Our Parisian Address Book

Close friends of ours are heading back for their third visit to Paris. It’s been a little while since they’ve travelled to the gorgeous city, so they are keen to find out about our favourite spots to shop and to eat.

Given they fly next week, I decided that I’d better get my act together and put together an Parisian address book for them. And while I was at it, I thought I should share it with all of you, just in case anyone else is lucky enough to be heading to Paris soon.

I hope that it makes it little easier for everyone to find some of the best spots Paris has on offer.

Restaurants and Cafés

There are so many places you can choose to eat in Paris, it is kind of hard to go wrong, but it does happen. That’s why it is nice to have some recommendations – here are some of our favourites.

Angelina. Enjoy tea, coffee or the world famous hot-chocolate in the same ornate room that Coco Chanel dined in years ago. It is lovely any time of the day, but we particularly like heading to Angelina for breakfast. 226 rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris. Métro stop: Tuileries.

Bofinger. Eat typical French brasserie classics under one of the prettiest domes in the city. 5-7 rue de la Bastille, 75004 Paris. Métro stop: Bastille. Reservations can be made online.

Brasserie Flo. Another classic brasserie. 7 Cour des Petites Écuries, 75010 Paris. Métro stop: Château d’Eau. Reservations can be made online.

Café Le Nemours. One of my favourite people watching spots in Paris. And right beside the Palais-Royal.  2 Galerie de Nemours, 75001 Paris. Métro stop: Palais Royal – Musée du Louvre.

La Chaise Au Plafond. Cool, quiet spot for a cold drink on a warm day. 10 Rue du Trésor, 75004 Paris. Métro stop: Hôtel de Ville.

La Saut Du Loup. Sit on the terrace and enjoy a glass of champagne while people watching. We’ve not eaten here but the food looks good. 107 rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris. Métro stop: Palais Royal – Musée du Louvre or Tuileries.

Le Bistrot du 7ème. Great local bistro in a quiet residential area of Paris. We visited on the recommendation of our hotel concierge and we weren’t disappointed. We go back for the confit duck. 56 Boulevard de la Tour Maubourg, 75007 Paris. Métro stop: La Tour Maubourg.

Le Grand Colbert. Go for the chicken and to see a part of the set from Something’s Gotta Give. 2, rue Vivienne, 75002, Paris. Métro stop: Palais Royal – Musée du Louvre. Reservations can be made online.

Le Jules Verne. One star Michelin experience with amazing views from the Eiffel Tower. Good value weekday lunch option available at Le Jules Verne. Avenue Gustave Eiffel, 75007 Paris. Métro stop: Trocadero. Reservations can be made online.

Restaurant La Gare. Modern French cuisine in a converted railway station. La Gare provides a great opportunity to eat where the locals eat. 19 chaussée de la Muette, 75116 Paris. Métro stop: La Muette. Reservations can be made online.

Taillevent. Formal, delicious two Michelin star restaurant. The weekday lunch menu provides excellent value. Men need to wear a jacket at Taillevent. 15 rue Lamennais, 75008 Paris. Métro stop: Charles de Gaulle Étoile. Reservations can be made online.

Shopping

I don’t do a lot of shopping while I am in Paris but there are always a few things I just have to pick up while I’m there. I usually try to buy items that are either super difficult to find in Australia or super expensive at home.

Any pharmacie in Paris. Look for the green cross, and pick up all your beauty essentials for a fraction of the price at home! Métro stop: Any.

Chanel. Visit for a little taste of Parisian mystique. Even if you don’t buy anything, you’ll be glad you dropped by. 31 Rue Cambon, 75001 Paris. Métro stop: Concorde or Madeleine.

Chantal Thomass. Truly beautiful lingerie. And extremely friendly, helpful sales assistants. 211 rue Saint Honoré, 75001 Paris. Métro stop: Tuileries.

Diptyque. Absolutely gorgeous candles. My favourite is Opopanax – seriously though, all the scents are fabulous. There are a number Diptyque stores around Paris but I’d recommend visiting the original store St Germain for a real Parisian experience. 34, Boulevard Saint Germain, 75005 Paris. Métro stop: Maubert – Mutualité.

Ines De La Fressange. This eponymous store from the famous Parisian is guaranteed to delight.24 rue de Grenelle, 75007 Paris. Métro stop – Rue de Bac.

Kure Bazaar. My favourite place for a manicure. I’ve tried the locations in both BHV and Le Bon Marché and they are both great. I’ve been lucky with a couple of times just walking up, but it is likely you will need a reservation. BHV – 36 Rue de la Verrerie, 75004 Paris. Métro stop – Hôtel de Ville. Or Le Bon Marché – 24 Rue de Sèvres, 75007 Paris. Métro stop: Sèvres – Babylone.

La Grande Épicerie de Paris. Sister store to Le Bon Marché, this place is foodie heaven and my friends definitely have to get themselves there while they are in Paris. It is like no other food hall I’ve ever come across. You name it, you will find it here. This is the one store I never miss when I’m in Paris. My shopping list will include herbs and spices and Valrhona chocolate as a minimum. 38 Rue de Sèvres, 75007 Paris. Metro stop: Sèvres – Babylone.

Le BHV Marais. A cool department store in the Marais. No luxury brands but some of the best homewares collections. Don’t miss the hardware section downstairs for Parisian signs and other bits and pieces. 36 Rue de la Verrerie, 75004 Paris. Métro stop – Hôtel de Ville.

Le Bon Marché. Pictured above, this store is the epitome of left bank chic in a department store. You’ll find everything you can imagine here – including all the luxury brands. It’s the only place I will shop for clothes in Paris. And I adore the stationery department. 24 Rue de Sèvres, 75007 Paris. Métro stop: Sèvres – Babylone.

Loft Design By. Great basics for men and women. Stores all over Paris, but I like the staircase in the Marais outlet. 20 rue des Francs-Bourgeois, 75003 Paris.

Longchamp. Leather goods and lovely gifts. 404 Rue Saint Honoré, 75001 Paris. Métro stop: Concorde.

Louis Vuitton. Like at Chanel, you might not buy anything but the store itself is worth a look. 101 avenue des Champs-Élysées, 75008 Paris. Métro stop: George V.

Palais Royal – Serge Lutens. When you’ve had enough of people watching in the Palais Royal, duck into Serge Lutens’ jewel like store to pick yourself up the perfect red lipstick. And maybe some unique perfume. 142 Galerie de Valois, 75001 Paris. Métro stop: Palais Royal – Musée du Louvre.

Do you have a must-visit Parisian store or restaurant? If so, I’d love for you to add to the list in the comments below.

Until next time – au revoir.