ParisTraveller.info

Paris City Guide

admin — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 09:36:56 +0000

Paris the Capital City of France is in the Ille de France region and is an international capital for art, fashion and style.

With the romance that Paris perceives, it is the number one destination for UK tourists and with over 30 million travellers per year from around the world, it is no wonder that this city has so much to offer.

Paris entertainment has always been at the forefront of the world in terms of quality and variety and from film to dance, opera to jazz, concerts to ballet and rock festivals to cabaret, there is always going to be some form of entertainment on offer to suit all tastes, no matter what the time of year you decide to visit this vibrant and cultural city in France.

There are two opera houses in Paris, which are the Opéra Bastille and the Palais Garnier that hosts the Opéra National de Paris. There are also many different rock venues in Paris that play host to a large number of international performers. Of course, Paris entertainment is also popular for its many dance clubs, nightclubs, and cabaret shows such as the Moulin Rouge, which has become famous throughout the world for its can-can and glamorous yet risqué dancing and choreographed routines.

Of course, there are the usual monuments and attractions which we all go an see when visiting Paris, such as the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, the Notre Dame Cathedral, walking along the Avenue de Champs- Elysees with all its glitz and glamour and visiting the Bastille Square which was the original site of the Bastille Prison.

The banks of the river Seine in Paris will offer visitors an unforgettable experience, and by being able to get to see the sights from a completely different perspective, while cruising the Seine in a boat and perhaps sampling the cuisine at the same time, will provide some unforgettable memories.

From interesting and historic towns, to the centre of Paris, back out to the forests and national parks, to the amusements or the glitz and glamour, Paris has something for everyone of all ages to enjoy, but just make sure that you have allocated enough time to experience this incredible region of France.

Léon de Bruxelles

admin — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 14:45:38 +0000

For all the mussels lovers who don’t want to break a bank, Léon de Bruxelles is THE unavoidable address ( this small Belgo-French chain (in fact the restaurants are franchises : same providers but independant management) features a cooking common in North France/South Belgium). The restaurants, all over Paris, (and in some province towns as in Bruxelles) offer a large choice in mussels receipes, depending on the season (you can even get mussels in the months whose name doesn’t contain a “R” (Mai, Juin, Juillet, Aout = summer, considered low season for this type of food). A 3 courses meal (a salad + mussels+ fries + a waffle or a tart) is 12-15 Euros For those not liking mussels, they serve good fish The fries are “eat as much as you can” The restaurants are kids’ friendly (you can even eat with your fingers if you like) And the beers’ choice is decent

Moules marinières and frites of course, and waffles

Theme: Other

Price: US$11-20

Comparison: about average

Address: see below

Directions: 3 bd Beaumarchais- 63 av des Champs-Elysées-120 rue Rambuteau -0 bd des Italiens -1 place Pigalle -82 bd du Montparnasse -131 bd St Germain -8 place de la République -95 bd Gouvion St Cyr - 8 place de Clichy - 64 av des Gobelins - 349 rue de Vaugirard

Les Deux Magots

admin — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 14:43:59 +0000

Café les Deux Magots is one of THE most famous cafés in Paris and definitely a literary café (Sartre, de Beauvoir and Hemingway all wrote here). It’s also featured in the 1995 version of Sabrina starring Richard Gere and Julia Ormond. It was one of Hemingway’s favorites. Indeed, Janet Flanner relates that it was here they shared “a piece of personal duplicate history that he and I discovered one day at a quiet back table in the Deux Magots cafe, which he always favored for serious talk”. That tragic personal duplicate history was the fact that both of their fathers commited suicide. This was also a favorite of Simone de Beauvoir and Jean-Paul Sartre, so much so that the place outside is named after them, “Place Sartre-Beauvoir”. This is also a divine place to sit on a sunny day and people watch. I whiled away an hour or two taking note of what people were wearing. Besides the de rigeur black, I saw lots of Converse Chuck Taylors and tons of women wearing cowboy boots! And then there was this great older gentleman who sat in front of me with a cool Tibetan hat on. Photos: November 2007

That bright autumn day last November I chose a wonderful Buffaletta de Mozzarella salade (12.80€ - $18.69USD) and an espresso (4.20€ - $6.13USD). The cheese had a nice firm texture, the basil was fresh, the tomatoes were wonderful! It was the first time I ever liked cherry tomatoes. Olive oil and vinegar were served with the salad which was topped with coarse sea salt. There was cracked pepper on the table so I could as much on as I liked. Free bread was served, so I made a small puddle on the plate of olive oil & balsamic vinegar and sopped the bread in that. I sat at a table that was snug in a corner between the door and the wall. Must be a popular spot because an elderly woman came by and looked questioningly at me. I assured her I was leaving and it was mon plaisir to give up my table. She seemed pleased and gave me a grandmotherly smile!

