What can you say about an unpretentious little place on the Left Bank where you are as likely to sit next to François Mitterand (back in the day) and a retinue of handlers, or a solo Marc Jacobs, accompanied only by his Smart Car-sized purple crocodile Birkin? While Café de Flore and Les Deux Magots are the stars of the Left Bank, strutting their stuff just up the road on Saint Germain, La Palette is more casual, cool, and laid back. In summer, the rosé-quaffing crowd takes full advantage of the little cordoned-off area in front, creating a tiny nightly block party, while, during the colder months, the heat lamps keep the vibe going. Regardless, there’s always the back room, with its well-tobacco’d walls. No matter where you sit, the omelet with salad and croque monsieur are the perfect way to refuel after an overnight flight from the U.S. —Michael Hainey

Michael Hainey is a Writer at Large at AIR MAIL