Source: Christmas in Paris – New Year in Paris – Paris Tourist Office

Looking for a new tradition? Go to Paris for Christmas or to ring in the new year! The city dressed up for the holidays will take your breath away — if you go to Paris during Christmas time, you might think the city got their nickname “The City of Light” from this time of year. (Actually, it was probably because they were the first European city to use gas lamps outside.) The entire city is bathed in Christmas lights, from storefronts and windows to trees and landscapes. As always, there is plenty to do, including visiting Christmas markets and seasonal ice rinks.

I have given details below of several of my favorite things to do in Paris this time of year. But first, here are 12 pictures of holidays past to see for yourself: Paris during the holidays is a must-do. Even if it’s just once in your lifetime.

Here are 3 of my favorite activities to do in Paris during the holidays:

“Reconnect” with loved ones on the ice; just be sure to wear gloves.

1. Go ice skating at one of the temporary ice skating rinks, such as: inside the Grand Palais (avenue Winston Churchill, from 14 December 2016 – 2 January 2017), or outside on the Eiffel Tower (5 avenue Anatole, from 15 December 2016 – 19 February 2017). Ice skating isn’t just for kids: it can be a good way to “reconnect” with the one you love, especially if one or both of you have a hard time staying upright on the ice. Doesn’t that sound like fun for the whole family? Just be sure to wear gloves as protection from the cold and others’ skates in case you fall. Or is that when you fall?

Christmas markets are a great place to eat and people-watch.

2. Walk and admire, eat, drink, and buy gifts at Christmas markets. There are Christmas markets all over Paris, but probably the largest is on the Champs-Elysees. The highlights of my visits to this market in 2014 were talking to a Moscovite about his black lacquer boxes he had for sale and eating a crepe with Grand Marnier. (Okay, I might have had two.) I also got a serving of German-made goulash that was so large I had leftovers for 2 more meals. Since you’re in France, you can also purchase hot and cold liquor drinks to warm your bones.

Celebrating New Year’s on the Champs-Elysees? Hope you like crowds!

3. Ring in the new year on the Champs-Elysees (31 December 2016). Could there be anything more romantic than celebrating New Year’s Eve with the one(s) you love under the stars in Paris? I doubt it.

Salut !

 Fouquet’s Paris and Galeries Lafayette by Elsa L. Fridl. All other images from Flickr, CCBY 2.0. Featured image, Galeries Lafayette by Brett. The Eiffel Tower by C. A Paris Street by Dirk Haun. Au Printemps by Brett. Vendome Place by PhOtOnQuAnTIQuE. Notre Dame by Linus Mak. A Christmas Decoration by Jean-Yves Romanetti. The Champs-Elysees by Daxis. A Tree with Lights (“Christmas in Paris”) by John Stanforth. Decorations at Notre Dame (“Notre Dame dans la Boule”) by Luca Vanzella. Paris Opera House by Chris Chabot. Ice Skating on the Eiffel Tower by C. Christmas Market by Linus Mak. Celebrating New Year’s by Falcon Photography.

Foire de Paris is from April 29 – May 8 at Porte de Versailles.

Spring is in the air. How about a short trip to Paris? Take a bike tour or a new shopping tour of Paris, or if it rains, see “Founding Myths: From Hercules to Darth Vader” at the Louvre, or attend Foire de Paris at the Porte de Versailles, the largest home show in Paris for 111 years.

Source: The 36 Best Things To Do In Paris – April 2016 | Paris Insiders Guide

As my website says, it’s always the right time to travel to Paris; it’s just a matter of figuring out what you want to do while there. Here I’ve featured my top 5 picks from Paris Insiders Guide for April 2016.

April in Paris usually hovers around 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 degrees Celsius), so it is still wise to wear layers. While you make think of London for sudden downpours, Paris is known for them too, so a sturdy umbrella and a pair of waterproof walking shoes are musts. Still, bring your sunglasses: You’ll experience the first spring sunshine, and if you go anywhere near the Seine River, you’ll need them!

A bike tour guide at Tuileries Gardens.

Paris Classic Bike Tour. See Paris like a local on a Paris Classic Bike Tour or Paris Nighttime Bike Tour. The Classic version is a 4-hour, 6-mile guided tour of the best sites the city has to offer. You’ll stop every few hundred yards for information and photo-ops, so children and non-cyclers can easily keep up. There is a break at a cafe in Tuileries Gardens. If you’re a night owl, or simply want to see the city lit up at night, consider the Nighttime Bike Tour, which is 4 hours 30 minutes: more riding and less information than the day tour, but it includes a 1-hour cruise on the Seine River with wine included.

