Paris in the springtime. Nothing could be nicer, right? How about running around with so many things on your list of to do's that you miss, well, Paris? A faithful reader is going to be in Paris in a matter of weeks so I've compiled a list of favorite neighborhood places. But I think one of the nicest things about Paris is that you really can't go wrong. It's all beautiful, there are great shops all over, so just enjoy and don't try to cram too much in!
Le Marais is my favorite part of the city:
Check out Beaubourg/The Pompidou Center and from there find your way to Rue Des Francs Bourgeois, it runs east west starting to the east of the Pompidou. If you follow this you will find a Muji, Auteur du Monde, and a bunch of great little boutiques.
You'll end up at the Place des Vosges, a special place for me because my grandmother lived there. But lot's of people congregate there, it's the oldest square in Paris.
Other places I like in the Marais:
The Mariages Freres--incredible shop, incredible tea right in the heart of the Marais
Hot chocolate at Cacao et Chcocolat
Grabbing a bite on Rue de Rosiers
Le Petit Atelier de Paris
Right next to the Marais is The Bastille:
This is where I lived, try eating at:
Chez Paul for a very French experience.
Pause Cafe for a neighborhood experience.
If you like clothes I love Isabel Marant who has a boutique right across from Chez Paul.
Near the Opera:
Printemps, which I prefer to Galeries Lafayettes.
As you're walking towards to Louvre, make sure to take a small detour into the Palais Royale where you can stop at the smallest shop in Paris which sells music boxes. This also happens to be owned by my other grandmother, Anna. Aptly, it's called Anna Joliet Boites a Musique. If you do go there, say hello and say you know me. They'll be thrilled.
My other favorite part of the city is Montmartre, get off at Metro Abbesses and then just walk around, you won't be sorry. It's narrow streets, on a hill, hip neighborhood, great cafe's like Chez Papa and bars like Le Progres.
Random Tips:
Pick up a Pariscope which is the equivalent of an LA weekly. You can buy it at any newsstand/kiosk. This'll tell you what the museums have going on and what movies are playing and the flea markets, etc.
Generally, you must try some macaroons and you must just drop by a Monoprix, a nicer grocery store, to check out all the mundane products that make up daily life.
