I am en route to Paris to attend the Le Web 3 conference. (If you are interested in attending the conference, you can get a 100 euro discount by going to this web site.) I have a day to myself — i.e. no conference duties. I am wondering, what are the five things I must do in Paris before I come back?
I want to know a great restaurant that doesn’t give anorexia to my charge card. Also, what is the state of Wi-Fi in Paris, because I need to use my N95 to make VoWiFi calls. Most importantly, I want to buy a cool laptop bag in Paris. Any recommendations on where to go?
See you there Om.
Taillevent: A little pricey but a great experience.
jim morrison’s grave
For food I would try Safran at 29 rue Argenteuil Paris 01. For art I would go see the Giacometti exhibit at the Pompidou center. The Musée Rodin and the Musée d’Orsay are both very good.
Hello Om,
Good place to eat in Paris is the famous restaurant Bofinger. Will set you back about 30 Euros but it has an awesome feel about it. Be sure to checkout out the stained glass ceiling. 1 min walk from the Bastille Metro!
http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/Europe/France/Ile_de_France/Paris-99080/Restaurants-Paris-Bofinger-BR-1.html
If you want a young vibrant, student atmosphere then just go to Rue Moufftard in the 5th, right next to the Censir-Daubenton metro! One of the oldest streets in Paris and right next to La Sorbonne.
For Wireless Wi-fi connexion (free ones in cafes) I advise you this Internet site :
http:///www.cafes-wifi.com
Hope it helps.
Here are some desi tips
First get a metro day pass. Paris is best seen walking, but the metro is great to get you around.
Start your day early with the Eiffel Tower, the lines are short. Must go to to the top. Walk over to the Trocadero after that.
Head over to Musee D’Orsay. This is a much better museum than the Louvre, unless the Mona Lisa is what you want to see. If you get a chance hop over to see the louvre from outside. The pyramids are fascinating.
Head over to St-Michel/Notre Dame. Walk around the Siene. See the Cathedral. There are great casual dining places around.
If you are wearing out, then just hop over to see the Champs de Elysses. You will reminisce India Gate.
If you still have an appetite – go to Montmarte and see the Sacre Couer. The ride in the funicular is great and Montmarte has a great bohemian atmosphere.
Rue Cler for breakfast, Montmarte crepes for lunch at a little stand with a red awning that says “La Petaudiere.”
I have several. I commuted from Boston for three years when I worked for Capgemini. So, I know a lot that most tourists would not visit. These are some of my absolute favorites:
TAIRA-(Franco-Japanese) Chef TaTra Kurihara’s small seafood restaurant is remarkable for his original mix of culinary cultures, in dishes such as turbot ravioli with oysters, or scallops with beet sauce and purple potato puree. Mon-Fri L&D, Sat D. €€€ (AE, DC, MC, V) 10 rue des Acacias (17th), 01.47.66.74.14.
One of my favorites in the world, absolutely fabulous fish, very fresh, very small restaurant in a wonderful part of the city.
Grain d’orge (Restaurant Le)
01 47 64 33 47
01 47 54 00 28
15, r Arc de Triomphe
75017 Paris, France
French country cooking, a wonderful couple runs it. should not be missed.
Sud-Ouest Monceau
8 rue Meissonnier
75017 Paris
Tel : 01 47 63 15 07
superb pate and duck confit!
Buddha Bar
8 Rue Boissy d’Anglais M. Concorde
Paris, 75008
Telephone: 01 53 05 90 00
very trendy, great south asian music, big and load, food is ok, people watching is great.
Androuet (wonderful cheese restaurant – not to be missed)
41 Rue d’Amsterdam
75008 Paris
telephone: 48 74 26 93
My children have remembered the cheese here all their lives.
RECH – F – Restauration Classique
62 Avenue des Ternes; 75017, PARIS
Charles de Gaulle – Etoile
(0)1 45.72.28.91
fabulous fish, very old restaurant
Le Korova
33, rue Marboeuf
75008 Paris
Tel: 33-1-53-89-93-93
very trendy
Willi’s Wine Bar
13 rue des petits champs 75001 Paris
fabulous wine, good food.
