iTravel | Paris Reviews

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Paris, France

Member Reviews Showing 97 reviews.

"Best One Bedroom in Paris-Marais"

written: 13 February 2008

This is a FANTASTIC apartment. It is located in the middle of Paris, in the Marais. For my money, this is the best neighboorhood: sunny, outdoor brasseries to the latest shopping on Rue des Francs Bourgeois to romantic walks along the Seine. You get to be in Paris without all the tourists. The apartment is top notch and QUIET. Worth every penny, but it will take a lot of pennies to stay there.

Pros: Location! Size! Comfort!
Cons: Price, but it's Paris after all
Rating: 4/4
Subject: Elzevir Onze:
Details: 11bis Rue Elzevir Paris www.elzevironze.com
Accommodation by elzevir, who visited here (February 2007)

"Hippy"

written: 07 August 2006

it might sound like a horror movie, but i reccomend you to see the famous grave of Jim Morrison,...."The Pere Lachaise" Cementary

Pros: cool, historic
Cons: too many grafits
Rating: just a tip
Subject: Morrison's grave:
Details:
Attractions by vesnich, who visited here (May 2003)

"Don't go to Hotel Pratic Paris France"

written: 01 September 2003

I am an experienced traveller (especially SE Asia & Europe) and have written to you because I believe that the Internet should give more balanced views on accommodations in Paris. Duration of stay: three nights from 280803 to 310803 Good points are location & Staff (very friendly). Bad points: Rooms are very small and unclean. Shower is dirty and has pubic hairs from former guests stuck on the walls. Shower has very low water pressure and the temperature of the water keeps changing from hot to very cold. Toilet in the room does not flush. television has a remote control that does not correspond to the set and does not work. Sheets are changed daily, but the clean sheets smell of stale cigarette smoke and less defineable odors. The upper sheet stinks and looks like it has been used to whipe a dirty kitchenfloor. Matrass is lousy. Bad for people with back problems. About the bed frame. One our beds lost two legs when we lifted it to look for something. Rooms on the front of the hotel are extremely noisy because of the accoustics. On Thursday and Friday night people congregate on the lovely romantic square to scream and drink till 4 in the morning. If you want some sleep: take a room without a view. Breakfast low quality croissants, jam and beverages. With low quality I mean old, dry cold, not up to french standards. Go to any small backery in Paris and you will say the same thing. We paid 72 and 86 € for these rooms and they weren't worth it at all. Will never come back. Choose this hotel because of lack of time, its location and positive stories and pictures on Internet.

Pros: staff & location
Cons: relation price to accommodation
Rating: 1/4
Accommodation by maltestokhof, who visited here (August 2003)

"In Paris? Don't sleep here"

written: 01 September 2003

Dear sirs, here is my truthfull review on this hotel. I am an experienced traveller (especially SE Asia) and have written to you because I believe that the Internet should give more balanced views on accommodations in Paris. Hotel Pratic Duration of stay three nights from 280803 to 310803 Good points: Location Staff: friendly. Bad points: Rooms: very small and unclean. Shower has very low pressure and the temperature of the water keeps changing from hot to very cold. Toilet in the room does not flush. television has a remote control that does not correspond to the set and does not work. Sheets are changed daily, but the clean sheets smell of stale cigarette smoke and less defineable odors. The upper sheet stinks and looks like it has been used to whipe a dirty kitchenfloor. Matrass:lousy. Bead for people with back problems. Bed frame: One our beds lost two legs when we lifted it to look for something. Rooms on the front of the hotel are extremely noisy because of the accoustics. on Thursday and Friday night people congregate on the lovely romantic square to scream and drink till 4 in the morning. If you want some sleep: take a room without a view. Breakfast lowquality croissants, jam and beverages. paid 72 and 86 for these rooms and they weren't worth it. Will never come back. Choose this hotel because of lack of time, its location and positive stories and pictures on Internet. Regards, M Stokhof

Pros: location
Cons: relation to price and offred accom.
Rating: 1/4
Subject: Hotel Pratic Paris:
Details:
Accommodation by maltestokhof, who visited here (August 2003)

"A Very Nice Hotel"

written: 01 May 2003

We also stayed at the Pratic -- for four days in April. We had booked in January and then re-booked when a better rate became available. Having read the previous review we were apprehensive that perhaps we had made a bad choice. However, happy to report that the review by "posh ralph" needs tempering by our more recent perspective. We were in room 15 and found it clean and quite comfortable. Could not agree more regarding the TV, but we were not there for TV. Our only other complaint was the rather kinky system for lighting the stairs -- there are timed switches at each level which we feel sacrifice safety to economy. Yes, our towels were also on their last legs, but they worked fine. We had just arrived from London where we stayed two days in a 4-star hotel (Gresham Hyde Park) that had "SOUR" coffee. We also stayed one night in a 0-star hotel (Savers) that had do-it-yourself instant coffee and NO HOT WATER for bathing in the morning. That WILL get your attention. Kudos to the Pratic: Pleasant and efficient staff. Tasteful decor including chandeliers in the rooms and original posts and beams showing in dining room. Comfortable and clean bed, blissfully quiet -- we had a no-view inner courtyard window. Breakfast was excellent with very good coffee (yes, the little pitchers are tricky but handy), attentive service, clean, never had to wait for seating, and yes, the location on Marche St. Catherine was very romantic and convenient. By the way, we opted for schlepping to the shared showers -- nice and clean -- but watch your head when you enter under that stairway. As to the bug report. Several possibilities, including: an isolated infestation or something left by a recent guest. From the previous review one could only guess as to its source -- even a recent guest. However, we found no vermin, or any conditions which would support any continuing problem. But, "posh ralph's" unkindest cut: "The croissants were ok." In the Marais, even "OK" French croissants have to be damn good -- seemed almost a back-handed compliment. Was the diner in a grumpy mood -- pissed at the French foreign minister? As to the decorative red paper placemats...they do very nicely and economically for continental breakfast items which are not dripping sauce or needing to be cut with a knife. Enjoy the Pratic. We know of no perfect hotel -- at any price. We would definitely consider the Pratic for a return visit.

Pros: Location, ambience, cleanliness, breakfast, value
Cons: Stair lights, and don't go for the TV
Rating: 3/4
Subject: Hotel Pratic:
Details: Paris 75004
Accommodation by dreyfoos, who visited here (April 2003)

"The Elzevir Apartment"

written: 29 March 2003

This completely renovated apartment is located on charming Rue Elzévir in the historic Marais district of Paris, France. This neighborhood provides the perfect Parisian experience from sunny, outdoor brasseries to the latest shopping on Rue des Francs Bourgeois to romantic walks along the Seine. Our quiet, light-filled one bedroom apartment (62 sq. m., 667 sq. ft.) is located on the US third (French second) floor of a 17th century building. You can find reviews of our apartment at: http://www.elzevir.net/review.htm

Pros: location, quality
Cons: a little expensive
Rating: 4/4
Subject: The Elzevir Apartment:
Details: rue Elzevir, 75003 Paris http://www.elzevir.net
Accommodation by osuch, who lived here (June 2002)

"Fleapit Hotel in Marais"

written: 23 February 2003

The location is great - ay the heart of the Marais. Unfortunately, the quality of the establishment is not so good. The hotel has no elevator/lift. This we knew before we arrived. You will need to be fit if you are on the sixth floor. The linen was old and well worn - some of the towels has tears in them. We took the bedspread off the bed immediately as it was so grubby. The bed was old and uncomfortable with no headboard. The TV had one viewable channel and six snowy/foggy channels. The safe was on the floor screwed to the skirting board.The breakfast room has 14 seats for a hotel of over 20 rooms. If your timing is poor you will have to wait in reception until a table is available. The croissants were ok. Such a shame they felt we could manage without plates at breakfast and had to make do with making a crumbly mess on the paper tablecloth. The horrible coffee is served in jugs that are impossible to pour from without making a mess. And finally - how could I forget - I had over 30 bug bite marks on me when I returned to the UK. Be warned.