Classic Bike Tour

If you would rather take your own bike tour of Paris, there are bike rentals all over the city.

Price:

Adult: $38.67 each

Child:    $36.39 each (4-11 years)

Child:    Free (0-3 years)

Reserve here

As you might imagine, the City of Light is so well lit at night, there is little problem seeing in the dark.

Nighttime Bike Tour                                            

Price:

Adult: $50.04 each

Child:    $47.77 each (4-11 years)

Child:    Free (0-3 years)

Reserve here

Fashion-Savvy Paris Shopping Tour. Learn where to purchase couture brands like Chanel, Louis Vuitton, and Dior at discounted prices like a local Parisienne. This is a true insiders’ tour: you’ll visit shops owned by fashion editors and photographers where designer clothing and accessories are sold right off the catwalk. You’ll also attend one or more workshops held by up-and-coming designers trained in Paris fashion houses.

The tour is 3 hours for a small group, and begins and ends at a cafe in the 6th arrondissement.

Price:

Adult: $139.29

Child: $102.45 (ages 3-7 years)

Child: Free (ages 0-2)

Register here

The energy of the Latin Quarter comes alive at night.

St. Germain des Pres & Latin Quarter Walking Tour. Meet your guide near the Pantheon and walk through St. Germain des Pres and the Latin Quarter, a lively area and former bohemian quarter where artists of all types lived and worked. In a small group limited to 12, you will also eat charcuterie (cold cooked meats) and play a game of French boules, the ball game you often see children and older men playing. Before ending at the Notre Dame Cathedral, you’ll visit Shakespeare & Co., likely the most famous bookstore in Paris.

Price: Adult $53.85 This is a special price for travel until August 31. Click on link below for children’s rates.

Duration: 3.5 hours

Unlikely bedfellows? This exhibit proves not.

Founding Myths – From Hercules to Darth Vader. The names of modern day heroes may change, but the mythological heroes they are based on don’t. Learn the connection between past and present heroes — from the Japanese manga to Star Wars — by viewing 70 pieces of artwork in 4 galleries at the Louvre. The last gallery is an exhibit of modern interpretations of these characters in television, film, and cartoons.

Location: The Louvre, La Petite Galerie, Richelieu Wing

Hours: Every day from 9:00 A.M. – 6:00 P.M., except Tuesday. Open until 9:45 P.M. on Wednesday and Friday. Exhibit runs until July 4.

Admission: 15 euros (permanent collections & exhibitions)

Phone: +33 01 40 20 53 17

Metro: Louvre-Rivoli, Line 1

Exhibit Website You can purchase tickets here and download a pdf Exhibition booklet for children.

Foire de Paris at Porte de Versailles.

Foire de Paris – The Grand Paris Expo. The Foire de Paris (Paris Fair) is the largest general purpose retail fair in Europe. This year, it offers 3500 brands in Europe (in House & Lifestyle, as well as Arts & Crafts & Culture of the World, Well-Being Fashion & Accessories, Leisure & Everyday Life, and Wine & Gastronomy); many products are for sale at a discount to the general public. Be sure to click the link to the map of the pavilions before you go: the exhibit is huge! Oh, and registration is 100% online.

Location:
Porte de Versailles
1 Place de la Porte de Versailles
75015 Paris

Phone: +33 01 40 68 22 22

Cost: 12.50 euros, Registration online

Hours: April 29 – May 8, 10:00 A.M. – 7:00 P.M. every day; closing time 10:00 P.M. on Tues May 3 and Fri May 6.

Metro: Porte de Versailles, Line 12

Map of Pavilions

Register here 

Je pars pour jouer boules! (I’m off to play boules!)

Au revoir!

Foire de Paris from ParisInsidersGuide.com, CCBY 2.0. Tuileries Gardens, Fat Tire Bike Tour by David McKelvey, Flickr, CCBY 2.0. Image of bikes for rent by CanStockPhoto. Boulevard St. Germain at night by Joao Andre O. Dias, Flickr, CCBY 2.0. Fashion Savvy Beautiful Girl by CanStockPhoto. Latin Quarter by Miguel Bernas, Flickr, CCBY 2.0. Image of Hercules, Japanese Manga & Darth Vader from ParisInsidersGuide.com, CCBY 2.0. Foire de Paris exhibit space by Jerome S., Flickr, CCBY 2.0. Game of Boules by Loki1973, Flickr, CCBY 2.0.

