Christian Louboutin

Christian is a dear friend of mine. The year I lost Balthus, he graciously invited me to his home in Egypt, and I hold our friendship in deep regard. I adore his bags. (christianlouboutin.com)

Bella Jones

I wear a kimono every day. Their knit sleeveless sweater is my favorite because it pairs perfectly with my kimonos. I have it in every color, and it keeps me warm. (bellajones.eu)

Photos: Kristy Sparow/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images; Courtesy of Hotel des Marronniers; Jerome Labouyrie/Alamy; @facebook/Labcuriosity; YM Salanson/Sennelier