Travelogue Prelude: Take me to Paris

Yay, so its penciled in- Im going Paris with le bf  in June! really thrilled and now its time for the research. Goona update along the way everything that I need to know before jetting off here :D would love to hear your insider tips too for Paris or Europe Trip, leave me a comment! merci beaucoup <3

Summary of Paris 

Found an interesting post which paint a vivid summary of Paris in words by mymelange.net/blog. Are you for ready for Paris?! Check this out :D

17 Reasons France May Not Be For You

1.The French sure do love their cigarettes.  If you don’t like cigarette smoke, France may not be for you.

2.If you expect to be fussed and fawned over at dinner by wait staff who act like your new best friend and offer up their name, France may not be for you.

3. And if you may become upset and impatient when said wait staff let you relax and enjoy your meal rather than shoving you out the door, France may not be for you.

4. If you need to touch and riffle through all the merchandise when you’re shopping and you think the customer is always right, France may not be for you.

5. If you expect the French to smile, hold the door for you (a complete stranger) and speak to you in English, France may not be for you.

6. If you don’t like cheese - the smell of cheese, the taste of cheese. It’s a country of over 365 cheeses and if you can’t handle that much cheese, France may not be for you. 

7. If you prefer Paris sidewalks to be free of doggie doo, France may not be for you. I will watch out for this!

8. If you’re not big on etiquette, using your manners, or going out of your way to be polite in a foreign country, France may not be for you. Guess I better revisit those basic bite size French!

9. If you like mega-sized portions and leftovers, France may not be for you.

10. If you thing aloof, private and reserved translates to rude, France may not be for you. Lol  a place where People watching is a way of life and not being some kind of stalker!

11. If you have no desire to learn a bit of the language or culture before you go, France may not be for you. This is the reason we travel, dont we :)

12. If you’ll be highly offended when you try to speak your best French, but you’re answered back in English because your French isn’t good enough, France may not be for you. LOL not if you ask this first- Parlez vous Anglais "Parlay Voo En-glay“?

13. If you’ll throw a hissy fit when the classy resto you’ve been looking forward to dining in won’t serve you at 3:30 for lunch or 5:30 for dinner.  France has set hours for shopping, dining, banking and other services and if you can’t grasp that, France may not be for you. I think Im french already~ hee!

14. If you’ll be uncomfortable when Parisians blatantly stare at you while sizing you up on the Metro, especially if you’re dressed in a sweat suit, white sneakers and a fanny pack, France may not be for you. no sneakers, no no.

15. If you can’t sleep in anything less than a king sized bed or stay in a hotel room the size of a house, France may not be for you.

16. If you might ask a waiter for a phone book to call the health department to report the women sitting at the next table in a bistro who’s dining companion is her dog, France may not be for you. cant wait to see many french pugs!

17. If you’re not greeted with the same sense of urgency as you’re used to in other parts of the world (ie, the U.S.), France may not be for you.  great training for patience :)

