ONE TRAIN AWAY: PARIS
By Clara Günthner
Photo credit: Alexander Kagan // Unsplash
Paris is only a two-hour train ride away from London and if you book well in advance, you can get a return ticket for under £150 – so unless you have money to spare, this probably won’t be a last-minute trip. What’s great about a planned weekend away though is being able to book your jump-the-queue tickets and make dinner reservations at the hottest restaurants to make as much of your time as you possibly can. As with any big city, a weekend won’t be enough to see it all, but here are five things you shouldn’t miss while in Paris.
Pink Mamma
Photo credit: Girl Dinner Magazine
Don’t believe the hype, they say, but in this case you can! Pink Mamma is probably one of the most instagrammable restaurants in Paris and, more than that, the food is great as well. If you’re lucky, you might get a table in the iconic roof garden room, one of four vibrant floors that all come with a distinct interior and vibe. From industrial to bistro-style to marble decadence – each floor offers something different and all are absolutely Instagram-worthy. You can choose between Neapolitan pizza, pasta or Firenze-style meat dishes from a monthly-changing, seasonal menu. While the vegan and vegetarian options are limited, the veggies they do serve are top-notch, and the value for money is great here, despite the trendy neighbourhood. And not to forget the wonderful service – the icing on the Pink Mamma cake! From the receptionist to the waiters to the bar staff, everyone is genuinely friendly, attentive and professional.
Pink Mamma takes reservations no longer than fifteen days in advance and while they do take some walk-ins, booking a table is highly recommended!
Must try: Truffle pasta, pistachio profiterole
Top tip: If you fancy a drink and a special experience after dinner, ask your waiter about their in-house speakeasy. Drinks, music and service won’t disappoint.
Pink Mamma, 20bis Rue de Douai, 75009 Paris
ARC DE TRIOMPHE
Photo credit: Rodrigo Kugnharski // Unsplash
Everyone knows about the Eiffel Tower, but did you know the Arc de Triumph also has some great skyline views of the city? With tickets from €13.60 granting all-day access (mostly 10am to 11pm), this is a flexible, budget-friendly alternative to the long queues at the Eiffel Tower that will give you an equally stunning view. Make sure to check if you are eligible for a free visit before you go – under 18s, some under 25-year-olds, and others don’t pay for this view.
Fifty metres above ground level, you will be able to spot some of the city’s most famous monuments such as the Notre-Dame, Sacré-Cœur or the Eiffel Tower itself and have a sweeping view over the Champs-Élysées and Paris’s crazy traffic. If you time your visit right, you might catch the beautiful afternoon light or even a sunset over the world’s most romantic city.
Opening hours change by season so make sure to check their website for the most recent information.
Good to know: You will have to climb 284 steps to access the terrace at the top of the Arc de Triomphe but a lift is available on request for people who need it.
Place Charles de Gaulle, 75008 Paris
CRUISE ON THE SEINE
Photo credit: J Shim // Unsplash
Yes, a cruise on the Seine is cliché but when to embrace clichés if not in Paris? There’s a variety of providers to choose from, offering a range of options: from hop-on hop-off tours to gourmet dinner cruises to live music and crêpe tasting on the Seine — there really is no lack of options. Whether high-end or budget-friendly, exploring Paris from the river is a whole new experience and a great opportunity to see many popular sights, like the Eiffel Tower, the Cathedral of Notre-Dame or the Louvre, without doing all the walking.
Top Tip: Start your cruise from Port de Suffren at the foot of the Eiffel Tower and book a table at La Francette for lunch or drinks after the tour. They have a beautiful rooftop bar with a fantastic view of Paris’s most iconic sight and, considering the location, their cocktails and sharing plates are reasonably priced. A booking is necessary as they don’t do walk-ins.
Port de Suffren, 75007 Paris
RUE SAINT-HONORÉ
Photo credit: Christian Wiediger
For a luxury Paris experience, it’s worth walking the Rue Saint-Honoré even if you don’t have the money to splash on the newest Louis Vuitton, Gucci or Prada pieces (even better if you do!)
Start at Place Vendôme to get in the mood and make your way down the narrow street filled with designer shops, expensive cars and over-priced bistros. If you have the budget and taste for a pricey lunch or drink, stop at La Coupe d’Or – the €20 Kir Royal will not disappoint. If you skip the drinks, why not pop into the perfume stores next door for a literal whiff of money? Or you can just walk, window-shop and watch others spend the cash.
It's a twenty to thirty-minute walk on Rue Saint-Honoré to the luxury department store La Samaritaine or “the temple of Parisian lifestyle”. There’s no need to spend here either but it really is worth going in just to marvel at the beautiful architecture and stunning art-nouveau tile work on the top floor.
Top tip: The Louvre is en route from Place Vendôme to La Samaritaine and only a four-minute walk from the department store so the museum could be your next stop (make sure to have your tickets booked!)
Place Vendôme, 75001 Paris
La Coup d’Or, 330 Rue Saint-Honoré, 75001 Paris
La Samaritaine, 9 Rue de la Monnaie, 75001 Paris
LAND & MONKEYS
Photo credit: Girl Dinner Magazine
While omnivores won’t struggle to find the best croissants, madeleines and Opéra cakes in Paris, vegans will have a harder time doing so. Luckily, the city has some very convincing plant-based patisseries and bakeries these days, where vegans too can get their money’s worth of classic French cakes and pastries. Land & Monkeys is a fully vegan bakery with five branches across Paris, delivering everything from croissants and pains au chocolats to sandwiches and quiches to vanilla flans and lemon tarts – everything and anything a vegan foodie’s heart desires. Even better, Land & Monkeys isn’t just a hot tip for vegans in Paris but for anyone in search of a sweet treat as you won’t taste the difference.
Must try: Tarte au citron, pain au chocolat, tarte fine aux apricot
86 Boulevard Beaumarchais, 75011 Paris
158 Rue de la Roquette, 75011 Paris
2 Rue de Turenne, 75004 Paris
85 Rue Raymond Losserand, 75014 Paris
54 Rue D’Amsterdam, 75009 Paris
