The ParisSharing Blog

Archive for the ‘Places to eat in Paris’ Category

Baguette "de tradition". Photo credit: Roboppy on Flickr

Over a year a go we wrote about the secrets to finding the best bakeries in Paris. Timeless wisdom, of course.

Still, since life is too short for bad baguettes, and since the price of the baguette has increased by 0,05€ all across the city, we’d like to contrive a more foolproof system for only getting only the best. The quality of bread produced by the some 1200 bakeries in Paris is far from being constant. The good news is that there are about 200 that we can consider as excellent, and these are scattered across the city.

So, wouldn’t it be great if you could always know, in whatever neighborhood you happen to be, where is the nearest mouth-watering bakery? You can’t really follow the masses, because if you could, bad bakeries would go out of business.

You could trust the experts, of course, and go buy a book on the subject (yes, these exist). We’re suggesting another approach….to ask YOU. That’s right, to enable ParisSharing fans and members to tell us the name and address of their favorite Parisian bakery (or just one of them). We will then publish this information on our website,  quartier by quartier.

Would you like to participate? All you have to do is become a fan of ParisSharing on Facebook, then add your favorite boulangerie here. When all is said and done, we’ll get you to vote on the very best one.

To get the ball rolling, here below is  list of some of our favorites. Disclaimer: the bakeries have been selected only on the basis of the quality of their baguette called “Tradition”.  Hint: if you want the best baguette, don’t ask for a baguette, ask for a “baguette de tradition” or simply “une tradition”.

4th: Au Petit Versailles du Marais, 1 rue Tiron

4th: Boulanger Patissier, 29 rue Saint-Antoine (the baguette is called “Le Parisien”)

4th: Au Levain du Marais, 28 boulevard Beaumarché (décor is better than the bread)

9th: Le Petrin Médiéval, 35 rue Henry Monnier (Medieval-style bread)

9th: Mme et M DHEILLY, 10 rue des Martyrs

11th: La tradition du pain, corner of rue Saint-Sabin and rue Daval

11th: Boulangerie (recently opened): corner of Boulevard Voltaire and Jean-Pierre Timbaud

11th: Boulangerie (across the street from the Extra Old Café on the rue du Faubourg Saint-Antoine near Place de la Nation

12th: Le Pain au naturel, Place d’Aligre

14th: le Moulin de la Vierge, rue Vercingétorix

16th : Le Grillon d’Autueil, 65 rue d’Autueil

18th arrondissement: Le Grenier Abesses, 38 rue des Abesses

The rest is up to you!

Read our advice on other simple pleasures, such as the best sandwhiches.

While another global economic crisis is lurking, we at ParisSharing are intent on making travel to the city of lights an affordable proposition in spite of it all. During the second half of August, we are offering our guests the following freebies:

A free night’s stay in a real Parisian self-catering apartment.

This offer is valid for a stay of at least 5 nights. Otherwise, you will receive a 10% discount off the normal price. There are currently numerous choices available and you can see a list of these by making an availability search on www.paris-sharing.com.

Free lunch at a selected ParisSharing eatery

We’ve gone to some length to find great value eateries. So, if you happen to be traveling with kids, or are on a tight budget, you can still enjoy eating out as well as eating in (since your ParisSharing apartment provides you with a splendid kitchen!). You can see our list of eateries by clicking here. The free lunch is valid for a value of 12€. If you don’t think it’s possible, just check our list. In addition, if you find another eatery worth sharing, write up your experience for our website and we’ll reimburse you the 12€.

Free bottle of white wine (Domaine de Tariquet classic)

Did you know that the Uni Blanc grape used by the Domaine de Tariquet, grown in Gascogne, is the same used to produce Cognac? It’s a dry, rather acidic wine, great with seafood. Savor it with a view over the roofs of Paris from your ParisSharing apartment, such as this one.

Free drinks on the beach

The city of Paris, in an effort to better communicate on the excellent quality of the city’s tap water, is serving up syrop-based drinks, where you fill your glass in a nearby water fountain. Passion fruit, apple, and more. Drinking tap water is better for the environment. It reduces the the production and disposal of plastic bottles. The drinks are served on the Paris beach (Paris Plage) at the “Bar à eau” near the Pont Marie metro stop.

Free jazz manouche

Gypsy-style jazz at a trendy café-restaurant near Bastille. The concert is free (and worth the listen).

