Thursday, May 15, 2014

Paris Pieces - Tips pour vous

We're in Paris

Travel Tips

Pieces of our Petite Paris sojourn...

Just a few, some new and some old places we've enjoyed so far - and its always a battle of finding the new and exciting, or indulging in the old favourite sweet Paris spots.

p.s Stay tuned for news of the launch for the new Petite Paris eBook coming at the end of June, it will include all of these places PLUS MORE...



Photograph taken from the Cité de l'architecture & du patrimoine

NEW MUSEE: Cite de l'architecture

Located in the Palais de Chaillot, we discovered this Museum by accident. One we didnt even know existed. It's one for lovers of architecture with
8,000 m² of permanent exhibit space and temporary exhibits, and an architectural library. Boasting incredible casts of French architecture from the 12th to 18th centuries as well as un Galerie des Peintures Murales et des Vitraux - wall artworks, stain glassed windows, and amazing sculptures. It also has magical views of le eiffel, as seen above.

1, Place du Trocadéro MAP

Open daily except Tuesdays
website







GOURMET: Le Comptoir de la Gastronomique
This elegant épicerie fine (specialist grocer).



More of a boutique deli, stocking scrumptious arrays of gourmet delicacies and goods. From Frois Gra d'oie (fresh goose liver) to andouillete (white sausage), tapenades, to wines, from magret de canard fume (smoked duck breast) to sel de guerande (Guerande sea salt) 

It adjoins a striking art nouveau dining room dating back 1894 which we adored (cassoulet was divine). You can feel the history, timelessness and grandeur of all that is Parisian. Even buying a simple can of 'froi gras' will have the sales madam writing you a 'prescription' to take to the counter, where you pay and collect your goods there waiting for you all bagged.

34 rue Montmartre 75001 Paris
Website






SHOPPING: Venise STOCK
Designer Discounted shoes





If you can't afford to fork out 1000euro for all the Louboutin, Jacobs, Chloe, Rossi or Missoni footwear, then how about 200-300euro?

We stumbled across the 'Stock'  store for Venise Designer Shoes. A hidden gem in the 2nd district. Tried everything and wound up with a pair of navy 'Jacobs' pumps. Then promised to never go back for the Missoni temptation but alas. two days later we found the 2nd 'stock' store in the 15th district. The world wants us to buy more shoes...clearly!

Located on Rue des Petits Champs MAP 

(across from Bistrot Vivienne, which we also enjoyed for a cafe au lait...to celebrate our new shoes, bien Sur)







VEGETARIAN: Au grain de Folie

And thats exactly what you will get...grains, and lots of them. Rice, lentil type large portioned meals, with seasonal vegetables, egg, bread all gluten free. We say its decent if your needing a healthy variation to the heavy cheese, meats, breads and pastry Paris diet - which we desperately needed at one point. This cosy little hole in the wall is so tiny, quaint and very casual. Located on one of the small but busy walkways that leads to the Sacre Coeur, so lots of people watching to enjoy too if you sit outside.

Rue la Vieuville 75018 MAP





FAMILY FRIENDLY: L'Etoile de Montmartre
A Bistrot that caters to kids with a smile.



We enjoyed company with a friend and their baby at this local kid friendly spot in the back end of Montmartre where there are baby chairs and room to play, colour pencils and a fun casual atmosphere for parents to breath a sigh of relief, letting their kids make a bit of noise and play in a relaxed atmosphere. The menu is traditional French mostly with some thai twists and  the basic fish and chips seemed to be the dish the locals love. Able to cater to dietary requirements here too. This is a fun local haunt too so less touristy more authentic.

26 rue Duhesme 75018 MAP
Website




JARDIN JOLIE:  Musee de la Vie Romantique

The Museum and garden of Romantics/Romantic Life
 

This is where we  go when it is a beautiful sunny day in Paris, but we are swamped with B&B booking emails and cant venture too far from home for a break. The very beautiful, flowering, green and special tranquil Jardin de Musee de la Vie Romantique (the museum of Romantics/ Romantic Life) - this is one gorgeous little space...visit the quaint museum, the main house is divine (photo) built in 1830, there is a greenhouse, and this garden.
Enjoy tea and cakes courtesy of Angelina's - most well known patisserie and tea room in Paris. A divine Moment of herbal tea, meringue, notebook scribbling and flower watching in one of Paris' secret gardens hidden between haussman walls is my idea of a heavenly working break.

16 Rue Chaptal 75009 MAP
Website



CREPERIE: Josselin
on rue de Crepes
 


We hit the Creperie Jackpot with Creperie Josselin when we stumbled on rue Montparnasse in the 14th district of Paris - This small street is also literally lined with creperie cafes and restaurants, buttery sweet whipped cream, nutella, or savoury egg mushroom deliciousness...apparently we are a little behind the crepe  times and this is Paris' most famed crepe street ha! Crêperie Josselin was utter cosiness, ambient, old world Parisian, a tad squishy but it's Paris... enjoy one savoury and one sweet, some cider and all is AMAZING!!! 

67 rue Montparnasse 75014 MAP
 


 
MORE tips in our Paris City Guide eBook HERE


1 comment:

  1. Paris is my dreamy city. Hope to visit there on next vacation.

    ReplyDelete