All About Paris

Lets face it, when it comes to style, cuisine and wine - the French do it well! With world-class fashion and theatre, an unrivalled music and clubbing scene, and an eclectic array of restaurant and bar choices, this is a city built on historical grandeur and everything chic!

Nowhere do all the romantic cliches play more strongly than Paris - the city of lights and of a thousand whispers. Like an impossibly beautiful woman who’s placed on a pedestal, the sheer beauty of Paris can be overwhelming at first glance. But don’t let the glittering facade fool you!

Look beyond the heartbreaking beauty and you’ll find a charming and disarmingly normal city, and people who aren’t only friendly, but also curious about you (where you come from, your views on politics and so on)! It does take a bit of an attitude adjustment though. But just give the city a chance - not every Parisian is a snob! Just know, it certainly helps to arm yourself with at least a “bonjour” in their language.

In Paris, its far better to experience the city, than to just look at it. Of course, the Louvre, Pompidou, Musee D'Orsay, the Opera, Notre Dame and the Eiffel Tower are unparalleled. But the city is far beyond the shadows of impressive monuments and grand boulevards. So, skip the endless museum hopping for a day, find your spot in one of the numerous cafes, and watch the world go by.

Paris is a city full of romance and passion, so let it sweep you off your feet. Do like the Parisians do: enjoy your morning croissant or Nutella crepe as you stroll along the Seine. Or grab a mobile lunch of a baguette, brie, and sliced tomatoes - you too will feel like a Parisian (just like cute little Audrey Tautou when she portrayed eccentric Amelie) as you slowly stroll through the streets, taking in every smell, sight, and sound!

When the sun starts to set, climb up to the top of Paris for the best views and Bohemian vibe in the city. No kids - not the top of the Eiffel Tower. We prefer the steps of Sacre Coeur where you can relax with the locals and a good bottle of wine as you watch the city transform itself.

Paris is chic, royal, ever changing and always fascinating. So, go ahead and discover where the locals hang out, eat, drink and reminisce about the day’s events in a tradition that’s impossibly French. Better yet, if you want to run this town like Napoleon did, checkout some of our journey Pod Picks and have some fun on us!


Restaurants

Chez Papa: If you want to eat very good (and not expensive) Southwestern French cuisine come to Chez Papa early - because it's always full. With several locations throughout the city, Chez Papa serves dishes in a charmingly old-fashioned way in pots, pans and clay bowls. The service is excellent too and, if youre lucky you may even get a chance to meet the big daddy himself, Chez Papa! The place is vegetarian-friendly, so you may order any of your choices without the meat. And, you cant go wrong with their omelets, salads and onion pie! If you find yourself at Chez Papa on the busy rue La Fayette, sit near a window for some people-watching.

Toi: "Toi" means "you" in French, and restaurant co-founders Bruno Andore and Philippe Courtain make sure it's known exactly who they're talking about! You'll certainly feel spoiled at TOI with its welcoming and cozy atmosphere. Specialties here include escargot with anis, veal grenadine, seared tuna, and salads. All their dishes are served in an infrared and violet interior with private salons of pop art style. TOI boasts a chic decor and an uber trendy clientele that enjoys the DJ late night.

Brasserie Bofinger: If only walls could talk and Brasserie Bofinger could write its own memoir, the face of this exquisite city would undoubtedly be altered. This Parisian culinary destination has often seen history in the making. Major local celebrities and personalities have found their way here. In 1864, l'Alsace set up its first beer pump here in Paris and folks have been flocking to Bofinger ever since. The food here is as good as it gets, and Bofinger is known for two dishes in particular. The first is the choucroute a sturdy dish of sauerkraut laden with cured and boiled meats that range from smoked sausage and everyones favorite- ham knuckles- to belly pork. The other dish is the fruits de mer the restaurant serves six different types of oysters - all of which are displayed, by tradition and symbol of the seriousness with which Bofinger approaches its food.

Chez Angelina: Enjoy the queue at this grand Viennese cafe after the Louvre, with a nice, leisurely lunch at the luxurious Chez Angelina. Founded in 1903, this destination is sure to delight the senses. A former favorite of Audrey Hepburn, Coco Chanel and George V, Chez Angelina is now a must for Parisians and tourists alike. Besides looking like a doll house, with its marble, gilded ironwork, and mirrors, the Quiche Lorraine is scrumptous and the French pastries in the attached tea & pastry shop are unparalleled. Just make sure whatever you do, order yourself their signature hot chocolate (likely the best youll ever taste) - accompanied with cream and served on a silver tray (all of which make it well worth the wait to get in here). Just try to understand a little bit of French most of the wait staff here does not speak English.

