Things to do in Paris
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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.
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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.
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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).
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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!
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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.
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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 -
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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).
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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.
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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)
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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.
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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).
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Forum des Halles
Don’t get too excited. Tragically, the Forum des Halles is no longer a market, rather an unspeakably ugly, four-level, underground shopping centre constructed in 1970s glass-and-chrome style after Paris’ main wholesale food market dating to the early 12th century was moved to the southern suburb of Rungis, near Orly.
The upside is, dramatic change (for the better) is afoot. The dodgy park and dated arbours topping the underground shopping mall have been demolished, and cranes, diggers and an army of builders are busy at work creating La Canopée – a thoroughly contemporary, glass-topped, curvilinear building by architects Patrick Berger and Jacques Anziutti, inspired…
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Anna Joliet
Has magical music boxes, old and new.
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Fondation Louis Vuitton pour la Création
This fine-arts centre, designed by Frank Gehry, is expected to open sometime in 2013. It’s located just south of the Jardin d’Acclimatation
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Fragonard
Parisian perfume maker Fragonard has a changing litany of great things for the home, such as fabulous vases with an Eiffel Tower theme, lovely embroidered napkins with a fish or vegetable theme, great little spoons with a cake or pastry theme. Nothing is very expensive and the offerings change every few months, so you have to pounce when you find something you love. The gift wrapping in gorgeous Fragonard bags is worth it alone!
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Guerlain Spa
- Paris, France
- Activities › Spa
For total indulgence, make an appointment at Guerlain's decadent spa.
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Paris Cycles
Bicycles can be hired at two locations in the Bois de Boulogne: on av du Mahatma Gandhi, across from the Porte Sablons entrance to the Jardin d’Acclimatation, and near the Pavillon Royal (av Foch) at the northern end of Lac Inférieur.
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Rowing boats at Lac Inférieur
Rowing boats can be hired at Lac Inférieur, the largest of the wood’s lakes and ponds.
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St-Martin Canal
The shaded towpaths of the tranquil, 4.5km-long St-MartinCanal are a wonderful place for a romantic stroll or a bike ride past nine locks, metal bridges and ordinary Parisian neighbourhoods. The waterbanks here have undergone a real urban renaissance in recent years, and the southern stretch in particular is an ideal spot for café lounging, quay-side summer picnics and late-night drinks. Hip new bistros have moved into the area (most closed Sunday and often Monday) and if you’re in Paris to tempt your tastebuds, you’ll wind up in these eastern suburbs sooner rather than later.
Linking the 10e arrondissement with Parc de la Villette in the 19e via the Bassin de la…
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Fnac
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Parc Floral de Paris
This magnificent botanical park is one of the highlights of the Bois de Vincennes. Natural landscaping and a magnificent collection of plants will keep amateur gardeners happy, while Paris’ largest play area (giant climbing webs and slides, jungle gyms, sandboxes, etc) will absolutely thrill families. Open-air concerts are staged throughout summer, making it a first-rate picnic destination.
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