katy's guide to paris

{images via little brown pen, found here and here}

A dear family friend of ours was lucky enough to live in Paris {jealous} while she was in college. She sent me this fantastic guide the last time I was there in the summer of 2005. Sadly, I only got to spend a few days in Paris {I was doing a very short study abroad in Austria} and we didn't get to do anything on her list. This time Kiwi and I are definitely going to check out some of her amazing suggestions!

GOING OUT:

Buddha Bar - the original, it is on the rue d'Anglais, right by the U.S. Embassy. Fun to say that you've been there, but the rest of the places that I'll talk about are better, in my opinion. Buddha Bar has become really touristy.

Man Ray - THIS is a fabulous place. It is on rue Marboeuf, right off the Champs Elysees. Owned by John Malkovich and Johnny Depp. Really fun, and lots of models/famous people go there. I think that they have food early, but I've never been there for that. Drinks and dancing later.

Poona Lounge - Just down the street (further off the Champs) from Man Ray, this is a very laid back place that is very swanky at the same time. Drinks - I don't think that they have anywhere to dance.

Chez Georges - Completely different from the ones above. This is in the Latin Quarter between Saint Germain and the Seine and is underground in some caves that have been there for centuries. Super small, hole-in-the-wall type place, but ultra French. Has the drippy candles on tables in one cave, jazz and dancing with the locals in the adjoining cave. I can't remember the street name, and I'm at work, but you may be able to look it up? If you can't find it, Caveau de la Huchette is a very similar experience and is very popular (and I think actually may be pretty close to Chez Georges). It is on rue de la Huchette.

Alcazar - fabulous restaurant, and has a great bar upstairs. On Rue Mazarine. Right next door is WAGG, which is formerly known as Whisky A Go Go, where Jim Morrison had his last night out. Pretty fun place too.

All over the city there are fabulous bars that you can just sit out on the sidewalk - more low key but still very fun.

MUSEUMS

All of the museums are fairly well-known. My favorite is the Musee Rodin, on the Left Bank. No one ever goes there and it has amazing sculptures and grounds. One of my fave places in Paris. My next favorite is the Musee d'Orsay, which is on the left bank right across from the Louvre. And actually, one of my favorites that has been closed for years just opened again the other day - the L'Orangerie, located in the Tuileries very close to the Place de la Concorde. This is where all of Monet's Waterlilies are - whole rooms of them.

GREAT PLACES, JUST IN GENERAL:

My favorite pastries in Paris are at Yamazaki, on Chausee de la Muette in the 16th Arrondissement. It is way out of the way, but to die for.

Somewhere that is just incredible is the Bon Marche, in the 6th Arrondissement. Incredible store, and right next to it is its version of a supermarket - simply incredible, even if you're just going in to look.

If you're up for brunch on Sunday, which is sometimes difficult to squeeze in when travelling but a very local thing to do, you MUST go to Le Fumoir. It is on rue Amiral Coligny, which is the street that runs just east of the Louvre (towards Notre Dame and the Hotel d'Ville). It is the most amazing brunch ever, with bloody marys and champagne.

My favorite area to shop is in the 6th Arrondissement, right around the Bon Marche and east of there. I'm not such a fan of the shopping on the Champs Elysses, but that is kind of a thing that everyone needs to do at one point or another.

*Katy, thank you for the phenomenal tips. We will think of you while we are in Paris. If anyone else has suggestions on where to go or what to do we'd love to hear them!