Paris off the tourist trail - any suggestions?

[Minitoots]

6 of us are going to Paris this coming Wednesday til Sunday and although we have stayed in the city countless times, haven?t been for about the last 4 years so we are out of touch with nice restaurants / new places to go etc.

We are staying in Ave Parmentier, 11th arrondissement but will be going all over the place.

2 of our group have been travelling for the last year and this will be their first stop back in Europe, so we'd be interested in anything uniquely French, too.

We are interested in art/design/markets/restaurants etc - looking for anything that would appeal to which would appeal to textile artists, painters and architects eg lesser known galleries, good new markets/shops/areas??

Also any recommendations for restaurants - nothing too expensive or swanky unless it is really special - we would prefer more interesting / off the wall!!

[red devil]

Fondation Cartier building is worth a look if you want to get all existential... http://hipparis.com/tag/fonation-pierre-berge-yves-saint-laurent/

That website might be worth looking at as a whole too...

[Blah Blah]

If you want a not so touristy attraction, check out the Catacombs!

[DaveR]

This is a great N African restaurant, and not far from where you're staying:

http://www.restaurant-lhommebleu.fr/

The street, Jean-Pierre Timbaud, has lots of other interesting places to eat

The area around the Canal St Martin is great for wandering

[Jennys]

Have you been to the Sainte chappelle? Breathtakingly beautiful stained glass.

[tfwsoll]

The Mus?e Zadkine may fit the bill - it's on rue d'Assas and off the tourist trail. It's a fairly small space but full of a range of his fabulous sculptures.

[steveo]

Shakespeare and Co bookshop followed by a meal at Le Procope.

http://content.time.com/time/travel/cityguide/article/0,31489,1937013_1936990_1936850,00.html

Tr?s rive gauche

[red devil]

steveo Wrote:

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> Shakespeare and Co bookshop followed by a meal at

> Le Procope.

>

> http://content.time.com/time/travel/cityguide/arti

> cle/0,31489,1937013_1936990_1936850,00.html

>

> Tr?s rive gauche

There's a recently opened S&C cafe next door according to the hipparis website, also gives a thumbs up to Le Precope...you and your Hemingway references steveo

[Blah Blah]

Jennys Wrote:

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> Have you been to the Sainte chappelle?

> Breathtakingly beautiful stained glass.

Seconded.

[Minitoots]

thanks for the suggestions so far. We love Shakespeare and co (hope it hasn't changed in the past few years?) and also Sainte Chapelle - the other suggestions are new to us and all are good ideas, thanks - keep suggestions coming in!

[IlonaM]

L'Institut du Monde Arabe is well worth a visit not just for the exhibitions, but also for the views from the roof terrace and an excellent cafe that serves couscous etc. There is also a restaurant. The architecture of the museum is also fascinating.

http://www.imarabe.org/

[Blah Blah]

Haven't been there IlonaM but will add it to my list next time go there too.

[KrackersMaracas]

Les egouts are pretty cool if you have the time. In addition to the museum the staff do guided tours. I'd definitely reccomend.

[Minitoots]

Thanks for the

latest suggestions. Any more restaurant recommendations?

[tfwsoll]

You may already have ben but we always try to get along to Le Polidor at 41 Rue Monsieur le Prince. It's usually packed but if you get there when they open you can get a seat. Well cooked, basic French dishes at reasonable prices - fabulous 19th century interior. If you are beef eaters, La Ferrandaise round the corner at 8 rue Vaugirard serves the most fantastic beef and veal dishes. It's a bit pricier but well worth the investment.

[Guest]

Hi Minitoots!

I was in Paris last week and my friend and I stumbled upon Le Repaire de Cartouche - a great restaurant not far from where you'll be staying. Excellent food & wine; very welcoming waiters and chef.

http://parisbymouth.com/le-repaire-de-cartouche/

And we went to Pere Lachaise cemetery (which I've never done before, even though I know it is relatively high on the traditional tourist list); a great way to send a couple of hours (especially in the autumn) if you've never been.

[Horsebox]

IlonaM Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> L'Institut du Monde Arabe is well worth a visit

> not just for the exhibitions, but also for the

> views from the roof terrace and an excellent cafe

> that serves couscous etc. There is also a

> restaurant. The architecture of the museum is also

> fascinating.

>

> http://www.imarabe.org/

Minitoots, I second this recommendation - delicious mint tea on the roof top terrace and a really interesting place.

My wife used to live in Paris and I spent nearly every other weekend there for 14 months. If you're looking for good, off the beaten track, neighborhood restaurants here are few:

Au Pied du Sacre Coeur - highly recommended, not at all touristy but booking advised as it's a fairly small space.

http://au-pied-du-sacre-coeur.com/

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g187147-d799578-Reviews-Au_Pied_du_Sacre_Coeur-Paris_Ile_de_France.html

Kd Bistro / Bar - 1 rue Pradier, 75019 - a real locals place, very close to the Parc Buttes Chamont, so if you fancy checking out one of Paris' few parks then ideal for afterwards.

Le Bistrot du Peintre - This one is in the 11th and a stones throw from Ave Parmentier / Metro Voltaire. The name alone should appeal to the artists in the group!

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g187147-d719046-Reviews-Le_Bistrot_du_Peintre-Paris_Ile_de_France.html

For an interesting market you could try the Marche aux Puces, which if you don't know it is a huge flea market specialising in antiques. Great place for a wander.

http://www.marcheauxpuces-saintouen.com/1.aspx

And finally, The Promenade Plantee, an old railway line turned into a landscaped park, another great option for a morning stroll.

http://next.paris.fr/english/parks-woods-gardens-and-cemeteries/gardens/promenade-plantee/rub_8212_stand_34230_port_18987

Have a great trip!

[oimissus]

if you like architecture check out the Communist Party Headquarters, it's one of Oscar Niemeyer's very few European buildings. Very 1970s James Bond.

[tfwsoll]

>>if you like architecture check out the Communist Party Headquarters, it's one of Oscar Niemeyer's very few European buildings. Very 1970s James Bond.

Whre abouts is it?

[Minitoots]

thanks so much to everyone who has taken time to add their recommendations, some of which we already knew and some which are new to us. Hopefully this thread will also be useful to other people too.