Pros: Location
Cons: Fleapit
Rating: 1/4
Subject: Hotel Pratic, 75004 Paris:
Details: Metro St Paul
Accommodation by posh_ralph, who visited here (February 2003)

"stay in a nyhabitat furnished apartment!"

written: 16 October 2002

when I first discovered their website nyhabitat.com I could hardly believe my eyes! you can actually visit furnished apartments with many photos and the descriptions are very detailed. They found me a superb apartment in the heart of Paris in no time... fast, easy, classy! I had a great time in Paris and much preferred that than staying in an impersonal hotel.

Pros: user-friendly site, good service
Cons: none!
Rating: 4/4
Subject: experiencing sth different to hotels:
Details: www.nyhabitat.com
Accommodation by jori, who visited here (August 2002)

"fun in gay parie"

written: 09 October 2002

though expensive have atleast one drink in every bar to soak up the electric atmosphere in the city.

Pros: great night out
Cons: expensive
Rating: 3/4
Subject: drinking yourself to sleep:
Details:
Nightlife by sweatyjim, who visited here (April 1998)

"Paris..most beautiful..mais......"

written: 24 July 2002

Love Paris. Easy access everywhere with metro or bus.Beautiful Antique city with a lot of tourist. Not all beautiful my friend. If you rich and wealthy you got everything but so many beggar, annoying merchant on the street, even I smell piss out side Opera building, o boy!Plenty of illegal imigrants. Almost got robbed in a metro ..well luckyly that bag of mine only food-waste and trash-can i forgot to throw away. Expensive daily cost, high taxes.. still nice city, art city, ciry for all arts..including art of crime... live in center is great. but there are alot of cheap apartement i visit, with people piss on elevator. Worker class for high taxes. Get high on St Dennis.. beautiful nice wonderful city, with a lot of problem that hard to see. Enjoy yourself, but keep your eyes open.

Pros: great place for tourist
Cons: Hmmm
Rating: just a tip
Subject: Another side of Paris:
Details:
General by alf99, who lived here (July 2002)

"My Paris Webpage"

written: 27 February 2002

Follow the URL shown to see my VT travel page on Paris.

Rating: just a tip
Subject: Paris:
Details: http://www.virtualtourist.com/m/.94280/1038/
General by joecooper, who visited here (July 2001)

"Cafes cum Bars"

written: 27 December 2001

Looking for a relaxing, fun, and completely enjoyable night in Paris? Go to any of the cafes which turn into sultry bars at night. Some of my favs: Le Mercerie, rue Oberkampf, between Republique and Menilmentant... And just next door, Chez Justine (that entire street is filled with wonderful restarants, cafes and bars... can't go wrong here). Also, on Rue Roquette, the fabulously laid back Objetif Lune. So small it ridiculous, especially considering how popular it is with locals, but this only adds to the convivial atmosphere. Enjoy!

Pros: Great people, great music, good alcohol
Cons: NONE!
Rating: 4/4
Subject: Chill nightlife in Paris:
Details:
Nightlife by voixsynthetique, who lived here (June 2001)

"High-Culture Capital"

written: 08 November 2001

Paris is that quintessential epicenter of all that is high-culture European. With her gold-apartment lined banks of the Seine, glimmering on fortunate sunny days, monuments adorned with glorious ornature and broad tree-lined boulevards, Paris is THE capital of Europe for the first-time traveller. Cross under Place Charles de Gaulle, and arise underneath Napolean's Arc de Triomphe, where you can walk in 360 degrees, gazing down the twelve open avenues that meet there and you will truly feel like you are at the center of something miraculous. Take a stroll through Luxembourg or Tuilleries, sit at a sidewalk café and people watch, or wander through Musee d'Orsay or the Louvre, and you will feel enlightened. But, no matter where you go, be sure to do as the Parisiens do and take your time. Like the Seine's graceful (albeit murky) flow past Ile Saint-Louis and beyond, what's the rush?

Pros: Good Transportation, great museums and better food
Rating: 4/4
Subject: Paris makes an ideal introduction to Europe:
Details:
General by jasondobbs1, who lived here (October 2001)

"Rue Rivoli"

written: 05 October 2001

if you want to escape the tourist mobs on Champs Elisees try going around Rue Rivoli - lots of good and cool shops

Pros: the side streets
Cons: smaller sidewalks than on Champs Elisees
Rating: just a tip
Subject: shopping on:
Details: near the Louvre Museum
Shopping by sels, who visited here (August 2001)

""Leo Lagrange" Youth Hostel"

written: 27 July 2001

I stayed in Leo Lagrange last time I was in Paris, because I saw tersan's critique *after* I made my reservations. I was a bit weary of what I was going to get, but it was tolerable, after all. The breakfast was horrible, but then all European youth hostels had the same (as I found out later): bread that's way too white, with small containers of jams and butter. Artificial orange juice and coffee or wierd hot chocolate. The showers were awful on the 5th floor (if I remember well), but the 4th were tolerable. Also, the bathrooms are mixed, so you have to not be bothered by that. There's a vending machine on the 1st floor that sell standard toiletteries. The beds are bunk beds, like in most hostels. Not better, not worst. Some rooms are mixed too. The thing I really did not like about it was that it was so far from downtown! About 2 hours of walking... The subway was partially on strike when we were there. It's OK to walk on side streets, but taking the most direct route by walking through the slums of an Arabic-looking neighborhood was not a trilling experience. My friend and I both looked qute butch, with large t-shirts and kaki pants and we still got taunts like "I want to make love to you" from bystanders on street corners. And it was not an isolated phenomena. It kind of reminded me of Amsterdam's red light district, expect with gender roles reversed and no monetary transactions. That was the most unpleasant feature of my stay. Next time, I think I will look in the Marais for accomodation, as I found some places even cheaper than the hostel. And it's right by the Louvre!

Rating: 1/4
Subject: Mostly agreeing with "tersan":
Details: subway Marie de Clichy
Accommodation by yoko_n99, who visited here (May 2001)

"Rue Cler neighborhood"

written: 27 July 2001

I picked my first meal in Paris in Rick Steve's Europe book http://www.ricksteves.com: cheap but good was the comment. It was cheap and disgestible, let's say. And the water was as expensive as the meal! (But then I learnt to buy my bottle in a corner store, AFTER the meal.) To rate what I mean by digestible, let's say that's what I think about most American fast food restaurants. The place was Comptoir du 7e, on rue de la Motte Picquet, in the 7th district. A much better bet, when you are in the area is rue Cler itself! Tarte Julie is amazing, though their prices double when you sit in (and it's not much of a service, when you can just sit in a pack outside, with your slice of quiche and your slice of pie!)... Yes, so they specialize in quiches and pies, and the ones I randomly tried were amazing. There is also a multitude of small sandwich and crepe shops on the street. No need to sit in an annoying below expectations restaurant.