Le Jules Verne: If you find yourself near the Eiffel Tower, and youre in the mood to splurge this place is definitely well worth it. Placed among the top restaurants in France, this prestigious dining destination is located on the second floor of the Towers south pillar, has its own private elevator, and looks out over the city from 125 meter above ground. With its black leather dcor, succulent haute cuisine, palate-tingling wine and an inescapable touch of romance, no trip to the French capital is complete without a visit to Le Jule Verne.

Brasserie Lipp: Brasserie Lipp has been the meeting place for artistic, literary, and political figures in Paris since the days of the guillotine. Hemingway was their first customer and was known to often stop by for a drink! Oozing with tradition and character, this spot is always hopping - whether you sit inside and enjoy braised pork and award -winning Riesling or people-watch from the porch, this is the French restaurant to visit.

Findi: Located near the Champs d'Elysses, Findi is the most beautiful Italian restaurant in Paris with its ambiance and traditional cuisine. Findi is like an Italian Palazzo redecorated with a contemporary eye and offers the most delicious antipasta and pasta dishes, along with your choice of over 60 different wines. Make sure to try the mozzarella de Bufala, pappardelli and tagliatelli which are the specialties here. Reservations are recommended!

Blue Elephant: When you arrive at Blue Elephant, youll be greeted with dcor youd only expect to see in a travel brochure lush plants, colorful orchids and a waterfall thatll make you think youve arrived in Thailand! Located near the Opera in the happening Bastille area, the dining room at Blue Elephant is a haven of peace and tranquility. This place has Bangkok on speed dial and flies in fresh herbs, spices, fruits and other goods directly from the homeland. Try a starter of som tam, shredded green papaya with lemon dressing and dried shrimps, follow with a main course of lamb and save room for the dessert one of their delicious fresh fruit concoctions.

La Dure: An excellent choice for breakfast or brunch, this beautiful bakery/cafe situated on the Champs d'Elysses (with prices to match) will make you forget what things cost when you take one look at the pastry display. With indoor and outdoor seating, La Dure offers some of the best macaroons. Keep in mind, these are not your traditional American-style macaroons - these are denser and more intensely flavored, and there's no coconut here, it's actually a blend of almond paste and other flavorings. Simply, a Paris institution!

Mariage Freres: If you love tea, this place will dazzle you with its selection of more than 500 teas, the French colonial dcor, the handsome wait staff dressed all in white, and the menu of quiches, salads, cakes and scones. Mariage Frres is the oldest tea importer in France. The company ("Mariage" is the family surname; "Frres" means "Brothers") started trading in tea in the 1660s when Nicolas Mariage traveled to Persia, the East Indies, and the Moghul Empire as part of a trade delegation. Mariage Frres if often crowded, so be prepared to wait. And, make sure you wear your nicest frocks!

L'As du Fallafel: Need a little spice kick while in Paris? Want to visit a neighborhood a bit off the traditional beaten path? Look no further than L'As and the most fantastic falafel youll eat anywhere. Talk about one of the cheapest and tastiest meals in Paris- a falafel here costs EUR5, and if you shell out a little extra money, you can also get the special with grilled eggplant, cabbage, hummus, tahini, and hot sauce. Though takeout at L'As is extremely popular, it can be more fun (and not as messy) to eat off a plastic plate in the frenzied (but fascinating) fast-food style dining room. The fresh lemonade here is also the falafel's best match.

Le Petit Poucet: Located on the Ile de La Jatte, Le Petit Poucet - with its countryside atmosphere and fresh air (and only a stone's throw from Paris) offers a large Californian-style wooden building facing the Seine and welcomes you with its charming terraces. You'll really enjoy the Chef's repertoire with produce fresh from the market. Le Petit Poucet is a riverfront restaurant and presents a truly picturesque setting.

La Tourelle: Situated in one of the oldest houses in Paris, La Tourelle offers an old-fashioned Paris restaurant atmosphere. La Tourelle is probably one of the most authentic Parisian bars and restaurants that youll find. Try the specialties like the foie gras and the pig with prunes you wont be disappointed. The fantastic service (reservations are recommended), superb food and wine, will also leave you wanting to come back for more, and more!

Bakara Lounge: A great destination for brunch, or for an after work wind down and Happy Hour, Bakara Lounge serve delicious Southern French cuisine. Inside youll find red walls and plenty of natural light, which also makes it a great place to enjoy long summer evenings. With wooden tables and chairs, filtered light and music every night, Bakara is perfect for a relaxed hangout. Try the tartar made with tomatoes, apples and shrimp, or the roasted veal and risotto. Just make sure you save room for the tiramisu Bakara a standard of the house!

Le Pain Quotidien: A great example that chain restaurants are not always cheesy, Le Pain Quotidien, with five locations in Paris alone, is always a lovely place to drop by for a quick tartine or a slice of something sweet and fruity. Perfect for breakfast or brunch, this is a Belgian place that offers excellent fresh bread, butter and jam. For breakfast - the mini baguette is a hit, and for lunch - just order the fresh soup (itll taste like the one your grandmother would have cooked for you!). Make sure you try the chocolate and nut-flavored spreads, jams and honey that fill your table.

