Here at Lagrange, we enjoy nothing more than passing on our personal recommendations, top tips and general snippets of information we think you might like. Aren't we good to you? So, without further ado, here are a few choice highlights to consider if you find yourself planning a weekend trip to Paris...
We all know that Paris is bursting with beautiful architecture, spectacular museums and has an endless array of restaurants, bars and cafes to suit all tastes and budgets. However, occasionally it pays to venture off the beaten path and spend your time seeing or doing something a little different. I am a Paris lover and proud of it, so to make life that little bit easier, here is a selection of my favourite places plus trips for getting around, to help inspire the perfect weekend get away…
The Musee d’Orsay, located on the left bank of the river Seine in the 7th arrondissement, is a definite must-see for art lovers and culture vultures. Built in a former train station, the museum boasts an impressive collection of art, most notably impressionist and post-impressionist works by Cezanne, Renoir and Manet to name but a few. Even if you are not a budding Brian Sewell, the combination of world famous artworks and inspiring setting makes this museum a real ‘must see’ for any visitors to Paris.
Getting there: Solferino (Metro line 12) or Musee d’Orsay (RER Line C)
Those who prefer their culture to be a little livelier should head away from Paris’s center to the district of Montmartre, in the 18th arrondissement. The area is renowned for it’s cozy cafes and thriving arts scene, formally home to Salvador Dali and Toulouse-Lautrec amongst others. This link between art and Montmartre has continued to the present day, and artists still dominate the Place du Tertre in the heart of the district when the weather allows for them to take their work outdoors.
There is one landmark that dominates Montmartre – the basilica of the Sacre Coeur, on the top of Montmartre hill. Visitors who climb the 234 steps from its foot to its summit (walking from Abbesses or Anvers metro stations) will be rewarded with spectacular views over Paris that rival those from the Eiffel Tower.If you prefer not to arrive at cultural landmarks sweating and wheezing, there is a regular cable car, which accepts metro tickets, and travel passes and is a short, well-signposted walk from Anvers metro station.
Getting there: Abbesses (Metro line 12), Anvers (Metro line 2) for Montmartre hill/Sacre Coeur. Montmartre can also be accessed from Pigalle (Metro line 12), but visitors should be aware that the walk is a little further than from other stations.
After the inevitable uphill trudge encountered in any trip to Montmartre, visitors should relax by heading to Le Marais district, which spreads across the 3rd and 4th arrondissements in the centre of the city. One of Paris’s oldest districts, the area is dominated by impressive Hausseman buildings and filled with hidden gems tucked down side streets. Visitors looking to relax and refresh with a coffee or light lunch should head to Rue des Rosiers in the 4th, where the large Jewish community is clearly evident in the many delis and bakeries offering delicious goodies to help keep tourists' energy levels from flagging.
For a real teatime treat, look out for Le Loir dans la Thiere cafe just off rue des Rosiers, which serves delicious puddings and light meals in a cozy, Mad Hatter’s tea party-style environment. Everything about this café is ideal for a leisurely brunch, but be prepared for a possible wait for a table, as it is very popular.
For those who prefer to eat and walk, the falafel stands throughout the Jewish quarter are highly recommended. Each stand offers a wide variety of mouth-watering filled pitas and salads, the perfect solution for those visitors looking for a reasonably priced and filling lunch that won’t eat into valuable culture, sightseeing and shopping time.
If you can’t resist a bargain, Le Marais has some the best vintage shops I have ever stumbled across. Scattered throughout the district, these shops are full of fantastic finds (look out for leather bags and belts in particular) in good condition and far cheaper than most over-priced vintage shops in the UK.
Getting there: Saint-Paul (Metro line 1), Bastille (Metro line 1), Filles du Calvaire (Metro line 8) and Saint-Sebastien Frossiart (Metro line 8) are all within easy walking distance from Le Marais district.
After a long, hard day of eating and soaking up Paris’s cultural highlights comfy accommodation is a must. Lagrange offers self-catering apartments in Boulogne-Billancourt, located at the end of metro line 9. These apartments are the ideal base for exploring Paris, as they are only 15 minutes from the centre of the city. http://www.lagrange-holidays.co.uk/location-vacances-boulogne_les_rives_de_seine-L_CITY_BOULOG_FRA_V_E_2_IF-rcre-6.html
So, grab your passport and hop on the Eurostar! Allez à Paris!
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