Mandala Ray

admin — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 14:42:36 +0000

This restaurant is VERY kid-friendly and reasonable. We went for lunch and we had a terrific view, meal and service. They also had a high chair and this is something that later we found out was a real treat to have! All staff were very playful and attentive to our toddler. They would try to talk to him in French or the little English they knew. They also picked up toys that our son would throw on the floor. We ordered the kid’s meal (9.50 E) for our son: chicken, fries, dessert, a drink. It was quite good. We had a taste of course! The kid’s meal and drink came out surprisingly fast. I suppose they know that they need to provide rapid service to kids! For us we decided on the set menu “The Duo Menu” (21.50 E) where you choose two courses. My husband chose the Raw Oysters and Lamb Navarin with Tomato. I chose the Fish Parmentier and Floating Island. The food came out quickly as well and the sauces were excellent and meats fresh. The floating island was not what I expected or liked, so I wouldn’t have that again. Otherwise, I loved my fish and my husband enjoyed his lamb. There were other families with children but our son was the youngest there. We didn’t have to make a reservation because it was low season and not 12 noon.

Mandala Ray

admin — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 14:40:12 +0000

34, rue Marbeuf
Paris 75008 France

+33 1 5688 3636 / +33 1 5836 1282

Open Hours7p-2a Su-Th, 7p-5a F-Sa

Owned by actors Johnny Depp, Sean Penn and John Malkovich, this bar-restaurant just minutes from the Champs Élysees has all the majesty of a Buddhist temple. Cancio Martins’ lavish decor and the trendy nouvelle cuisine on offer have made it a favourite with the Parisian jet set. Chill out afterwards on comfortable floor cushions around the equally extravagant bar on the mezzanine level. There’s sushi, seafood and grilled meat on offer at this bustling night spot.

Spicy

admin — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 14:38:40 +0000

8 Avenue Franklin D. Roosevelt
Paris 75008 France

+33 1 5659 6259

Open HoursM-Su Noon-midnight

Spicy is a testament to a great family dining experience. A non-smoking area, entertainment for children, a terrace, and private car park are some of the services offered. Animals are also allowed. The varied menu will keep everybody satisfied. Be sure to try the Sunday brunch.

San Francisco Books

admin — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 14:34:23 +0000

17 Rue Monsieur-le-Prince
Paris 75006 France

+33 1 4329 1570

Open Hours11a-9p Mo-Sa, 2p-7:30p Su

The San Francisco Book Company offers very reasonable prices on an eclectic collection of rare and used books in English. Sending books abroad can get very expensive, so if you’ve realized that it’ll cost more to ship your library home that it will to buy it new at your destination, San Francisco also gives you the best prices for your used paperbacks. A collection of used first editions and leather bound classics is also available.

W.H. Smith

admin — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 14:33:05 +0000

248 Rue de Rivoli
Paris 75001 France

+33 1 44 77 88 99

Open Hours9a-7:30p M-Sa, 1p-7:30p Su

For English speakers, it is no hassle being in Paris as far as books and newspapers are concerned. WH Smith has crossed the Channel (it’s a chain in the UK), and now sits on the famous “rue de Rivoli” alongside the Tuileries gardens. Most of the English-language magazines and daily papers can be found here, even on Sundays, as well as travel guides, paperbacks, videos, gifts, children’s books, and a large greeting card section.

Chanel

admin — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 14:31:41 +0000

31 Rue Cambon
Paris 75001 France

+33 1 4286 2600

Open Hours10a-7p M-Sa

One of the most famous haute couture brands in the world, Chanel is also one of the oldest fashion houses (opened in 1909), known for the little black dress, the tweed suit, and Marilyn Monroe’s favorite Chanel N°5 perfume. Under the direction of designer Karl Lagerfeld since 1984, the main boutique is located in the center of the high fashion district near Place Vendôme.

Louis Vuitton

admin — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 14:30:38 +0000

38 Avenue des Champs-Elysees
Paris 75008 France

+33 01 810 810 010

Open Hours10a-8p M-Sa

Louis Vuitton is one of many French prestige brands known worldwide, famous since the first steamer trunk was created in 1888. To find the entire brown LV labeled items (suitcases, bags etc), go to the shop on the Champs-Élysees and don’t forget your chequebook - you’ll need it. You can also buy luxurious ready-to-wear clothing and accessories. Other boutiques are located at 54 ave Montaigne in the 8th, and Place Saint-Germain-des-Pres in the 6th.