Paris tips

Some tips by pretavoyager

• At a cafe, if you want beer, order a demi rather than a pint (pints seem to invariably be at tourist prices), and if you want coffee, go for un cafe (an espresso) or an un allonge (a black coffee) – far cheaper and far more parisian than a white coffee!
• Order a carafe d’eau when you’re at a restaurant or café – this is water from the tap, but guaranteed to be free. Just be warned that the French don’t drink much water, so the cups are likely small, and if you’re American, you’ll likely be asking for another.
• Le Happy Hour has the best prices in town, so plan your night around this. (Rendezvous des Amis in Montmartre is one of my favorites for this with 2Euro glasses of wine and 12 Euro meat and cheese planches).
•  Buy a drink with your sandwich at the boulangerie? NEVER! Once again, beverages are marked up. Go to the near by supermarket (Leaderprice and G20 tend to be the cheapest) and buy a single drink. It’s completely ok to open the packaging of bottled water and just buy one. The difference can be 2 Euros vs. 20 centimes! Just time it right, because waiting in line sometimes isn’t worth the good deal. (Similarly vending machines will rip you off).
•  Go to your local outdoor market rather than the grocery store for fresh produce. Not only is it better, but it’s also cheaper. There are tons of markets around the city, so go explore (check out them all here).
• Buy la moitié. This tactic works great when buying a roasted chicken or even a baguette (une demi baguette). If you’re not going to eat the whole thing yourself, paying for half saves money and reduces waste.
•  If it’s nice outside buy want you want to emporter [take away] (vs. sur place [stay]). Spring is particularly lovely for picnics outside.
• The Velib system of bikes takes a few minutes to get down when you first try, but this system of 20,000 bikes around the city makes for a sweet ride. When seats are turned backwards it’s code for “don’t take this bike, it’s crap.” But just be warned as a foreigner, if your credit card does not have a puce [chip] you cannot access the bike share.
•  The metro, RER (commuter line) and buses are all connected under the RATP (with schedules conveniently posted online and through a smartphone app, which can also help you find your route). If you’re here for a visit, buy a carnet, or book or 10 tickets, which will work for all 3 (unless you’re going beyond zone 2). Weekly and monthly passes are a good deal too if you plan on riding a lot – it also saves a lot of headache of waiting in line and worrying about how many tickets you have left.
• Every first Sunday of the month national museums are free to the public. A great excuse to get your culture on.
• Night at the Museum is a Europe wide event every May, where national museums are not only open late, but the admission is free and often there are concerts taking place in the galleries.
• Paris Event Calendar
• Paris for free
• Blogger Guide for Paris

What to bring back from Paris 

* The Taste of Paris *

1. Candles & Tea 

Mariage Frères 35, rue du Bourg-Tibourg, in the 4th. 01 43 47 18 54.

Diptyque 34, blvd St. Germain, in the 5th. 01 43 26 77 44. Mon–Sat, 10–7.

2. Gifts from the gift shops 

Hôtel de Crillon (World War I)

Historic luxury hotel opened in 1909 in a 
building dating to 1758. The hotel is located at the foot of the Champs-Élysées.

Hôtel de Crillon 10, Place de la Concorde, in the 8th

they have a small faux Rodin sculpture of the artist’s hands

Rodin Museum 79, rue de Varenne, in the 7th. 01 44 18 61 10.

. 

3. Macaroons

Pierre Herme 72, rue Bonaparte, in the 6th; 185, rue de Vaugirard, in the 15th (less crowded). 

Ladurée 21, rue Bonaparte, in the 6th. 01 44 07 64 87. 75, ave des Champs-Elysées, in the 8th. 01 40 75 08 75. 16, rue Royale, in the 8th. 01 42 60 21 79.

Five Great Places for Macarons:

1. Pierre Hermé – With unusual flavor pairings like foie gras + chocolate, or his current offering of green tea + girolle mushrooms, the macarons from Pierre Hermé are anything but boring.
2. Ladurée – With more chocolate & less liver in their cookies, Ladurée is the safe & pastel choice.
3. Gérard Mulot – Less expensive than Hermé and Ladurée, Mulot is the everyman’s macaron.
4. Gregory Renard – An underdog specializing in chocolates and delicious chocolate macs.
5. Jean-Paul Hévin – A chocolate master who follows Hermé’s lead with pairings like mango coriander.

4. Chocolates

Patrick Roger 108, blvd St. Germain, in the 6th; 45, ave Victor Hugo, in the 16th.

5. French herbs and spices 

Sniffing bar.
try saté: Indonesian spice blend consists of chilis, peanuts, dried shrimp, garlic and sesame
 – a nutty, savory and versatile treat.

 A wave of the royal scepter and this 200 year old building near La Place de la Republique—once a rundown atelier for wedding clothes—has become a magnet for Michelin-starred chefs. Guy Martin, Pierre Gagnaire, Helene Darroze, Eric Briffard and others come here for that heady Iranian saffron, the new crop of Sarawak black peppercorns, and Rose Aphrodite, a mix of damask rose petals, ginger and saffron.

