HAVING RESTORED SEVERAL SIGNIFICANT PROPERTIES in France, designer Timothy Corrigan understands the nuances of European design—an aesthetic he channels into his stunning interiors and collections. Perhaps the best examples of his savoir faire are his Loire Valley château and Paris apartment, both of which are featured in his upcoming tome, At Home in France: Inspiration and Style in Town and Country (Rizzoli), available in September. “It is not just the beauty of the city that I love, but the way that there is a very innate appreciation of the rich culture that is found in France,” says the designer. “A person who is bored with Paris is a person who is bored with life.”

Here, Corrigan highlights his favorite design-forward destinations in the City of Light:

There are amazing restaurants in Paris. Le Voltaire is a Parisian landmark; you are likely to see French movie stars, famous designers, and aristocrats. It has incredible chocolate mousse. For a fun time and a great view, try Gigi’s on the famed Avenue Montaigne; the music is wonderful, and there are gorgeous views of the Eiffel Tower. Finally, for a true French bistro experience, don’t miss Le Bistrot d’à Côté. It’s tiny, but the food is terrific.

I like to explore antique stores on the Left Bank as well as the handful that are scattered around the ninth arrondissement in the area that is called La Nouvelle Athènes. For lovely tableware, I go to Au Bain Marie on Boulevard Raspail.

It’s good to go to the various monuments before the crowds of tourists descend. Start early with a visit to Sainte-Chapelle, the 13th-century chapel that was the king’s place of worship on the Île de la Cité. I particularly like some of the smaller house museums—the Musée Carnavalet has some gems of paneled period rooms. A walk in the Luxembourg Gardens is a must, and I always stop at my very favorite place in Paris: the Medici Fountain.

If it is a person’s first visit to Paris, I suggest ending the day with a Bateaux Mouches open-deck boat ride along the Seine. I do it at sunset so that you can see all the beautiful buildings that have been built along the river. It is a perfect introduction to the city.

My ideal day would start early at the famed Marché aux Puces flea market at Clignancourt. From there, I would go to the Drouot auction house, where you will find everything from Old Masters to antique books. I like to end such a day visiting one of my favorite museums, either the Musée des Arts Décoratifs or the Nissim de Camondo, which is a small jewel box of a house museum that has been perfectly preserved from the early 20th century.

The best new museum to visit is the Hôtel de la Marine. It is a spectacular building right on the Place de la Concorde. You get to experience the way the aristocrats of the 18th century lived in splendor. The audio guide provides a wonderful understanding of what an important role this building has played in the life of Paris.

Before a traveler leaves Paris, they absolutely must take the time to be a flâneur, which is a fancy French word meaning to simply walk about the town without any real purpose or agenda. Stop at a café for a coffee. Look at the passersby, study the buildings, and imagine how many people have done the same thing on these streets for hundreds of years. Do all of this, and you will understand why Paris is the most special city in the world.