It doesn't matter if it's your first visit to Paris or your 101st - stepping onto the streets outside the Gare du Nord will inspire you.

The city is a bustling melange of 21st century life nestled against centuries of tradition, with people coming from all over the world to witness it.

Paris is everything you expect it to be, from the twinkling lights of the Eiffel Tower to the hair-raising traffic circling the Arc de Triomphe; the haute couture in the windows at Chanel, Louis Vuitton and Dior; the watercolours for sale on the banks of the Seine; sipping coffee on the terraces - it's exactly as wonderful as you dream it to be.

It's hard to capture the essence of Paris without resorting to picture postcard clichés - but the team behind Fauchon L'Hotel Paris have done exactly that.

The Fauchon brand is historic - Auguste Fauchon founded his delicatessen in the Place de la Madeleine in the 8th arondissement 130 years ago.

In the shadow of the magnificent Madeleine church in the centre of the place, the deli thrived and over the years the brand diversified.

Opened two years ago in a beautiful 19th century Haussman building, the boutique five star hotel offers 54 rooms, 11 of which are suites. Each one has a unique design, but the hot pink Fauchon branding runs through each, adding a flirtatious twist to the iconic architecture of the building and the historic Fauchon brand.

Guests will love the gourmet bar in each room, stuffed to the brim with complementary Fauchon products.

The Fauchon experience continues in the Jardin des Thés where an extensive breakfast menu complete with champagne is on offer.

And if you've got room for more, brunch and dinner are held in the Grand Café Fauchon next door, giving foodies the chance to taste the magic created by the expert Fauchon chefs who can cater for everyone, even vegetarians.

There could be no experience more Parisian than enjoying brunch on the terrasse in view of the Madeleine Church, while gentle jazz notes played by a live saxophonist filter through the windows of the cafe.

Guests at Fauchon l’Hotel are ideally placed to enjoy some award winning oysters at Amelie restaurant next door to the Fauchon shop.

Amelie oysters leave the sea at the Terroir Marennes Oléron and are on your plate in Paris with in 24 hours. Only 2 per cent of the oysters gathered by the Amelie team make it to the restaurant to be prepared by British chef Sam Kazemi.

They claim to serve probably one of the best oysters in the world. As a vegetarian I can't attest to that, but certainly the others in my party would agree. What is held within an Amelie oyster shell is a wonderful metaphor for the Fauchon brand - the best of the best in a unique setting.

Your visit to Fauchon L'Hotel isn't just about bed and breakfast. Your stay can be tailor made to your requirements, from a unique dining experience in your suite with five courses served to you in tranquillity as Paris hums along outside, to a private Riva boat tour along the Seine where you can sip champagne while enjoying a waterside view of Paris' iconic landmarks.

The hotel's manager, Jérôme Montantème, seems to have friends in every arondissement, so if there's an experience you'd like to have in Paris, from checking out the latest Gibson guitars to seeing how a historic French shoe brand makes its footwear, he probably knows someone who can make it happen.

Driving around Paris at sunset in a six-seater Tesla is a moment you won't forget.

Fauchon is a luxury brand that is so Parisian it hurts - blending the history, flirtatiousness, creativity and passion of the world's most iconic city into everything it does.

You can even take it home with you in the shape of its delicatessen products, from the saltiness of the terrines, spices, condiments, oils and vinegars to the sweetness of the macarons, pastries, cakes, honeys and jams.

It's best to savour them, because they haven't made it across the pond to the UK yet. But that simply means you have to go back to Paris to experience it all again.

Nightly rates at Fauchon L’Hotel Paris start from 400 EUR for a Classic Room (room only). Visit www.hotel-fauchon-paris.fr