My two francs worth on Paris*

 *Note, that won’t get you very far. Not least because France use the euro now.

On a return trip in Summer 2015, atop The Arc de Triomphe for the first time... new recommendation!

Five years ago, aged eighteen, I finished school and rented a flat in Paris with a best friend. Ever since, whenever somebody is off to London’s closest fellow city of wonders (sorry Manchester) I punch away at the keyboard in an over-excited message all the things they cannot possibly miss, must see, must do, must eat, and so on. Five years on, with a friend heading there in a couple of days and seeking advice, it has finally occurred to me to write this up as a concise guide to which I can direct people who are prancing off to the so called “City of Lights”. Despite the fact about fifteen cities seem to go by this nickname...

But first, a few disclaimers…

While writing, I couldn’t help but turn this slightly into a travel journal. It is therefore dotted with anecdote and bias, as well as all the facts and stories I’d want to whisper in your ear if I was with you in Le Gai Parie. If that’s not too creepy an image.

Also, as (for some bizarre reason) nobody was willing to hire inexperienced Brits who were:

- rubbish at French

- not staying long term, as well as foolishly honest about this fact,

we were time rich and money short. So you may want to look elsewhere for the high-end restaurants and boutique shopping guides. This guide will not be Lonely Planet levels of exhaustive. I could tell you nothing about buses for example: I took none. Plus I’m going to skip out bars, clubs and shopping because there’s bound to be better guides and much of that might have moved on.

But because we were living there, we explored to the extent you just don’t as a tourist. Yet still donning the explorer's hat, sorry, beret, you probably don’t as a Parisian. For instance, I know I could probably write a better guide to Paris than London, my own hometown.

Demonstrative of this thoroughness, by the time our mums paid a visit, we claimed to have seen just about every site there was. As a result, we were dragged on a highly NON recommended tour of… the sewers. Yes, yes, first modern sewage system in the world is all very impressive, but nobody wants to leave a tourist site gagging. Literally.

Looking back, I can’t quite believe my first experience of living away from home was in Paris. Some of my joiest de vivre memories will always be in that city, at that time, so this post is a pleasure to share with anybody that reads it. Do with it what you will.

NOTRE DAME

As a rule of thumb, I would suggest using the Notre Dame as base point for orientating yourself around the city. Paris isn’t particularly big or complicated, so as long as you know your left bank from your right bank, you should have pas de problèmes.**

This historic cathedral, safe-haven for the hunchback …this always separates out the Disney fans from the literary types who think to the Victor Hugo novel, it all depends how cute you want your gargoyles… can be seen in a number of ways. Buy a ticket to ascend the bell tower or creep round the crypt; attend a church service or else just queue up to take in the main hall free of charge, with some spectacular stained glass that they will yell at you for trying to photograph.

Outside the cathedral, enjoy a book, a crêpe and the occasional bride on her wedding day photoshoot. While you’re here, you’d be a fool to miss out on one of the most magical bookshops in the world: Shakespeare and Company. The English bookstore was a hangout of Hemingway and Joyce and featured more recently in Woody Allen’s Midnight in Paris or at the start of Before Sunset, the second installment of Linklater’s trilogy. Make sure to pop upstairs: it's not to be missed.

** Sincere apologies for the occasional slipping into French. Something about writing about Paris just creates pretentions, okay?

THE LATIN QUARTER

A short walk from the gothic cathedral leads you to the Latin Quarter, almost unavoidable as a tourist in Paris. This is the bit of any popular city where every restaurant will have somebody outside harassing you to choose their menu over the very similar one next door. However, the restaurants offer extremely good value two-course and three-course menus, often around the ten euro mark (at least true of 2010). Many cuisines are covered here, Mexican to Moroccan, Greek to traditional French. A recommended place to find a good cheese fondue! With potato and bread served to dunk. I still have a burn to this day caused by fromage hastiness. The area is also known for its student population, with La Sorbonne in close proximity.