Rating: just a tip
Subject: Food, cheap and good:
Details: Close to subway station, Invalides station, I think. don't have it
Food by yoko_n99, who visited here (May 2001)

"late night tip"

written: 27 July 2001

One quick piece of advice.... try not to venture too far from your accomodations late into the night. The metro stops running at a ridiculously early hour.... it can get you to where you want to go, but don't expect it to get you back. You might think, "no problem, we'll just take a taxi"... think again. It is almost impossible to hail a cab in Paris... they don't stop. The proper way to get a taxi in Paris is to wait at a taxi stand. This might not sound too difficult, but first of all, you have to find the taxi stand... once you're in the general vicinity its not too difficult because the line of people waiting probably wraps around the corner. We tried to wait, but nearly an hour later we couldn't take it anymore. We decided to head off on foot.... our luck of course, it was raining... we made it back to the hotel (which ended up being on the other side of the city) around 5am.... we were drenched and exhausted.

Rating: just a tip
Transportation by sandaitza, who visited here (December 2000)

"Accueil des Villes Francaises"

written: 22 May 2001

Vous changez de ville ou de pays, les AVF vous font découvrir votre nouveau lieu de vie et facilite les occasions de contacts avec les habitants autour d'activités variées.

Pros: convivialité
Rating: 4/4
Subject: Reussir son expatriation:
Details: 13, rue de la cossonnerie 75001 Paris 33.1.40.26.92.19 avf.paris@wanadoo.fr
General by anais, who lived here (May 2001)

"Paris' People"

written: 20 May 2001

It isn't true that french people is unpleasent. I've been in Paris three times and I found many kind and comprehensive people every time. Often they help you if they see you in troubles with a map. But what I noticed is that they hate to be shot by videocamera, even if accidentally, so be careful.

Rating: 4/4
Subject: How to behave:
Details:
Culture/Conduct by chupsina, who visited here (March 2000)

"Place des Vosges"

written: 10 May 2001

Sometimes, when you visit a city, you don't feel any more like waiting to visit the turist things. The Place des Vosges is, for me, a good example to discover "another" thing. It's a very charming place just in the center of the nice neighborhood called Le Marais. Just a little square surrounded by buildings with arcades... Just for the pleasure of the eyes...

Rating: 4/4
Details: 3th/4th Arrondissement Métros: Bastille, Chemin Vert, Saint Paul http://www.paris.org/Monuments/Vosges/
Attractions by nathalie_b, who visited here (May 2001)

"Great view in Montmarte"

written: 06 May 2001

The Basilica of the Sacred heart known in Paris as Le Sacre Coeur gives an imposing view of the whole of Paris. One can see from the plains of Paris, the roman-byzantine building jutting out of the montmarte hill. Right at the back of the basilica is the Place du Tertre or artists quarter. Here budding artists sketch or paint passers by for a fee. Its just great walking around the place or sitting lazily in one of the cafe's while watching the artists go about their craft.

Rating: 4/4
Subject: The Sacre Coeur:
Details:
Attractions by maan, who visited here (May 2000)

"Le Rocher de Cancale"

written: 03 April 2001

I studied and worked in Paris. And when I come back to the French capital, I really like going to one of my favorite restaurants: le Rocher de Cancale. Good traditional food, great amosphere.

Pros: Nice location, not very expensive
Cons: Crowded
Rating: just a tip
Details: 70/72 Rue Montorgueil. II arrondissement
Food by lopo, who lived here (December 2000)

"Parc de Noisiel"

written: 28 February 2001

A friend of mine is living in Paris, well, not exactly in Paris. He's living in a town close to Paris (from fifteen minutes by train RER): Noisiel. It's just a little modern town, built to live in it. Nothing interesting at all or almost... Except... An area very far from the stress of Paris and from the crazy life in the capital: the Parc de Noisiel. It's a green forest with such beautiful trees (some are from the nineteenth century)... Let's go over there to have a rest or to read your favourite book.

Rating: 3/4
Subject: Forest:
Details: http://www.ville-noisiel.fr/
Nearby by nathalie_b, who visited here (September 2000)

"Cité Université Internationale"

written: 14 February 2001

I want to say partys in the Cité (RER B Cité Université) are the most cheap and there are people from all over the world

Rating: just a tip
Subject: Party!:
Details: Boulevard Jordan
Nightlife by akira, who lived here (March 1999)

"It was the best year in my life!"

written: 14 February 2001

I lived for a year in Paris and I don´t still forget my life there. I would like to help people to know more about student life in Paris (I lived in Nanterre near Paris)

Rating: just a tip
Subject: Paris:
Details:
General by akira, who lived here (July 1999)

"Best city in the world"

written: 03 February 2001

This little bar is one of the coolest bars in the world. I spent my whole semester there, studying of course! claims to have the biggest jazz collection in france. Tiki huts inside, bartenders jock & olivier are cool dudes. tell them a crazy american/student told you. two doors down there is a cool rugby bar.

Rating: 4/4
Subject: Le Paillol "the jazz bar":
Details: st.micheal to sourbonne left rue de vauguard right at first street down 100 yards
Nightlife by shellac, who visited here (May 1998)

"Père Lachaise graveyard"

written: 26 January 2001

If you go to Paris, pay a visit to this beautiful graveyard (20th district). Even if you usually hate graveyards, this one is different. Not only bc of many people going on a pilgrimage on Jim Morrison's tomb, go and have a look at Oscar Wilde's weird Sphynx tomb. My all-favourite is Victor Noir's. Don't miss it! http://visit-paris.com/places/lachaise/

Pros: Wonderful architecture, old trees, atmosphere...
Cons: Well...i must admit it's a graveyard.
Rating: 4/4
Subject: Cimetière du Père Lachaise:
Details: main entrance Boulevard de Ménilmontant, Bus 61 et 69, métro Philippe-Auguste.) (00 33)1 55 25 82 10 http://www.gargl.net/lachaise/index.html
Neighborhoods by ariadne, who lived here (January 2001)

"One-stop shopping..."

written: 25 January 2001

I discovered that if you come out on this particular Metro stop you will be surrounded by several of the large "grand magasins" (department stores) in Paris including Galeries Lafayette and Printemps. This came in handy when I was on my last day in Paris and needed to get some last minute shopping done. I had all the major stores right in front of me within a block from each other!

Rating: just a tip
Subject: Havre-Caumartin Metro Stop:
Details: Metro Havre-Caumartin
Shopping by cybertoad, who visited here (June 1996)

"Mont Saint Michel"

written: 10 January 2001

I think one of the things you can't miss, if you go to France, it's to go to Mont Saint Michel. You will appreciate its abbey, its little streets, its shops, its ramparts, etc. But these things are nothing in relation to what you can discover. You can be very surprised by a natural phenomenon: the effects from the tide. Mont Saint Michel is like a little island, if you arrive when the sea is high. You can't visit it, except if you've got a boat to go to there. But, when the sea get a low level, you can go by walk and visit it. But it's so amazing when it's time to leave Mont Saint Michel, and when you see the sea moving as fast as a horse. You will feel like me, so small in front of natural elements...

Rating: 4/4
Nearby by nathalie_b, who visited here (August 2000)

"Honfleur, the little and nice harbour"

written: 10 January 2001

Honfleur is very famous in Normandy for his authenticity. It's such a beautiful village to enjoy to walk around. You have to see the harbour, with lovely little boats and its very strange houses (because of their highness -in relation with the other houses of the normandian region- and their colour). You seem to be in Netherlands with such view... You will see a lot of painters, because there is a special light in Honfleur. This "changing light" change your view of the harbour. Furthermore, if you go there a saturday, you will enjoy a French market with its regional products (vegetables, chickens, milk products famous in Normandy -cheeses like Camembert-, and so many other things).

