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Brunch by the canal
Start the day with a saunter along the Canal Saint-Martin, making time for a stop at Prune (71 Quai de Valmy, 10th arrondissement) where you can have a tasty lunch. Enjoy a large brunch on Sundays or a light, delicious salad on weekdays. Once refuelled and replenished, carry on your walk and discover the many charming, trendy and relaxing places in the area. After that, why not continue as far as the colourful Bastille district?
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Shop till you drop
Near to Saint-Germain-des-Prés lies the fashionable Rue du Four (4th arrondissement), the perfect place to give your credit card a real workout. Reasonable prices, top designers and articles of clothing guaranteed not to stay hidden at the back of your wardrobe! Carry on to Rue de Rennes to check out Paris’ own version of H&M, situated alongside the stores of all the other major fashion chains.
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Time for something Oriental
Right in the heart of Quartier Latin (5th arrondissement) lies Paris mosque, not just a Muslim temple, but also a place in which to unwind. Sip a cup of mint tea and enjoy every calorie of the oriental pastries which you can take on the beautiful terrace. If time is on your side, we recommend a visit to the Turkish baths alongside.
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An oasis right in the heart of the city
Welcome to one of Paris’ most genuine artists’ districts, La Cité Fleurie (13th arrondissement). Amble around and enjoy the sweet scent of the roses, just as Gaugin and Modigliani once did when they lived here.
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A cup of coffee with Hello Kitty
Paris is a Mecca for coffee lovers. One of the coolest places for an espresso is the original “Kong” on 1 Rue du Pont-Neuf (1st arrondissement), designed by the renowned Philippe Starck, inspired by manga drawings and Hello Kitty kitsch.
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Paradise for hedonists
If you need to rest your weary legs after several hours wandering round the Louvre, make your way to Angelina's, 226 Rue de Rivoli (1st arrondissement), one of the most well known salons de thé in Paris. Try the house speciality, Mont Blanc, and wash it down with a cup of delicious hot chocolate. Forget the calories for an hour, for this is an experience you will remember every time you think of Paris.
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Chic department stores
If it’s sophisticated clothes and delicious food and drink that you’re after, Le Bon Marché on the left bank (in the 7th arrondissement) is a hot tip. The department store, designed by Gustave Eiffel, is one of the oldest and most stylish in the city.
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Roller-skating
Paris is not a city for cycling. On the other hand, roller-skates are really big here. If you want to enjoy the large boulevards – with no cars – join up with the city’s roller-blades enthusiasts on a late evening tour of the city. Discover Paris – and muscles you never knew you had at the same time. For details of meeting points,
go to www.pari-roller.com |
A town inside a city
Close to the somewhat vulgar, busy entertainment district in Pigalle, but still a reassuring distance from the throngs of tourists, lies Abbesses (18th arrondissement), one of Paris’ most charming and most genuine places. Restaurants, cafés – take a closer look at Le Sancerre - and shops tempt you with their incredible selection of regional specialities, one more delicious than the next. Abbesses is small, comprising just a few steep streets - a factor which helps to keep the tourists away.
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Books and boats
The area around Francois Mitterrand library (13th arrondissement) is well on the way to becoming Paris’ trendiest hang-out for people aged 30 and up. With a rich array of cultural offerings, this place is well worth a visit. In the MK2 building, film enthusiasts will have a whole host of films to choose from, whilst the Batofar boat of music, just down from the library, is a perfect musical aperitif for an “electro” evening.
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