Zen things in Paris

Bonsoir everyone :)

When it comes to Paris, we already know the usual recommendations. We know the rule is Laduree for tea.  Pierre Herme for Macaroons. Coffee at Cafe de Flore. Or at Lipp Or at Deux Magots.  We know that a visit to the Louvre is a must see. Eiffel. Piere Lachaise. And we know all about the Batobus river boat tours. The Moulin Rouge. and the Opera. And these are all great, bien sur...

But how about some new and refreshing recommendations form our friend and fellow Paris lover, the Zen Guy!  who runs a blog about Zen Activities to do in Paris, Zen Tour packages, Parisian tasting Chocolate notes amongst other Zen things (yoga, inspirational travel stories...) Such as:
 

Hot mint tea in the tea room at Mosque de Paris (2 Euros) (above).

Tickets to a Church concert, e.g. a piano soloist at St Julien de Pauvre or Vivaldi at Ste Chapelle or La Madeline. Free organ recitals at Ste. Eustache church at 5:30pm Sundays

An overview of Paris in a chauffer-driven vintage Citroen instead of a tour bus.

A visit to Sadaharu Aoki – This Japanese chocolate master has incorporated flavors from his country of origin such as ganache of Matcha tea & Wasabi into his chocolate.

 Saint Honoré Paris Chocolats – a new chocolate shop offering award winning chocolate that contains less sugar, with a great selection of high-quality Bordeaux wines from smaller wine vintners that pair best with chocolate. 

Visit Gosselin – Patisserie to the Prime Minister, best baguette in France

And plenty more unique places are listed on the Zen Guys Blog (with a few of the usual recommendations, hey when its good its good and must be mentioned a million times I suppose :) but I really loved that many of these suggestions I had never heard of and have added them to my to see/do/eat list for the next Paris trip! 

Find the Top Ten Most Zen Lists here:  

Top Ten Most Zen Things to Do in Paris

Top Ten Chocolate Shops in Paris 

 Top Ten Zen Patisseries in Paris

Bonne nuit all! xx

Looking up and around Montmartre

Read what one of our Paris B&B Guests wrote about her Walking Tour with our lovely Local Artist and Tour Guide (montmartre Guru) Herve!

Herve offers day or night intimate tours for 25euro (2 people) for 2.5 hours

He will show you sites not listed in your guidebook and you will feel as though you have discovered a unique and authentic side to Monartre and Paris.

You can also select to have a delicious wine and cheese tasting at the end of the tour. For this package it is 100euros (4 cheeses and 3 fine wines)

Read the Review here: http://thoughtsintheotherspace.blogspot.com.au/2012/02/looking-up-around-monmartre-paris.html?spref=fb 

To read more about the tour on our website click here! 

Montmartre by Day

 

A Montmartre Creperie Chef

 

Montmartre by Night

 

Village artistic atmosphere

 

Quintessential Montmartre. the Steep hilly village that is full of old world Paris Charm

Valentines Day Romantic Tour of Montmartre

February is the month when romantic thoughts turn to Valentine's Day, cuddling with your sweetie, strolling hand in hand on a cold day, romantic dinners and cocktails ... and don't forget cruises on the River Seine which may also involve chocolate :-)

Even if you're not celebrating Valentine's Day, Paris in February puts on some spectacular events. Definitely consider February in Paris because it is low season and you should get great rates on airfares and our B&B's all (nearly all) on SPECIAL during February - in case you missed previous blog posts we have many B&B's offering up to 180euro OFF!!

Our recommendation for a Valentines Day in Paris is to take an intimate walking tour with our very own exclusive Tour Guide Herve, who specialises in the most romantic area of Paris ... Montmartre of course! End the tour with a relaxing wine and cheese tasting! Here is this official press release which is (finally) going out to media first thing on Monday. 

Contact moi to book this tour of village Montmartre where you will discover things not found in your guide books. info@petitepr.com.au 

Herve also offers a unique B&B apartment in Montmartre if you are looking for an un-hosted private self contained typically french place to rest. Minimum 3 nights booking.

To see this B&B on our website in its full glory click the link: 

http://www.petiteparis.com.au/84_Herve_Bed_%26_Breakfast_Accommodation_in_Paris.html 

What else in on in Paris for Valentines thats pretty great?

1. The Festival of St Valentine: Who else but the Parisians in the City of Love would they go all out to celebrate St. Valentines Day? If you're visiting Paris in February you'll be treated to over 170 luminous panels in all 20 Parisian districts. These panels are generally used for every day mundane city information, but this month they'll be carrying messages of love, lust and like, from admissions of infatuation to grand marriage proposals.\

2. Take a romantic horse-drawn carriage ride, a romantic cruise on the River Seine, followed by dinner.

3. Paris Sur Glace - Paris on Ice!  Outside the Hotel de Ville the Paris on ice rink is still ongoing through February. At just 5euro its a cheap and most romantic way to spend Valentines...skating by the Seine with the majestic Hotel de Ville as your backdrop!

Happy Valentines friends!