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Dining in Europe > Paris
Hotels in Europe > Hotels
in France > Hotels
in Paris
The reputation of French gastronomy is firmly established: so why not
spend a little time in Paris, tasting all the subtleties of a city where
every local cuisine is represented ' Which begs the question: where are
the best restaurants and cafés located?
In general, one eats well anywhere in Paris, the best restaurants and
cafés are usually those visited by Parisians themselves. The left bank
offers the highest concentration of restaurants, mostly in such tourist
sectors as Saint-Germain-Des-Prés and the Quartier Latin (Latin
quarter). Even if you don't find quality everywhere, some outdoor cafés
and wine bars are truly excellent (near Odéon, try the Tour de Pierre,
in Rue Dauphine, whose warm atmosphere attracts wine lovers, or the
trendy café in Place Saint-Germain, Les Deux Magots, and its popular
patio). The Quartier Latin, near Place Maubert and Rue des Ecoles,
enjoys an abundance of small Vietnamese and Chinese restaurants.
Around the Marais and Bastille, various trendy cafés, tea rooms and
ice cream shops, such as La Charlotte de L'Isle, Rue Saint-Louis-en-L'Isle,
and Berthillon (the best ice creams and sorbets in Paris) create a
special atmosphere. Others are more traditional but all the same
successful (Le Loir dans la Théière, Rue des Rosiers).
When it comes to the Champs-Elysées and La Madeleine, the good
restaurants and cafés are more expensive, and interspersed with
fast-food places. But there are also trendy bars here, from the Buddha
Bar in rue Boissy-d'Anglas, to the Montecristo Café on the
Champs-Elysées, or the Barfly on Avenue George V.
Many famous cafés from the 20s are located in Boulevard
Montparnasse, including Sélect, La Coupole, Le Dôme, and La Rotonde.
Recent renovations have restored them to their former glory.
Near Louvre-Rivoli, many charming restaurants and cafés face fierce
competition from expensive tourist cafés. Nearby, in Les Halles,
fast-food places and mediocre restaurants overshadow famous locations.
Apart from very good Japanese restaurants (Le Café Sushi, 40
Boulevard Haussmann) and excellent brasseries (La Taverne, Boulevard des
Italiens, & the Grand Café des Capucines, Boulevard des Capucines),
the sector around Opéra is not the best place for a decent meal. By the
Bourse, stockbrokers frequent well-known restaurants.
If you head to the north of Paris and Montmartre, you're sure to be
tempted by the many attractive restaurants, which are often expensive
but worth it. The two most luxurious spots are the Beauvilliers, in the
charming Rue Lamarck that leads up to the Sacré C'ur, and the
Italian-style Table d'Anvers, in Place d'Anvers.
Restaurants around the Invalides, Eiffel Tower and Palais de
Chaillot, are calm by night, and often more pleasant for this than other
animated locations in Paris. You may however hear piano playing around
one o'clock in Avenue Bosquet: this is the American style Masters Bar,
with cheap and chic cocktails and a great choice of whiskies.
The two Asiatic sectors in Paris, south of Place d'Italie and in
Belleville, are home to many excellent, exotic and cheap Vietnamese and
Chinese restaurants. Belleville is full of North-African restaurants.
Entertainment in Paris
ART & CULTURE
When thinking about art, ones mind automatically turns to Paris, a city
that is itself a work of art. For there is everything here that you
might want: collections by the Great Masters, (Van Gogh, Gauguin, Monet,
Rodin, and more) modern and contemporary art, cultural centres and
immense libraries. In short, Paris' reputation as a culinary centre is
more than matched by its ability to satiate any cultural hunger.
Museums
The museums of Paris are numerous, and of excellent quality. The most
famous, naturally, is the immense and magnificent Musée du Louvre,
which is in itself an architectural work of art (a 16-century royal
residence). If you love Impressionist and postimpressionist art, then
you should certainly visit the Musée d'Orsay, and in the Musée Picasso
in the Marais, you will find a wonderful presentation of Picassos works.
Modern art is well represented in the Musée National d'Art Moderne-
Centre Georges Pompidou, an enormous rectangular building, both familiar
and extravagant at the same time, and loved and hated with the same
intensity by Parisians, because of its modern appearance. If you like
sculpture, don't miss the Musée Rodin, second only to the Louvre,
located in the house where the artist lived and worked until his death.
