Hugh's guidebook for Paris and the neighborhood
Public transport
Jacques Bonsergent station
This is the nearest metro station that I use.
Lime Parking station. There is a restriction in Paris and you can't park your lime anywhere you want. The closest Lime parking station will be at this adress. It is also where you usually find some lime to use
46 Rue Lucien Sampaix
46 Rue Lucien SampaixLime Parking station. There is a restriction in Paris and you can't park your lime anywhere you want. The closest Lime parking station will be at this adress. It is also where you usually find some lime to use
Velib is a public company to rent bikes in Paris. There are various stations all over the city. Description of the offers : https://www.velib-metropole.fr/en/offers
Station Vélib' 10012 (Vinaigriers - Magenta)
Velib is a public company to rent bikes in Paris. There are various stations all over the city. Description of the offers : https://www.velib-metropole.fr/en/offers
Food scene for the neighborhood
This is restaurant specialized in French cuisine. It is part of recent wave in restaurant in Parents that focus on a new way of revisiting french cuisine that I will label as "new french cuisine". The ambiance is class and service is very good! One my go-to place. You should consider to book for an evening in the week-ends
150 místní doporučují
Les Enfants Perdus
9 Rue des RécolletsThis is restaurant specialized in French cuisine. It is part of recent wave in restaurant in Parents that focus on a new way of revisiting french cuisine that I will label as "new french cuisine". The ambiance is class and service is very good! One my go-to place. You should consider to book for an evening in the week-ends
La bécane à Gaston is French restaurant with its origins from the Southwest region. It is my recommandation if you are looking to enjoy meat in the neighbourhood.
18 místní doporučují
La Bécane à Gaston
24 Rue Lucien SampaixLa bécane à Gaston is French restaurant with its origins from the Southwest region. It is my recommandation if you are looking to enjoy meat in the neighbourhood.
Sol Semilla is a highly popular restaurant in Paris for the vegan / non gluten community. You will find super ingredients and a very relaxed ambiance.
66 místní doporučují
Sol Semilla
23 Rue des VinaigriersSol Semilla is a highly popular restaurant in Paris for the vegan / non gluten community. You will find super ingredients and a very relaxed ambiance.
La marine is a traditional french restaurant that is on the canal saint martin. They have a big selection with various choices in their menu that covers french classics and excellent wine. It is often crouded and a little pricey but definetely worth it.
134 místní doporučují
La Marine
55Bis Quai de ValmyLa marine is a traditional french restaurant that is on the canal saint martin. They have a big selection with various choices in their menu that covers french classics and excellent wine. It is often crouded and a little pricey but definetely worth it.
This is a restaurant that is at the end of rue des vinaigriers. It is very popular in the neighborhood. Every month they welcome a new chef and its team from the world that will prepare its own menu.
So it will be hard for me to describe the type of cuisine! Regardless, I recommand to check the menu while passing by. (it is about 2 min walk from the apartment and on your way to the canal).
Good to know, it is often packed and they don't take any reservation on the phone for 2. My advice is to check the menu around 18h / 19h and see if it is of interest and put yourself on the waiting list. Then you can come back to the apartement or enjoy a drink on the canal and they will call you when a table is free!
12 místní doporučují
Early June
19 Rue Jean PoulmarchThis is a restaurant that is at the end of rue des vinaigriers. It is very popular in the neighborhood. Every month they welcome a new chef and its team from the world that will prepare its own menu.
So it will be hard for me to describe the type of cuisine! Regardless, I recommand to check the menu while passing by. (it is about 2 min walk from the apartment and on your way to the canal).
Good to know, it is often packed and they don't take any reservation on the phone for 2. My advice is to check the menu around 18h / 19h and see if it is of interest and put yourself on the waiting list. Then you can come back to the apartement or enjoy a drink on the canal and they will call you when a table is free!
This is my favourite place for brunch. Fabulous pancakes and the best Bloody Mary that you will find around. Be careful there's another Hollybelly restaurant on the same street. The one that I recommend is a little further on the Lucien Sampaix street.
Be aware that is it very crowded on week-end and I highly suggest to get your reservation on the line by using the "skeepit" app and they will let you know when your table is ready.
237 místní doporučují
Holybelly 5
5 Rue Lucien SampaixThis is my favourite place for brunch. Fabulous pancakes and the best Bloody Mary that you will find around. Be careful there's another Hollybelly restaurant on the same street. The one that I recommend is a little further on the Lucien Sampaix street.
Be aware that is it very crowded on week-end and I highly suggest to get your reservation on the line by using the "skeepit" app and they will let you know when your table is ready.