Rating: 4/4
Nearby by nathalie_b, who visited here (August 2000)

"Normandy, the green region"

written: 10 January 2001

Close to Paris, from about two hours with your car or the train, you can find a peacefully place, far away from the stress of such the French capital. You will enjoy the different landscapes offered by this region: sea, culture of apples, pine forests, etc. For people passionated by history and especially Second World War, you can visit D-Day museums and D-Day beaches. And all the other persons can discover museums, parks and gardens, monuments, or just walk around in those such nice villages. But, be careful, because this is not a place to visit during winter because it's quite cold. You will prefer summer time and its sweetness, if you want to enjoy the sun and a bath in the Ocean or the Sea.

Rating: 3/4
Nearby by nathalie_b, who visited here (August 2000)

"CAFE DE L'INDUSTRIE"

written: 01 December 2000

Un grand café-restaurant que j'adore. Très calme en journée pour lire un livre, rendez-vous des pépés du coin au comptoir le soir, c'est aussi un restaurant sympatique et pas cher dont la cuisine est soit pas extraordinaire mais bonne. Le décor rapelle un café colonial avec trophées de chasses et photos jaunies au murs et pour les garcons: les serveuses sont connues comme étant les plus mignones de Paris!! Pour les groupes il y a plusieurs grandes tables. Enfin il est conseillé de réserver si on ne veut pas attendre. Attention: Fermé le samedi soir !!!!!

Pros: Décor intéressant, pas cher & sympa
Cons: aucun
Rating: 3/4
Subject: CAFE DE L'INDUSTRIE:
Details: 16, rue Sabin 75011 Metro Bastille 0033 (1) 47.00.22.93
Food by delphine_koeln, who is from here (December 2000)

"Japanese food, a change of pace in Paris"

written: 29 November 2000

If you can feel your arteries hardening from all the cheese and garlic butter from French cuisine, you might be up for something different in the City of Light. Sakura is located conveniently near the Metro Bastille. They serve reasonably priced, filling menu prix fixe, like brochettes of beef and cheese with miso soup and plum wine apertifs to kick it all off. The sushi was OK, although Japanese people wouldn't think so for a second. This place is nothing super-special, but I recall it's a sure thing, and a nice atmosphere to relax with friends.

Pros: Distinctive flavor, nice service, change of pace
Cons: Not exactly Japanese food, but cool
Rating: 2/4
Subject: Sakura:
Details: Metro Bastille
Food by tersan, who lived here (February 2000)

"Superbe bar dans le stress de Bastille"

written: 28 November 2000

Le China Club évoque tout en subtilité les grands bars coloniaux asiatiques. Un bar longe de ses 14m une spacieuse salle de restauration. Le vaste couloir véranda au premier évoque intensément l'Asie et mène au fumoir qui est ma place préférée en hiver avec sa cheminée et ses larges fauteuils de cuirs. Le bar du Sing Song ouvre ses portes les vendredis et samedis au sous-sol pour des concerts ou des soirées. Luxe, espace, laque et rideaux rouges, et .... beautiful people bien sûr. 50, rue de Charenton 12° Ouvert tous les jours de 19h à 2h (jusqu'à 3h le vendredi et samedi) Fermé les dimanches et lundis en juillet et aout

Pros: Prix parfois un peu hauts
Cons: Super location - meilleurs cocktails de Paris
Rating: 3/4
Subject: Le China Club:
Details: Métro : Ledru Rollin ou Bastille 0033 01.43.43.82.02. http://chinaclub.cc/
Nightlife by delphine_koeln, who is from here (November 2000)

"Superbe bar dans le stress de Bastille"

written: 28 November 2000

"See how looks like your hotel in Paris NOW!"

written: 27 November 2000

If you want to see how look your hotel or (like me) want to look with nostalgy your old flat in Paris, just click on http://www.pagesjaunes.fr/wrmm_rue_marchande.cgi? and you have a photo of the house! You are in the street and can move with the help of thousands photos!

Pros: Super
Cons: only in french
Rating: just a tip
Subject: Webside to see EVERY HOUSE in Paris:
Details: http://www.pagesjaunes.fr/wrmm_rue_marchande.cgi?
General by delphine_koeln, who is from here (November 2000)

"Don't buy the subway ticket "special tourist"!"

written: 10 September 2000

I've noticed a few weeks ago that the special ticket for tourists in the subway is actually much more expensive than normal tickets. The company : RATP offers you a 2 or 3 days ticket which costs a fortune. Paris and the suburbs are cut in 5 different areas ("Zones") and all what you need is a 2 Zones ticket not more (except if you have the time to go to Versailles to visit the huge castel or if you absolutely want to go to Disneyland Otherwise, who wants to visit the suburbs? Nobody !so there is no need to buy this special ticket for tourist, which "could bring you everywhere"(5 Zones!!). All what you need to visit the whole city is a 2 Zones ticket. If you buy a "carnet"(10 pieces), it will cost you 58 francs. If you stay a week or even less, the weekly ticket from Monday to Sunday is around 90 francs, I think this is definitely the best!

Rating: just a tip
Subject: The Metro (Subway):
Details:
Transportation by astridbaris, who lives here (September 2000)

"Time Out Eating & Drinking Guide to Paris"

written: 10 August 2000

Should you trust an English publication to provide trustworthy reviews of the Paris eating/drinking establishments? Absolutely. Better than Zagats on multiple counts +, if you fear French food words, there's a handy and quite comprehensive French-to-English "food, drink, and savoir-faire" dictionary. (There's a map of central Paris as well.) Two forks up.

Rating: 4/4
Subject: Time Out Eating & Drinking Guide to Paris:
Details:
Food by caligari, who lived here (August 2000)

"Le systeme D"

written: 04 August 2000

"Le systeme D" is important in French culture. D stands for "demerder," or to pull one's self from the shit. Essentially, under Systeme D, you can do whatever it takes to get yourself through a tough spot. This means tricking bureaucrats, going the wrong way on a one-way street, lying, breaking rules--whatever. Remember this when you need to process government paperwork. In France, Systeme D is how things are done, from the President on down. It's not Germany, or even America, where the rules are clear and made to be followed. After five or six different Republics, the French know that rules change all the time, so don't get wrapped up in them--take care of yourself.

Rating: just a tip
Culture/Conduct by tersan, who lived here (August 2000)

"Speak some French, damn it!"

written: 04 August 2000

A friend of mine once told me she dreamed of visiting Paris, but wouldn't dare speak French, for fear of insulting them. I reprimanded her--it's not like that. The French love their language and prefer to speak in it at all times. To understand why the French bristle at speaking English and hate to hear mistake in French, one must understand the education system. Kids are made to fear mistakes and are ridiculed. The way of teaching language is rigid and fear-mongering. So when they are faced with speaking English, most Parisians are stressed out, remembering school. Try your French skills, and you'll show that you understand, and get a much better reception.

Rating: just a tip
Culture/Conduct by tersan, who lived here (August 2000)

"In pursuit of service, Part II"

written: 04 August 2000

If being dramatic, chatty, and interesting doesn't work, don't forget being snotty. Remember, this is what they're good at, and appreciate. Once, when at Galerie Lafayette, a counter clerk was being surly and brusk with me. I simply started telling my companion loudly in French, "You know, it's shocking. In America, we were told that the French have so much better service, and were so much more efficient. But I'm disappointed--the staff here is really uncultured and incompetent. I thought you had better service that we." When she returned, I got smiles an extra receipt and directions to my next destination. Fight fire with fire.