This post is the first in a series on adding a little French influence to your home. The series begins with three venues in Paris to shop for antique and vintage items.

Source: Where to Go Shopping for Antiques in Paris

Several well-placed items can add French flair to your home. This is a vintage French Champagne Gathering Basket.

There are many ways to add French influence to your home. You could buy a piece of furniture, a painting, or an objet d’art in Paris and send it home. You could distress your own furniture to make it look French Country. You could remodel your kitchen or bathroom (or parts thereof) with French accents. Or you could add natural visual elements, like wood, to give your decor for that certain French je ne sais quois (“I do not know what”). This series will cover all of these topics, just in time for spring cleaning and redecorating.

The sign says “Second-hand Antiques.”

I begin the series with information on purchasing items in Paris and sending them home. Each of the 20 arrondissements in Paris has its shops and markets to shop for antique and vintage items. Look for signs that say Antiquites (“Antiques”) or Brocante (“Second-hand market”) or a combination of the two. The markets featured here are open Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Check their websites for more information.

Carre Rive Gauche has a spectacular view of the Seine River.

Carre Rive Gauche (Left Bank Square)

Metro: Rue du Bac or Solferino

As a child of the 1970s, I associate “rive gauche” with “high class” due to Yves Saint Laurent’s fragrance of the same name, launched in 1971. Saint Laurent was a French couture designer who popularized pret-a-porter (ready-to-wear) for the masses. His fragrance, Rive Gauche, was prominently displayed in a local store that, to me, was the epitome of class. I didn’t care how it smelled: I was intrigued by this product made by a French couture fashion designer who dressed one of my favorite actresses of the time, Catherine Deneuve. Talk about an effective ad campaign. I was 10 years old in 1971.

Ironically, “rive gauche” means “left bank,” an area in Paris known for its hipsters and bohemians — sort of the French version of a Greenwich Village — where Saint Laurent had his design house. Ironically or not, Carre Rive Gauche is a mostly high-end antique and objet d’art shopping area, comprising over 100 shops, on what used to be private gardens of French princess and Queen of Navarre, Marguerite de Navarre. Located in the 6th and 7th arrondissements, rue des Saints-Peres is about a 12-minute walk from Rue du Bac metro. (The shopping area: rue des St. Peres, rue de Beaune, rue du Bac, rue de L’Universite, rue de Verneuil, rue de Lille, quai Voltaire.) Carre Rive Gauche’s close proximity to several museums (Louvre, d’Orsay, Arts Decoratifs) has helped solidify a trusted relationship between its vendors and the museums.

Here are three links to galleries within Carre Rive Gauche that might have that certain French something for your home:

Galerie Altero – Glassware and furniture

Galerie F. Baulme Fine Arts – Paintings, drawings, sculptures

Galerie Francois Paul Belliard – Furniture, art objects, 18th and 19th seats (such as chaise lounges)

Le Village Suisse sign in the 15th arrondissement.

 Le Village Suisse (Website is still under construction)

Metro: La Motte Picquet Grenelle

Le Village Suisse got its name from the mini Swiss village erected in the same spot for the 1900 Universal Exposition, also known as the World’s Fair. After the Exposition, the location evolved into a place for antique shops, gallery owners and decorators to sell their wares. There are roughly 150 shops in Le Village Suisse currently.

The Village is in the 15th arrondissment, and is bordered by avenue de la Motte-Picquet and avenue Suffren. Entrances are located at 78 avenue de Suffren and 54 avenue de la Motte-Picquet.

At present, it looks like once the website is live, you will be able to search individual galleries, search for a particular object, as well as search by keywords.

Marche Malassis serves as an entrance to Marche aux Puces in Saint Ouen.

Marche aux Puces de Paris/Saint-Ouen (Flea Market)

Metro: Porte de Clignancourt or Garibaldi

I’ll venture a guess that you can probably imagine a flea market as large as a football field. What about one that is just over 13 and a half football fields? That is the size of the Marche aux Puces de Paris/Saint-Ouen, Paris’s best known flea market, often referred to as “the Paris flea market.” Fourteen markets comprise the Puces de Paris/Saint-Ouen, so if you’re looking for a particular type of item, it would be wise to check the marche website before you go — even if it’s to rule out certain markets. Not only is the marche large, but about 150,000 people visit the market every weekend.

The marche is located at Porte de Clignancourt, just north of the 18th arrondissement, and includes antique dealers, retailers, designers, craftsmen and artists. If you exit Porte de Clignancort and walk northwest toward the marche, keep walking past the vendors of inexpensive items (and who generally get in your personal space) to rue des Rosiers on the left, which is the main market street.

