Things to do in Paris
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Canal St-Martin
The tranquil, 4.5km-long Canal St-Martin was inaugurated in 1825 to provide a shipping link between the Seine and the northeastern Parisian suburbs. Emerging from below ground near place République, its shaded towpaths take you past locks, metal bridges and ordinary Parisian neighbourhoods. It’s a great place for a romantic stroll or cycle.
Note that many neighbourhood shops and bistros here are closed on Sundays and Mondays.
reviewed
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Chez Louisette
Here since 1967, this little bistro is a highlight of any visit to Paris’ largest flea market, Marché aux Puces de St-Ouen. Market-goers crowd around little tables to eat lunch (mains €15 to €20) and hear old-time chanteuses and chanteurs (they change regularly) belt out numbers by Piaf and other classic French singers, accompanied by accordion music; you might even get to see an inspired diner jump up to dance la guingette (the jig) in the aisles.
reviewed
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Les Éditeurs
A hybrid cafe, restaurant, library (there are more than 5000 books on hand), bar and salon de thé, Les Éditeurs’ floor-to-ceiling windows make it a great place to watch the Germanopratin (yes, there is an adjective for St-Germain des Prés) goings-on. Breakfasts and weekend brunch are big here.
Outside, a statue of Georges Danton, a leader of the Revolution and later one of its guillotined victims, stands head intact.
reviewed
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Le Comptoir du Relais
Simply known as Le Comptoir (the Counter) among the in crowd, this gourmet bistro has provoked a real stir ever since it opened. The culinary handiwork of top chef Yves Camdeborde, it cooks up seasonal bistro dishes with a seriously creative and gourmet twist like fancy asparagus and foie gras salad.
Bagging a table at lunchtime is just about doable providing you’re here at 12.30pm sharp, but forget evening dining – more gastronomic than at lunch – unless you’ve reserved your table weeks in advance.
reviewed
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Lao Siam
This Thai-Chinese place, with neon lights and spartan décor, looks like any other Asian restaurant in Belleville. Though we’ve heard some complaints about its authenticity, Lao Siam must be doing something right because it’s always packed. There are more than 120 dishes on the menu – from the classic beef and duck with coconut milk and bamboo to the more unusual tourteau à la diable (spicy devilled crab).
reviewed
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Bellota Bellota
Huge Iberian hams hang in the window and piggy legs dangle from the ceiling of this fabulously tiled Spanish-style bar/cafe. It’s a perfect spot for lunch before or after the Musée d’Orsay, an aperitif at the end of the day or to pick up caviar, smoked salmon and cold meats to take away.
reviewed
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Taeko
Just about the last thing you would expect to find in the Marché des Enfants Rouges, one of the oldest markets in Paris, is this homely Japanese eatery. There’s sushi and sashimi and salmon tartar to start and delightful warm dishes like codfish balls and chicken cooked with soy sauce. Sit at the communal table near the entrance – if there’s room! Otherwise buy a takeaway bento (lunchbox; €11.90)
reviewed
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Freescoot
This scooter and bike-rental shop is the outfit to come to if you fancy pedalling Paris on the back of a tandem. Well-equipped bikes come with helmet, lock, basket and windbreaker, and require a passport or ID card and €300 as deposit. Its Voltaire branch (Tel: 01 44 93 04 03; 144 blvd Voltaire,11e; 9am-1pm & 2-7pm Mon-Fri) opens Monday to Friday only. It also rents snazzy motor scooters.
reviewed
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Le Villaret
A twinset of boxed bay leaf trees herald the entrance to this discreet neighbourhood bistro that gets packed out with a wealthy suited clientele at lunchtime. Indeed diners are said to cross Paris to sample Le Villaret’s rich specialities such as velouté de cèpes (mushroom soup) and jarret de veau à la poudre foie gras (veal shank sprinkled with foie gras).
reviewed
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Pastry and Dessert Course in Paris
by Viator
Join us in the heart of central Paris for a quintessential French Pastry and Dessert cooking class. You will learn to cook typical French pastries and desserts…Not LP reviewed
from USD$174.30 Advertisement
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Chez Paul
As far as cinematic French bistros are concerned, Chez Paul gives nearby Paul Bert a run for its money. This is Paris as your grandmother would have known it: checquered red-and-white napkins, faded photographs on the walls, old red banquettes and traditional French dishes handwritten on a yellowing menu. Stick with the simplest of dishes and make sure you’ve booked ahead. Open to 12.30am daily.
reviewed
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Café des Phares
There is no better spot to bask in the morning sun and watch Parisian traffic twirl around the July Column than the Beacons Café, the city’s original bistrot philo (philosophers’ bistro) where pensive Parisians meet on Sunday morning to debate the meaning of life and all that. Posy Paris at its best!
reviewed
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Cubana Café
A post-work crowd sinks into leather armchairs beneath oil paintings of daily life in Cuba for a huge range of Cuban cocktails made with Havana rum and regular live Cuban music (check the program online).
reviewed
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Café Burq
This convivial, retro bistro is always buzzing; book ahead – especially at weekends. Don’t come for the décor or the space, though; both are nonexistent.
reviewed
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La Maison Rose
Looking for the quintessential Montmartre bistro in a house that was the subject of a lithograph by Maurice Utrillo? Head for the tiny ‘Pink House’ located just north of the Place du Tertre. It’s not so much about food here but rather location, location, location.
reviewed