My Traveling Twenties

 

 

DRINKING & DINING: Let all your pain be Champagne:

France in general is amazing for wine and Champagne (a great day trip from Paris, check it out here), although the brand names tend to dominate the scene with the Champagne, I have found incredible wines just though brousing wine stores and local markets in Paris. With the local markets, they are more than happy to have you taste the wine as they are incredibly proud of their product. I have had many a dinner that was just wine and different cheeses (dairy and fruit servings met, check!).

 

Harry's New York Bar- This is my favorite bar in the ENTIRE WORLD (actually I lied, it's tied with Delirium in Belgium). Upstairs it doesn't look like much dominated by college pennants, however go downstairs when the piano player is going and you will feel like you are in a speakeasy. I have never been so obsessed with a place in my life; I have brought anyone who has visited me here because I love it so much. ALSO, this is the place that invented the Bloody Mary, the Side Car, French 75, and more.

 

L'Escargot Montorgueil- Definitely touristy and expensive but the only place I have had golden escargot, and there are so many types of escargot you can take your pick. Easy to find as it has a giant gold snail on top of the door.

 

JanTchi- Most perfect Korean food I have ever had. I lived in this area and I would go to this place for fantastic Bimibap again and again.

 

Le Soufflé- This place serves amazing souffles, and it is open from 12-4 and 7-10. It is small and can be a bit expensive so if you go, try to go around 2-3 this way it will be less crowded and you can get lunch prices.

 

Things to Try:

France is notorious for food so in addition to trying varying wine and cheeses you have to try the following:

 

Souffle- These are fluffy cake/pastries that can house meats, cheeses, and sugar desserts. My favorite souffle was the cheese one so if you go try it.

 

Crepes- There are literally a hundred ways you can have a crepe, they have savory and sweet crepes that are sure to hit every craving. The most popular crepe is a nutella crepe and they have these crepe stands outside many cafes and along the streets. In my experience the street crepes were the most enjost enjoyable.

 

Escargot- you will get these in either two ways, in the shell or in little pools of butter already deshelled. Either way is delicious but the pools of butter one is the easiest to eat and dip the bread in. If you get them in the shell, don't panic, just use the little clamp they give you to hold it and pull it out with the little fork on using the outer part of the shell lip (not in the center). I love escargot and its not gross like everyone thinks it is.

 

Magret de Canard- Not to be confused with Confit de Canard (which is fried duck) this is Duck breast, if they cook it, it should be soft and pink on the inside. I absolutely love this dish and it was my go to at most restaurants.

 

Grenouilles- Frog's legs, after finally trying this I have to say they taste like lighter yet greasier chicken wings. Only setback is how many tiny bones are in here.

 

Macaroons- heavenly little cookie sandwiches the macaroons are a lovely little bite, if you want the best go to La Duree and get a box. They are amazing.

 

ANYTHING at the butcher and ALL OF THE DESSERTS. France does dessert right. Get a dessert with every meal and while you go to any bakery keep your eyes open for new breads and pastries!

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STROLL AROUND ON THE STREETS OF SPAIN:

Paris is full of amazing and unique stores, restaurants, markets and parks. Enjoying these things is an intrinsic part of Parisian life so if you just do the tourist sights you are missing out on what Paris really is.

 

Shopping:

Keep in mind that things are much more expensive around high tourist areas. However if you go to the stores in January or July, France is having their mandated sales so you are likely to encounter more of a bargain. Additionally, there are many indoor shopping areas known as Passages when you look on a map. These glass covered walkways are usually inbetween buildings and full of unique places to eat and shop.

 

Also by no means is this list exhaustive, these are just areas I liked to shop in.

• Saint Honore and Rue de Rivoli- Think high end, even if you don't want to spend the money they are still nice streets to walk down and window shop.

• Les Halles- Great market full of unique vendors and a giant mall.  Also only place we could get bread on a Sunday.

• Le Marais- Affectionately known as the gay Marais, it is full of boutiques, unique bars, and high end style. The Marais certainly has a character all on its own.

• Boulevard Haussmann- tons of stores and restaurants, most importantly houses Printemps and Galeries Lafayette, the most major and recognizable department stores in Paris.

• St.-Germain-des-Prés- home to Le Bon Marche, another great department store, this area is peaceful and full of neat stores, cafes, and boutiques.

• Place d'Italie- decent sized mall full of most stores you can think of

• Latin Quarter- A great area full of amazing bookshops, cafes, and restaurants.

• Canal Saint Martin- This canal is great to walk around, find fun cafes and to enjoy the indie shopping available.

 

Parisian Parks:

French style parks are different to those of in the states as they are predominately sand (the kind that dusts up when you walk on it). This is so that you can look at the grass, not walk on it. Despite this strangeness, the parks are beautiful with many wrought iron chairs, fountains with little boats and well constructed trees and shrubs.

• Tuileries: Huge park and gardens right outside the Louvre, also home to the Musée de l'Orangerie, the Tuilerie gardens are a must.

• Jardin du Luxembourg: Like the central park of NYC, the Luxembourg gardens house many things including a palace, stunning sculptures, a museum, a boating lake, puppet show, bee hives, pony rides, tennis courts and more. There are many restaurants and bars surrounding the park so it is a great place to spend the day.

• Palais Royal: Beautiful hidden garden about a block and half before you get to the Louvre, I loved walking through the Palais Royal gardens as they were smaller and not as crowded as the Tuileries.

 

 

OVERALL, Paris is the perfect city to get lost in and explore (unless you are by the train stations or by the Moulin Rouge, super sketchy). I loved turning down little side streets and discovering amazing bookshops and little bars that were older than my country. Although you could just go to Paris for a few days, I would recommend going for two weeks, this way you can take your time and discover the city to the fullest, it really is absolutely amazing.