http://www.alicetait.com
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To be honest, you wouldn't like to hear it with my "great" French accent! So; I am leaving it to the experience of my real Parisian friend; Duygu* I want to thank her for spending time on this and letting me share her experience here. |
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Somewhere very special!
by Duygu
Paris! Maybe it’s the most amazing city of the world. Thousands of songs were written, films were made about Paris. Nothing to tell more… it’s Paris. Today, lets look at the city with my point of view:)
As I’m not a tour guide, I won’t advise you guys to visit Louvre, Tour Eiffel, Musée d’Orsay bla bla bla.. I know that y’all know this stuff very well (even so I’ll give you a ‘must visit list’ at the end) Buying a small city plan will be enough for it. I’m planning to talk about some details to add your visit a little bit more pleasure.
Restaurant Advices:
Me and my friends at Buddha Bar
One of my favourite restaurant in the world is Buddha Bar. I’m sure that you will definetely enjoy delicious food from far east at a Buddha atmosphere. Do not forget to make your reservation a couple of days ago. Every night I’ve been there, they always played one song from Turkish superstar Ajda Pekkan;)
Kong. Kong is one of the most popular restaurants of Paris. Sex and the City watchers will know it, it’s the restaurant where Carrie goes to lunch with Petrovsky’s ex wife at 6th season. You’re eating at the roof with a marvellous view of Paris. Reservation is a must.
le Relais de L’Entrecote.
For the best antricotte of the world with special souce and french fries. There is no menu because the main course is just one. No reservation is taken. You have to wait at the row outside to get in.
Cristal Room of Baccarat. On Gossip Girl 4th season, Prince of Monaco Louis, his driver, Serana and Blair had dinner at this restaurant. (Do you remember Blair pushing Serena to the pool outside?) Baccarat Christal Room is covered with marvellous Baccarat Christals. There is also a Baccarat museum (some pieces are exhibited and a video film about handmade baccarat pieces) and shop store (ahh! this attracts me more) at this building.
Stairs of Christal Room of Baccarat
Bound. Actually it’s not a restaurant, it’s a sushi bar at Champs-Élysées. I love their coctails and elegant atmosphere.
Brasserie Lipp. It’s an old brasserie, a place to drink beer, or wine, or coffee, and to eat the reknowned Alsatian cuisine, almost austere in its simplicity but copious in its portions. There's no use phoning for a table at the Brasserie Lipp they won't reserve one, unless you are the Prime Minister of France. Like everyone else, you will have to stand around and wait: it's part of the Lipp ritual.
Roger La Grenouille. (Roger the frog) While frog legs come and go as specials on many French menus, this tiny cafe always has them.
Chocolat Chocolat !!!
Try this special tastes:
Fauchon, La Durée, Pierre Hérme -the best macarons ever!, Angelina - for the best hot chocolate of the world!, Jadis et Gourmand.
La Durée at Avenue des Champs-Élysées
My boyfriend at Jadis et Gourmand, Rue des Archives.
Montmarte means art.
Many artists had studios or worked around the community of Montmartre such as Salvador Dalí, Amedeo Modigliani, Claude Monet, Piet Mondrian, Pablo Picasso and Vincent van Gogh. Montmartre is also the setting for several hit films.
Montmarthe, 2010 winter Christmas time
In spite of the affluence of tourists from all over the world, Montmartre still keeps a subtle and unique atmosphere, which sets it apart in Paris. Sacré-Cœur is the most famous Montmartre sight and a flagship Paris monument. It is also a vibrant catholic church.
A harpist near Sacré-Cœur, Sacré-Cœur
Just off the top of the butte, Espace Dali showcases surrealist artist Salvador Dali's work. Nearby, day and night, tourists visit such sights as the artists in Place du Tertre and the cabaret du Lapin Agile.
A sunny afternoon at Montmarthe with painters
P.S. I recommend you to try French cuisine’s popular soup onion soup at small cafes in Montmarte.
The Center of Modern Art: Centre Pompidou.
Centre Pompidou is one of the most inspiring place for modern art. There are always interesting exhibitions which are impossible to see anywhere else. There is also a library and a cinema inside where you can watch art films. At the
roof, there is a restaurant where you may see Paris 360.
roof, there is a restaurant where you may see Paris 360.
From an exhibition at Centre Pompidou
Eiffel Tower from Centre Pompidou’s roof.
Nightlife.. ClubbingPartyingClubbingPartyingclubbingpartying!
