Renovated, the Kılıç Ali Pasa hammam immerses us in the art of living of the Ottoman era of the 16th century. In an enveloping vapor and in the middle of the noises of water, we lie down on the hot marble where the muscles relax and the eyelids close. Experts are there to rub (and strip!) our dead skin while making us disappear under mountains of soap bubbles. You come out like on cloud nine (from around €47).
A stone's throw from the Kılıç Ali Pasa hammam, you can feast your eyes on the contemporary works of art of Istanbul Modern, whose café-restaurant opens onto the Bosphorus. Not far away, the objects presented in the “Museum of Innocence” – a sink under glass, vintage laundry products or even 4,213 cigarette butts… are those of the novel, the “Museum of Innocence” of the Nobel Prize of Literature Orhan Pamuk. Unavoidable. Free admission if you come with this novel.
The kilim? Seen too much! We love the colorful cushions mixing silk and velvet ikats from the Grand Bazar. At Mekhann, the choice is wide. Agoraphobic? We opt for the Bazaar Arasta, in the shadow of the Blue Mosque. Carpet and textile shops line a quiet alley. On the bathroom side, we go to Pêche de Malle where hammam towels are available in all colors, and at fixed prices. Further down, Hamm presents the work of young local designers:elegant lamps, marble and wood cutting boards...
Near the Galata Tower, the small boutique Aida Pekin offers its jewelery at reasonable prices:fine bracelets, necklaces and brooches. Perfect for dressing up like a princess! The slippers? You can find them at Artizen, which makes shoes by hand. The models are quickly sold out but you can also choose the color of your leather for a pair that will be sent to France. Almost "customizable" for around 100 €. Who says better?
The Karaköy district has become the place for trendy outings. Near the hammam, new cafes and restaurants are opening every day. Our favorites for Turkish tea? Komodor (FB komodorkarakoy) and Karabatak. For lunch, the unmissable böreks and baklavas of Karaköy Güllüoglu satisfy small and large appetites for next to nothing. In the evening, we have a light dinner at Istikamet. A glass ? Go to Gaspar (Müeyyeyzade Mahallesi, Necatibey Caddesi, Arapoglan Sokak No.6) whose wooden decor, signed by local star designers Autoban, is worth the detour.
-Paris-Istanbul with Transavia.com.
-Double room with private bathroom in the hotel-hostel Bunk, from €92. A bed in a four-person dormitory, €24, shared bathroom.
- More info:www.goturkey.com.