Rating: just a tip
Culture/Conduct by tersan, who lived here (August 2000)

"Drama, and the pursuit of service"

written: 04 August 2000

Tourists commonly return from Paris spouting some story about how they were mistreated, ignored, or otherwised denied service in some establishment. Besides the typical language barrier, people don't understand how things happen in Paris. When trying to get help from indifferent staff, be as dramatic and theatrical as possible, without being irritating. Take your time--explain the whole story of how you kitten died, your boss is furious, and how you are so impressed with how knowledgeable all the Parisians are. Flatter. Cajole. Be thespian. This is the country that idolizes dramatists and poets, so make it good. If you make someone's day interesting, you'll likely get them to work on your problem

Rating: just a tip
Culture/Conduct by tersan, who lived here (August 2000)

"The early bird only gets to eat with the tourists..."

written: 01 August 2000

If you plan on dining out in Paris, don't make the mistake of rushing down too early for dinner, or you may find the whole experience rather lacking. If you go looking for a restaurant before 9pm, you will only find yourself seated with a bunch of other tourists, and it will be all too apparent that you are not a local. Instead, wait until later, and enjoy a proper meal - Paris style. Get a table at nine o'clock, and relax in the knowledge that you won't be chased out of the building an hour later. In Paris, when you come to eat, you're there for the evening, so don't rush. It always amazes me how busy the restaurants are at midnight, and how empty they were at 6pm.

Rating: just a tip
Culture/Conduct by skippy, who visited here (July 1998)

"English NOT spoken here..."

written: 01 August 2000

Here is the best tip you will ever get for eating out in Paris (well, besides don't fly all that way to eat McDonald's). Actually, it's kind of two tips in one. Firstly, don't go anywhere near the God-awful tourist-trap 'restaurants' that litter the Champs Elysses. Secondly, and even more importantly, avoid like the plague any restaurant which advertises an English menu, or which hangs a sign out front indicating that English is spoken within the establishment. In such places (frequented exclusively by Brits, Australians and Americans) you will find sub-standard fare at high prices, and it is usually little more than American meals with a hint of garlic. Do yourself a favour, learn the French words for chicken, beef and fish, and you will have no problems whatsoever in a real French restaurant. Anything else is just a wasted experience.

Rating: just a tip
Food by skippy, who visited here (July 1998)

"Hôtel Beaunier"

written: 31 July 2000

Hôtel Beaunier is a nice, small 2-star hotel with a friendly staff and nice, clean rooms, private showers and satellite TV. It is located in the Montparnasse area, near Metro stops Alesía and Porte d'Orléans. Rooms range from 400 to 450 F with breakfast included.

Pros: clean, good service
Rating: 3/4
Details: 31 rue Beaunier, 75014 33(0) 1.47.27.15.15
Accommodation by cybertoad, who visited here (October 1998)

"Staying out of prison in the Bastille..."

written: 31 July 2000

People will tell you that hotels in Paris are expensive. This may be true if you simply must have a room overlooking l'Arc de Triomphe, but if you want perfectly adequate, modern and clean accomodation, the Hotel Ibis Bastille is (and you will excuse the obvious pun) a steal. With prices around FF500 (USD 70) per night, the hotel offers a great location away from the crowds of the Champs Elysses, but with all the culinary delights of the Bastille area. When I stayed here in 1997, I was totally pleased with the location, the staff, and the value for money.

Rating: 3/4
Details: 15, rue Breguet 75011, Paris +33 1 4929 2020 http://www.ibishotel.com/fichehotel/frm_fiche_hotel.asp?code_hotel=1399&indice=2&code_chaine=IBI
Accommodation by skippy, who visited here (July 1997)

"Costes' new restaurant"

written: 21 July 2000

The Costes brother, already running some of the most trendy places in paris like Café Marly in the Louvre, Le Paris on Champs Elysees, and of course Cafe Costes on rue Saint Honoré, have oppened a new restaurant. It's located right on the Esplanade des Invalides and it's really something you should try if you're not too much regarding for the bill.

Pros: nice place, nice people
Cons: you have to book in advance
Rating: 4/4
Subject: l'Esplanade:
Details: M Latour-Maubourg +33 1 47 05 38 80
Food by alexs, who lives here (July 2000)

"Crepes Galore!"

written: 19 July 2000

When you are in Paris, be sure to stop by any of the multitude of creperies you will come across. Some are just stands while others are sit-down locales. The menu alone will amaze you with the variety. You can have had them prepared any which from tomorrow! I had a delicious one flambéed with orange marmalade and Grand Marnier liquor. Yum! A French classic, it's a great late-night snack.

Pros: Warm, yummy, freshly made!
Rating: just a tip
Details: all over Paris
Food by cybertoad, who visited here (October 1998)

"Pariscope: The Ultimate City Guide"

written: 19 July 2000

Even if you don't know French, grab a weekly Pariscope at a newsstand. It lists every type of venue and all the events going on in Paris for the week including shopping, restaurants, sports, shows, movies, theater, music, gallery openings and museum exhibits. It's useful just to have it for the addresses and is the most complete local guide you'll find anywhere! It especially helped me narrow down which museums I wanted to go according to what was showing. You can also see it online at http://www.pariscope.fr/.

Pros: Everything is in it!
Rating: just a tip
Subject: Pariscope:
Details: http://www.pariscope.fr/
Attractions by cybertoad, who visited here (July 1996)

"A monument remembering the Holocaust"

written: 19 July 2000

Hidden down some stairs on l'Ile de France, I came across this monument totally on accident. It is a national memorial dedicated to the memory of the 200,000 individuals deported from France to the German concentration camps during WWII and as most Holocaust memorials, it provides a powerful and somber reminder of the horrors inflicted.

Rating: 4/4
Details: Sq. de l'Ile de France, Metro: Cite 46 33 87 56
Attractions by cybertoad, who visited here (July 1996)

"A walk through the city & a garden to rest in."

written: 19 July 2000

A great way to see several of Paris' more famous sites is to begin at the Louvre, on to the Place de La Concorde, towards Le Champs Elysee and eventually finish at l'Arc de Triomphe. Wear good walking shoes! Located between the Louvre and the Place de la Concorde, the Jardin des Tuileries and the Jardin du Carrousel are beautifully manicured parks once used by the nobility and high society of XVIIIth century Paris. They now offer a tired tourist a place to stop and rest their feet, which I highly recommend while on your walk.

Pros: Free, beautiful, leisurely walk
Cons: pretty long
Rating: 3/4
Details: Louvre - L'Arc de Triomphe, including the Jardin des Tuileries
Attractions by cybertoad, who visited here (July 1996)

"Irish Bars"

written: 16 July 2000

The Irish bars in Paris are almost all good. Molly Malone's, Kitty O'Shea's, and the Frog and Rosbif (yes, an English brewpub, but hey, they speak English)offer a good time. These are not exceptionally French places, but what is exceptional is that the people who frequent these taverns are by nature international. You have Irishmen looking for company, other English-speaking expats looking for like-minded souls, and French people sufficiently open-minded to meet new folks and try a new language.

Rating: just a tip
Nightlife by tersan, who lived here (February 2000)

""Leo Lagrange" Youth Hostel"

written: 16 July 2000

Ah, Soviet architecture. You can see it's charms alive and well at the Leo Lagrange hostel up in Clichy in the Banlieue Parisienne. This hostel has the design of a prison or a military barracks, with decor and ambience to match. This place has an indifferent staff and dubious security, and I recall some of the temporary residents wandering the halls, seemingly looking for trouble. You could find better places to crash.