Zango: If youre looking for an enticing international voyage, make your way over to Zango. The cuisine here is original and delicious. The food and cocktail mixtures are surprising but never disappoint. Zango also boasts a wine selection than includes: Chilean, Australian and Lebanese.


Bars & Nightlife

Buddha Bar: Roll up your sleeves and prepare to get into some trouble. Everyone from flight attendants to die-hard travelers to local Parisians agrees that Buddha Bar is the hottest spot in Paris! As you embark inside, youll find yourself greeted with an enormous Buddha who towers graciously over the crowd. Dont piss him off as you climb the massive staircase to the restaurant and indulge in Japanese-American cuisine. If youre in the mood for some chow, the most talked about dish here is the grilled duck. Just like their sister Buddha Bars in London and Dubai, this place also lets you dance off those calories after dinner.

Le Queen: A long-standing Paris institution, this is also one of the most famous nightclubs in the city located in the triangle dor on the famous avenue des Champs Elyses. Le Queen runs theme nights during the week- Wednesday is ladies-night (that means - free entrance and open bar). Le Queen draws a mixed crowd of celebs, gay & lesbian, tourists and locals alike. Typically, youll find a younger (20 and 30-something crowd), and the music tends to vary from one night to the next. Many world-famous DJs have taken stage here, including DJ Dimitri, who helped popularize the club with a weekly club-night called Paris is Burning. Recent DJs who have dropped in include: Tiesto, Offer Nissim, Paul Van Dyk, Deep Dish, Lucy, KFK, and Michael Kaiser.

Rex: For the hard core clubber who has every top DJ saved on his iPod, this is the place to go to listen to the latest remixes. Frankly, a visit to Paris will not be complete without a night out at Rex. The club has a dark, underground feel to it, yet the music keeps the atmosphere alive, attracting a wide-ranging crowd. Entry at Rex is definitely easier than at some of the bigger and glitzier clubs. Some of the best DJs from around the world have graced the decks at this venue.

Le Manray: One of Paris' trendiest bars, this echoing venue is decorated with bold arrangements and oversized Buddhas. Inside, youll find huge chandeliers hang above guests as they enjoy Asian-fusion tapas and sake martinis. If youre lucky, you might catch Johnny Depp practicing his French at the bar. Sorry ladies, Vanessa Paradis is usually sitting right next to him. Entrance to the club is free if you eat first.

Le Baron: The former site of a famous brothel that was infiltrated by mafia lords and their high-class escorts, Le Baron is now a private VIP spot that gets cooking after hours. Its sooo exclusive that sometimes invited guests are given a secret password to enter the doors of this 1920's inspired dance club. If you can make your way in, youll find that champagne flows easily throughout the private tables which come encapsulated with plush velvet couches. Le Baron also boasts pictures of nude, frolicking women which adorn the sexy red walls of the place. Real classy.

Le Red Light: Formerly known as L'Enfer (Hell), Le Red Light is so popular, that it has compiled its own CD called, quite appropriately, "The sound of Red Light". The bar hosts a range of legendary nights for Parisian night-goers and even praises itself as being the largest gay club in France. The crowd is mixed, and draws 18 to 30 yr. olds mainly those who have cash to spare and who are discerning about their music (house and techno, mostly). Neon strobe lights and occasional drag queen performances often occupy the dance floor. (For those of you who have partied in Ibiza, Le Red Light is a little like Privilege.)

Barrio Latino: Talk about a fiesta! Located in the Bastille area, Barrio Latino is a four-floor restaurant, a nightclub and lounge not to mention, the best place for Latin dancing in the city! Its also one of the quirkiest places youll find featuring many kitschy and lavish gimmicks. The first and third floors here feature dance floors that pump out Latin sounds, while the second floor is the restaurant offering traditional regional Latin dishes that include Brazilian Feijoada and Argentine steaks. Last but not least the top floor features the nightclub where the Margaritas and Caipirinhas never stop flowing. Maybe the samba and salsa rhythms pulsating across the dance floor will give you the nerve to get your groove on.

La Taverne St. Germain: Considered the premier beer bar in Paris, La taverne St. Germain serves more than 350 assorted beers in an atmosphere that is casual and attracts more locals than tourists. Boasting a selection of beers that would make an Irishman envious, this bar features red-checkered tablecloths covering miniature tables and walls cluttered with brewish paraphernalia. And, dont forget to check out the selection of glasses that are offered for the different styles of beer. Did you know that the right beer glass makes the beer taste better? Yeah, neither did we!

