{"id":2318,"date":"2020-04-30T12:28:09","date_gmt":"2020-04-30T20:28:09","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/antoine.wojdyla.fr\/blog\/?p=2318"},"modified":"2020-10-01T18:50:23","modified_gmt":"2020-10-02T02:50:23","slug":"antoines-guide-to-paris","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/antoine.wojdyla.fr\/blog\/2020\/04\/30\/antoines-guide-to-paris\/","title":{"rendered":"Antoine’s insider guide to Paris"},"content":{"rendered":"

Because we’re in time of covid, it’s good to look back at the beauty of a vibrant city and all the things we miss. Here’s guide I made for a friend, and shared with a few others when they asked me what should the absolutely not miss in Paris. Enjoy!<\/em><\/p>Here are a few addresses you might want to look up during your stay in Paris, that will not be in tourist guides:)<\/p>\n

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Centre Pompidou<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Breakfast at Ladur\u00e9e<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Christmas lights<\/p>\n<\/div>

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What to see<\/h3>\n
Parisians are crazy about macarons, and the best you can get (tested and certified) are from Ladur\u00e9e. There are a few shops around town, my favorite being the one located rue Bonaparte<\/a> (the one on Champs Elysee is nice too, but even more crowded). Take a box of 8, the ones with berries or fruits are sensational.
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While you’re in this area, take a look at Diptyque (34, Blvd St-Germain<\/a>). They sell the most exquisite perfumes and candles in town (yes, that’s the same thing as the candle you have on your bedside:-)
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Since French is not your first language, there aren’t so many options for shows. American in Paris are always crazy about Moulin Rouge, but it’s a tourist trap. Instead, you should go to Crazy horse, where choreographer Philippe Decoufle put up the most exquisite show.<\/a> There will be naked ladies, but it really is for the art.
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If you want to see a play in French, you should go to Theatre de la Huchette<\/a>, a small and iconic venue where they’ve been playing “La cantatrice chauve” since 1957 without interruption. This Ionesco play is kind of difficult to understand, so it doesn’t really matter if you don’t get the plot !<\/div>\n
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An interesting neighborhood to visit is Montagne Ste-Genevieve<\/a>, where most schools used to be located (“Quartier latin”). Walking along Rue Mouffetard, you’re very likely to stumble on the nice farmer’s market with cheap and delicious food
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While there, don’t miss the Pantheon (where many influential French personalities are buried) on your way to Jardin du Luxembourg<\/a>, where the Senate is; a nice place to have a picnic if the weather is good.<\/p>In the center of Paris, you should go to Ile de la Cite (you should visit the towers and the crypt!<\/a>), where sits Notre-Dame and the Sainte-Chapelle<\/a>, which has the most exquisite stained glass you can find.
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You don’t want to miss Ile St-Louis<\/a>, a quiet and lovely place that most people miss because they go on the the other island. Nothing to do here, except to relax and enjoy the atmosphere.<\/div>\n
After, you can go to the Marais (formerly the equivalent of Castro),\u00a0 then reach Rue des Rosiers (that’s the jewish epicenter of Paris) to have mezzes at “Chez Marianne” or get into the line for the best falafel in town at “L’As falafel” and head to place des Vosges<\/a>.
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If you decide to go to the Eiffel tower, I recommend you choose the stairs option. It’s a long ascent, but there are stunning views and virtually no other tourist (and you can brag that you’re a true explorer!).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Among the many museums, here are the ones to consider (in order of preference)<\/div>\n