This is a chinese restaurant just down the building. It is very good and my 2 personal favorites will be the "pates aux epinards" and the "pot en terre"
61 místní doporučují
La Taverne de Zhao
49 Rue des VinaigriersThis is a chinese restaurant just down the building. It is very good and my 2 personal favorites will be the "pates aux epinards" and the "pot en terre"
This is a very good vegetarian sandwitch place in the street. I am not personally vegetarian but I go often. It is very good if you want a quick option to eat. It's a take out place and recommend eating it directly on the canal or in the parc nearby (Jardin Villemin)
Plan D - DWICH & GLACE
22 Rue des VinaigriersThis is a very good vegetarian sandwitch place in the street. I am not personally vegetarian but I go often. It is very good if you want a quick option to eat. It's a take out place and recommend eating it directly on the canal or in the parc nearby (Jardin Villemin)
My favorite Mexican restaurant in Paris (the mezcal margaritas are amazing)
32 místní doporučují
Café Chilango
82 Rue de la Folie MéricourtMy favorite Mexican restaurant in Paris (the mezcal margaritas are amazing)
Au Poisson-chat
best poke around! only open for lunch Perfect for a rapid and healthy option!
Great and very affordable French restaurant
With traditional French food: (try to get there before 7:30pm to avoid the lines)
Bouillon République
Great and very affordable French restaurant
With traditional French food: (try to get there before 7:30pm to avoid the lines)
Le Mékong Cuisine Familiale. Fermera du 31 juillet au 28 d'out.
48 Rue de LancryBest Vietnamese option around
Groceries store
Best Supermarket. This is one of the closest supermarkets around and monoprix offer a good selection of ready food ! I usually go there to buy my food before a trip (plain or train) and could be a good idea on your way back.
561 místní doporučují
Monop'
42 Rue Saint-MaurBest Supermarket. This is one of the closest supermarkets around and monoprix offer a good selection of ready food ! I usually go there to buy my food before a trip (plain or train) and could be a good idea on your way back.
Carrefour City
53 Rue de TurbigoYou have another option in the street to do your groceries
nysa cavistes.
55 Rue de LancryWineshop a couple minutes away for quality wine!
Boulangerie Liberte is a famous Parisian Bakery right down the building, they have a tradition which is « chocolate bread », it’s real bread but with chocolate flavour (different from a classic pain au chocolat)
119 místní doporučují
Boulangerie LIBERTÉ
39 Rue des VinaigriersBoulangerie Liberte is a famous Parisian Bakery right down the building, they have a tradition which is « chocolate bread », it’s real bread but with chocolate flavour (different from a classic pain au chocolat)
Coffee Shop and Bars
Residence Kann Coffee
28 Rue des VinaigriersA hip coffee shop in the street with amazing latte!
Cocktail bar right down the building for a true cocktail which is hard to find in Paris!
55 místní doporučují
Gravity Bar
44 Rue des VinaigriersCocktail bar right down the building for a true cocktail which is hard to find in Paris!
Le perchoir is a great option to enjoy a drink in a trendy rooftop nearby. It is actually in the gare the l'est. (You need to get in the gare and the entrance it's on the right with an access to stairs). This is not a rooftop that will offer a great view of the city but it will be very pleasent when it's sunny. The particularity is the Rosace that you can see on the picture that has been built by Gustave Eiffel!
39 místní doporučují
Le Perchoir de l'Est
10 place du 11 novembre 1918Le perchoir is a great option to enjoy a drink in a trendy rooftop nearby. It is actually in the gare the l'est. (You need to get in the gare and the entrance it's on the right with an access to stairs). This is not a rooftop that will offer a great view of the city but it will be very pleasent when it's sunny. The particularity is the Rosace that you can see on the picture that has been built by Gustave Eiffel!
Chez Prune
36 Rue BeaurepaireAnimated bar right on the canal
Neighborhoods
Le Marais, my favorite neighborhood (which is the area between metro stations Bastille, Hotel de Ville, Rambuteau and Chemin Vert)
see google maps link:
https://goo.gl/maps/WeGUWtgd9e62
Notable streets include:
Rue de Rivoli
Rue Vieille du temple
Rue des Francs Bourgeois
Place des Vosges (parc)
Very cute indoor market in Le Marais with little restaurants, great for lunch!
Le marché des enfants rouges
http://www.yelp.com/biz/le-march%C3%A9-des-enfants-rouges-paris-2
1783 místní doporučují
Le Marais
54 Rue Vieille du TempleLe Marais, my favorite neighborhood (which is the area between metro stations Bastille, Hotel de Ville, Rambuteau and Chemin Vert)
see google maps link:
https://goo.gl/maps/WeGUWtgd9e62
Notable streets include:
Rue de Rivoli
Rue Vieille du temple
Rue des Francs Bourgeois
Place des Vosges (parc)
Very cute indoor market in Le Marais with little restaurants, great for lunch!
Le marché des enfants rouges
http://www.yelp.com/biz/le-march%C3%A9-des-enfants-rouges-paris-2
Area around metro stations Odeon, St Germain des Prés and Saint Sulpice).
See google maps link:
https://goo.gl/maps/6uYYdEoPxsR2
Notable streets include:
Boulevard Saint Germain
Rue Saint Sulpice
Rue de Buci
You should also check out the islands between the two neighborhoods (île de la cité and île Saint Louis) and the nearby parcs Jardin des Tuileries (metro Tuileries) and Jardin du Luxembourg (metro St Sulpice).
There are of course plenty of other neighborhoods to check out like Montmartre for example, those are just my 2 favorites.