Pros: High capacity
Cons: Ugly, a little out of control
Rating: 2/4
Details: 107, rue Martre, CLICHY
Accommodation by tersan, who lived here (August 1996)

"Pigalle"

written: 13 July 2000

Most people have heard of Pigalle, but can't quite remember why. American soldiers during the second world war referred to it as "Pig Alley." A walk through the neighborhood today reveals why this might be a reasonable assessment. Kids, it's got two remarkable features: guitar shops and porno houses. If you don't play guitar, your options for entertainment are even more limited. This reviewer decided to skip the Metro one day and walk down some side streets, only to find himself on a street frequented only by prostitutes. This place is probably best avoided at night.

Pros: They have guitars. I like guitars.
Cons: Poverty, prostitutes, street trash
Rating: 1/4
Details: Metro: Pigalle
Neighborhoods by tersan, who lived here (September 1996)

"Caveau de la Huchette"

written: 13 July 2000

After you've been stuffed with cheap Greek food on rue de la Huchette, the budget nightlife tour continues in this little jazz club up the street. A former wine cellar, this small club (watch your head on the stairs) features jazz and swing seven nights a week for only around 55FF per person. There's no drink minimum, and the staff is polite. Club regulars come in to burn up the dance floor and make you feel like you have no swing in your life. Nice place.

Pros: Inexpensive, good jazz, nice atmosphere
Cons: Not much room, the jazz could be more modern
Rating: 3/4
Details: rue de la Huchette, 5th arron.
Nightlife by tersan, who lived here (March 1998)

"Pizza Hut"

written: 13 July 2000

My God--am I really doing this? Am I really suggesting that anybody go to an American chain pizza parlor in the world capital of cuisine? Yes, yes I am. You might be shocked to discover how pleasant it is to eat at the Pizza Hut near the Hotel de Ville on rue de Rivoli. Pizza Hut offers reasonably-priced, filling meals with smiling, easy-going waitstaff. If you're living abroad, it'll be a welcome vacation away from the stresses of snotty unionized waiters in many other establishments in the city. The most difficult thing is living with yourself afterward.

Pros: Hot American pizza, friendly atmosphere
Cons: Feeling like an uncultured boob
Rating: 3/4
Details: rue de Rivoli, across from the Metro station
Food by tersan, who lived here (March 1996)

"Greek food"

written: 13 July 2000

The Greek restaurants along rue de la Huchette in the Saint Michel region of Paris are a welcome change of pace when dining on a budget. Sure, these days the French Franc is cheap now, but a few years back, North American currency didn't go far in Europe. For 35FF, the Greek district offer a plate of lamb, fries, and salad that would really fill you up--a welcome change in a city where dining out is not free. There's around 40 restaurants on rue de la Huchette, more or less equivalent, although I prefer "L'olympia".

Pros: Tasty, cheap food, very un-French
Cons: Bouzouki music 24/7
Rating: just a tip
Food by tersan, who lived here (February 2000)

"Au Bon Couscous"

written: 13 July 2000

This excellent, tiny restaurant specializes in coucous of the Berbere variety, direct from Algeria. Specifically, the cooking is from the Kabyle region, and the tribe that takes its name. Cheap and amazing, this is a place to hit if you are tired of paying 60FF for crappy steack frites in tourist cafes. The owner serves up mountains of couscous and a massive steaming crockpot of stew for the whole table. He selects a bottle of Kabyle wine to go with it, and the experience is spicy and magnificent. If you still have room for dessert, you're a better man than I.

Pros: Exotic food, warm hospitality
Cons: Too full to walk
Rating: 4/4
Details: rue de la Huchette, Metro: St Michel
Food by tersan, who lived here (February 2000)

"Ile Saint Louis"

written: 12 July 2000

This is one of the two inhabited islands of Paris, and also one of the most expensive place for real estate. There are lots of shops on the main street (rue saint louis en l'île) and also very nice cafes on the banks, like 'Flore en l'île' where you can find ice cream from Berthillon, one of the most famous ice cream maker of the capital.

Rating: 4/4
Neighborhoods by alexs, who lives here (June 2000)

"Metro line 14"

written: 12 July 2000

It is the latest metro line, opened in 1999. It's very different from other metro lines : the stations are much larger and better designed, and there's no driver so you can seat at the front of the train if you wish. It will take you from Madeleine to Bibliothèque François Mitterand in a 10 min ride.

Rating: 3/4
Transportation by alexs, who lives here (July 2000)

"L'Entrecote"

written: 11 July 2000

This restaurant's in "Porte Maillot". They only serve a salad and meat, but is delicious. If you like the meat, you should go.

Pros: delicious
Cons: always full
Rating: 4/4
Subject: "Le relais de Venise et son entrecote":
Details: Porte Maillot
Food by eduardo, who is from here (October 1999)

"Bastille"

written: 10 July 2000

The Bastille neighborhood is a great place to spend an evening. It's unpretentious and chock-full of good restaurants and bars. Everything centers around the Bastille monument and its neighbor, the new Opera Bastille. Don't hang out on the steps of the Opera--every time I do, people ask me if I want to buy hashish. But do stop by the crepes stand just across the street--probably among the best in Paris if they're making them fresh. There seems to be a bar and resto for every personality. The tapas place is really excellent.

Pros: Great bars and restos, killer crepes
Cons: A little shady at some of the edges
Rating: 3/4
Neighborhoods by tersan, who lived here (February 2000)

"Champs-Elysees"

written: 10 July 2000

This is the most famous of avenues on Earth, save for 5th Ave. in New York, perhaps. One begins to wonder why these days. This 8-lane stretch of corporate headquarters, Burger Kings and luxury shops is more Japanese and American than French. I dare you to find any culture here, as it is nothing but a monument to the global cult of consumerism. The only plus is Virgin Megastore, where you can listen to CDs on their nice headphones. Don't spend too long here.

Pros: Death-defying street crossing is fun
Cons: Tourist hell, expensive, Planet Hollywood is there
Rating: 2/4
Neighborhoods by tersan, who lived here (February 2000)

"The RER"

written: 10 July 2000

The Regional Express Rail is another alterrnative to the Metro that the Paris neophyte may miss. Instead of the criss-cross numbered Metro lines that cover most of the city, the lettered RER lines (A,B,C,D) serve most of Ile de France through stations that are more spread out. The trains are cleaner, roomier and much faster than the Metro. If you're going clear across the city (e.g. Gare Austerlitz to the 16th Arrondissement) the RER makes sense.

Pros: Clean, fast, good for distances
Cons: Infrequent trains, only in a few neighborhoods
Rating: just a tip
Transportation by tersan, who lived here (February 2000)

"The Bus"

written: 10 July 2000

While the Metro is truly indispensable in Paris, the bus system is often overlooked by visitors, many of whom may be intimidated by its complexity. This is too bad, because the bus is definitely the way to travel once you learn how to use it. It has two main advantages. Firstly, it goes different places than the Metro, and in different directions. It connects some neighborhoods more directly than the Metro, and can save some time. Secondly, it's above ground. You can see the sights more easily, and that typical Paris smell is gone. Plus, experience the harrowing roads of Paris without actually have drive yourself!

Pros: Clean, comprehensive, better for sight-seeing
Cons: Infrequent, hard to understand
Rating: 3/4
Transportation by tersan, who lived here (February 2000)

"The Auld Alliance"

written: 10 July 2000

A Scottish bar in Paris, you say? Why not--the French and Scots have been allies in annoying the English since the 1100's, so their mutual affection has been well known. A good artifact of this is The Auld Alliance in the Marais. Scottish beers, Scottish music, Scottish barmen, and Scottish darts all converge in a watering hole you'd swear was in Glasgow. A perfect place to get away from the fashion, snobbery, and cheese that may be assaulting you outside.

