Post by willow on Jul 9, 2008 10:39:17 GMT -5
Well I know I don’t have as many details to offer as some of the other travelers on Board but I thought I’d offer some insight on the neighborhood I stayed in on my first visit to Paris. I’ll add pictures as I find them.
I stayed in the lovely Marais district on a tiny street called Rue Aubriot.
The street itself is very peaceful with some wonderful old wood doors. Walking along the cobblestones and peeking into the building courtyards as people move in and out of the residences gives you a glimpse into what life must have been like in the early Paris years.
But around the corner is a lively area that truly made my stay in Paris remarkable.
The area is interesting mixture of a gay neighborhood and Jewish neighborhood, so the mix of shops and restaurants is unique and the mix of people is nothing if not friendly.
Rue Vieille du Temple is packed with people at all times of the day and night due to the concentration of restaurants and bars. There is a hustle bustle of stylish people of all ages and backgrounds. In the mornings you may see a few people walking cute little pooches. In the evenings the area is filled with people trying to get into bars of the area, including several gay bars in the neighborhood.
Also along Rue V du T you will find a delicious chocolate shop. (http://www.cacaoetchocolat.com) with an assortment of chocolates including some slightly more exotic. The shop itself is pretty and the displays are mouth watering!
Walking up Rue V du T turn onto Rue Rosiers and stop in everyone’s favorite falafel place, L’As du Falafel. Join the queue and order the standard falafel and walk around the street enjoying the delicious pita bread wrap with chickpeas and all sorts of goodies. Do a little window shopping in the various artisan boutiques along the avenue. You will find clothing, jewelry, and art store just about everywhere!
Back down Rue V du T is my favorite restaurant, Les Philosophes.
It is very simple fair and a very affordable price. It is definitely a great spot for people watching! It is my understanding that the restaurants on either side of Les Philosophes are owned by the same man, but I never was able to confirm that. Either way the terrace is quite popular in the evenings and sometimes the overflow is sent to the neighboring restaurant.
For an interesting breakfast try Le Pick Clops, a very ecletic diner that also turns into a cocktail bar in the evenings. Breakfast was simple and cheap, but a great spot for looking around.
Kitty corner to Les Philosophes is a great place for dessert, Amorino. This gelato place is fantastic! The taste and presentation of their many flavors of gelato are superb! They shape the scoops into flower like petals for a yummy and pretty dessert!
Now if you walk along Rue Sainte Croix de la Bretonerrie and turn onto Rue Bourg Tibourg you will find another great spot for shopping and dining. There is a little Franprix store for your basic needs. But better yet, you find Mariage Frères, a tea house and shop. They sell an assortment of teas and tea related supplies here that make wonderful little gifts.
If tea isn’t your thing, than try the Lizard Lounge. It is a very active bar with great Happy Hour discounts. It is a bit young and loud, and in some ways like any American bar, but it is in Paris and sometimes the similarities lend some comfort. It seems to attract several young ex-Pats as well.
After a cocktail at the Lizard Lounge move on to dinner at Le Coude Fou. It’s a smallish restaurant, very affordable but great food. The waiters were extremely helpful and the food is delicious. The murals on the walls are also something enjoyable during your meal. Various scenes decorate the restaurant.
Moving back to Rue Sainte Croix de la Bretonerrie, stop by the Pylones store for some whimsical kitchen gadgets or just a little bit of whimsy without purpose!
Walking down Rue Sainte Croix de la Bretonerrie cross Rue Archives and turn and stop in the bakery Legay Choc. Their baguettes are superb and a wonderful way to start the day or even to enjoy as a sandwich.
A little further down Rue des Archives is BHV. This is a department store that sells everything from clothes and DVDs to various hardware and home improvement supplies. It is a fun browsing store but also a good place to find some gizmos and gadgets for the kitchen.
And this concludes the mini tour of “my neighborhood!"
I stayed in the lovely Marais district on a tiny street called Rue Aubriot.
The street itself is very peaceful with some wonderful old wood doors. Walking along the cobblestones and peeking into the building courtyards as people move in and out of the residences gives you a glimpse into what life must have been like in the early Paris years.
But around the corner is a lively area that truly made my stay in Paris remarkable.
The area is interesting mixture of a gay neighborhood and Jewish neighborhood, so the mix of shops and restaurants is unique and the mix of people is nothing if not friendly.
Rue Vieille du Temple is packed with people at all times of the day and night due to the concentration of restaurants and bars. There is a hustle bustle of stylish people of all ages and backgrounds. In the mornings you may see a few people walking cute little pooches. In the evenings the area is filled with people trying to get into bars of the area, including several gay bars in the neighborhood.
Also along Rue V du T you will find a delicious chocolate shop. (http://www.cacaoetchocolat.com) with an assortment of chocolates including some slightly more exotic. The shop itself is pretty and the displays are mouth watering!
Walking up Rue V du T turn onto Rue Rosiers and stop in everyone’s favorite falafel place, L’As du Falafel. Join the queue and order the standard falafel and walk around the street enjoying the delicious pita bread wrap with chickpeas and all sorts of goodies. Do a little window shopping in the various artisan boutiques along the avenue. You will find clothing, jewelry, and art store just about everywhere!
Back down Rue V du T is my favorite restaurant, Les Philosophes.
It is very simple fair and a very affordable price. It is definitely a great spot for people watching! It is my understanding that the restaurants on either side of Les Philosophes are owned by the same man, but I never was able to confirm that. Either way the terrace is quite popular in the evenings and sometimes the overflow is sent to the neighboring restaurant.
For an interesting breakfast try Le Pick Clops, a very ecletic diner that also turns into a cocktail bar in the evenings. Breakfast was simple and cheap, but a great spot for looking around.
Kitty corner to Les Philosophes is a great place for dessert, Amorino. This gelato place is fantastic! The taste and presentation of their many flavors of gelato are superb! They shape the scoops into flower like petals for a yummy and pretty dessert!
Now if you walk along Rue Sainte Croix de la Bretonerrie and turn onto Rue Bourg Tibourg you will find another great spot for shopping and dining. There is a little Franprix store for your basic needs. But better yet, you find Mariage Frères, a tea house and shop. They sell an assortment of teas and tea related supplies here that make wonderful little gifts.
If tea isn’t your thing, than try the Lizard Lounge. It is a very active bar with great Happy Hour discounts. It is a bit young and loud, and in some ways like any American bar, but it is in Paris and sometimes the similarities lend some comfort. It seems to attract several young ex-Pats as well.
After a cocktail at the Lizard Lounge move on to dinner at Le Coude Fou. It’s a smallish restaurant, very affordable but great food. The waiters were extremely helpful and the food is delicious. The murals on the walls are also something enjoyable during your meal. Various scenes decorate the restaurant.
Moving back to Rue Sainte Croix de la Bretonerrie, stop by the Pylones store for some whimsical kitchen gadgets or just a little bit of whimsy without purpose!
Walking down Rue Sainte Croix de la Bretonerrie cross Rue Archives and turn and stop in the bakery Legay Choc. Their baguettes are superb and a wonderful way to start the day or even to enjoy as a sandwich.
A little further down Rue des Archives is BHV. This is a department store that sells everything from clothes and DVDs to various hardware and home improvement supplies. It is a fun browsing store but also a good place to find some gizmos and gadgets for the kitchen.
And this concludes the mini tour of “my neighborhood!"
Let the riot begin! LOL - 
hahahha