While I am it, a little extra tip to eat in Saint Germain :
Amazing Steak Frites restaurant, not too expensive for what you get, they only serve steak frites with a delicious secret sauce, highly recommended: (also go before 7:30 to avoid the lines)
Le Relais de L’Entrecôte
https://goo.gl/maps/EB73GoKHvxikgq2w5
778 místní doporučují
Saint-Germain-des-Prés
Area around metro stations Odeon, St Germain des Prés and Saint Sulpice).
See google maps link:
https://goo.gl/maps/6uYYdEoPxsR2
Notable streets include:
Boulevard Saint Germain
Rue Saint Sulpice
Rue de Buci
You should also check out the islands between the two neighborhoods (île de la cité and île Saint Louis) and the nearby parcs Jardin des Tuileries (metro Tuileries) and Jardin du Luxembourg (metro St Sulpice).
There are of course plenty of other neighborhoods to check out like Montmartre for example, those are just my 2 favorites.
While I am it, a little extra tip to eat in Saint Germain :
Amazing Steak Frites restaurant, not too expensive for what you get, they only serve steak frites with a delicious secret sauce, highly recommended: (also go before 7:30 to avoid the lines)
Le Relais de L’Entrecôte
https://goo.gl/maps/EB73GoKHvxikgq2w5
After couples days, I am sure that you will already know the canal saint martin in and out.
On sunny afternoon/evenings, I highly recommend going to the Seine river banks to have a drink I like to go to the bar Les Nautes, metro station Saint Paul (line 1)
Les Nautes
https://goo.gl/maps/7jbcGQQBTLaNtoPs6
Quai des Célestins
Quai des CélestinsAfter couples days, I am sure that you will already know the canal saint martin in and out.
On sunny afternoon/evenings, I highly recommend going to the Seine river banks to have a drink I like to go to the bar Les Nautes, metro station Saint Paul (line 1)
Les Nautes
https://goo.gl/maps/7jbcGQQBTLaNtoPs6
Guide des Quartiers
This neighborhood is very lovely and a must do in my opinion. it'sa couple streets with no car allowed and seems like a litte village within Paris. With its small pedestrian cobblestone streets, the Montorgueil district has lots of charm. The main artery, Rue Montorgueil, is lined with local food shops, bars and restaurants as well as trendy clothing shops. In the streets parallel to Rue Montorgueuil, new restaurants, cocktail bars and bobo shops have opened, notably in Rue Saint-Sauveur, Rue Bachaumont, Rue Greneta, Rue Mandar and in the Passage du Grand Cerf.
670 místní doporučují
Rue Montorgueil
Rue MontorgueilThis neighborhood is very lovely and a must do in my opinion. it'sa couple streets with no car allowed and seems like a litte village within Paris. With its small pedestrian cobblestone streets, the Montorgueil district has lots of charm. The main artery, Rue Montorgueil, is lined with local food shops, bars and restaurants as well as trendy clothing shops. In the streets parallel to Rue Montorgueuil, new restaurants, cocktail bars and bobo shops have opened, notably in Rue Saint-Sauveur, Rue Bachaumont, Rue Greneta, Rue Mandar and in the Passage du Grand Cerf.
Doporučení související s městem
Co si sbalit
bring Tupperwares in order to bring cheese and butter home
As far as cheese goes, my personal favorite is Comte from the cheese shop (made with raw milk, aged 12-18 months). Cheese shops usually have several so you can just taste a few and buy your favorite.
As far as butter goes, I can't recommend beurre demi-sel de baratte enough! (salted churned butter) It's to die for! I buy mine from the nearby supermarket Monoprix, ("Beurre d'Isigny au sel de Guérande Fabriqué en barratte"
If you want the best of the best, then buy beurre bordier, arguably the best butter in the world.
https://www.lebeurrebordier.com/en/les-points-vente/
Zvyky a kultura
Practice basic travel vocabulary/expressions
You can practice basic travel vocabulary/expressions with this Quizlet set I created:
https://quizlet.com/85547673/travel-flash-cards/
And this google docs has a bunch of useful travel expressions, and tips for navigating restaurant menus:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1dVjkCXTaWo_4tFiMH9CuAY0YP5ExjawxIhAaenSPZHg/edit?usp=sharing
Keep in mind that French people are very attached to their greetings (Bonjour / S'il vous plait / merci / au revoir). Always say bonjour when entering a shop/restaurant/elevator/hallway of a building, or when it's your turn in line.
Užitečné fráze
Ask for the best bread in bakeries
In bakeries, ask for "une tradition" (short for "une baguette tradition") which are better quality, better tasting baguettes.
Bonjour, je pourrais avoir une tradition s'il vous plait ?
= Hello, could I have a tradition baguette please?
Místní doprava
Download the Citymapper App
For using public transit (metro, bus, RER), definitely download the app Citymapper, it's way better than google maps for telling you which metro/bus to grab to get to your destination.
Important : I would avoid using the station "chateau d'eau" if it is proposed by citymapper. I recommend staying away from this metro station.
Jak ušetřit
Canal saint martin
If you want to save money you can just bring your own drinks and sit on the river banks of the Canal Saint martin. If you walk along the canal you'll see that it's a very lively area with bars/restaurants, great on sunny days.