Paris’s guidebook

Cecile
Paris’s guidebook

Food scene

The streets of Paris may be full of restaurants offering classic French food, but you’ll be hard-pressed to find one better than the Bistrot Paul Bert. Although the menu at this quintessential bistro changes with the seasons, you can expect to find all of the classics alongside a carefully curated wine list. If you’re craving something a bit more contemporary, try the sister restaurant down the street, Le 6 Paul Bert, which is a bit more adventurous with its menu while still remaining rooted in the French tradition.
91 locals recommend
Bistrot Paul Bert
18 Rue Paul Bert
91 locals recommend
The streets of Paris may be full of restaurants offering classic French food, but you’ll be hard-pressed to find one better than the Bistrot Paul Bert. Although the menu at this quintessential bistro changes with the seasons, you can expect to find all of the classics alongside a carefully curated wine list. If you’re craving something a bit more contemporary, try the sister restaurant down the street, Le 6 Paul Bert, which is a bit more adventurous with its menu while still remaining rooted in the French tradition.
It is the dream chocolate of re-known chef Cyril Lignac. Both a chocolate salon and a chocolate pastry shop, this gourmet and trendy address is located between the bistro and the chef's pastry shop, in a cozy setting with a sunny terrace. At the helm, Benoît Couvrand the accomplice in gluttony of chef Cyril Lignac ... You will find at this address a collection of chocolate bars, chocolate bars and strong chocolate cakes, full of flavour and beautiful design. The place is open every day over a wide range of hours, so no need to check your agenda, you can get there (almost) all the time.
50 locals recommend
La Chocolaterie Cyril Lignac
25 Rue Chanzy
50 locals recommend
It is the dream chocolate of re-known chef Cyril Lignac. Both a chocolate salon and a chocolate pastry shop, this gourmet and trendy address is located between the bistro and the chef's pastry shop, in a cozy setting with a sunny terrace. At the helm, Benoît Couvrand the accomplice in gluttony of chef Cyril Lignac ... You will find at this address a collection of chocolate bars, chocolate bars and strong chocolate cakes, full of flavour and beautiful design. The place is open every day over a wide range of hours, so no need to check your agenda, you can get there (almost) all the time.
Eating your way through the best boulangeries in Paris is a natural part of any trip, but it’s only recently that the city has started to become a more welcoming place for its gluten-free visitors. Chambelland has been leading the charge and its perfectly airy breads, savory sandwiches, and delicate pastries rival any traditional bakery options.
113 locals recommend
Boulangerie Chambelland Paris
14 Rue Ternaux
113 locals recommend
Eating your way through the best boulangeries in Paris is a natural part of any trip, but it’s only recently that the city has started to become a more welcoming place for its gluten-free visitors. Chambelland has been leading the charge and its perfectly airy breads, savory sandwiches, and delicate pastries rival any traditional bakery options.
Septime is still the best contemporary tasting menu in Paris. In particular, a dish of lobster with earthy boudin noir and tart wild strawberries provided a mind-bending and delicious jolt to every diner at our table. Beverage pairings are consistently brilliant, leaning heavily toward natural wines but without the ill-chosen funk we often encounter elsewhere. If you can’t get in, don’t despair – any of these other favorite tasting menus will treat you right. You can also visit Septime’s sister restaurant Clamato next door.
426 locals recommend
Septime
80 Rue de Charonne
426 locals recommend
Septime is still the best contemporary tasting menu in Paris. In particular, a dish of lobster with earthy boudin noir and tart wild strawberries provided a mind-bending and delicious jolt to every diner at our table. Beverage pairings are consistently brilliant, leaning heavily toward natural wines but without the ill-chosen funk we often encounter elsewhere. If you can’t get in, don’t despair – any of these other favorite tasting menus will treat you right. You can also visit Septime’s sister restaurant Clamato next door.
Great food, great service! Best French crepes you'll have, along with an amazing bottle of dry cider. Sitting outside can also be lovely...
Breizh Café Paul Bert
23 Rue Paul Bert
Great food, great service! Best French crepes you'll have, along with an amazing bottle of dry cider. Sitting outside can also be lovely...