Goumanyat is the name of an imaginary king who presides over a domain where les plaisirs du gout et le gout de plaisir—the pleasures of taste and the taste of pleasures—are paramount.
Goumanyat 3, rue Charles François Dupuis, in the 3rd. 01 44 78 96 74.


Also, the nearby G. Detou offers teas, chocolates, nuts and sardines—a veritable wonderland of foodie gifts


G. Detou 58, rue Tiquetonne, in the 2nd. 01 42 36 54 67.

6. Berets in all different colors and crystal Eiffel Towers for the kids. These can be found everywhere, but there are a number of shops that run along the street beside Notre Dame.

6. Pistachio oil

Huilerie Artisanale J Leblanc et Fils 6, rue Jacob, in the 6th.

7. Foie gras

make sure it’s not refrigerated

Comtesse de Barry 93 Rue Saint-Antoine
Paris. +33 1 40 29 07 14

Pierre Champion 110, rue Mouffetard, in the 5th. 01 55 43 92 59.

8. Candies

Paris Oldest Candy Shop in its original location for 250 years.
La Mère de Famille 35, rue du Faubourg-Montmartre, 75009, Paris

9.  Artisanal products from French monasteries

 including cups, bowls, bags, candles and honey

Monastica 11, rue du Pont Louis-Philippe, in the 4th. 01 48 87 85 13.

10. Gourmant treats 

from Fauchon, Hédiard, Maille and the other gourmet shops near the Madeleine church,
 or Lenôtre for chocolate or kitchenware.

Fauchon 30, Place de la Madeleine, in the 8th

Hédiard Locations all over Paris and the world
 prefer 21, Place de la Madeleine, in the 8th.Available in Singapore too:123 Tanglin Rd.
Maille 6, place de la Madeleine, in the 8th. 01 40 15 06 00. 

* The Memories of Paris *

11. A book on Paris from Shakespeare and Co 

Iconic bookstore in Paris.
Make sure to get your book stamped with the store emblem on the way out.

Shakespeare and Co 37 Rue de la Bûcherie  75005 Paris, France

12. Paints and brushes from Sennelier

where Picasso bought his.

Sennelier 3 Quai Voltaire, Paris

13. Old bar paraphernalia from Marché aux Puces—specifically Ricard or Pastis

Marché aux Puces Rue des Rosiers, near Porte de Clignancourt, in the 18th. Sat–Mon. only.

Les Puces (officially called Les Puces de Saint-Ouen) is biggest flea market in the world, located near the Porte de Clignancourt (You can take the Metro). It’s worth as much time as you can spend on your feet browsing through an entire nation’s attic. Get there early, and don’t be afraid to try to bargain. Watch out for pickpockets. There’s no need to bring too much cash, let alone passports; many dealers take credit cards.


Open: Saturdays 9h to 18h, Sundays 10h to 18h, Mondays 11h to 5h.

Directions

14. Copper pots 

This is where Julia Child bought hers!E Dehillerin has been serving chefs from France and around the world since 1820.

E. Dehillerin 18 & 20, rue Coquillière, in the 1st. 01 42 36 53 13.

* The Style of Paris *

15. Bensimon tennis shoes or bags from Autour du Monde

Autour du Monde Four locations in Pairs
prefer 8–12, rue des Francs Bourgeois, in the 3rd Arrondissement

16. Anything from the queen of fashion

especially the art books and the jewelry.

Colette 213, rue St. Honoré, in the 1st.

17.  Final mad dash at the duty-free shop
pick up a great bottle of Armagnac or French perfume 

duty-free shop at Charles de Gaulle

18. Vintage Chanel/Hermès from the Marché aux Puces, Didier Ludot or Les Trois Marchés de Catherine B

Les Trois Marchés de Catherine B 1, rue Guisarde, in the 6th. 01 43 54 74 18.
 (Call first, as they are open at weird times.)

