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About Paris
Paris is one of my favourite cities in the world. For me, I fall in love with a city if there is delicious food, great shopping, fascinating history, amazing art and physical beauty. Paris has it all.
When travelling to Paris, here are some tips:
-download the Ullmon Paris app before you go; it’s great for navigation around Paris and doesn’t need data
-rent bikes while you are there (it’s such an easy way to get around; get the Velib app to find the closest bike stands)
-if you plan on seeing more than 2 tourist sites, you MUST get the museum pass (http://en.parismuseumpass.com; even if you do the math and the 48 euros is more than the cost of the 3 places you want to see, it’s still worth getting because you won’t have to stand in crazy long lines)
-whenever I travel to Paris I rent an apartment in the Marais; it’s by far my favourite neighbourhood; the company I used is Paris Autrement Apartments -they are great to deal with and have lovely properties; I also really like HomeAway.
-check out Messy Nessy’s website – she is cool girl who lives in Paris and has some off-beat suggestions (you can get her book here: Don’t Be A Tourist In Paris)
-whenever I travel anywhere, I always check out the travel sections of the Telegraph, Guardian and New York Times
-there is Uber is Paris!
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Eat / Play / Shop
Eat:
I have attached a list of restaurant recommendations (I haven’t eaten at most places but have be recommended them from friends who live in Paris and food bloggers).
My personal favourites are:
-Semilla (expensive but very creative menu)
-L’As du Fallafel (best fallafels)
-Angelina (best hot chocolate; go to take-out counter)
-Le Mary Celeste (small portions but incredible flavours)
-Marche Bastille (held on Thursdays and Sundays – great olives, cheese, bread; buy food and have a picnic at Jardin de Plante)
-Le Bon Marche (amazing food court; buy food and have a picnic across the street at the park)
-Le Grand Huit (near Sacre Couer; great views of the city)
-Ze Kitchen Galerie (tasting menu; fabulous food; expensive but a great experience)
Shop:
I have attached a list of my favourite stores. Below is a breakdown of different areas to shop in and the best streets in those areas to walk along.
Fabourg St. Honore:
Rue St. Honore, Galerie Vivienne (covered arcade), Place Vendome, Palais Royale Arcade
Le Marais:
The following “Rues” are great: des Rosier, de Turenne, de Vielle du Temple, Francs-Bourgeois, de la Bretonnerie, de Bretagne, de Sevigne
Bastille:
Rue Charonne, Viaduc des Artisans
St. Germain des Pres:
The following “Rues” are great: Cherche Midi, de Sevres, de Grenelle, de Bac, de Seine, d’Assas, de Rennes, du Four
Etienne Marcel:
Etienne Marcel, Rue Montmartre, Rue Tiquetonne
Opera:
Galeries Lafayette and Printemps
Invalid:
Rue St. Dominique, Rue Cler, Rue de Grenelle
Antique Markets:
Marche aux Puces de St. Ouen and Marche aux Puces de la Porte de Vanves
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Itinerary
What to See
Museums (note: many are closed either Monday or Tuesday so check times):
-Musee D’Orsay
-Musee D’Orangerie
-Musee Jeu de Paume
-Musee Louvre
-Musee National Rodin
-Musee Picasso
-Centre Georges Pompidou
-Foundation Cartier
-Foundation Henri Cartier Bresson
-Musee Rodin
-Maison Européenne de la Photographie
-Maissa Toulet (not quite a museum but Cabinet of Curiosities)
Churches:
-Saint Chapelle
-Saint. Sulpice
-Notre Dame
Gardens:
-Jardin des Plantes,
-Jardin Luxembourg
-Jardin Tuileries
Markets:
-Marche des Enfants Rouge
-Marche Bastille
Sites:
-Eiffel Tower
-Arc de Triompe
-Champs Elysees
-Foundation Louis Vuitton
-Place des Vosges
-Cemetar: Pere Lachaise
-Catacomb
-Parc des Buttes Chaumont
-Graffiti: Rue Germaine Tailleferre, Rue Denoyez, Canal de l’Ourcq, Le Mur Oberkampf
Still to see:
-City de Fleur
-Rue Cler Market
-Palais Tokyo
–59 Rivoli (artist collective in former squat)
-graffiti on Rue Sainte-Marthe in Belleville
-Butte aux Cailles (for village life within Paris)
-Musee de la Chasse et de la Nature (taxidermy)