Have a great time. I wish I was there.
om – safe travels and great eats/wine.
recommendations for great food:
Dinner @ Cafe Indigo
12 AVENUE GEORGE V, Paris, 75008 , France.
Phone:+33 (1) 4720212
Lunch @
Cafe L’Avenue
corner of avenue Montaigne and rue François 1er.
And of course – late night drinks at the Buddha Bar:
8, Rue Boissy d’Anglas
75008 Paris, France
+33 1 53 05 90 00
if you have only a day.. . Musee d’orsay (M’O), lots of walking around St. Germain (Metro – St Germain des Pres) would do you good… finish w/ Crepes at
La crêperie Saint Germain
33, Rue Saint André des Arts
, 75006
Paris
Tel : 01 43 54 24 41
and of course Coffee (and Great tea – darjeeling) at
Les Deux Magots, 6 Place St-Germain-des-Pres.
Hi Om,
Have a great time in my hometown (with NYC that is).
Restaurant : I recommend l’Atelier Berger http://www.restaurant-atelierberger.com/, a not so classic French restaurant manned by a Norwegian
Museums : off the beaten path and reminiscent of NYC’s Frick Collection, 2 former private homes that are now museums:
Musee Jacquemart Andre, 158, bd Haussmann 75008 Paris
http://www.musee-jacquemart-andre.com/en
Musee Nissim de Camondo (housed Marcel Proust at some point)
Hôtel Camondo, 63 rue de Monceau (75008 Paris):
http://www.lesartsdecoratifs.fr/gb/04museecamondo/index.html
Enjoy !
Many of the McDonalds around Paris have free WiFi in a pinch. Not recommended for eating of course 😉
A second vote for Rue Cler early in the morning. Wonderful to wander and sample the treats for breakfast. Easy metro access.
Personally I enjoyed the catacombs. It’s close to Denfert-Rochereau Metro and doesn’t really take all that long to complete.
If you happen to see a Fauchon – immediately stop, do not pass go, and enjoy the finest pastries and bonbons Paris has to offer.
Safe travels.
Om:
Greetings from Russia. One place I visited which I thought different and interesting was the Paris Mint (http://www.monnaiedeparis.com/). The history of French coins and medals is explained and you can buy a commemorative silver coin if you’d like. It’s one of the museums covered by the Paris Museum Pass. The coins make a are beautiful souvenir.
Regarding museum, in top of the other recommendations like Giacommetti (Centre Pompidou) and Musée d’Orsay (with another swiss artist on temporary exhibit Hodler),
there’s one exhibit I wish I could visit : Gustave Courbet at Le Grand Palais (http://www.rmn.fr/gustavecourbet)
as a bonus there’s a design exhibit
Remind me to give you a MAXroam sim Om, then you wont have to worry about the wifi.
Hello Om,
Beside of the excellent advise mentioned above you may want to have lunch in;
Julien, 16, rue du Faubourg, Saint Denis
Paris 75010 France, tel. +33 1 4770 1206 (Open HoursNoon-3p & 7p-1a M-Su)
This brasserie is listed as an historic monument – the reason being, the beautiful Art Nouveau decor that takes you a step back in time. Not only is the setting marvellous, but the menu is also appetising. Try the Sole cooked a la plancha with Bearnaise sauce, Cassoulet d’oie Maison or the Profiteroles with Chocolate. The restaurant can seat up to 170 persons so you can bring some of your fans 😉
Have fun,
Markus
Greetings from Paris Om.
Here are a few tips :
great restaurants that doesn’t give anorexia to my charge card: Sir Winston at l’Arc de Triomphe to take a drink
what is the state of Wi-Fi in Paris : free wifi spots at any Starbucks, Mc Donalds or public administrations http://www.paris.fr/portail/Economie/Portal.lut?page_id=7822&document_type_id=4&document_id=29270&portlet_id=18027
to buy a cool laptop bag in Paris: Fnac la Defense
You need to eat the french version of cookies, called “macarons” at Ladurée on the Champs Elysées avenue. They are the best in the world. Stop there for quick coffee and macarons. Bring some back to your family too!
Here is the web site for more information:
http://www.laduree.fr/public_fr/maisons/champs_accueil.htm
Have fun!
Stephane
Om, let’s catch up longer than the last time we met -diner with Beatrice during the Web 2.0 conf.