Le Cabaret: This hip restaurant-lounge is North Africa meets the Middle East. With its low-ceiling alcoves and cushioned beds, guests here can sip their Mojitos while relaxing to exotic and sensual sounds. A great place to people-watch! Youll find the dancefloor filled with models straight off the fashion ad billboards. Tip: Though the door policy is as strict as White House security, don't misjudge it. Once you get past the red tape outside, Le Cabaret is friendly and inviting. Guess everyone checks their attitudes at the door.

La Locomotive: Get ready to put on your dancing shoes! Open till 6 a.m., this enormous high-tech nightclub next to the legendary Moulin Rouge echoes rock, house, groove and dance music each genre occupying a different floor of this 3 level venue. (Sundays are gay nights, featuring the Gay Tea Dance.) Jeans here are good enough, but just make sure you have your trendy threads in order to gauge some attention here.

Le Batofar: A former boat/lighthouse on the shores of La Siene, Le Batofar lets you eat, drink and dance the night away. Painted red and connected to the Francois Mitterrand Library, the place is a direct invitation to take a journey around Europes multiple cultures. The floating discothque attracts fans of techno, house and avant-garde jazz. Visitors here can walk along the gangplanks and through cozy cabin areas to a dance floor where the beats are always pumping. Theres no dress code here, but everyone still looks good, so dont think you are allowed to wear your sweatpants. And know this mate: the boat does reach capacity, so you might have to wait for people to come out before you climb on board.

De La Ville Cafe: A stylish low key cafe by day, and a swanky pre-club hot spot by night, this ultra hip location draws models, actors and other celebs. A former 19th century bordello with gorgeous marble columns, distressed walls and a grand staircase, the style here suits both an afternoon tea party and an all night rave. Whether you want to occupy the huge, heated sidewalk terrace or the sexy lounge, arrive early to get a seat. And, if you havent eaten dont fret! De La Ville Cafe serves delicious cheese and charcuterie dishes, and the extraordinarily minty Mojitos that are out of this world!

Bound Bar: New York meets Paris in this hip and popular multicarte venue that combines restaurant, sushi bar and pub. Bound boasts a lively atmosphere and offers a chic and refined ambiance that draws the young, hip and beautiful. Bound features house music, amazing cocktails and some serious eye-candy perfect for people-spotting. Talk about a home away from home in the heart of Paris!

Hotel Costes: Jacques Garcia's imagination ran wild when he was commissioned to create Paris' most talked about hotel and his originality is evident in the bar here. A destination spot for most fashion followers, Hotel Costes Bar has developed a very personal atmosphere over the years and is dedicated to the details. The bar boasts a decorative design and is a Lounge Lizard's Mecca.

Le Coupe D'feu: This intimate spot in the Marias is just steps from the main drag but light years from the touristy scene. A truly French destination, it features great wine, amazing food and a very local crowd. They have done a nice job of keeping current while still offering a slice of Paris past.

Shout outs to Sangeetha and Melissa

Things to do in Paris

A vacation isn't just about hitting all the trendy spots, experience high energy nightlife, gourmet restaurants and fabulous hotels. Sometimes travelers like to take in some of the local culture, like attending a play, a musical, an art museum, or perhaps a symphony.

Centre Georges Pompidou -The Pompidou Centre as it is known in English is a modern building that has architects staring in wonder and tourist in love with its style. This inside-out building has highly visible color-coded mechanical systems on the outside. This must be experienced to be fully appreciated. The Pompidou Centre houses displays that follow the development of French Art from the 18th century to the present. It includes works by Matisse, Chagall and Picasso.

Hôtel National des Invalides - This building was originally ordered by Louis XIV as a retirement home for war veterans who were elderly or disabled. Some of the most striking features of this building are a sweeping esplanade, a series of 15 courtyards and a beautiful domed chapel that is the burial site for war heroes, including Napoleon. The Musée de l'Armée features an outstanding military history museum.

L'Arc de Triomphe - This symbol of French victory was commissioned by Napoleon. It is festooned with sculptures and the names of French military successes. This enormous arch features a small museum and a rooftop viewing platform. France's Unknown Soldier is entombed at the base. The arch is located at the center of place Charles de Gaulle, a square that branches off into twelve avenues. It also offers great views of the Champs-Elysées to the Louvre and La Défense.

La Tour Eiffel - The Eiffel Tower is one of the best known tourist destinations in the world. It is not only a must-see for tourists, it is also Paris' signature landmark. Visitors do not mind standing in long lines to take the elevator to the observation deck. The wait is worth it.

Musée du Louvre - This world famous art museum is home to the richest and largest collection of art and antiques in the world. Once a royal palace, it began its transformation to an art museum when the young, newly appointed court painter, Leonard Da Vinci, arrived with the Mona Lisa. The museum was originally built in 1190. It became an art showcase in the 1600s, but didn't officially open as a museum until 1793.