.* The Daily Life of Paris *

19. Supermarket

Monoprix is everywhere. It is a local supermarket chain that sells local produce and foodstuff to imported items, clothings

Navigating Paris

Where to eat in Paris

3rd/4th Arrondissement (Les Marais)

Sweets

Best Eclairs!

L’Éclair de Génie: 14 Rue Pavée, 75004 | Tel: +33 (0)1 42 77 85 11 | Métro: St Paul

Open: Tuesday – Sunday, 11am – 7:30pm

Best Ice cream in the world
Berthillon: 31, rue Saint-Louis-en l’Île 75004 Paris |Tél. +33(0)1 43 54 31 61|  Wed- Sun from 10am – 8 pm|  Métro: Pont-Mari

Best Gelato. Charge by the cone or cup size and fill it up using a spatula with as many flavours as you want!  In authentic Italian style.  

Pozzetto (Marais):  39 Rue du Roi de Sicile 75004 Paris | Tél: +33 (0)1 42 77 08 64 | Métro: Saint-Paul Pozzetto (Villiers) 21 Rue de Levis 75017 Paris |Tél: +33 (0)1 42 77 08 64 | Métro: Villiers

Cafe known for Portugese Egg tart
 Comme à Lisbonne: 37, rue du Roi de Sicile 75004 Paris | Tél : +33 7 61 23 42 30 |Tuesdays to Sundays 11h-19h

Cafe/ Savoury

Best Crepes in Paris! Signature ingredients (Bordier) and inventive twists (yuzu butter, ginger caramel) make Breizh Café our overwhelming favorite. Resevation recommended.Breizh Café: 109 rue Vieille du Temple 3e Paris | Tel: 01.42.72.13.77 | Opening hours: 11.30am-11pm Wed-Sun. Closed 3wks Aug| Metro: Saint-Sébastien - Froissart | Price: Main courses €7-€15

Best Pizza in Paris from 9€ to 15€ and the serve authetic gelato from Pozzetto. 
 La Briciola: 64, rue Charlot 75003 Paris |  Tél: 01 42 77 34 10

Old school Charming Affordable Parisian café with free wifiCafe St Regis: 6 Rue Jean du Bellay, 75004 Paris | Tel: +33 1 43 54 59 41 |Hours: 6:30am~2am (open daily) 

Restaurant 

Kosher Middle Eastern restaurant known for their sandwichL’As du Fallafel: 34, rue de Rosiers, in the Marais. Open every day, except closed friday beginning at sundown, reopening for lunch sunday.

 6th Arrondissement (St Germain)


Cafe

Julia Child would come here to sip coffee and munch on croissants with her husband Paul, who noted that “nothing had changed since his last visit, in 1928.”  (Julia Child, My Life in France, p. 24. ) Les Deux Magots: 6 place Saint-Germain-des-Prés 75006 ParisMétro : Saint-Germain-des-Prés | Tel: + 33 (0)1 45 48 55 25Open seven days a week, no reservations are required.

Although lunch and dinner fare is served, my favorite time to come is for morning breakfast or an afternoon café or dessert. For breakfast, you can order a platter of croissants. desserts, including tarte citron and tarte aux pommes are excellent. The omelets are also excellent

Café de Flore: 172 Boulevard Saint-Germain, 75006

Tél: 01 45 48 55 25 | www.cafedeflore.fr

Open seven days a week, no reservations are required

Restaurant 

Essence of  paris' yesteryear

Brasserie Lipp: 151 Boulevard Saint Germain des Prés 75006 Paris

 Métro : Saint-Germain-des-Prés | Telephone: + 33 (0)1 45 48 53 91

Quintessential Parisian steak frites restaurant focused on perfecting their signature dish dressed with the legendary herby sauce rumored to include butter, chicken livers and stock, fresh thyme, thyme flower, tarragon, marjoram, dill, rosemary, basil, paprika, anchovies, whipped cream, white mustard and seasoning. Just tell them how you would like your steak cooked and wait to be served in two portions seperately. Dinner will run you 25-32 euros per person depending on how much wine you order. 