My favourite club in Paris is L’Arc. It’s name is coming from Arc de Triomphe which is very close to it. The atmosphere is very elite and chic. You can make reservation to its restaurant but no reservations can made for the club. It’s little bit hard to get in especially when men-women numbers are not equal. (Ladies the same rule is for you too it’s also impossible to get in if you’re just girls!) There’ll be no problem if you’re passing from restaurant to club. L’arc is also the choice of high society, you may see Paris Hilton, Kate Moss, P Diddy or David Guetta clubbing inside.
In press we trust:) a night at L’arc
I can also recommend Vip Room. Music, atmosphere and sexy dance shows is really cool. Paris Hilton usually chooses Vip Room for
clubbing when she’s in Paris. A small advice about Vip Room from me: Do not book locas! Because we always had some problems with locas and drinks. And when the club gets crowded there may be a lot of strangers who will join your loca, and for me, it’s irritating.
If you prefer partying at loca instead of a bistro, I’ll recommend you Cab. Locas are really good there.
clubbing when she’s in Paris. A small advice about Vip Room from me: Do not book locas! Because we always had some problems with locas and drinks. And when the club gets crowded there may be a lot of strangers who will join your loca, and for me, it’s irritating.
If you prefer partying at loca instead of a bistro, I’ll recommend you Cab. Locas are really good there.
With my friends, at VIP Room.
Sexy and Crazy Nights: Latin Corner!
Girls, pay attention
Latin Corner= A crazy bar with naked - ok with boxers.
‘muscular’ guys as barmens and waiters and dancers.
Latin Corner’s bar / A dance show / Bras hanging from ceiling
Firstly, I have to say that Latin Corner is not just for girls. If you go with your boyfriend, dancers won’t touch you;) Latin Corner is also fun for groups and couples too. Even I’ve a macho Turkish boyfriend, he quite likes this place –as long as sexy dancers don’t touch me of course- and we have been there together for several times and had a lot of fun! However a macho Italian friend of us -Nicolas- he hates it. He was totally nervous with the waiters in boxers touching him and he was complaining extremely funny “I don’t kow why I’m here! I don’t know why I’m here!” talking with his arms and hands.
(Yes, he’s Italian!) =)
(Yes, he’s Italian!) =)
Latin Corner menu
Latin Corner has an original menu. Pay attention to the names of the drinks:)
Attention: Waiters may take your bras and your panties off while dancing:) They’re hanging
bras to ceiling. Your Victoria’s Secrets will no longer be secret anymore! Be careful =)
Attention: Waiters may take your bras and your panties off while dancing:) They’re hanging
bras to ceiling. Your Victoria’s Secrets will no longer be secret anymore! Be careful =)
Some photos from crazy nights at Latin Corner, on the right hand side my friend Melike, all in love with the cute dancer:)
A classic: MOULIN ROUGE!
Two hour French Cancan show with champagne.
An evening at Moulin Rouge
Me and my friend at Moulin Rouge
The Old Paris, the Parisian Spirit: Le Marais. My favourite quarter of Paris is Le Marais.
It’s also the quarter where I live.The Marais is now one of Paris' main localities for art galleries. Following its rehabilitation, the Marais has become a fashionable district, home to many trendy restaurants, fashion houses, and hype galleries. The neighbourhood has experienced a growing gay presence since the 1980s, as evidenced by the existence of many gay cafés, nightclubs, cabarets and shops.
Chic boutiques, gay bars, vintage shops, Parisian cafés, full of lovers of ancient centers of town… Le Marais.
It’s also the quarter where I live.The Marais is now one of Paris' main localities for art galleries. Following its rehabilitation, the Marais has become a fashionable district, home to many trendy restaurants, fashion houses, and hype galleries. The neighbourhood has experienced a growing gay presence since the 1980s, as evidenced by the existence of many gay cafés, nightclubs, cabarets and shops.
Chic boutiques, gay bars, vintage shops, Parisian cafés, full of lovers of ancient centers of town… Le Marais.
At Rue Vieille du Temple
Le Marais is hosting one of Paris' main Jewish communities.
Visit ‘Rue des Rosiers’. Try fallafel at “L'As du Fallafel” on Rue des Rosiers, in the heart of what was once Paris's most
vibrant Jewish neighborhood. There is also my favourite vintage shop near L’As du Fallafel.
Visit Victor Hugo’s house at Place des Vosges in Marais.
The house of Pablo Picasso is now the Musée Picasso is an art gallery located in the Hôtel Salé in Rue de Thorigny, in the Marais. However it’s now closed for renovation and will remain closed until the spring of 2013.