You just have to buy a drink at the regular price. l’Atelier Charonne 21b rue de Charonne 75011 PARIS 11EME ARRONDISSEMENT

Plan d’accès

Free moonlight cinema

For the 11th consecutive year, Paris’ Image Forum offers Parisians and visitors a taste of great French films under the moonlight and across the city. Watching such a movie while sitting outside in a famous place will give you that uncanny feeling of being both here and there.  Click here for the list of French films an a schedule of showings. Yes, the films are in French!

Free entrance to the Petit Palais and the Musée Carnavalet

As it turns out, these two museums are free for the public, except for special exhibits. But for many it is a well-kept secret that we are sharing with you! For more info on the Petit Palais, which is no less than the fine arts museum of the city of Paris, click here. The Carnavalet Museum in the Marais covers the history of Paris. More information about the museum is also available on Guide2Paris.

To benefit from those freebies offered directly by ParisSharing, you do need to do the following:

1/ register as a member on www.Paris-Sharing.com and agree to receive newsletters

2/ become a Facebook fan

3/ Reserve one of our self-catering apartments for a stay beginning on or after August 12th and by August 31st at the latest.

Even though some of these freebies are obviously available to anyone and not just ParisSharing guests, by wrapping all them into one package we demonstrate that we are dedicated to your total Paris experience.

Maybe you know of other freebies in Paris during the month of August. We’d love to hear about them on our Facebook page.

Photo courtesy of ParisSharing

Most people, when they come to Paris, want to see as many sights as possible in the shortest amount of time.  How can you possibly see 70 major museums and monuments in just 5 days?!   The Musée du Louvre is the largest museum in the world and houses 35,000 works of art displayed in over 60,000 square meters of exhibition space, you could spend days at the Louvre alone!  Here are a couple of timesaving tips when visiting Paris:

Buy Eiffel Tower Tickets in Advance

Buy your Eiffel Tower tickets in advance online .  Having your tickets in advance will save you time from waiting in the long line to go up the elevator to the top floors.

Get a Museum Pass

The museum pass provides access to 70 museums and monuments in and around Paris.  You’ll save time by not having to buy tickets at each museum. Don’t forget, kids are free at most national museums in France so don’t bother buying passes for children under 18.

Eat Breakfast at Home and Sandwiches for Lunch

One of the great things about renting an apartment from ParisSharing is that all of our properties offer a full kitchen.  You can save a considerable amount of time having breakfast at your home before heading out to visit the City.  Also, the French are known for their long lunches and, while it’s a wonderful experience, you can miss out on a lot of visiting while enjoying a 4-course meal.  Our advice is to skip the cafes or restaurants at lunch and stop off at a boulangerie (bakery).  All boulangeries now offer low-cost, fresh sandwiches that are great to take on the go.

Pass on the Bell Tower

Don’t waste time waiting in line to go up to the bell tower at Notre Dame.  Visit the inside of the church and save the walk up the stairs for another trip.

Louvre Entrance

Enter the Louvre from the “Carrousel du Louvre” entrance on Rue de Rivoli.  Go ahead and take pictures of the pyramid, but don’t wait in the line to get into the Louvre from that level.  Walk over to Rue de Rivoli and use the Carrousel du Louvre entrance,  go downstairs and follow the signs for the museum.

What about you?  Post any timesaving ideas that you learned from your visit to Paris on our Facebook page.

Easter in France is celebrated much like in the US.  The major difference is that the “bells” deliver the chocolates Easter morning as oppose to the Easter bunny.  So along with the traditional chocolate bunnies and eggs, bells are a very prominent theme in France around Easter.

Easter is a wonderful time of year to sample the mouth-watering chocolates that are available throughout the City at chocolate shops, specialty stores, bakeries and supermarkets. Obviously, there are numerous places to buy chocolate in Paris, but here are a couple of our favorite places to buy these sweet souvenirs while visiting the City:

A La Mere de Famille (www.lemeredefamille.com)
Not just a candy shop, this is literally a historic monument.  Founded in 1761, the original store in the 9^th arrondisement is listed as a historic monument and claims to be the oldest candy store in Paris.   Le Mere de Famille now has several locations in Paris, but it is worth the trip to the original store to see the lovely storefront.  Le Mere de Famille offers all types of candies, chocolates and fruit candies, but I would recommend trying the French regional specialties including:
Calissons: fruity marzipan topped with a hard royal glaze in the shape of an almond
Nougats: a crunchy, chewy, sugary, nutty bar
Marrons glacé: sugary chestnuts