Three markets in the marche that could add French flair to your home:

Two chairs wait to be selected at Marche aux Puces in Saint Ouen.

Marche Cambo – 18th and 19th century furniture, earthenware, ceramics, Art Deco items

Le Passage – unusual furniture, chairs, paintings

Marche Malassis – Antiques, oriental stalls, tableware

Get the latest information on second-hand markets, every week in L’Officiel des Spectacles and the Pariscope App and on the websites Brocabrac (with calendar) and Vide Greniers.

Au revoir!

Reference: “Margauerite de Navarre,” by Wikipedia, CCBY 3.0.

Vintage French Champagne Gathering Basket by Wicker Paradise, Flickr, CCBY 2.0. Second-hand Antique Shop by MetroCentric, Flickr, CCBY 2.0. Carre Rive Gauche by Henri VK, Flickr, CCBY 2.0. Le Village Suisse sign by Monceau, Flickr, CCBY 2.0. Marche Malassis at Marche aux Puces in Saint Ouen by Brett Hammond, Flickr, CCBY 2.0. Two chairs in Marche Vernaison at Saint Ouen by Edsel Little, Flickr, CCBY 2.0.

Here are 7 factors to consider when booking your destination wedding in Paris hotel for you and your guests, as well as 4 recommendations.

Raph & John at Le Grand Hotel, Paris.

1. Price. Whether you or your guests are paying for their rooms, the price or a room or a suite is an important factor. It is also likely negotiable if you have enough guests staying in the same hotel. Look at search sites such as TripAdvisor Price Finder or Trivago to find the best price for the type of room you want. Then call the hotel and tell them you have ‘x’ number of guests coming on ‘y’ date, and the best price you found online is ‘z.’ Ask them if they have a group rate, and if not, if they can do better than that price. Even better, before you call the hotel you really want, do the same for at least two other hotels; no matter if the other hotels two have enough rooms to accommodate you, your dream hotel will never know. It’s possible your dream hotel will give you a better price than the one you’ve quoted. If they give you a group rate, you will likely have to pay a deposit based on the total number of guests. Notes: It is important to do this in a phone call rather than an email. Also, if you are considering to hold your ceremony and/or reception at your hotel, be sure to give this information at the time of booking.

2. Type of rooms available – single/double/suite. Consider not just your needs, but the needs of your guests. Is anyone coming with a child? Will you have guests who are elderly or have special needs? Some guests will likely be more comfortable in a suite (with additional seating and space to move around) than a single or double room.

3. Location near ceremony and/or reception. It is said that while in Paris, you are never more than a 10-minute walk from a metro stop. Still, in the event of foul weather, you would want to be close to metro if that is your mode of transportation, or, if your ceremony/reception is on the outskirts of Paris, you will want to stay as close as possible to your venue. If it is important that you stay near your reception, search the address on Google and click on “Maps.” From there, use the Nearby search and search for hotels close to it. There will be many, most likely. At least it will help you narrow down your search.

4. Location in view of favorite landmark(s). Have you always dreamed of staying in the 7e in full view of the Eiffel Tower? You will pay handsomely for that view, regardless of what kind of room it is. Again, use Google Maps to locate your favorite landmark, and search Nearby for hotels.

5. Hotel also to be your ceremony and/or reception venue. If you hold your ceremony and/or reception at the hotel, it will certainly make it easier on your guests, if not yourself. Try to find a hotel with gardens or other public spaces so your guests won’t get bored with their surroundings.

6. Level of Luxury desired, including Wi-Fi (pronounced “wee-fee” in France). Gardens, restaurants, furnishings, all will have an impact on how you remember your wedding in Paris.

7. Close to metro and/or parking. Try to make it easy to get there. Check out the parking situation (if important) and tell your guests.

Le Bristol Paris
112 rue du Faubourg Saint-Honore
75008 Paris

Phone: +33 01 53 43 43 00

A Mercedes parked outside Le Bristol Hotel.

Email: reservation@lebristolparis.com

Amenities: 3 restaurants (a 3-Michelin star and 1-Michelin star) and a bar; Spa Le Bristol by La Prairie, one of the world’s most luxurious skin care names; Swimming pool; Fitness Centre.

