A visit to the fabled City of Lights is one of life’s greatest delights. No other city on Earth has whipped up so many sensual pleasures, sprinkled with that wonderful Continental charm, and then rolled them all into one. A cradle for all things stylish, beautiful, and oh so scrumptious, lose yourself within Paris’s bohemian ambience and you’ll never want to leave.
seine
explore the markets
To get your Paris trip perfect, you must wonder the labyrinth of ramshackle, twisting and turning, flea markets. Les Puce de Saint-Ouen is a good place to start. The most famous of the all (and the largest, over 6 hectares in fact), Les Puce is the ultimate Parisian shopping experience. Kick start your day with a croissant and coffee (trust us, you’ll need it), and wonder the bustling markets to pick up a great bargain or two. Items to look out for? No questions asked the antiques are drop dead gorgeous.
Foodies listen up. For the best pancakes, muffins and fois gras in town, head to Marché Biologique. A loud, rowdy farmers market, all the produce is organic and, simply put, absolutely delicious (plus, they sell great herb medleys and coastal sea salts too). Fashionistas, you best head to Marché Saint Pierre, a buzzing hub for upcoming French designers and the latest fashions. And, if you’re looking for an exotic bird (a long shot perhaps, but they’re still great to gawp at) try Marche aux Fleures et aux Oiseaux on a Sunday.
Louvre
stroll the streets
When it comes to Paris, it’s a tale of two cities. There’s the old quarter containing the likes of St. Germain des Pres and beyond, and the newer, more cosmopolitan quarters like Belleville and Châteaurouge. We just can’t resist Montmatre though. An area that stays true to that seductive Parisian bohemia feel. This is one hip, arty, poetry drenched hotspot. A favourite of Picasso and Dali, see and be seen on Rue de Martyrs – it’s great for trendy vintage clothes too.
Lose yourself in the Bastille district. Bustling and exciting, this is where the faire la fête comes alive at night. Hit Rue de la Roquette for stylish nightclubs, bars, and great music venues.
hit the shops
Paris holds the world’s fashion key. So, in a city where style and elegance are paramount, where on earth to go to hit the best shops? Those who live to shop, will feel right at home amongst the Haute Couture on Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré and Avenue Montaigue. Or, hit the shops on Rue Etienne Marcel and Place des Victoires where the trend is set, and not merely followed. To shop à l’américaine style – as the French would call it – Paris is also home to some spectacular department stores; Printemps, Galeries Lafayette and Le Bon Marché just to name a few.
For something a little different, and more authentically French for that matter, the old-fashioned 19th-century shopping arcades are wonderful. The city’s best are Passage de Panoramas in the 2ième district, and Passage Jouffroy in the 9ième district.
traditional eats and watering holes
When in Paris, do as the French do. And that means utter dedication, and appreciation, of good, authentic food. Start the day in le café, we like Chez Prune in the north-east of the city for baguettes and cheese platters, or Le Loir dans la Théière for a trendy brunch finished off with their tangy lemon tart. Lunch time strikes and it’ll be time for Le Relais de L’Entrecôte for the ultimate steak frites, or Chartier, a relaxed and casual eatery great for éscargots, egg mayonnaise and potato purée. And supper, well grab your lipstick and heels and head straight for L’Ecailler du Bistrot for deliciously fresh seafood. Alternatively, and for ultimate bragging rights, recently opened Ralph’s in St Germain is the flash new eatery to head for. But don’t stop there. For every moment in between indulge your sweet tooth with some of the finest patisseries in the world. Our favourite’s La Pâtisserie des Rêves; it’s the latest gourmet boudoir opened by the King of Pastry himself, Chef Conticini. Think cakes, pastries, tarts, chocolates, and the list goes on and on…
And to wash it all down with? Hang out at the horseshoe bar with the locals at Au Petit Fer à Cheval. For the best jazz, pull on your some casual jeans and loathers and soak in the laid back classics at Baiser Salé. For a colonial chic atmosphere sip delicious cocktails at Le China in the 11th district, or for a wild night out hit Murano for test tube tasting of 180 vodkas. Bon appetite.
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