Music / ballet

The modern architecture of the Opéra Bastille cuts an imposing figure on the Place de la Bastille at the 11th arrondissement’s southwest corner. Inaugurated just over 25 years ago in 1989, the opera house was created to showcase popular, modern works. Nowadays, the Opéra Bastille boasts a varied program featuring operas and ballets, as well as the occasional symphony concert.
542 locals recommend
Opera Bastille
Place de la Bastille
542 locals recommend
The modern architecture of the Opéra Bastille cuts an imposing figure on the Place de la Bastille at the 11th arrondissement’s southwest corner. Inaugurated just over 25 years ago in 1989, the opera house was created to showcase popular, modern works. Nowadays, the Opéra Bastille boasts a varied program featuring operas and ballets, as well as the occasional symphony concert.

Sightseeing

Stretching across the 11th arrondissement from Bastille in the southwest to Père Lachaise cemetery just beyond the neighborhood’s northeast border, Rue de Charonne is an ideal spot to spend a few hours popping in and out of its many charming restaurants, cafés, and shops. The winding street is also home to a host of quirky, independent boutiques offering curated collections sourced from up-and-coming names on the Parisian fashion scene.
151 locals recommend
Rue de Charonne
Rue de Charonne
151 locals recommend
Stretching across the 11th arrondissement from Bastille in the southwest to Père Lachaise cemetery just beyond the neighborhood’s northeast border, Rue de Charonne is an ideal spot to spend a few hours popping in and out of its many charming restaurants, cafés, and shops. The winding street is also home to a host of quirky, independent boutiques offering curated collections sourced from up-and-coming names on the Parisian fashion scene.
In 1969, the steam engines on avenue Daumesnil’s viaduct whistled their last and the train-line between Bastille and Vincennes closed forever. While the Bastille station was eventually replaced by today’s Opera house, the viaduct was converted into glass-fronted workshops and boutiques for local artisans (the Viaduct des Arts, still there today), and the old lines became La Coulée Verte – a 5km long trail (also known as the Promenade Plantée), made up of elevated gardens, the Jardin de Reuilly and tree lined cycling paths. Start at the Bastille end and climb up one of the staircases on avenue Daumesnil to the elevated gardens to get a new perspective of the city. Nosy parkers will be in their element as you can glimpse into people’s apartments along the way. You’ll also notice architectural features not obvious from ground level, such as the gigantic 1930’s style muses decorating the Police station. To make a day of it, pack a picnic and stop in the Jardin de Reuilly, where you can wash your sandwiches down with sparkling water from Paris’s first public fizzy water fountain; or carry on to the Bois de Vincennes, with its lakes and tree-shaded parkland.
635 locals recommend
Coulée Verte René-Dumont
1 Coulée Verte René-Dumont
635 locals recommend
In 1969, the steam engines on avenue Daumesnil’s viaduct whistled their last and the train-line between Bastille and Vincennes closed forever. While the Bastille station was eventually replaced by today’s Opera house, the viaduct was converted into glass-fronted workshops and boutiques for local artisans (the Viaduct des Arts, still there today), and the old lines became La Coulée Verte – a 5km long trail (also known as the Promenade Plantée), made up of elevated gardens, the Jardin de Reuilly and tree lined cycling paths. Start at the Bastille end and climb up one of the staircases on avenue Daumesnil to the elevated gardens to get a new perspective of the city. Nosy parkers will be in their element as you can glimpse into people’s apartments along the way. You’ll also notice architectural features not obvious from ground level, such as the gigantic 1930’s style muses decorating the Police station. To make a day of it, pack a picnic and stop in the Jardin de Reuilly, where you can wash your sandwiches down with sparkling water from Paris’s first public fizzy water fountain; or carry on to the Bois de Vincennes, with its lakes and tree-shaded parkland.