Metro: Saint-Phillippe-du-Roule

Le Bristol came to my attention when it was featured in Woody Allen’s Midnight in Paris. I fell in love with the plush interiors of the rooms, the flowers, the elegant look of the place. And get this — what really did it for me was the trim moulding on the walls; that detail just speaks luxury to me. History? Le Bristol was built in the 18th century and features furniture in the Louis XV and Louis XVI styles, along with paintings and fine fabrics reflecting the eras. Chef Eric Frechon is a recipient of the “Meilleur Ouvrier de France” (“Best Craftsman in France”) title for his 3-Michelin star restaurant Epicure.The hotel makes many Top Hotels in Paris lists. Located in the 8th arrondissement, it’s located in-between the Champs-Elysees and boulevard Haussmann, two luxury shopping areas. Le Bristol is a 5-minute walk from Saint-Philippe-du-Roule metro.

Intercontinental Le Grand Hotel Paris
2 rue Scribe
75009 Paris

Phone: +33 01 40 07 32 32 (Hotel)

Raph & John’s reception at the Opera Ballroom.

Email: parhbevent@ihg.com

Amenities: Cafe, Bar & La Verriere Restaurant (set in a winter garden); Spa treatments; Sauna; Shoe shine; Private limousine; Business Center.

Metro: Opera

The Intercontinental Le Grand Hotel Paris, also known as “Le Grand Hotel,” opened in 1862 and is classified as historic. The 9th arrondissement is mostly known as the home of the Opera House, and Le Grand Hotel offers floodlit views of it. The hotel’s Opera Ballroom, which Raph & John rented for their reception, is said to be the most renowned ballroom in Paris, and is so stunning it took my breath away the first time I saw it.

Four Seasons George V Hotel Paris
31 avenue George V
75008 Paris

Phone: +33 01 49 52 70 00

Courtyard at the Four Seasons George V Hotel.

Email: Contact Page

Amenities: Spa (Massages, facials, hair salon); Health Club; Pool & whirlpool; Saunas & steam rooms; 24-hour Business Centre; Multilingual Concierge; Complimentary standard WiFi; Babysitting services; Internet access in meeting rooms; Family activities.

Metro: George V

I became familiar with the Four Seasons brand by the chain’s DC hotel where I used to have tea. Luxurious and elegant, I always felt at home there. The Four Seasons George V Hotel came into my radar when it was featured in the movie “French Kiss.” As you might imagine, it’s a 10-minute walk to the Arc de Triomphe via the Champs-Elysees, the most famous shopping district in Paris. Other than shopping, the 8th arrondissement is known for the Place de la Concorde and the Elysees Palace, the official residence of the President of France.

Les Jardins de la Villa & Spa (Boutique Hotel)
5 rue Belidor
75017 Paris

The Les Jardins de la Villa is modern and ultra chic.

Phone: +33 01 53 81 01 10

Email: info@jardinsdevilla.com or Contact Page

Amenities: Garden terrace; Sauna; Steam bath; Massages; Fitness room; unlimited Wi-Fi; balcony with upgraded rooms; children under age 2 stay free.

Metro: Porte Maillot

This boutique is small with 33 rooms but has a lot of character and class; it is considered a small luxury hotel. Located in the 17th arrondissement, a relatively quiet living area for mostly upper-class and middle class young couples and families with children, it is a 10-15 minute walk to the Arc de Triomphe, and very close to Porte Maillot metro.

Au revoir!

Raph & John at the Intercontinental Le Grand Hotel by Agence Tophos, Flickr, CCBY 2.0. Mercedes SLS outside Le Bristol Hotel by Ian McWilliams, Flickr, CCBY 2.0. Raph & John’s reception at the Opera Ballroom by Agence Tophos, Flickr, CCBY 2.0. Courtyard at the Four Seasons George V Hotel by Calwhiz, Flickr, CCBY 2.0. Les Jardins de la Villa by TripAdvisor.

I am featuring photos of Raph & John’s wedding in Paris for this series (see above). I want to make it clear that I do not know this couple: I selected their photos from an album on Flickr because I love their theme and the photos are available for use under the CCBY 2.0 license. If I married in Paris, I would want a theme somewhat similar to theirs–in terms of colors and formality.

Today I’m sharing ‘a Dude Food Blogger’s’ Top 10 Foods to eat while in Paris. My reaction: Women will be able to tell it’s a man’s list. (Not that there’s anything wrong with that.)

Source: The Top 10 Foods You Have To Eat In Paris

Sure, American men generally love sandwiches, but what about when they go to Paris? Here is one man’s perspective.

In the midst of my Destination Wedding in Paris series comes February, and with it, St. Valentine’s Day (Saint-Valentin in France): two things that make me think of love. What better way to show your significant other that you love them than to suggest one or more of these Top 10 foods the next time you both visit Paris? I’ve included some additional information with each recommendation; at times, my research about these establishments differs from what appears in the post, which appears to have been published in 2012. I also have pared down the original list somewhat, due to chef changes and brevity.

