As the Founder and Chairman of The Fine Art Group, Philip Hoffman has spent over two decades shaping how the world views art as both a cultural and financial asset. Recognized by the Financial Times as the world’s leading art advisor, Hoffman oversees a global firm spanning London, New York, Hong Kong, and beyond. With an eye trained by years at Christie’s and a career devoted to connecting collectors, artists, and institutions, his perspective on Paris is one of artful discernment.
Whitewaller spoke with Hoffman about his favorite places in the city—from grand museums and elegant restaurants to quiet corners that reveal Paris’s enduring charm.
Courtesy of Philip Hoffman.
WHITEWALL: Where do you find inspiration?
PHILIP HOFFMAN: I’m inspired by people who build with purpose—collectors, artists, entrepreneurs, and academics—those who combine creativity with discipline. Travel also plays a major part; each city offers its own perspective on art, culture, and people. Paris, in particular, always sets the bar exceptionally high.
“Paris, in particular, always sets the bar exceptionally high,”
–Philip Hoffman
WW: Favorite place to see art?
PH: The Musée d’Orsay is a great favorite. Its transformation from a Beaux-Arts railway station into one of the world’s most beautiful museums is extraordinary. The collection—from Manet to Cézanne, Van Gogh, and Degas—perfectly captures the optimism and experimentation of the 19th century, and sharing that experience is always memorable.
I also admire the Hôtel de la Marine—beautifully restored and a masterclass in how France preserves its heritage while presenting it in a contemporary way.
And, of course, the Fondation Louis Vuitton stands out for its ambition and world-class programming—consistently one of the most impressive and forward-thinking museums anywhere.
“The Fondation Louis Vuitton stands out for its ambition and world-class programming,”
–Philip Hoffman
WW: Best neighborhood vibe?
PH: For me, it’s Le Marais. I enjoy the mix of small galleries, quirky concept stores, and lively cafés. It manages to balance authenticity with creativity— one of the few areas in Paris where the historic and the modern truly coexist.
WW: Best-kept secret?
PH: L’Hôtel on Rue des Beaux-Arts—discreet, elegant, and full of character. Once Oscar Wilde’s home, it remains one of the city’s most atmospheric boutique hotels. It’s the perfect place for a quiet drink or a reflective end to the evening—utterly charming.
WW: Best meal?
PH: Les Antiquaires on Rue du Bac is a favourite for its classic menu and relaxed Left Bank atmosphere. For dinner, Voltaire on Quai Voltaire delivers every time—refined, elegant, and authentically Parisian.
WW: Your ideal 24 hours in Paris — where would we find you morning, noon, and night?
PH: In the morning, breakfast or coffee at a cozy, characterful café, followed by a walk through the Luxembourg Gardens. Lunch at Les Antiquaires—simple and consistently excellent—or La Coupole if I’m in the mood for oysters and seafood, another long-time favourite. In the afternoon, visiting galleries on the Left Bank, or a quiet hour at the Hôtel de la Marine or the Fondation Louis Vuitton when there’s a strong exhibition. And in the evening, pre-dinner drinks on the rooftop of Cheval Blanc Paris, with its remarkable views over the Seine and the city skyline; dinner at Voltaire; and finally a Negroni at L’Hôtel—still one of the most charming corners of Paris.
WW: A few personal touches about Paris.
PH: The Grand Palais never fails to impress—both for its scale and its sense of ceremony. Experiencing an art fair or major exhibition under that vast glass roof captures what Paris does best: uniting history, beauty, and ambition with effortless confidence.
Philip Hoffman’s Artful Paris:
1. The Musée d’Orsay
© Musée d’Orsay, Sophie Crépy.
Located in the heart of Paris in the former Orsay station, the Musée d’Orsay has the largest impressionist and post-impressionist collection in the world. Reflecting Western artistic creation from 1848 to 1914, his collections testify to all forms of expression, from painting to architecture, through sculpture, decorative arts and photography. The most famous artists rub shoulders: Millet, Courbet, Degas, Monet, Manet, Gauguin and Van Gogh as well as Carpeaux, Rodin, Nadar, Vallotton, and Vuillard. Composed of 12,000 tons of metal structures and 35,000 m2 of glass roofs and glass walls, the building was built on the occasion of the 1900 Universal Exhibition, before being transformed into a museum in 1977 by decision of President Valéry Giscard d’Estaing, then inaugurated by President François Mitterrand in 1986. The interior design is carried out by a team of set designers and architects under the direction of the Italian Gae Aulenti. In 2024, the Musée d’Orsay welcomed more than 3,751,100 visitors from all over the world. – Musée d’Orsay
2. Fondation Louis Vuitton
Courtesy of Fondation Louis Vuitton.
The Fondation Louis Vuitton grounds its commitment to the contemporary arts within an historical perspective. The LVMH Group and its companies opened a new chapter in their history of patronage with the creation of the Fondation. The building itself was inaugurated on 24 October 2014, the result of nearly 25 years of commitment to the arts, culture and heritage. Driven by its mission to serve the public, the Fondation is committed to making art and culture accessible to all. To promote the arts both nationally and internationally, it hosts temporary exhibitions of modern and contemporary art, presents works held in its collection, commissions artists to create site-specific pieces, and stages events across the cultural spectrum (concerts, performances, conferences, film screenings, dance and more). – The Fondation Louis Vuitton
3. Les Antiquaires
Courtesy of Les Antiquaires.
Whether you are an antique dealer or not, you will appreciate the refinement of the place, with its quilted benches in fawn leather, its pretty mirrors and craft furniture, its imposing solid wood bar. Located 2 steps from the Musée d’Orsay in Paris, the restaurant Les Antiquaires offers fine and studied bistro cuisine, made by a real chef full of ideas. Also enjoy the large terrace of the restaurant Les Antiquaires, on a low-pass sidewalk. – Les Antiquaires
4. Cheval Blanc Paris
Courtesy of Cheval Blanc Paris.
Set within the storied walls of La Samaritaine, Cheval Blanc Paris is a tribute to Parisian Chic, where Art Deco heritage meets a contemporary spirit, imagined by architect Peter Marino. A celebration of French craftsmanship, our urban Maison blends historic soul with modern grace, honouring the city’s past while embracing the rhythm of today. At Cheval Blanc Paris, art and design drift through every space like a quiet signature, ever-present, ever-refined. A jewel of a thousand facets, enhanced by a carefully curated selection of contemporary creations and craftsmanship. With just 72 rooms and suites, Cheval Blanc Paris is a confidential and intimate retreat. Seize the day overlooking the scenic panorama, bite in a warm croissant just out of the oven, sink into the foam of a delicately scented bath, capture the soul of Paris from your winter garden. Here the Seine flows as the happy hours of Parisian life. – Cheval Blanc Paris