THE MARAIS

Also known as the “Jewish quarter”, the Marais plays host to the Place des Vosges, Paris’s oldest square. It is very lovely to wander through, with jewellery stores and more often than not, live classical music. Though eating on the square will prove expensive, I could not have a better solution for you. A five to ten minute stroll from the square you will find two falafel shops: Chez Hanna and Chez Marianne (debates still rage today over which is superior). Order a five euro falafel wrap, spilling with hummus and topped with aubergine, to take away and devour back on the grass at Place des Vosges.

We didn't even make it back to the grass with ours. Too-darn-tasty.

LE SACRE-COEUR, MONTMARTE.

This basilica sits upon a very high hill in the north of Paris. Go in, don’t, that’s not really important, although we did catch some nuns belting it once on a Sunday morning. It’s really all about the atmosphere up here, so sit on those steps and make some memories. Aged 11 on a school trip, we all rolled down the grassy hills in the rain, getting filthy. And tutted at for living up to obnoxious British stereotypes. Returning aged 18 when friends came to visit, we sat singing along to a busker so enthusiastically we were lent the guitar to have a turn playing for Paris ourselves.  Safe to say, we cleared the crowd in record time, but had the evening of our lives. And were tutted at for living up to... oh, you know the drill.

While up in this sacred air, wander the cobbled streets leading to Place du Tertre where you can eat al fresco, look at gorgeous pastel-y art of the area and even have a caricature done.

The closest stations to the Sacré-Cœur steps deliver you to the wonderfully seedy Montmarte area, where you will pass the Moulin Rouge, humming Elephant Love Medley as you go, plus my brother and my favourite’s site to laugh at: the SEX-O-DROME.

Better than just passing, book a cabaret show at The Moulin Rouge, and let me know what it’s like! #SomethingToGoBackFor

ANGELINA

226 Rue de Rivoli, 75001.

We kept hearing about the mythical hot chocolate from the fabled “Angelina” and so finally set off one day on a quest to find the cocoa at the end of the rainbow. A famous tea room, much like London’s Ritz, be prepared to queue to get in, though I can tell you right now the signature hot chocolate is worth it. Tie this in when you visit The Louvre, right next door.

BOUILLON CHARTIER
7 rue du Faubourg Montmarte, 75009.
Chartier is stuff of Parisian dining legend. The huge, impressive room feels like a bustling train station from a romanticised time gone by. Over 100 years old, it is still loyal to its original vision, ‘to provide a decent meal at a reasonable price and give customers good service in order to earn their loyalty’.

MORE FOOD.

Crêpes. Crêpes for a morning snack. Cheese, mushroom, ham crêpes for lunch. Crêpes as a mid-afternoon snack for strolling. Who needs an excuse for a crêpe anyway? Nutella and banana became a firm favourite. Revel in watching the mesmerising art of a Parisian crêpe-maker, just try not to drool on the griddle. Plenty around Notre-Dame and on “The Islands” beside it.

We noticed Vietnamese food was a big deal in Paris. So much so that nem – the French word for popular side spring roll – became our affectionate nicknames for one another.

Oh, and waiters will ply you with shots after meals. Just go with it. It’s a Euro-thing.

MUSEUMS / GALLERIES

So now is the part where I try and recommend art, despite feeling too ignorant for the task. But if there’s anywhere you’re going to embrace it, it’s going to be Paris.

Many of the main museums and galleries offer free entry to teachers and to EU citizens under the age of 26, so it’s worth carrying ID with you if this applies. Several museums offer free entry to all on the first Sunday of the month, do check out each museum’s policy online in advance.

Yes, it’s cool to see the glass pyramids of the Louvre, as featured in The Da Vinci Code, and yes, as the most visited gallery in the world, housing of course the Mona Lisa, who is rather average-to-awkward looking, imho, you should probably take a trip here. But you don’t need me to tell you that. So here are my recommendations for OTHER places to gawk at artistry.