Psssstttttt….there will be a few other posts having to do with men during the month of February.

Gelatto from Pozzotto.

10. Dessert

*Ice Cream/Gelatto

Pozzetto
39 rue du Roi de Sicile
75004 Paris

Phone: +33 01 42 77 08 64

Hours: 12:15 P.M. – 11:45 P.M., except for Fri & Sat, closing time is 12:45 A.M.

Metro: Hotel de Ville or Saint-Paul

Pozzetto’s ice cream and gelatto is thought to be the creamiest. As recommendations, try Pistachio and Giunduja (chocolate-hazelnut).

Crepes with strawberries and cream.

*Crepes

L’Avant Comptoir
9 Carrefour de l’Odeon
75006 Paris

Phone: +33 01 44 27 07 50

Hours: Monday – Sunday, 12:00 P.M. – 11:00 P.M.

Metro: Odeon

Chef Yves Camdeborde’s Le Comptoir du Relais nearby is a Michelin-selection restaurant. His L’Avant Comptoir has excellent crepes and creme brulee, both staples in France. Try the chocolate crepes with Chantilly cream. Note: While this is a man’s list, one woman I know deeply regretted not having a crepe while in Paris. Keep this in mind, guys! (Please.) (Note: A company website was not available.)

Creme Brulee.

*Creme Brulee

Bistrot Paul Bert
18 rue Paul Bert
75011 Paris

Phone: +33 01 43 72 24 01

Hours: Mon-Thurs 12:00 P.M. – 2:00 P.M. & 7:30 P.M. – 10:30 P.M., Fri & Sat. 12:00 P.M. – 2:30 P.M. & 7:30 P.M. – 11:00 P.M., Closed Sun

Metro: Faidherbe-Chaligny or Rue des Boulets

Bistrot Paul Bert is a Michelin-selection restaurant. The Grand Marnier Souffle is said to be “pretty darn perfect.” (Note: A company website was not available.)

9. Falafel

Your mouth will water just looking at this Falafel sandwich.

L’As du Fallafel
32-34 rue des Rosiers
75004 Paris

Phone: +33 01 48 87 63 60

Hours: 11:00 A.M. – 12:00 A.M; Closed Sat.

Metro: Saint-Paul

Their falafel sandwiches are said to be “the best falafel sandwiches in the world.” They are also Kosher and inexpensive.

8. Splurge Dinner

Perfectly Cooked Fish at Spring Restaurant.

*Spring Restaurant
6 rue Bailleul
75001 Paris

Phone: +33 01 45 96 05 72

Hours: Tues-Sat, 6:30 P.M. – 10:30 P.M., Closed Sun & Mon

Metro: Louvre-Rivoli

Spring Restaurant is a Michelin-selection restaurant. Chef Daniel Rose and his team offer a 4-course prix fixe dinner for 84 euros (which means there is no menu); there is an optional course for 15 euros. The staff is described as “warm and friendly to foreigners.”

Bass Filet with honey and cream of mushroom at Bistro Paul Bert.

*Bistrot Paul Bert
18 rue Paul Bert
75011 Paris

Phone: +33 01 43 72 24 01

Hours: Mon-Thurs 12:00 P.M. – 2:00 P.M. & 7:30 P.M. – 10:30 P.M., Fri & Sat. 12:00 P.M. – 2:30 P.M. & 7:30 P.M. – 11:00 P.M., Closed Sun

Metro: Faidherbe-Chaligny or Rue des Boulets

Lively and boisterous, it is so good you might want to make a reservation 2-3 weeks in advance. The chef offers a prix fixe menu for 18 euros or 36 euros. It is a Michelin-selection restaurant and worth every penny.  (Note: A company website was not available.)

A delectable meal at Le Chateaubriand.

*Le Chateaubriand
129 avenue Parmentier
75011 Paris

Phone: +33 01 43 57 45 95

Hours: Tues-Sat 7:30 P.M. – 10:30 P.M., Closed Sun & Mon

Metro: Goncourt

Le Chateaubriand is a Michelin-selection restaurant, and was voted one of “The World’s 50 Best Restaurants” in 2015 by The Diners Club World’s 50 Best Restaurants Academy, the mechanism used to create the list. Chef Inaki Aizpitarte offers a prix fixe dinner for 65 euros (which changes daily), which blends French, Asian and Latin American culinary influences. Tables can be booked two weeks in advance.

