Our monthly Paris advice...
January in Paris!
January in Paris is all about cafes and shopping! Oh and La Galette des Rois (below). Parisians flood the streets under well-heated terraces and hit the winter soldes (sales) hard - a Parisian ritual that borders on religious. For shopping aficionados, January is definitely a great time to be in the city. But the best thing is the warmth and charm of Paris' many cafes, so be sure to pack plenty of books for your trip and cafe-hop in the city's historical Latin Quarter or Saint-Germain-des-Prés.
Cafe Culture
See some of our favourite Cafes listed on our website: click HERE
Find more favourite cafes in the Petite Paris City Guide eBook: click HERE
La Galette des Rois
A flaky puff pastry layered with a dense center of almond frangipane produced after New Years Day celebrating the holiday of Epiphany (January 6th) the day when the Three Kings visited the Baby Jesus. A bean or small china feve (favor) is hidden in the cake. The person who finds the feve in his or her slice becomes king or queen for the day.
January Shopping Mania
Spanning 6 weeks the Winter 2013 sales begin Wednesday, January 9th and end Tuesday, February 12th, 2013. Starts with 20-30% off, but with each passing week increases to 40-50% until as far as 70-80% off in the final week. Look for the big SOLDES signs!
Where to SHOP...?
We LOVE:
www.chicshoppingparis.com
A behind-the-scenes online shopping experience - shopping itineraries, hideaways, special addresses and tips, bilingual guides, insider Parisian shopping secrets. There's the Unique boutique Tour, Made in France Tour, Chic and Cheap Tour, Sunday Shopping Tour, Oh La La Outlets Tour, Art & Antiques Tour, and more!
Galeries Lafayette
...one of two (our fave) major department stores in Paris. A multi level shopping mecca that'll hold you captive for hours.
Lafayette - 48 Blvd Haussmann. MAP. WEBSITE.
Metro: Chaussee d'Anton Lafayette
Le Marais
The boutique centre of Paris is a maze of streets with unique fashion stores exclusive to Paris - local designers and designer consignment stores here.
Google MAP of the Marais area. Streets to shop at are: Rue des Franc Beourgeois, Rue vielle du Temple, Rue des Archives, Rue du Turenne - and all the small maze like street in between these.
Metro: St Paul
NEW PARIS PLACES
Just 2 days into our new Paris life and already we have discovered new cafes, bars and museums that are amazing. One trip a year is clearly not enough! ha!
1. Cafe Marcel
Delicious fresh food, found on this quiet corner off the beaten track in Montmartre. Walk down to Lamarck-Caulaincourt and head to Avenue Junot. It's a perfect little bistro with a convivial terrace, a sophisticated decoration and a slightly New York style menu. The phenomenal sounding Brunch menu will have me returning this weekend .
1 villa Leandre 75018 MAP
Metro: Lamarck-Caulaincourt
TIP: Next to Cafe Marcel is 'Villa Léandre' - one of the quietest and most expensive streets in Paris. When you enter, you will find yourself in a world that does not really resemble to Paris. Houses are built in the Anglo-Saxon style, there are traditional front gardens, ceramic items, steps, lanterns. The tiny street is very impressive. I imagine in Spring, when the flowers and bushes bloom, it is like a cut out of a fairytale.
3. L'Afghani
On whim I walked down the quiet side of Rue Paul Bert and noticed this little hole-in-the-wall eatery....and Im so glad I did! Serving succulent Afghan specialties the food was outstanding, in decor composed of traditional Afghan costumes and musical instruments. Its small (no reservations) but a quaint gem, go and feel like you have fallen into a deep dark authentic corner of Paris' diverse ethnic culture and gastronomy.
16 rue Paul Bert 75018 MAP
Metro: Chateau Rouge
4. DALI Museum
Five years on and I finally made it to the Salvador Dali Espace Exhibition. This permanent exhibition is a fascinating unique display of illustrations Dali was commissioned to create. Over 300artworks from the master Surrealism, including sculptures and engravings.
11, rue Poulbot, 75018 MAP
Metro: Abbesses
OPEN: 10am - 6pm all year
Website
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