Exhibitions & Photography
Although there are wonderful exhibitions everywhere, suitable for all
tastes, the most significant displays are in the Grand Palais, the
Galerie Nationale du Jeu de Paume and, again, in the Louvre. Visit the
Maison Européenne de la Photographie and the Centre National de la
Photographie for temporary exhibitions and historical studies of
photography and its protagonists.
Nature & Science
If you are interested in life sciences, you must visit the Musée
National d'Histoire Naturelle at all costs. With its spectacular
explanation of the Evolution process, its Tropical Greenhouses and the
Microzoo, it is a sight not to be missed. In the la Cité des Sciences
et de l'Industrie, science and technology feature prominently, and any
budding scientists can perform scientific experiments in the Palais de
la Découverte, and the brand new Exploradome.
History & Literature
You can follow the History of France through the centuries in the
Archives Nationales-Hôtel Soubise, Musée d'Histoire Contemporaine -
hotel des Invalides, Musée Carnavalet & Musée National du Moyen
Age; while « bookworms» can find a piece of heaven-on-earth at the
immense Bibliothèque Nationale de France & at the Centre Pompidou.
Curiosities
If you fancy something a bit different, or you're interested in the more
'minor' arts, there are many smaller museums which you will find more
than useful. The two galleries of the Musée des Arts et traditions
Populaires, presents a synthesis of popular culture in France, focusing
on art from 1000 AD to the present day. The off-beat Musée de la
Curiosité et de la Magie is worth a look, as is the Musée de Baccarat,
featuring a crystal glass-making exhibition. The Musée de l'Erotisme
and its old and modern works from 5 continents is also interesting. For
a more unusual look at the past, the Musée Grévin illustrates French
history with over 450 wax figures, from the noble and selfless heroine,
Joan of Arc, to the pomp and majesty of renaissance royalty. Should you
ever be in need of refreshment during your Parisian travels, there is
the Musée du Vin, which explains all aspects of fine wine making,
including, of course, some tasting. Finally, any vampire-lovers should
plunge fearlessly into the city Sewers (les Egouts), (the guided tours
cover a network of more than 2000 km) and into the Catacombs, which were
also a refuge during WW II.
CINEMA
There are countless cinemas throughout Paris, featuring not only new
releases, but classic re-runs and avant garde movies, or 'd'essai'. The
most notable among these, for both price and quality, are the 'UGC Les
Halles, 'UGC Montparnasse, the Grand Rex and the Gaumont Opéra Premier.
The Cinémathèque Française shows old classics, as does the charming
Studio Galande. For an unforgettable 3D experience, try the Geode, the
Cinaxe (located in the Parc de la Villette) or the Dome IMAX, which had
a truly enormous screen.
THEATER & DANCE
Five out of the six French national theatres are located in Paris. There
is the Comédie Française, which is, without a doubt, the most famous
of all. There is also the Théâtre de la Huchette, which reigns
uncontested over the realm of independent theatre, and can only be
missed to your detriment. Au Bec Fin combines a charming turn of the
century atmosphere with live theatre. Dance has its temple at the Opéra
Garnier, while the shrine to lyric music can be found at Opéra
Bastille.
MUSIC
Classical
The three most famous Parisian concert halls are, without a doubt, the
Sainte Chapelle, Orchestre de Paris and, naturally, l'Opéra: here you
will be able to savour the melodies of the best artists and
international orchestras.
Jazz-blues
For Jazz and Blues fans, the choices are almost limitless. Apart from
countless smaller venues, check out New Morning, and the Duc des
Lombards, two of the most famous clubs in Paris. The Caveau de la
Huchette, a venue famous for its fashionable ambience, is also good.
Rock
For any true ' rockers', there are three locations that will not fail to
please: the café-bar Bataclan, the Cigale, and with its three fabulous
floors of disco, and the Locomotive, next to the Moulin Rouge.
House, disco, world music
House music lovers will be right at home at the Rex club, while those
with more uptown tastes, should try the Whats Up bar which features many
fashionable DJs. To enjoy a mix of rock, Latin American, and African
music, try the Elysée Montmartre, New Raï and Java. And of course, any
visitor to Paris cannot skip a visit to the Lapin Agile, which features
some of the finest French music in the entire city.
Curiosities
A wonderful way to experience Paris is on a boat trip on the Seine, on
the Batofar, which in addition to river cruises often organises concerts
and shows. For a 'cooler' look at the Parisian social scene, the Frigo
often hosts many fine concerts, and regularly holds exhibitions for
young artists. Transformed 15 years ago, into a social centre, the old
deposit refrigerator of the Austerlitz railway station offers a unique
look at French culture.
