What to do in Paris
Posted by: Rasher on 28 February 2007
I have to go to Paris for a weekend in April. I hate Paris. I will have plenty of time to kill so please give me some tips of places to go so I won't be bored to death. 
There is no time for my missus to come out, and anyway she'll be there herself a few weeks later.
Shall I just take a good book?
There is no time for my missus to come out, and anyway she'll be there herself a few weeks later.
Shall I just take a good book?
Posted on: 01 March 2007 by Steve Toy
No fish and chips in Paris unless you count a McFilet with McFries.
Posted on: 02 March 2007 by warwick
[quote]''
There's a great record shop here, and a whole slew of them just south of the river on Boulevard Saint Michel with a decent second-hand selection too.''
Yes. Last September I strolled down the lovely
rue de la Montagne-Ste-Geniève close to the Sorbonne. At the top their are two good record shops across from one another. One specialises in classical the other in Jazz (typically 20 euro per Lp).
Also a fascinating wine merchant at top end, left side(looking towards the river) on this street or stretch. Looks like a posh restaurant on the outside. Everyday drinking stuff at 8-12 Euro's upstairs and the really pukka stuff down stairs. The owner has a fantastic knowledge of vintages, much more preferable than having to scour tomes by Michael Broadbent or Robert Parker.
Good tourist restaurants towards the river (just round from St Michel). I just went into one which looked busy. 2 courses about 10 euros, decent (think Pierre Victoire standard).
http://www.hot-maps.de/europe/france/paris/homeen.html
Lavinia is a new wine superstore @3-5 bd. de la Madeleine. Bit like the wine depts of the posh London department stores combined. Didn't seem reasonably priced so I'd only go if in the area.
There's a great record shop here, and a whole slew of them just south of the river on Boulevard Saint Michel with a decent second-hand selection too.''
Yes. Last September I strolled down the lovely
rue de la Montagne-Ste-Geniève close to the Sorbonne. At the top their are two good record shops across from one another. One specialises in classical the other in Jazz (typically 20 euro per Lp).
Also a fascinating wine merchant at top end, left side(looking towards the river) on this street or stretch. Looks like a posh restaurant on the outside. Everyday drinking stuff at 8-12 Euro's upstairs and the really pukka stuff down stairs. The owner has a fantastic knowledge of vintages, much more preferable than having to scour tomes by Michael Broadbent or Robert Parker.
Good tourist restaurants towards the river (just round from St Michel). I just went into one which looked busy. 2 courses about 10 euros, decent (think Pierre Victoire standard).
http://www.hot-maps.de/europe/france/paris/homeen.html
Lavinia is a new wine superstore @3-5 bd. de la Madeleine. Bit like the wine depts of the posh London department stores combined. Didn't seem reasonably priced so I'd only go if in the area.
Posted on: 03 March 2007 by Rasher
Thanks guys. sigh...
At least the coffee is good.
At least the coffee is good.
Posted on: 03 March 2007 by fred simon
quote:Originally posted by Rasher:
Thanks guys. sigh...
At least the coffee is good.
Rasher, surely you're not suggesting that there's nothing good to eat in Paris?! My wife and I had nothing but great food everywhere we ate.
Try at least this:
L'As du Fallafel
34 Rue des Rosiers, 4th
It's in the Marais district, the best falafel I've ever had, by far. Some people say its falafel rivals that in the Middle East. Just order "the special" ... pita stuffed with crisp, garlicky chickpea fritters, with creamy hummus, lightly pickled red cabbage (something between slaw and kraut), salted cucumbers, fried eggplant, tahini, and hot sauce (upon request, but dorequest it!). Incredibly delicious, inexpensive, and it's vegetarian. For meat eaters, there's also shwarma, which I haven't tried (not because I'm vegetarian, although I don't eat very much meat, but because the falafel was so damn good I'd always order that ... three days in a row for lunch!) but have heard it's as good as the falafel. Closed from Friday at dusk through Saturday for the Jewish sabbath, long lines on Sunday for the falafel junkies jonesing for a fix. Yes, its popularity rose when Lenny Kravitz listed it as one of his favorite restaurants over ten years ago. That may or may not be a plus for you, but if not, at least don't let it dissuade you ... the man knows his falafel.
Man, I want one right now!
All best,
Fred
Posted on: 04 March 2007 by Steve Bull
quote:Originally posted by fred simon:quote:Originally posted by Rasher:
Thanks guys. sigh...
At least the coffee is good.
Rasher, surely you're not suggesting that there's nothing good to eat in Paris?! My wife and I had nothing but great food everywhere we ate.
Try at least this:
L'As du Fallafel
34 Rue des Rosiers, 4th
It's in the Marais district, the best falafel I've ever had, by far. Some people say its falafel rivals that in the Middle East. Just order "the special" ... pita stuffed with crisp, garlicky chickpea fritters, with creamy hummus, lightly pickled red cabbage (something between slaw and kraut), salted cucumbers, fried eggplant, tahini, and hot sauce (upon request, but dorequest it!). Incredibly delicious, inexpensive, and it's vegetarian. For meat eaters, there's also shwarma, which I haven't tried (not because I'm vegetarian, although I don't eat very much meat, but because the falafel was so damn good I'd always order that ... three days in a row for lunch!) but have heard it's as good as the falafel. Closed from Friday at dusk through Saturday for the Jewish sabbath, long lines on Sunday for the falafel junkies jonesing for a fix. Yes, its popularity rose when Lenny Kravitz listed it as one of his favorite restaurants over ten years ago. That may or may not be a plus for you, but if not, at least don't let it dissuade you ... the man knows his falafel.
Man, I want one right now!
All best,
Fred
One to track down for next time, thanks Fred. Another great vegetarian restaurant near the Pompidou Centre on Rue de Rambuteau: Le Potager du Marais.
Steve.
Posted on: 06 March 2007 by Rasher
Thanks guys. I'll make sure I go to both those places.
I just like coffee Fred, more than I like Paris. I do like France in general however, it's just Paris that winds me up the wrong way.
I just like coffee Fred, more than I like Paris. I do like France in general however, it's just Paris that winds me up the wrong way.
Posted on: 07 March 2007 by fred simon
quote:Originally posted by Rasher:
I just like coffee Fred, more than I like Paris. I do like France in general however, it's just Paris that winds me up the wrong way.
After you eat at L'As du Fallafel you'll have something else besides coffee to like about Paris.
All best,
Fred