Through every neighborhood, every conversation, and every carefully chosen piece, our Parisian Profiles celebrate the people who make the city what it is.
We selected ten people to offer a well-rounded perspective on what it means to be Parisian. They come from across the city and around the world, with distinct professions, personalities, and points of view. Yet they are united by one idea: Paris is home.
For Alexis Michalik, Paris is constantly evolving. Born in the city and raised in the 18th arrondissement, he has spent a lifetime moving through its streets and watching its neighborhoods change around him. His Paris is not limited to monuments or postcard views. It is a living city, shaped by the people, encounters, and everyday rituals that give each neighborhood its character.
Over the years, Alexis has crossed Paris by almost every means imaginable: métro, rollerblades, Vélib’, electric scooter, Uber, and on foot. He knows the city intimately, but his curiosity for it remains. Give him a ray of sunshine and, like a true Parisian, he will find his way to a terrace.
His perfect Sunday reflects that same balance between energy and ease. It starts with sports in the morning, followed by Sunday chicken shared with friends over lunch. Board games take over the afternoon before the day ends with a romantic walk along the canal.
Although Alexis grew up in Montmartre—what he calls the “Paris of postcards”—today he is particularly drawn to another side of the city. The 19th arrondissement represents a Paris that feels more discreet, vibrant, and diverse. Between the canal, Buttes-Chaumont, La Villette, Mouzaïa, and Butte Bergeyre, it offers countless versions of the city within a single arrondissement.
A storyteller by nature, Alexis writes, travels, and remains curious about almost everything. He loves people, new encounters, and adventures. Perhaps unsurprisingly, his idea of luxury is also tied to movement: the ability to leave whenever he wants. A passport, a ticket, a few free days, and the possibility of an unexpected destination are enough.
For Alexis, the best things are not necessarily those that remain unchanged. Like friendships, they can become richer and more meaningful with time.
Alexis’ Paris Tip:
Discover the 19th arrondissement. It may not be completely unknown, but it remains far less explored by visitors than many of Paris’ more familiar neighborhoods. Alexis recommends discovering its canal, parks, architecture, and quieter corners for another perspective on the city.
What Alexis Wears:
Alexis wears his eponymous style, the Alexis Grained Black. This Belgian loafer is set on a crepe sole for comfort and durability, creating an enduring silhouette designed to be worn for years.
Photographer: Marilou Daubé
AD: Marlène Mangin