There are often concerts in Bercy, performed by some of the greatest
international artists, as well as at the Stade de France, in La
Villette, and the Parc des Princes. Tourist information offices will
have all the current event details.
NIGHT CLUBS & SHOWS
Paris, at night, is simply amazing: extravagant and fashionable, the
Parisian scene has no reason to be envious of London or New York. A
soirée should begin at Queen, one of the most 'in' discos at the
moment, where top supermodels dance with movie stars, musicians, and
countless other showbiz celebs. Young trendies meet in the ex strip-club
Folies Pigalle, the busiest club in Pigalle. Fashion in Paris shifts
with such lightning speed as to baffle the outsider- what is 'in' one
day, is seemingly out the next, and with no apparent reason. The more
fashionable clubs of today (although perhaps not tomorrow!) include:
Doobies, (a classy American bar owned by ex-tennis champion Yannick
Noah, featuring house and hip-hop till 4 am) and Skeud (a gay &
straight club with Electronic sounds & some of the best beers in
Paris). The Lizard Lounge is the most English pub in Paris, while, in
contrast, the Montecristo offers a Cuban atmosphere, with bright lights
and lively colours, and fantastic music.
The Cabarets and dinner-shows in Paris are famous the world over; no
trip to Paris can be called complete without a trip to at least one of
the many famous spots. There is the Crazy Horse, which offers the most
beautiful naked shows in the world, and the Carrousel de Paris whose
humour, special effects and French gossip always pleases. The reviews at
Folies Bergères, the Lido, and the Moulin Rouge, all have well deserved
reputations for their unsurpassed entertainment value.
DISTRICTS
Every district, (arrondissement) in Paris has its history, and its
beauties. A few examples:
1.The Louvre area, the real 'heart' of the city, with the Tuileries
Gardens, and the magnificent Royal Palace, the beauty of the Comédie
Française, the luxury of the Ritz and the commercial district of the
Halles.
2. The Latin Quarter, named after the students of the Sorbonne who,
before the Revolution, only spoke in Latin. Its still a student district
with countless Greek restaurants and street markets.
3.The Rive Gauche finds its heart in the VI arrondissement, around St
Germain des près where concentrates Paris «hyper chic » and its bars,
the le Café de Flore and les Deux Magots.
4. Bastille, formerly a working-class district, has become a favourite
haunt for the young and trendy, and is now known for its hip tapas bars,
night clubs and galleries.
5.Montmartre is really a little city in itself, looking at Paris from
atop its hill. At the foot of Sacre C'ur, the sacred and profane live
side by side (Pigalle and its peep shows).
GARDENS & PARKS
It is said that Paris is the City with 400 gardens; and this is not
difficult to believe! If you like walking in nature but don't want to
stray too far from the city, Paris offers you an almost infinite choice
of parks and gardens where you can go to relax. Among the most beautiful
are the Jardin des Tuileries, just in front of the Louvre; the Jardin du
Luxemburg, the Bois de Boulogne and the Bois de Vincennes, at the east
and west of the City, respectively. Visitors should also check out the
unique Parc de Belleville, the Jardin des Plantes and the Parc
Montsouris, a landscaped garden.
Curiosities
The Promenade and the Cemetery Père Lachaise: the Promenade is a long
railway viaduct now transformed into a pedestrian and cycle track,
offering a unique view of Paris. The Père Lachaise cemetery is a
gigantic ' temple'» where such celebrities as Chopin, Balzac,
Modigliani, Oscar Wilde, Edith Piaf, Yves Montand and Jim Morrisson rest
in peace.
SPORTS & THEME PARKS
Sports fans, you have not been forgotten: Paris offers you all that you
could possibly need, and perhaps even more. The heart of French football
is the Stade de France, which recently supplanted the famous Parc des
Princes, homeland of the most beloved Parisian football team the PSG.
The most important tennis competition is held every June at the Stade
Roland Garros, and for the horse lover, Vincenness Hippodrome is sure to
delight. Jogging-, and marathon-lovers all meet in Bois de Boulogne and
in the Jardins du Champ de Mars, which are well known as great running
tracks. Theme Parks are numerous and spectacular: For relief from summer
heat, there is the Aquaboulevard, with its long slides and swimming
pools; another popular attraction is Disneyland Paris, the magic world
of fantasy for children and adults alike, where cartoons come alive. And
last, but by no means least, is the Parc Astérix, where you can live
out the adventures of crazy little Gauls against Caesars mighty empire.
Dining in Europe > Paris
Hotels in Europe > Hotels
in France > Hotels
in Paris
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