After 2 nights in the Champagne region we arrived in Paris. The campsite is huge and well serviced with public transport. The good weather continued and so Paris is also back up there on the list of "Europe's Best Cities". France is the most visited country in the world and Paris the most visited city. There's loads to do but as return visitors we had the luxury of just walking and enjoying the city without dashing from museum to museum. We didn't even go near the Eiffel Tower or the Champs Elysee. Every area is just packed with interesting buildings, gardens and palaces. We spent time in Luxembourg Gardens and at the Natural History Museum, very good but with no English explanations.
We like the Latin Quarter, but even that is too touristy these days. Marais is a nice district too. A tip for visiting Notre Dame, is to go at 8pm. There are no queues to get in! We always go to Pompidou and this time they had an amazing Roy Lichtenstein exhibition. A real highlight was going to the newly renovated and recently reopened Musee de Orsay, on the opposite bank of the Seine to the Louvre and containing all the Impressionist and Post Impressionist works. The architect has done an amazing job of modernising the interior but keeping the old building intact. If you are in Paris you must go.
Finding restaurants without insider knowledge in Paris is tough. Most just cater to tourists with a generic "Menu du Jour" translated into English and mediocre food. Yes, I did complain about no English in the Museum, but the opposite is true in restaurants. If the menu is in English and the waiters are foreign, steer clear! I did some research on the web too and we discovered a few gems; listed below.
1.Au Virage Lepic, bistro below Montmarte in Rue Lepic discovered with Carol and Jane on a previous trip and closed during August. 01 42 52 46 79
2.JeanneB next door at 61 Rue Lepic, modern deli style. Try the roast duck and fois gras pie. 01 42 51 17 53
3. Les Bougresses 6 rue de Jarente. Tiny chef owned bistro in Marias, with small daily menu. 01 48 87 71 21
4. l'encrier 55 rue Traversiere. Older hubby and wife team with advice on food and wine pairing and excellent traditional French food. 01 44 68 08 16.
We like the Latin Quarter, but even that is too touristy these days. Marais is a nice district too. A tip for visiting Notre Dame, is to go at 8pm. There are no queues to get in! We always go to Pompidou and this time they had an amazing Roy Lichtenstein exhibition. A real highlight was going to the newly renovated and recently reopened Musee de Orsay, on the opposite bank of the Seine to the Louvre and containing all the Impressionist and Post Impressionist works. The architect has done an amazing job of modernising the interior but keeping the old building intact. If you are in Paris you must go.
Finding restaurants without insider knowledge in Paris is tough. Most just cater to tourists with a generic "Menu du Jour" translated into English and mediocre food. Yes, I did complain about no English in the Museum, but the opposite is true in restaurants. If the menu is in English and the waiters are foreign, steer clear! I did some research on the web too and we discovered a few gems; listed below.
1.Au Virage Lepic, bistro below Montmarte in Rue Lepic discovered with Carol and Jane on a previous trip and closed during August. 01 42 52 46 79
2.JeanneB next door at 61 Rue Lepic, modern deli style. Try the roast duck and fois gras pie. 01 42 51 17 53
3. Les Bougresses 6 rue de Jarente. Tiny chef owned bistro in Marias, with small daily menu. 01 48 87 71 21
4. l'encrier 55 rue Traversiere. Older hubby and wife team with advice on food and wine pairing and excellent traditional French food. 01 44 68 08 16.
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