Pros: Relaxed, classy place to have a pint
Cons: None detectable
Rating: 3/4
Details: 80, rue Francois Miron, PARIS 75004
Nightlife by tersan, who lived here (February 2000)

"La tour Eiffel/Eiffel Tower"

written: 10 July 2000

This particular attraction doesn't need a lot of introduction, and directions should be pretty evident. Don't let your allergy to super-touristy attractions stop you from going up the Tower. It's worth the wait and the trouble, although I wouldn't do it every weekend. The elevator ride to the top alone is exhilerating, if you can stand the inane, pushy tourists who will be surrounding you. The view is brilliant and captivating. This is a classic Parisian attraction, and you shouldn't miss it.

Pros: The view, the romance
Cons: Long lines with other pushy tourists
Rating: 4/4
Details: Look up, dummy. (Near Pont de l'Alma)
Attractions by tersan, who lived here (March 1998)

"Hotel Sevigne"

written: 10 July 2000

The Hotel Sevigne is located in prime territory in the Marais district of Paris, right in the center of town with access to some great nightlife at the Bastille, and shopping near Hotel de Ville. This is a great place to stay if you want to take a step up from the typical student hostel. Rooms are private, if small, and include their own salle de bain, usually. A luxury in most classic Parisien hotels, cable TV is in every room. The selling place here is really the staff, managed by the proprieter Roger Mercier and his wife Monique. These people contradict the stereotypes about French hotelliers, as they are kind, helpful, and genuinely concerned. Still they are locals that know the ins and outs of Paris. This is an ideal place to get a non-tourist's view of the city, and for relatively cheap.

Pros: Charm, warmth, clean rooms, good breakfast
Cons: A little cramped, not an American-style hotel
Rating: 3/4
Details: 2 rue Mahler, PARIS 75004
Accommodation by tersan, who lived here (February 2000)

"Metro, boutot, dodo"

written: 10 July 2000

In Paris, the parisian people have a "famous" sentence : Metro, boulot, dodo = Metro, job, bed. A lot of them live in the suburds and they have only time to take metro, work and come back to sleep ;-))

Pros: .
Cons: very stressful life
Rating: just a tip
Culture/Conduct by anais, who lived here (March 2000)

"Le Marais"

written: 10 July 2000

If you want to visit a nice and quite area in Paris, I recommend you this neighborhood. You can visit a very quite and small place ( Place des Vosges), the musem Picasso, and Notre Dame. On Saint Paul´street you can buy old furnitures and dishes ( but it´s better to see only, because is very expensive!!).

Pros: pretty place
Cons: no cons
Rating: 3/4
Neighborhoods by anais, who lived here (September 1998)

"The fashionable shopping place"

written: 10 July 2000

If you want to make some fashionable shopping in Paris, Colette is a must. It's a large store featuring the most renowned brands of clothes (Prada, Gucci, YSL...) and accesories. You can also have lunch in the basement, where you'll find a water bar with more than 100 different mineral waters to taste !

Rating: 4/4
Subject: Colette:
Details: 213, rue Saint Honore
Attractions by alexs, who lives here (July 2000)

"Bain de minuit"

written: 03 July 2000

This is one of the most exclusive night clubs in Paris. Be prepared to pay 120 F to enter (with a drink), and as much as 1000 F for a bottle. It's sometimes hard to get in if you're not a TV star or fashion designer, so if you want to be sure to enter, you can book a table at the restaurant upstairs.

Pros: Beautiful people, great house music
Cons: Hard door, expensive
Rating: 3/4
Subject: Les Bains-Douches:
Details:
Nightlife by alexs, who lives here (May 2000)

"Food and Wine"

written: 03 July 2000

I'm sure you'll love this place where you can have good traditionnal french food with your favorite glass of wine. Unlike other parisian restaurants, it is opened late at night so it's a nice place to go after the theater. It is a chain of 4 restaurants : my favorites are on place de la Madeleine (nice non-smoking area) and rue Marbeuf.

Pros: Great wines at the glass
Cons: No really cheap if you want to taste good wines
Rating: 4/4
Subject: L'Ecluse:
Details:
Food by alexs, who lives here (June 2000)

"Bio restaurant"

written: 03 July 2000

This is a place to try even if you don't like biological food. You should try their fresh fruit juices (about 35 F) and bio meals (about 70-80 F). There are 5 such restaurants in Paris ; my favorites are on Quai des Grands Augustins and Avenue Georges V.

Pros: Nice decoration, great fresh fruit juices
Cons: Don't expect to eat red meat here
Rating: 4/4
Subject: Paradis du Fruit:
Details:
Food by alexs, who lives here (June 2000)

"Bercy Village"

written: 03 July 2000

It used to be wine cellars, now it is a very nice shopping and eating place located in one of the largest public parks of paris. It is still partly under construction but already a popular place in eastern paris, and it's close to a large multiplex featuring about 20 movies at a time.

Rating: 4/4
Neighborhoods by alexs, who lives here (July 2000)

"Jardin des plantes"

written: 29 June 2000

I recomend you this very nice garden. You have a differents sorts of flowers and plants. When I wisited it, I saw sculptures made by famous artist. In the same place you have to the national museum of natural history.

Pros: very nice and quite
Cons: .
Rating: 3/4
Attractions by anais, who lived here (September 1999)

"Antiquest at Place de la Bastille"

written: 29 June 2000

Located in the central Paris above the Port de l´Arsenal, this open-air antiques fair features 280 stalls around the Port, and along Boulevards Bourdon and Bastille. Created 36 years ago, the fair offers furniture, tapestries,statues, objets d´art, decorative art, painting, silverware, dishes, bed line and curiosities from all periods. Usually in May Tel : 01 56 53 93 93

Pros: very nice things
Cons: expensive
Rating: just a tip
Attractions by anais, who lived here (May 2000)

"Le Marche aux puces"

written: 29 June 2000

Flea market is the largest antiques markets in the world. It´s a special area where people from walks of life come to browse and haggle among the variety of goods for sale. Open to the saturday, sunday and Momday from 10.30 am to 6.00 pm. Guided tours tel : 01 41 60 06 03

Pros: for the antiques lovers
Cons: be careful with the thief
Rating: just a tip
Attractions by anais, who lived here (March 2000)

"You love Sangria"

written: 28 June 2000

In Odéon, the St Germain des Prés area, where all the students love to stay, you have a bar called Le DIX. You'll find a very cosy bar, where you seat next to the people, a very friendly atmosphere and you drink for nothing a very good sangria. You'll also have a jukebox with old french music. Good to take a girlfriend !

Pros: Good for first part of the night
Cons: The place is small and smoke from cigarette
Rating: 4/4
Nightlife by abcd, who visited here (May 2000)

"The sweetest bar in Paris"

written: 28 June 2000

You're looking for a cool and nice bar whith smooth atmposphere, nice decoration, calm and young, you like good beer, T-punch, wine, good french fresh food for an average of 75 F, go to 144, rue Oberkampf in 75011 Metro : Menilmontant. It's the place. You won't regret it.

Pros: Very good ratio price/quality
Cons: None
Rating: 4/4
Nightlife by abcd, who visited here (June 2000)

"Parc Floral and Jazz Concerts Festival"

written: 28 June 2000

All the Summer (it's every year), you can listen to jazz music each Week End afternoons in the Parc Floral near Chateau de Vincennes. You will see each time a different band playing music and when you walk along the Parc, there are exhibitions of plants, flowers with explanations on each speciality. It's a very nice place and very quiet.

