Hello ladies! I see recommendations on hotels and shops but no restaurants?? Paris is one of my favourite cities, I go often so I'm quite familiar with it. Here is my list of to dos:
Hotels - definitely Four Season George V (near Champs Elysee) or Park Hyatt (this one is newer, on rue de la Paix, more modern and right next to Place Vendome and Opera).
Shopping - The key places I'd go to is of course
- Rue Faubourg St Honore and Rue St Honore (all the big brands plus Collette)
- Avenue Montaign
- Rue de Servre, rue de Grenelle (in St Germain) and around the area.
Now don't forget the 2 key department stores:
- Printemps
- Gallerie Lafayette.
These two stores are on the same street, each divided into two department stores, one for household/menswear and another ladies so make sure you go into the right one. If you ask your hotel, they should have a map which holds a 10% discount coupon (you should try to get both department store's discount card). When you shop, not only will you enjoy this 10% off, on top you will also get your tax refund (which is around 12% - I believe)! This rule applies even during the sale period... so there are some real bargains out there!
However some exclusive brands may be excluded from the 10% discount offer like Chanel and
Gucci but most comply. Inside these stores you will pretty much find all the brands like Chanel, Chloe, JPG, Galliano, Lanvin, Comme Des Garcon, Nina Ricci, Alia, Jitrois, Misonni ect (Gallerie) and at Printemps, Dolce & Gabanna, Helmet Lang, Paul Smith, Stella McCartney, Alexander McQueen, Kenzo, Chanel, YSL, Gucci, Celine, etc. Am sure you get the picture.
Food and Restaurants - this section deserves another thread!
For the gourmet you must try (at least one of the following):
- Pierre Gagnaire, rue Balzac
- Le Pre Catelan, Bois de Boulogne
- La Table de Joel Robouchon, Avenue Bugeaud
- Alain Ducasse, Plaza Athenee
- L'Arpege, rue de Varenne
You need to pretty much book months in advance for these top restaurants... in terms of prices, they are expensive. I think most of them have websites so you can check them out.
Less prestigious restaurants:
- George
- L'Avenue
- Cafe Costes (in the hotel Costes)
- L'Espinard
All the above are pretty much the trendy chain restaurants owned by the Costes groups so the food taste pretty much the same (so so). Do try George as it is at the top of Pompidou Center and you get a nice view of Paris.
- Kong - this is a joint venture between Kenzo and Vong (which you have in NY). Funky design and make sure you book the upper floor.
- Cristal Room Baccarat, place des Etats-Unis where you can see the beautiful baccarat chandeliers (owned by Baccarat).
- Maison Blance, Avenue Montaign, good food and nice if you can dine alfresco.
- Le Train Blue, Gare de Lyon, a must see! Located in the train station because this is where people use to wait for their trains! The decor is very baroque.. it's under conservation so it's pretty much like eating in a museum! Food is also OK.
- Brasserie Flo, cour des Petites Ecuries - for their seafood platters but it's located in some dodgy area in Paris! Don't bring your Hermes bags thats for sure!
- The Market, avenue Matignon, good food and quite trendy.
- Brasserie Lipp, St Germain des Press, basic food but it's good especially their roast chicken.
Tea houses you should visit:
- Angelina - thick hot chocolate across from the Lourve
- Mariage Freres - a fabulous tea house in Marais (Jewish quarter), has a lot of history and sells the most amazing teas.
- Cafe de Flore, St Germains des Pres where you can people watch and of course this is where all the big writers/artists use to hang out.
Others:
- L'As du Falafel - they serve the best Falafels located in the Jewish quarter, no reservations.
OK enough from me for now... if I think of anything else for sure I will post it!
Bon voyage! Hope you have a great time in Paris!
