Paris, Je T’aime!

The view from Montparnasse Tower.

I’ve wanted to write a post about my time in Paris for a while now and since so many people have been asking me for tips and things to do there, I decided it was time!

I spent 13 months in Paris and still feel that there is so much to discover. However, I did do a lot in that time and will share the best with you. :)

My 22nd birthday picnic at Champs de Mars

I won’t go on a full rant about how mesmerizing the city is, how romantic and dreamy it is. We all know it is, and for the people who live there we also know how frustrating it can get! Try travelling during the SNFC strike or metro strike or bus strike. Try finding a good and reasonable apartment, try opening a bank account or try sending something by La Poste. For everyone who has tried these things, you know what I mean! However, a walk down the Seine at dusk, the view from Tour Montparnasse, the musicians at Sacre cœur, the picnics at Champs de Mars and the smell of fresh baguette make you forget everything and fall insanely in love! That is the magic of Paris.

Getting my certificate in Professional Pastry by Chef Jean Jacques Tranchant and Chef Nicolas Bernardé (MOF)

(L) With Jean Charles Rochoux – The Chocolate Maestro. (R) Got to attend a book signing by David Lebovitz! Paris is full of surprises!

I’m going to list a few of my favourite places, with addresses and if you need more information on any please feel free to ask!

Pâtisseries and Chocolate shops

• Pierre Hermè – 185 rue de Vaugirard, 75015– (My Idol, MUST try the macaroons and millefeuille)
• Ladurée 21 rue Bonaparte, 75006 – (very traditional in their pastry, excellent for afternoon tea)
• Arnaud Larher - 53 Rue Caulaincourt, 75018
• Des gâteaux et du pain - 63 Boulevard Pasteur, 75015
• Pain de sucre - 14 Rue Rambuteau 75003
• Gerard Mulot - 76 Rue de Seine, 75006
• Patrick Roger - 108 Boulevard Saint-Germain
• Jean Charles Rochoux -16 Rue d'Assas, 75006 (My ex-employer, the best truffles I have ever had!)
• Angelina - 226 Rue de Rivoli, 75001 (MUST DRINK HOT CHOCOLATE HERE!!!!)
• La Maison du Chocolat – 19 rue du sèvres, 75006
• La Pâtisserie des rêves – 93 Rue du Bac 75007
• Rose Bakery - 46 Rue des Martyrs, 75009

Restaurants and Cafés

I am not going to list all the Michelin restaurants and fine dining restaurants; you can simply buy a Michelin guide for that! These are some of the places I regularly visited and highly recommend!

• Publicis/ drugstore - 133 avenue des Champs Elysées, (Great food, great drinks!)
• Le Relais Gascone – 6 rue des Abbesses 75018 (one of my favourites, best chef’s salad, it’s inexpensive, good quantity and delicious!)
• Findi - 24 av George V, 75008 Paris (Great Italian)
• Buddha bar - 8 Bis Rue Boissy d'Anglas, 75008
• Cafe Marly - 93 Rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris (Historic cafe at the Louvre)
• Blue Elephant - 43, Rue de la Roquette 75011 (Thai -reserve a spot for their Sunday bruch!)
• Kong - 1 Rue du Pont Neuf 75001
• Dishny - 25 Rue Cail 75010 (Really good chicken vindaloo and coconut rice!)
• L’as du falafel - 34 Rue des Rosiers, 75004
• Indiana Café - 72 Boulevard du Montparnasse, 75014 (Tex-mex)
• Pho 14 - 129 Avenue de Choisy, 75013 (Vietnamise)
• Breakfast in America - 17, rue des Ecoles 75005

Clubs and Bars

• Cab - 2 Place du Palais Royal, 75001
• Aqualounge - Avenue Albert de Mun, 75016
• VIP room - 188 Rue de Rivoli, 75001
• Maison Blanche - Avenue Montaigne, 75008 Paris
• Barrio Latino - 46 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Antoine, 75012
• The Frog and the princess - 9 Rue Princesse, 75006 Paris
• Buddha Bar - 8 Bis Rue Boissy d'Anglas, 75008
• Harry’s New York Bar - 5 Rue Daunou, 75002
• Bound - 49 Avenue George V, 8th Mº George V, 75008

Pastry shopping

• Mora (www.mora.fr 13 Rue Montmartre 75001 )
• Detou- 58 Rue Tiquetonne, 75002 (all ingredients)
• Librairie gourmand (specialized shop for culinary books)

Must do

• Go on top of Montparnasse Tower!
• Sit on the steps of Sacre cœur
• Walking tour of Paris (highly recommend, it’s free, runs every day at 11 am from St Michel)
• I love the Parisian metro, however, if you can take the bus, I absolutely love line 87. Just get in at Champs de Mars and sit till you reach Bastille. Such wonderful sights!
• If you’re lucky to be in Paris during summer, invest in a good blanket and go picnic at Champs de Mars, Jardin du Luxembourg or Bois de Boulogne.

Everyone experiences Paris differently. Carry your camera with you at all times, the greatest part is that you can just walk and find beautiful surprises everywhere! Last and most importantly, just explore and share your best moments of Paris with us!

Bon voyage. :)
Pooja

Hot Chocolate at Angelina, The best Thai restaurant and The Club Sandwich at Drugstore.