MUSEE D'ORSAY

1 Rue de la Légion d'Honneur, 75007.

A stunning gallery in an old train station on the left bank, see the originals of all the art that lines the walls of the homes of our parents’ and their generation... and realise it’s all actually rather pretty!

I’m talking Monet, Manet, Renoir, Van Gogh btw…

MUSEE RODIN

79 Rue de Varenne, 75007.

This sculpture museum is a personal favourite, with lovely gardens to wander and home to all the Rodin’s you’ll have heard of, including The Thinker and The Kiss.

CENTRE POMPIDOU

Place Georges-Pompidou, 75004.

aka “the inside out building” or mentioned in an MC Solaar song if like me you’re partial to some French rap. You’ll want to take a look for its unique design, with the reaction described as “love at second sight”. As a gallery though, it didn’t seem to have a whole host going on inside (so is that outside? Mind boggling) while we were there. Perhaps we just missed the minimalism-as-art thing, but it means I can’t tell you much. Bof!

MUSEE EDITH PIAF

5 Rue Crespin du Gast, 75011.

If you’re a fan of the singer the French affectionately term La Môme Piaf, The Little Sparrow, it’s well worth a visit to this quirky flat devoted to all things Piaf, just round the corner from the flat she actually lived in. The museum owner, probably the world’s most knowledgeable Piaf fan, was there himself to guide us round the pokey flat. Visits must be made by appointment. Visits are free, but donations are welcomed.

MUSEE D'ART ET D'HISTOIRE DU JUDAISME

71 Rue du Temple, 75003.

Traces the history of Jews in France since the Middle Ages.

MUSEE DU QUAI BRANLY

37 Quai Branly, 75007.

Features the indigenous art and cultures of Africa, Asia, Oceania, and the Americas.

MUSEE DE CLUNY

6 Place Paul Painlevé, 75005.

Or the Museum of the Middle Ages, home to the famous six The Lady and the Unicorn Medieval tapestries.

MISCALLANEOUS

(to be said in an especially pronounced French accent)

Here’s some other stuff you could/should do #WhenInParis.

GRANDE MOSQUEE DE PARIS

2bis Place du Puits de l'Ermite, 75005.
Backing onto the Jardin des Plantes, this is one of those secret and special spots which transport you from the bustle of a capital city into a white and green fresh breath of tranquility. With flowing water and good n proper peace and quiet, this mosque is well worth a visit.

BOAT TRIP

There are plenty to choose from, but Paris’ bridges, including the “kissing” bridge, tell and create tales of their own. Not a bad way to spend an afternoon touring the city at all.

AQUABOULEVARD

4 Rue Louis Armand, 75015.

God knows we were clutching at activity strings when we decided to tick off the water parks of Paris, what the city’s truly known for. But dashing down an outdoor slide in freezing late autumn darkness and glimpsing across at a lit up Eiffel Tower turned out to a moment of magic. Indoor and outdoor fun to be had. About 20 euros entry.

EIFFEL TOWER

I can’t believe it took this long to come up, but situated a little further along The Seine from the majority of sites, in Paris’ greener pastures, it is easy to let this one slip your mind. That’s until it flashes for your attention at night, lighting up in the skyline.

Famously unpopular with the Parisians when first erected, writer Guy de Mauspassant used to frequent the restaurant at its base, not for the food in particular but for the only spot he could avoid looking at the thing from.

So here’s my controversy: I don’t think it’s particularly worth climbing, as you essentially look down at some football pitches. If I’m with you in Paris and you feel the need, I’ll most likely sit myself in a café down below, order a café au lait and wait…

SAINTE-CHAPELLE
8 Boulevard du Palais, 75001.

A gem of a chapel, located on "The Islands" beside Notre Dame and simply stunning with light streaming through the prettiest of stained glass. The sunnier the day the better for this. Try to go early and avoid weekends to devour the space without monstrous queues.