Laduree macaroons.

7. Macaroons (Macarons)

*Laduree
64 boulevard Haussmann
75009 Paris

Phone: +33 01 42 82 40 10

Hours: Mon-Sat 9:30 A.M. – 8:00 P.M., Closed Sun

Metro: Havre-Caumartin

Laduree is credited with inventing the macaroon in the early 20th century. The Dude Food Blogger has a slight preference for Pierre Herme’s macaroons.

Macaroons from Pierre Herme.

*Pierre Herme (Multiple locations)
72 rue Bonaparte
75006 Paris

Phone: +33 01 43 54 47 77

Hours: Sun-Wed 10:00 A.M. – 7:00 P.M., Thurs & Fri 10:00 A.M. – 7:30 P.M., Sat 10:00 A.M. – 8:00 P.M.

Metro: Saint-Sulpice

Pierre Herme comes from a long line of bakers. He helped Laduree expand their business, and opened his first bakery in Tokyo in 1998; his first bakery in Paris opened in 2002. He now has 10 stores in Tokyo, three in Hong Kong, 11 in Paris, three in London, and an on-line store. The Lime-Basil and the Salted Caramel macaroons are recommended. Hours vary by location.

6. Wine Bar

Wine and dessert at L’Avant Comptoir.

L’Avant Comptoir
9 Carrefour de l’Odeon
75006 Paris

Phone: +33 01 44 27 07 50

Hours: Monday – Sunday, 12:00 P.M. – 11:00 P.M.

Metro: Odeon

Casual and boisterous, L’Avant Comptoir is a zinc bar/bistro owned by Chef Yves Camborde, whose Le Comptoir du Relais nearby is a Michelin-selection restaurant. Did I say “casual”? The menu hangs down from the ceiling on oversized cards! The Jamon (cured ham) with Artichoke Cream on Waffles, and the Duck confit sausage hot dog are recommended. Cost averages 5-10 euros per plate. It is the only restaurant of its kind in Paris. (Note: A company website was not available.)

5. Cheese

Cheese Shop (Fromager) of Laurent Dubois.

Fromager Laurent Dubois (Multiple locations)
47 Ter boulevard Saint-German
75005 Paris

Phone: +33 01 43 54 50 93

Hours: Tue-Sat 8:00 A.M. – 7:45 P.M., Sun 8:30 A.M. – 1:00 P.M., Closed Sun (Hours vary by location.)

Metro: Maubert-Mutalite

Think of France, and many people think of cheese. (Okay, perhaps wine and cheese.) Where better to sample cheese than at Fromager Laurent Dubois’s shop? Laurent Dubois is a Meilleur Ouvrier de France (an “MOF”) (“Best Craftsman in France”) in his culinary field of cheese-aging. The shop has cheese consultants who will help you make selections based on your taste preference and when you would like to consume it.

4. Chocolate

A window gazer at Patrick Roger Chocolatier.

*Patrick Roger Chocolatier
108 boulevard Saint-Germain
75006 Paris

Phone: +33 01 43 29 38 42

Hours: Mon-Sun 10:30 A.M. – 7:30 P.M.

Metro: Odeon

Patrick Roger is a Meilleur Ouvrier de France (MOF) (“Best Craftsman in France”) as a chocolatier. He is known for his unique flavors. Try the half-spheres that are liquid caramel in a thin layer of chocolate.

3. Baguette, Pain au Chocolat, and Pastries

*Baguette

Eric Kayser (Multiple locations)
1 boulevard du Montparnasse
75006 Paris

Phone: +33 01 47 83 75 39

Hours: Mon-Sat 7:00 A.M. – 8:30 P.M., Closed Sun

Pain au chocolat and baguette from Kayser Bakery (Boulangerie).

Metro: Duroc

Eric Kayser is a 4th-generation baker who opened his first bakery in Paris in 1996 at age 32; his bakeries are now world-wide, though each location adapts to local tastes and flavors. You can taste his Midas touch in his flaky breads and pastries.

*Pain au Chocolat

Angelina Tea Room (Multiple locations)
Rive Gauche
108 rue du Bac
75007 Paris
Phone: +33 01 42 22 63 08

Hours: Mon-Thur 9:00 A.M. – 7:30 P.M., Fri & Sat 9:00 – 8:00 P.M., Sun 10:00 – 6:00 P.M. Hours vary by location.

Metro: Palais Royal Musee du Louvre

Angelina has many locations in Paris and abroad; I selected this particular location because it is so close to a metro stop. They were founded in 1903 during the period of Belle Epoche, and their refined interior reflects it. In addition to their excellent pastries, they offer a snacks, large salads, and a lunch menu.

