paris recommendations Post Reply

[jo jo]

bonjour, bonjour
I have been given the best present - a long weekend away in paris and my inlaws have got our little one for the weekend -bit scared as first time we have left her but also rather excited about going away. just wondering if anyone has been to paris lately and if they have any recommendations? we've been before and i visited a lot in my early twenties so kind of thinking i'd like to discover areas that aren't necessrily the usually louve, eiffel tower hang outs has anyone got any hidden gems worth discovering and any resturant recommendations? thanks ps going late april.

[jo jo]

*usual*

[HannaMatNurse]

No cool restaurants to recommend, but will give you an insider tips on Le Louvre, Assumin you will go there anyways, as you do when in Paris

You know the long que to get in? When I went in November we walked to the ens of and it said 'que time 2.5 hours'
- theres 2 entrances, just noone knows about it. Ppl just assume the long que is the only way in since everyone else is queing there. But if you stand about 100 m away from the glass 'hut' that's the iconic entrance, and look to your right, you'll see a little walkway. Have a look there and there's machines like parketticket mashines where you can issue yourself a ticket and use it in that entrance up the stairs.

OR pre-book as a group and use the group entrance.

Saves you heaps of time and keeps everyone in a good mood!

Enjoy Paris X

[Scottov]

not sure of the budget etc.

but a couple of places worth trying:

Allard: lovely pre-war type classic bistro, with big zinc bar, waiters in white jackets, and perfect roast chicken.

Fontaine de Mars: another classic bistro, where the Obama's were first taken upon election. just make sure you sit downstairs. beautiful room, good food.

nice wine bar: Juveniles - run by a scotsman so english is good.

nearby by is Harry's bar, one of the great old school cocktail bars. where they invented, amongst other things, the bloody mary.

[jo jo]

is a bateaux mouche worth doing?

also has anyone found any cool streets which are good to wonder around?

[Great Minds]

I would recommend Rue Montorgeiul in the 2nd. http://www.thekitchn.com/a-foodlovers-w ... rue-128435 for a mooch (don't be put off by Chatelet station!). You can do a lovely walk from there to the Palais Royal, Opera, Louvre and into the Jardins...

Visiting the Catacombs is also another unusual and extraordinary excursion.

Have a great trip!

[zaza107]

If you can read a bit of French, pick up Balades nature a Paris. It includes 14 walks that take you through little bits of green throughout Paris. You end up not only discovering little parks, etc. (which should be beautiful in late April) but also other bits and pieces, out of the way cafes, etc. I'm happy to lend you our copy, just email me.

[Scottov]

there is actually a company "paris walks" related to the same company that runs london walks.

not expensive, and very good

google them

[jo jo]

thanks - happy to keep hearing recommendations we are there for 4 days so a bit of variety will be great.

[Almaceti]

Yes I think bateaux mouches are really worth doing as you have views over the most famous monuments of Paris.
Otherwise I would recommend a walk in the Marais (3rd/4th Arrondissements) you will find lovely restaurants, cafes, shops....
On the other side of the Seine, walk along 5th and 6th arrondissements, from Notre Dame, Saint Michel, to St Germain des Pres.
I know a number of restaurants but would need to know the style you're looking for and budget, to give more precise recommendations. Generally speaking, good values around les Halles in the 1st arrondissement if you like parisian bistrots, good meat and wine.
Also a very nice square, place du Marché St Honoré, has got several good restaurants.
Let me know style and budget if you want more specific recommendations.

[Coffeegirl]

Hi - I am not sure of your budget, but L'Hotel is a Michelin 3* delight.
It was Oscar Wilde's last residence and is kooky and fun but also a real gastronomic experience.

Enjoy!

[jo jo]

would have loved to go there but have just rung and fully booked it looked amazing!! any other recommendations for dinner. Budget - not too worried about obviously want to make the most of it.

[supergirl]

I would recommend Le Procope (ask for a table upstairs in one of their room), this is where the french revolution was decided amongst the intellectuals of the time to support the revolt of the Sans Culottes... very nice food and you are surrounded by History... (not cheap and you need to book).

[Scottov]

Hi - I am not sure of your budget, but L'Hotel is a Michelin 3* delight.
It was Oscar Wilde's last residence and is kooky and fun but also a real gastronomic experience.

Enjoy!

Fwiw L'hotel does not have Michelin *** - I don't think it has even one

Jo Jo, it really depends on what you want.

Le Procope is indeed very pretty, and historic. it is also a bit of a tourist trap these days and the food is fairly bland.

you indicate that budget is available for something special, and if that's what you want I would also caution as many of the great restautants are not open on Saturday nights. weird I know. le Grand Vefour *** isn't even open on Friday night.

but if you want to push the boat out, 2 places to recommend:
Jean Francois Piege - on Rue St Dominique. Piege made his name with Ducasse and then at the Crillon both in his own right and under Christian Constant. Piege only seats 20 people, and the food is very technical, very glamorous. it has michelin ** and will never get 3 because of the space, but the food is of the highest grade.

ledoyen is in the gardens on the Champs Elysee, and is in my opinion perhaps the finest restaurant in Paris. with ***'s and a very classical bent Christian Le Squer's food is hard to top. more traditional than piege, who is more modern. the room and service is fairytale stuff

bring the cash though.

[supergirl]

Disagree with "fairly bland" but last time i was there was a few years ago so it could have changed, granted it is touristic but I like it (I have very fond memories) so i will always recommend it!