Paris Unknown
I didn’t know what to expect when I planned on visiting Paris. I was traveling alone and I was a bit intimidated from everything that I had heard. “Parisians are not the friendliest”, “they don’t (or won’t) speak English”, “the city is dirty” etc. Being far from true, I only encountered friendly people, beautiful sights and a vibrant city that I had wish I had more time to explore and get to know.
When traveling I rarely plan anything. I like to explore a place and get a feel for where I am. And this is what I did on this trip. I knew I wanted to see some tourist sites, but mostly I wanted to wander and see what I found.
Île Saint-Louis
One of two islands in Paris in the 4th arrondissement of Paris
I stayed at Hotel Jeu de Paume on Ile St Louis, a small island in the middle of the Seine river. The location was central and close to Le Marais, the gay favorite neighborhood of Paris. The staff was friendly and helpful. I didn’t spend too much time in the hotel, but they offer a continental breakfast, a wellness room and a small bar.
Ile St. Louis has many cute shops and restaurants. It was the perfect place to walk around after arriving in the afternoon. Berthillon , some say the best ice cream in Paris, is located right down the street from the hotel. Even thought many shops offer Berthillon ice cream, make sure you visit the original store that started the craze.
Ile St. Louis is very touristy during the day but is quieter at night. Some of the prices reflect this reality: one café on the island charged 9€ for a cappuccino and 6€ for a croissant, I felt it to be a tourist trap since most prices are not this outrageous.
Located within walking distance is Notre Dame. Unfortunately, it was closed for reconstruction after the devasting fire in 2019, but it was impressive to see nonetheless.
Restaurants et Bistrots – where to eat
No one will have any problem finding food in Paris. Paris is an international city with a palate to match. And while eating alone may make people feel anxious, I never had this issue. Everywhere I went there were single diners and during the meal I either researched what I wanted to do during the trip or just ‘people watched’ as I enjoyed the environment.
Chez Margot – Great Environment and Food
Chez Margot is a comfortable bistro near Le Marais. I arrived without reservations and ask “Parle vous Anglaise?” Immediately I was met with a smile and a “of course, please come in”. The waitress was friendly, recommended superb wine and she always made sure I had everything I needed. Sitting outside with a view of the street was so relaxing, I truly felt I was on vacation. The food was excellent, the meat cooked to perfection and everything was upscale without the upscale prices.
A. Lacroix Pâtisserie – delicious creations
A. Lacroix Pâtisserie is an artisanal bakery or patisserie in a café located close to Notre Dame. The pastries are pieces of art created by Pastry Chef Arnaud Lacroix. The photo doesn’t do the creations justice, but the Crème Brulé pastry I was delicious.
Other Food Venues
- Le Beef Steakhouse – a steak house with two locations. Reservations recommended, but when I arrived, the staff ushered me to their subterrain seating area that once house a cabaret. The suggested “Argentine Rib-eye” was a bit more gristly than I was expecting and I had problems cutting the rare meat. But it was tasty and filling.
- La Belle Hortense – a bookstore/wine bar. Comfortable and pleasant to enjoy a glass of wine after a meal (right around the corner from Le Beef).
- Café de La Mairie – a restaurant and café located in the 6th arrondissement (yes, I did leave Le Marais), great for an espresso and croissants in the morning. Arrive early to get a good seat as it fills up early.
- Le Flore en l’Ile – located on Île Saint-Louis, my cappuccino was 9€ and croissant was 4.5€, somewhat expensive for a quick breakfast.
- A Lot of Wine (par QCQBM) – great recommendations for wine pairing with their light food offerings. Comfortable chairs and tables outside sitting area and a comfortable indoor area when bad weather hits.
Tourism – what to do
- The Big Bus – was a great way to see the city and decide where I wanted to explore. Multilingual headsets are available that explain the sites I passed. I chose to only ride around the city and only disembarked at a few stops.
- Centre Pompidou -the modern and contemporary art collection is a must see. The building is recognized by its outside elevator that takes you to the top to offer a breathtaking view of Paris. There are works from Andy Warhol, Frida Kahlo (her dedicated room was closed when I visited) and Piet Mondrian, among others. I am not an art expert but it was enjoyable walking around admiring all the incredible works.
- La Samaritaine – if only to see the amazing and beautiful interior staircase, it’s worth a visit. Located in the 1st arrondissement, this department store houses many (if not all) luxury brands of clothing, jewelry, perfume and food. I personally could not afford to shop here, but it was enjoyable seeing all the shiny items.
Gay Bars – Le Marais
I visited a few bars for drinks one night. There are many more bars and clubs that I did not visit. All the bars that I visited were unpretentious, friendly and CROWDED! With so many gay bars around the world are either closing or have closed, it was great to see gay bars that still have the energy and community. All these bars are located in the Le Marais neighborhood of Paris.
- Quetzal Bar – located on the corner of Rue de Moussy and Rue de la Verrerie, the outdoor patio and inside were filled with a lively crowd.
- Café Cox – another great meeting spot for a drink and to listen to music. There was a DJ playing music and a full patio of people outside.
- Bears’ Den – small bar on the outside, big bar on the inside. Great patio to meet and chat with people. inside there are two levels underground. The one level you can watch the karaoke singers below and there is a dark ‘cave’ for those inclined. The bottom level has table and a stage (dance floor?).
Photos:
What did I miss or get wrong (or right)? I had only 4 days so I know there is plenty more to see, do and experience!!! Comment below!
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