Visit ‘Rue des Rosiers’. Try fallafel at “L'As du Fallafel” on Rue des Rosiers, in the heart of what was once Paris's most
vibrant Jewish neighborhood. There is also my favourite vintage shop near L’As du Fallafel.
Visit Victor Hugo’s house at Place des Vosges in Marais.
The house of Pablo Picasso is now the Musée Picasso is an art gallery located in the Hôtel Salé in Rue de Thorigny, in the Marais. However it’s now closed for renovation and will remain closed until the spring of 2013.
** Must visit list:
Musée du Louvre, Jardin du Tuilleries, Notre Dame, Musée d’Orsay, Madeleine, Avenue des Champs-Élysées, Grand Palais, Opera Bastille, Concorde, Tour Eiffel, Centre Pompidou, Trocadéro, Bois de Boulogne, Chateau de Versailles
(a little far away from Paris), Musée Carnavelet, Place des Vosges, Sorbonne, Café de Flore, Jardin du Luxembourg, Montmarte, small Spanish bars at Bastille.
(a little far away from Paris), Musée Carnavelet, Place des Vosges, Sorbonne, Café de Flore, Jardin du Luxembourg, Montmarte, small Spanish bars at Bastille.
Musée du Louvre, at night
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My recommendation for shopping:
Malls: Galeries de La Fayette, BHV, Printemps. Street: Avenue Montaigne. For vintage passion: Small vintage boutiques at Le Marais. Free-markets for antiques and vintage lovers: St Queen, Porte de Vanves For Art work: Rue de Seine (There are several art galleries at this long street.) |
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Some practical tips:
- Paris is divided into 20 arrondissments. Paris’s post code starts with 75 and continues with the arrondisment number. For example, 75004 means 4th arrondisment or 75018 means 18th arrondisment. Now you’re able to find any address in Paris more easily.
- If you prefer taking metro from airport instead of taxi, use RER B and go to station Chatelet.
- There is a weekly magazine called ‘Pariscope'. You can find every cultural activity in Paris at this magazine. Exhibitions
theatres, fashion weeks, operas, ballets, shows, concerts, festivals… everything. You can find adresses and telephone numbers at this
magazine too.
Paris is the city of cultural activities. You may catch up a marvellous exhibition during your trip so I recommend you to buy
this magazine and check it out!
- I’ve totally spent like 10-12 days or more at Louvre Museum to see every part. So if you’re planinng to stay in Paris for short time, just list the things that you want to see (like Monalisa, the Lacemaker, Venus de Milo…) and just go directly to them.
- Paris is divided into 20 arrondissments. Paris’s post code starts with 75 and continues with the arrondisment number. For example, 75004 means 4th arrondisment or 75018 means 18th arrondisment. Now you’re able to find any address in Paris more easily.
- If you prefer taking metro from airport instead of taxi, use RER B and go to station Chatelet.
- There is a weekly magazine called ‘Pariscope'. You can find every cultural activity in Paris at this magazine. Exhibitions
theatres, fashion weeks, operas, ballets, shows, concerts, festivals… everything. You can find adresses and telephone numbers at this
magazine too.
Paris is the city of cultural activities. You may catch up a marvellous exhibition during your trip so I recommend you to buy
this magazine and check it out!
- I’ve totally spent like 10-12 days or more at Louvre Museum to see every part. So if you’re planinng to stay in Paris for short time, just list the things that you want to see (like Monalisa, the Lacemaker, Venus de Milo…) and just go directly to them.
http://www.alicetait.com
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Last Advice.
Paris is a city of pleasure. So please just for this trip please leave your sports clothes at home. Dress stylish. Be a Parisien! Ladies for winter, bring your furs and become a Parisienne. Feel the rain drops and enjoy it… Smell the nutella creps in every street… Talk about your dreams at a café with your friends, order a hot wine and enjoy the smell of cinnamon… See and feel art and history in every street and every building of Paris… Taste this city. Feel this city. And live this city. Love xx Duygu |
duygu's paris pictures :
All photos I’ve used is taken by Duygu Erişir and all rights reserved.
by Ezgi Kılıç
by Ezgi Kılıç
LADUREE
      
Click for the large bus map (:
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by Ezgi Kılıç
by Ezgi Kılıç
      
Click for the large metro map (:
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Pictures are with my own camera or taken from http://weheartit.com and facebook photos of a good photographer friend Ezgi Kılıç. And from the websites of the places recommended.