Pros: it's free
Cons: nothing in particular
Rating: 3/4
Subject: frea:
Details:
Attractions by frea, who is from here (July 1999)

"A very "in" neighborhood"

written: 28 June 2000

Quartier Oberkampf is located in the 11th district of Paris, it is a very long street where you will find many restaurants, music bars. I particularly like the Sherkan restaurant or Le Charbon which is a nice place too. You have to go for the "in" atmosphere !

Pros: such a choice of restaurants and bars!
Cons: so crowded too
Rating: 3/4
Subject: frea:
Details:
Neighborhoods by frea, who is from here (June 2000)

"Le Satellite Café"

written: 28 June 2000

Satellite Café is a bar and then a disco from 11pm. If you like World Music, this is a place you have to go. A very good atmosphere but ambience starts very late.

Pros: It is different from the other discos
Cons: if you only go for a drink, it is rather expensive
Rating: 3/4
Subject: frea:
Details:
Nightlife by frea, who is from here (April 2000)

"Best Japanese restaurant in Paris"

written: 28 June 2000

This is my favourite place to eat Japanese food. This restaurant is located in the Students area near La Sorbonne, it is very popular. For a very small price, you will enjoy sushis or meat "brochettes" in a very noisy atmosphere but it's fun!

Pros: not expensive and so good
Cons: crowded, noisy
Rating: 4/4
Subject: frea:
Details:
Food by frea, who is from here (May 2000)

"A Spanish good restaurant in Paris"

written: 28 June 2000

If you look for a good restaurant of typical Spanish food in Paris, with a very "in" atmosphere, you will enjoy this restaurant called Les Caves St Gilles (rue St Gilles in le Marais). But be careful, you have to book very in advance!

Pros: Food is really good
Cons: rather expensive
Rating: 3/4
Subject: frea:
Details:
Food by frea, who is from here (May 2000)

"Shopping Time"

written: 28 June 2000

If you wish to make shopping in great Department Stores in Paris, such as Galeries Lafayette, Le Printemps...for your information, these Stores are open until 10pm each Thursday.

Pros: They have everything in these stores
Cons: but it's expensive
Rating: 2/4
Subject: frea:
Details:
Culture/Conduct by frea, who is from here (June 2000)

"Parc de La Villette"

written: 28 June 2000

Parc La Villette is located in the North East of Paris, it is a huge and very modern Parc, in which you have different attractions, theatre, circus and restaurants. In the Summer, I like particularly the Outdoor Film Festival (from 15 July to beginning of September), where each night you will enjoy laying in the grass an original version movie on a giant screen.

Pros: It's free!
Cons: movie never starts on time
Rating: 4/4
Subject: frea:
Details:
Attractions by frea, who is from here (July 1999)

"Don't touch the fruit and veggies!"

written: 28 June 2000

When shopping for fresh fruits and vegetables in Paris, don't touch the fruit to choose the best ones. Indicate which fruit you would like and the shopkeeper will choose the best ones for you.

Pros: Relaxed shopping: point and voila! it's yours.
Cons: sometimes you might not get the best ones
Rating: just a tip
Culture/Conduct by melissak, who visited here (April 1997)

"Le Stübli"

written: 26 June 2000

This restaurant provides very good specialities from Germany and Austria. You can have lunch on the terrasse in a street where there many groceries, flower shops and no cars. I like the atmosphere and the food is really good. Address is : 11, rue Poncelet-75017 Paris Metro Ternes

Pros: very good and not too expensive
Cons: Just a few seats on the terrasse
Rating: 3/4
Subject: frea:
Details:
Food by frea, who is from here (June 2000)

"Batophar - A Music Barge"

written: 26 June 2000

Enjoy having a drink while listening to live music on a barge ! Batophar is located on Quai de la Rapee in Paris and has a different atmosphere than any other bar because it's on the water! Live concerts (jazz, rock...), or "easy-listening" music... Everyday.

Pros: It's fun
Cons: crowded on WE
Rating: 3/4
Subject: frea:
Details:
Nightlife by frea, who is from here (June 2000)

"Musee Picasso"

written: 26 June 2000

If you like the painting of Picasso, I recommend you this Museum. Some of his painting are exhibited in a nice House, the Hotel Sale. Hotel Sale 5, rue Thorigny.5e Tel : (01) 42 71 25 21 M : (1) 42 71 25 21 open winter : 9.30 - 5 pm sumer : 9.30 - 6 pm Prices : 27 FF Red : 18 FF Link : www.paris.org/Musees

Pros: interesting show, nice area
Cons: .
Rating: 3/4
Attractions by anais, who lived here (April 1990)

"Restaurants and relax atmosphere in Rue Mouffetard"

written: 23 June 2000

Go to the rue Mouffetard (5th district) and streets around, where you'll enjoy the genuine and laid-back atmosphere of Old Paris. This cobbled-stone and pedestrian street boasts nice little regional, Greek, Lebanese, Mexican... restaurants, brasseries and pubs. During the (sunny) day, bands fill the air with their music-accordion notably.

Pros: excellent atmosphere
Cons: maybe too much choice of restaurants
Rating: 3/4
Neighborhoods by saskia, who is from here (June 1998)

"Fun Hostel"

written: 21 June 2000

If you are passing through Paris as a backpacker, stay at the 3 Ducks Hostel. It's got a small bar in there and the atmosphere amongst the travllers is great. Very friendly. Don't stay there if you want a lot of sleep :-)

Pros: Very friendly amongst travllers
Cons: Locked during the day and sinlge sex dorms
Rating: 3/4
Subject: 3 Ducks Hostel:
Details: 6, place Etienne Pernet 75015 01 48 42 04 05
Accommodation by davina, who visited here ( 0000)

"If you love it packed and international,"

written: 16 June 2000

there's a great fondue restaurant at Montmartre. It's small (only two long tables), you are seated close to each other, but it's really fun! There are only to menues to choose from (fondue with cheese or fondue with meat), only two wines - but it's deeelicious and you'll love it. Name: "Chez les Fondues" Street: Rue des Trois Freres (going up the hill, it's on the left side)

Pros: people are young, old, french, international...
Cons: packed/e.g.: make your reservation at 6pm for 9pm
Rating: 3/4
Food by carrot, who lived here ( 0000)

"Paris skyline for free"

written: 14 June 2000

If you want to see Paris skyline, but do not want to spend money or queue for ever to go up, just go to La Samaritaine (chic department store) roof located on the river bank at Pont Neuf subway station. It is free and there's a nice bar-restaurant.

Pros: have lunch up there, it's nice
Cons: Remember its closed on Sundays
Rating: 3/4
Attractions by anne, who lives here ( 0000)

"Tango in Paris"

written: 14 June 2000

Here is a nice place to go dancing if you're an Argentine tango aficionado. During summer (I'll be there in August this year), go dancing on WE on the Seine river bank, at the 'Square Tino Rossi', nearby Jussieu University. The organizers come with a big stereo and talc (for the ground). It is free but it is nice to leave a few Francs to replace the batteries for next time. Come over and have fun!

Pros: cool atmosphere, dancing under the sunset
Cons: can be packed
Rating: just a tip
Nightlife by anne, who lives here ( 0000)

"Prety hotel"

written: 13 June 2000

I have a nice hotel for you. It´s a prety, quite, clean and the owners are friendly. The price is cheap. Residence les Gobelins Hotel ** 9, rue des Gobelins 75013 Paris Tel . 1.47.07.26.90 Fax : 1.43.31.44.05 Metro : Les Gobelins Bus : 27.47.83.91

Pros: great
Cons: nothing to say
Rating: 3/4
Accommodation by anais, who lived here ( 0000)

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