Every time a friend, yoga classmate, a dentist or a friend of his is on their way to Paris, I am usually asked for recommendations. Obviously I don't waist my time suggesting a visit to the Centre Pompidou, or a stroll on the Champs Elysées, but rather I try to concentrate on a few more amusing alternatives. Over the years I noticed that some of these addresses seem to be particularly popular!
This said, if you've never been to Paris, and your trip is a brief run through, you definitely wanna check out a few cool spots that go beyond the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre. Here is a short list of ideas
1) INFO:
Get fusac, www.fusac.fr
French-USA Contacts magazine, mainly with classifieds for English speaking expats, it has all of the valuable info you may need to get a place, get a job, find a nanny, move your stuff etc. You can find it free in most tourist locations such as the English bookstore
W.H Smith
248 rue de Rivoli
75001 Paris
Métro: Concorde, Tuileries
and at other countless shops, bagel places, etc
Also check out all of the many métro pass possibilities on www.ratp.info/informer/anglais/index.php
métro is the best way to get around town. Cabs are great at night (because the métro closes at 1:00 am), although on weekend nights they are hard to come by, same on early mornings, and are really not a good idea at peak hours. In other words, take the métro!
2) CULTURE:
Check out le Musée d'Orsay on Thursday nights, it's open till 9:45 for a nocturne, and you'll get one of the most beautiful views ever, plus if you're with someone the balcony is one of the best make out spots in Paris:
www.museeorsay.fr
After you can walk across the Seine to the Louvre, where you can eat or grab a coffee at Cafe Marly while you enjoy the most amazing nocturnal view of the museum (the terrace is heated so even winter chills shouldn't get in your way).
Where: Cour Napoléon; 93, rue de Rivoli; 1st Arrondisement.
Tél: 49 26 06 60
Métro: Palais-Royal Musée du Louvre.
For novelty’s sake worth checking out is the new museum that opened about ten months ago, Quai Branly: www.quaibranly.fr
The Grand Palais, just reopened last year but is already one of the most popular fashion show lieues among brands such as Chanel and Dior. It is worth checking out just for the beauty of the colossal dome www.rmn.fr/gngp-gb/index.html.
And for fashion freaks, check out Musée de la Mode et du Costume aka musée Galliera,
Palais Galliéra; 10, av. Pierre Ier de Serbie, 75116 Paris
Tél: 47 20 85 23
Métro stop: Iéna, Alma-Marceau
Open: 10 a.m.-5.40 p.m.
Closed: Mondays, 01/01, 25/12
and Musée de la Mode et du Textile.
au 107, rue de Rivoli
75001 Paris
Tél : 01 44 55 57 50
Oh la la, I could go on, but I won't
3) EXERCISE:
Friday Night Fever
Since 1994 every Friday thousands of roller-bladders take to the streets, especially prepared for the event, and roll through the old capital. Don't miss it!
www.pari-roller.com
The day after you may want to visit the cult spa where models, stars and the rest of the pampered girls escape from reality and into an oriental inspired realm of pleasures. Please reserve at least ten days in advance, but believe me it is worth the wait!
Les Bains du Marais
31-33 rue des Blancs Manteaux
75004 Paris
Tel: 01 64 02 02
Métro: Hotel de Ville
www.lesbainsdumarais.com
4) PARTY:
For night time fun go to this highly in demand, renovated bordello, which was transformed into a night club:
Le Baron
6, avenue Marceau
75008 Paris
5 avenue de l'Opera
75008 Paris
www.leparisparis.com
If you wish to party at an earlier hour than 1:00 am, which is the standard time for starting a night in Paris, then go to Favela Chic, an eclectic and funky Brazilian joint where you can eat early and then dance starting from about 11:00 pm
Favela Chic
18 rue du Faubourg du Temple
75011 Paris
01 40 21 38 14
Métro: Republique
www.favelachic.com
Le Pop in is also quite a crazy place if you like packed, eclectic and a little nuts!
105 rue Amelot
75011 Paris
Tél: 01.48.05.56.11
Métro: Sébastien Froissard
5) CHOCOLATE AND OTHER TREATS:
Get some breakfast at La Durée, be sure to get a hot chocolate and an assortment of macaroons, and to take home a chocolate or caramel scented candle. Several locations in Paris, including Les Champs Elysees, Rue Royale, and Blv St-Germain
www.laduree.fr
Also, Check out Angelina's, the best hot chocolate in the world, although I warn you, your spoon will stand upright
Chez Angelina
226 Rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris
Tél: 01 42 60 82 00
Métro: Tuileries
www.angelina.fr
6) FOOD:
Well, for this you should probably just get the red Michelin guide, because the topic is so vast, but I'll give you three price range favorites in excellent French cuisine, just for the sake of this list:
L’amis Louis - neither good for your diet nor your packet, but your palette will dig!!!
32 rue Vertbois
75003, Paris
Tel: 01 48 87 77 49
Chez Georges - plain good French food that won't ruin you
1 rue du Mail,
75002
Tel:01 42 60 07 11
Les Philosophes - an affordable Parisian classic spot in the heart of the Marais
28 Rue Vieille du Temple
75004 Paris
Tel: 01.48.87.49.64
7) WINE:
Get some wine while you read a book at Belle Hortense, a little cozy spot across from les Philosophes. They both belong to the same owner along with the neighboring Petit Cheval and Les Chaises au plafond
Belle Hortense
31 rue Vieille du Temple
75004 Paris
8) SHOPPING:
Colette - the concept store par excellence
213 rue Saint-Honoré
75001 Paris
Maria Luisa - small boutique with the best designer clothes you can dream of (ask about her other locations in the hood, including a men's store)
2 rue Cambon
75001 Paris
Le Bon Marché -the best of le grands magasins (be sure to check out their gourmet section, or rather building)
24 rue de Sévres
75007 Paris
And of course while you're at it I would recommend the beaten in style paths of Rue St-Honore and Avenue Montaigne, both legendary in the domain
9) VINTAGE:
Didier Ludot the Baron of vintage clothing from retro couture to the little black dress, a must visit pour une coquette respectable.
Didier Ludot
19-24 galerie de Montpensier
75001 Paris
Tél: 01 42 96 06 56
Second shop “Little black dress”: 125 galerie de Valois,
75001 Paris
Tél: 01 40 15 01 04
Chez Mamie - a prodigious address known to professionals in the field de la mode
73 rue de Rochechouart,
75009 Paris
10) COOL SLEEPING:
I won't speak here about the palaces such as Plaza Athénée, the Ritz, or even the slightly jaded Costes, instead check out these cool concept hotels; Le Murano, Le Petit Moulin and Kube
Kube
1-5, passage Ruelle
75018 Paris
Tél: 01 42 05 20 00
www.kubehotel.com
Murano
13 Blvd du Temple
75003 Paris
Tél: 01 42 71 20 00
www.muranoresort.com
In the heart of le Marais lies a magical and quiet lieu entirely designed by Christain Lacroix himself
Le Petit Moulin
29-31 rue du Poitou
75003 Paris
Tél:01 42 74 10 10
www.paris-hotel-petitmoulin.com
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