Email me your contact details.
See u tomorrow.
Centre Pompidou is a must-see regardless of what’s on there. Musee D’Orsay has an amazing permanent collection too. Skip the Louvre.
I’d second the catacombs/ossuary – it’s an oddball place to go, especially if you’ve seen the major sights before. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catacombs_of_Paris
I also like the geek-architecture that is IMA http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arab_World_Institute
Om,
In my book, the Musée d’Orsay is a must see on any trip to Oui Oui (as I like to call Paris). The impressionist section is in a word UNBELIEVABLE.
I would recommend your visiting the Sacre Coeur Basilica in the Montmartre district (and get a great panoramic view of Paris from its hillside location), the Musee d’Orsay and Musee Auguste Rodin.
For really good but reasonable restaurants, I would recommend picking from the “Bib Gourmand” list in the venerable Michelin Red Guide. I would also second (or third) the visit to Sacre Coeur in Montmartre… Enjoy…
Hi,
Come on, Paris is not only food and museums ! 🙂
A coworking place, namely “La Cantine”, is just opening on December. It is undoubtedly a good place to meet some of the more interesting French guys related with new techologies. This place hosts especially “La Fing” (think tank on cybersociety) or Silicon Sentier (gathering hundred French start-ups).
About La Cantine :
http://blog.fabernovel.com/philippa/?p=83
La Fing :
http://www.fing.org/jsp/fiche_pagelibre.jsp?STNAV=&RUBNAV=&CODE=34935538&LANGUE=1&RH=ENGLISH
Silicon Sentier :
http://siliconsentier.org
So, enjoy Frech tech-creators !
Hey Om –
My suggestion is Le Coude Fou (in the 4th), their URL is:
http://www.lecoudefou.com
Good food, cool vibe, easy on the wallet.
Have fun,
-p
You clearly have more than you could do in a trip 10 times as long, but I can’t help myself:
Musee des Arts et Metiers – history of science, technology, and industry
For a laptop bag, try R-Town – I think the one I’ve been to is in St Germain des Pres: http://www.r-town.com/
rent a bike – the velib system is awesome
hit musee rodin in the 7th – it’s the best
dine at cafe de l’industrie in the bastille
dine at au fer de cheval in the marais
see the monets at the tuileries
Did anyone mention Hotel Costes? Check it out… they’re located in 239 rue St-Honore. They’re really known world-wide for their bar and music and actually has a collection of CD’s available for purchase at Amazon, iTunes, and other retailers. DJ Stéphane Pompougnac is their in-house DJ who spins a more lounge-y style of music.
Hi,
I advice you the Costes restaurant, and the one mentionned above is really great, for some cheaper restaurants you should try St-Germain-Des-Pres, there’re a few good restaurants and the area is well-representing Paris atmosphere.
To buy a laptop bag you should go to :
MediaStore Paris at the Palais des Congres, Porte maillot, the store is really worth seeing.
Cheers from London
You have tons of recommendations for restaurants and “must see” stuff. If you want to try something the locals do, then go to the Marais. It is the coolest and hippest area in Paris. You may be able to find a cool laptop bag at Muji. If you decide to go to this area you must eat a falafel sandwich/plate at Chez Hanna on Rue Rossiers. It is the best falafel in town.
You’re better off booking stuff in advance if you’re visiting paris, especially if you only stay for a few days, as you might end up spending half your time queeing for restaurants, museums, etc.
I usually book all my tickets (including travel) online before I leave, to make sure i don’t wate time once I’m there.
There’s a few websites out there that provide u with such services. From the UK I use http://www.allo-france.com but it seems they are selling in the states now too.
Hope this helps
I AM VISITING PARIS FOR THE FIRST TIME WITH MY 19 YEAR OLD GRANDDAUGHTER
WE WILL ONLY HAVE 5 DAYS WHAT ARE THE BEST AND MOST FUN PLACES TO VISIT
SHOULD WE BOOK MUSEUM PASSES MAKE RESERVATIONS IN ADVANCE PLEASE GIVE ME ALL THE SIMPLE IDEAS YOU CAN. WE WANT TO MAKE THIS TRIP FUN AND A LASTING MEMORY FOR US BOTH.