The St. Honore Pastry is made up of puff pastry, cream puffs, whipped cream, and caramelized sugar.

*St. Honore Pastry

Cake Shop in the Mandarin Oriental Hotel
251 rue Saint Honore
75001 Paris

Phone: +33 01 70 98 74 00

Hours: Mon-Sun 11:00 A.M. – 8:00 P.M.

Metro: Concorde

You might think that a pastry shop located within a hotel wouldn’t be particularly outstanding. The Cake Shop in the Mandarin Oriental Hotel will change your mind. Perhaps it had to be persuasive: It’s located at the entrance to Camelia, the hotel’s Michelin-guide restaurant; Chef Thierry Marx also has a Michelin 2-star restaurant, Sur Mesure par Thierry Marx, within the hotel. In addition, the street name, Saint Honore, is the patron saint of bakers and pastry chefs.

Le Beurre Bordier butter is expensive but worth it.

2. Butter, specifically Le Beurre Bordier

Described as “the Ferrari of butter,” it is also said to be dangerous: one bite of it on a slice of baguette and you might finish the entire package. It has everything you love about butter x 10: a little more salt, a higher fat content, and silky smooth. Here is a list of a few places you can purchase it in Paris.

More than any other entry, this one convinces me The Dude Food Blogger is a true food connoisseur, for what is the best bread without the best butter to go with it?

1. Caramels

Jacques Gengin’s Mango Passion Caramels.

*Jacques Genin Chocolatier
133 rue de Turenne
75003 Paris

Phone: +33 01 45 77 29 01

Hours: Closed Mon, Tues-Fri & Sun, 11:00 A.M. – 7:00 P.M., Sat 11:00 A.M. – 8:00 P.M.

Metro: Oberkampf

The Dude Food Blogger would pick Jacques Genin if he had to pick one place to do his caramel shopping. Try the natural caramel and the ginger caramel.

Chocolates at Patrick Roger Chocolatier.

*Patrick Roger Chocolatier
108 boulevard Saint-Germain
75006 Paris

Phone: +33 01 43 29 38 42

Hours: Mon-Sun 10:30 A.M. – 7:30 P.M.

Metro: Odeon

One look at Patrick Roger’s website and you know he’s not your ordinary chocolatier. But then, he’s a Meilleur Ouvrier de France (MOF) (“Best Craftsman in France”), so of course he stands out. So do his caramels.

Bon Appetit!

References: “Pierre Herme,” Wikipedia, CCBY 3.0. “Eric Kayser,” Wikipedia, CCBY 3.0. “Belle Epoche,” Wikipedia, CCBY 3.0.

Image of ham sandwich by Viewminder, Flickr, CCBY 2.0. Image of Pozzotto gelatto from Pinterest (Findeatdrink.com), CCBY 2.0. Image of crepes with strawberries by Mingerspice, Flickr, CCBY 2.0. Image of creme brulee by Austin Matherne, Flickr, CCBY 2.0. Image of Fallafel by Robert Occhialini, Flickr, CCBY 2.0. Image of perfectly cooked fish at Spring Restaurant by Margaret L., Yelp, CCBY 2.0. Image of bass filet with honey and cream of mushroom at Bistro Paul Bert by Kevin Phua, Flickr, CCBY 2.0. Image of meal at Le Chateaubriand by Kok Chin & Sarah Gan, Flickr, CCBY 2.0. Image Laduree macaroons from Sophiasbaking.blogspot.com, CCBY 2.0. Image of macaroons from Pierre Herme by NuRIDOL, Flickr, CCBY 2.0. Image of wine and dessert at L’Avant Compton by Robert Young, Flickr, CCBY 2.0. Image of Fromager Laurent Dubois’s cheese shop by John Kroll, Flickr, CCBY 2.0. Image of window gazer at Patrick Roger Chocolatier by John Kroll, Flickr, CCBY 2.0. Image of pain au chocolat and baguette from Kayser Bakery by Sun Brockle, Flickr, CCBY 2.0. Image of St. Honore pastry from the cake shop in the Mandarin Oriental Hotel from Pinterest, CCBY 2.0. Image of Le Beurre Bordier butter by Christabelle, Flickr, CCBY 2.0. Image of Jacques Gengins Mango Passion Caramels from Pinterest (the-cooking-of-joy.blogspot.com, CCBY 2.0. Image of chocolates at Patrick Roger Chocolatier by John Kroll, Flickr, CCBY 2.0.