Original Boutique
35 Rue du Faubourg Montmartre
75009 Paris

Gerard Mulot (www.gerard-mulot.com)

Best known for his macaroons that rival those of Pierre Hermé, Gerard Mulot has created lively eggs, chickens, bells, rabbits and special Easter tarts and cakes for Easter 2011. Mulot’s boutiques are a rainbow of colors featuring his wide variety of macaroons, fruit tarts and pastries.  His limited edition chocolate Easter creations also feature bright, lively colors. Photo  courtesy of Gerard Mulot.

Glacière Boutique
93, rue de la Glacière
75013 Paris

Marais Boutique
6, rue du Pas de la Mule
75003 Paris

Patrick Roger (www.patrickroger.com)
Patrick Roger is not just a chocolatier, but also a true sculptor.  His chocolate creations are veritable works of art.  Take, for instance, his creations for Easter 2011:  unique chickens, roosters and eggs hand-made and sculpted from chocolate.  Roger is best known for his chocolate pralines in various flavors including mint, lemon, walnut and almond.  His seasonal-themed store windows are always creatively designed, making his store worth a visit not just for the chocolate, but for the photo op!  Easter creation prices start at €49.

Saint-Germain Boutique
108 Boulevard Saint-Germain
75006 Paris, France

Happy Easter to all and we hope you are enjoying your long weekend in Paris!  If not, then plan for next year and book an apartment for Easter 2012 with us at ParisSharing.
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Le Fooding is a Parisian’s secret weapon for finding the latest restaurant, innovative chef or a great take out meal.  But our friends at Le Fooding don’t just publish the must-have Le Fooding Guide, they also produce exclusive food events in France, Italy, Belgium and New York.

Fooding Events 2011

To kick off the Fooding season in Paris, Fooding is producing three events at the MAC/VAL gardens (or, more formally, the Val-de-Marne Museum of Contemporary Art), a suburban contemporary art museum located in Vitry sur Seine, a quick metro ride to the outskirts of Paris.  The event, called Les Veillées Foodstock, in honor of Woodstock, is Le Fooding’s take on a mélange of good music, lots of drink and French food.  The musical program for the events feature:

April 23:

Live music by: Fredrika Stahl, Zach Miskin & Alister

May 7:

Live music by: Brigitte, Black Minou & Benjamin Biolay

May 21:

Live music by: Nach (Anna Chedid) & Camelia Jordana

All events will be presented by Aline Afanoukoé, with Radio Nova DJ Emile Omar DJing in between concerts.

Gregory Marchand from one of ParisSharing’s fave restaurants, Frenchie, has concocted the official cocktail for the event called “James on the Carrots,” which is a citrusy mix of carrot, orange peel, lemon and whisky. He also has created a sampler menu of gazpacho and  a whisky-marinated beef dish. Haagen-Dazs, Foodstock’s sponsor, will be serving up dessert created by Camile Lesecq from Hotel Meurice.

Tickets for the events (20€ for April 23 and May 21, 30€ for May 7) go on sale at 10 am the Wednesday before the event on www.lefooding.com – that means tomorrow, April 20 for this Saturday’s event!  Attendance is limited to the first 500 lucky Foodstockers and tickets are awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis.  As with all Le Fooding events, proceeds are donated to a charity.  This years Foodstock will benefit the Enfants du Congo Béthanie orphanage.

Le Foodng Guide 2011

Last year, Le Fooding Guide celebrated its 10-year anniversary.  The guide was started by two French food critics as an alternative to the Michelin Guide.  Le Fooding Guide tends to highlight restaurants with innovative cooking, where the decor of the restaurant is not as important as the cuisine.  Le Fooding also recognizes more affordable places, even listing Take Aways and Brasseries.  Le Fooding has always identified new trends in French cuisine, and celebrates chefs who are inventive but still in touch with what their customers like to eat.  Unfortunately, Le Fooding Guide and www.fooding.com are only available in French.  Although, for those who can navigate in French, the site features one sentence descriptions in English for most of their restaurants.

As featured on our March 17 blog post, Fooding recently launched an iPhone app.   Le Fooding Guide can be purchased throughout Paris in newsstands or on www.lefooding.com for 9,95€.