We loved this building so much we bought tickets to a classical concert here for one of our last nights in Paris. Although were fairly creeped out by the cellist requesting to meet us après.

CEMETERIES

Some may see it as a weird thing to do on holiday, but visiting the city’s great cemeteries is peaceful, free, and pays homage to some real legends. We travelled to strange suburbs for some, but the most famous is probably Père Lachaise. Here lies Oscar Wilde, where many like to plant a kiss on the tomb, Edith Piaf, Pierre Bourdieu, Marcel Proust and what has become a bit of a cult, stoners’ pilgrimage, the grave of Jim Morrison.

Linking on from here, something I am really glad I did, though a terrifying experience at the time, is the catacombs. I’ll leave you to discover that one for yourselves, if you dare.

WALKING TOUR

In the worst travel guide fashion ever, I did an amazing walking tour, learnt so much and cannot for the life of me figure out the company I did it with. What I can recall however, as I recounted without breath to Beth that evening over a cheese board, is the entire history of France since the French revolution, including how some claim to still see the blood glistening on the ground at the Place de la Concorde, where the infamous guillotine sliced many a head, including the last French King and Queen.

ARRONDISSEMENT 12

This East-Side area probably doesn’t make it into lists of Parisian “must-sees”… but it was our home. If you do happen to be staying close-by, check out the aquarium, Bois de Vincennes, the weekend markets, have a swim at Roger Le Gall and catch dinner and a film at Bercy Village.

JOSEPHINE BAKER SWIMMING POOL  Take a dip whilst floating atop The Seine!

Paris' FLEA MARKETS, lining the city’s outskirts, are a lively escape from generic tourist shopping to rub up with some Parisians. Be arrested by the smells of le mais doux or corn on the cob, the minute you step off the métro.

TRAVEL

Paris’ cycle rental is the velib – you’ll see them all over and they work similarly to London’s Boris Bikes - or Kencycles, as I like to call them - in that you just pay for the time you use, with first half an hour free. 1-day, 7-day or long-term subscription tickets are available too, which you can book both online or at the machines.

If you’ve tackled the tube, the métro is piss easy, with numbered lines and you can even use a phone down there!

DAY TRIPS

Worth venturing out of the city for...

DISNEYLAND PARIS

This would take an entirely separate post to cover. I mean, we spent Guy Fawkes night huddled with fellow Brits abroad watching Mickey boat across the lake under a sky of sparkles and danced under fake, falling snow at Christmas.

Complete with unlimited annual passes, it's safe to say Disneyland was a huge staple of our time. If you're after more, I can probably still draw you an accurate map and write you a personalised guide to the park. Main tip: a ticket for both parks is definitely advised, with the majority of more thrilling rides found next door in Walt Disney Studios.

VERSAILLES

Despite the grandness of The Hall of Mirrors and some rather ginormous bedchambers - if that's your thing - or else the fact that Louis and Marie Antoinette fled here with their family at the start of the French Revolution, there are three things I am going to recommend doing at the Palace of Versailles, and they are all outside. Controversial? I have just discovered the 'Gardens of Versailles' have an entire Wikipedia entry unto themselves. So there. I am right.

1)      RENT BIKES.

Pack a picnic and go forth to enjoy the extensive grounds on two wheels!

2)      FOUNTAIN SHOWS.

Spraying in time with the music. It’s kind of awesome.

3)      HAMEAU DE LA REINE / THE QUEEN'S HAMLET.

When four of us fell upon this fake, rustic hamlet, commissioned by Marie Antoinette and complete with dairy, barn, mill and lighthouse, but used by the Queen and her friends for leisure, we were so in awe we thought we had stepped into some sort of Narnia and actually this picturesque place simply couldn’t be real. We’ve vowed to return here for retirement.

If you have longer, other recommended places to visit from Paris include Parc Astérix and Château de Fontainebleau.

See some snippets from our Parisian life here.

Photo credits to Beth O'Brien.

Amusez-vous!