* And whatever you do, do not ask for ketchup. They don’t have any and your server may be offended by the mere inquiry. Besides, frites this good don’t need ketchup. Open at Noon 

(lunch) and 7pm (dinner), recommended to queue 15-30mins before.

Le Relais de L’entrecôte: 20, rue Saint-Benoît 75006| Métro: Saint-Germain-dès-Pres (line 4) or Mabillon (line 10) 

“Quelle cuisson?” (“How do you want your steak cooked?”) 

French guide to the done-ness of your meat :

 Well done: Bien cuit 

Medium: À point 

Medium rare: Entre à point et sanglant 

Rare: Sanglant 

Very rare: Bleu

 7th Arrondissement (Eiffel Tower)

Restaurant 

Parisian favourite casual restaurant features excellent food at reasonable prices 

Café Constant: 139, Rue Saint-Dominique 75007 Paris

Les Cocottes: 135, Rue Saint-Dominique 75007 Paris

8th Arrondissement (Champs Elysees)

Sweets

Late night Ice cream at Grand Palais! From May to September, the terrace transforms into an ice cream bar serving more than a dozen flavors including creative originals likeLemon Basil, Rosemary Honey, Rose Petal, Green Tea, and Yuzu served in cones or cups. 3 euros per scoop. Open till 2am. 
Le mini palais : Avenue Winston Churchill 75008 at Pont Alexandre III | Métro: Champs-Elysées Clémenceau (line 1, 13)

Boulangeries

Eric Kayser: 85 Boulevard Malesherbes, 8th arrondissement | 33/(0) 1-45-22-70-30
available in Singapore Scotts Square too

9th/18th arrondissement (Montmartre) 

Affordable Traditional French Dining

Great way place to enjoy an authentic French meal even for travellers on a budget. 

Chartier | Restaurants (French) | Main Course € 11

7 rue du Faubourg Montmartre | +33147708629

11:30 – 22:00 daily

For the cheese fondue and alcohol, it’s 21 euro per person and the beef was an extra 9 euro (flat rate). Try to make reservations beforehand so that you’re not waiting outside forever.

Refuge des Fondus: 17 rue des Trois-Freres, 75018 Paris | Metro: Abbesses

10th Arrondissement (Canel St Martin)

Boulangeries

From the cherry, pistachio or the praline escargots to croissants made with matcha green tea, his concoctions are uncommon if not nonexistent in other bakeries around the French capital.

Du Pain et des Idées : 34 Rue Yves Toudic, 75010| 33/(0) 1-42- 40-44-52)| Mon-Fri 6:45-8|  M5 (Jacques Bonsergent) M3,M5,M8,M9,M11 (République)

Where to have Romantic Picnics in Paris 

11 picnics spots recommended by Tiffany
Click on map for goggle map view!

Best Croissants in Paris 2013

Best Croissants recommended by Parisbymouth

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Sight seeing in Paris

My Dream Day in Paris by parisinfourmonths

Movie Trail Midnight in Paris

A Travel Guide to a Delightful ‘Midnight in Paris’

The Magic of Paris – Woody Allen’s Midnight in Paris

View Paris Perfect's Midnight in Paris Tour in a larger map

View Paris on a Bus Ride

The 69 Bus – See All the Top Sights in Paris!

Bus route 69 does not run on Sundays. On other days it runs about every 10 minutes. The journey all the way from Champ de Mars to Gambetta takes 53 minutes according to the RATP journey planner. 

Rather than pay 1.60 € per journey in cash, it would be better to call at the nearest Métro station or Tabac and buy a Carnet, which is a pack of 10 single tickets for 11.40 €. The tickets are valid for a single one-way journey by either bus or Métro, using more than one bus route or Métro line if necessary (but not a mixed bus-Métro journey). A Tabac, literally 'tobacconist', sells not only cigarettes but also transport tickets, postage stamps, car parking smartcards etc. etc. They are often attached to bars.

The 42 Bus – The Best Sightseeing Bus in Paris!

Our Paris Trip 2013 

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