Love it or hate it, Chez Jeannette is now a staple of Faubourg St Denis, so why not stop by if you have some shopping to do at Chez Jules epicerie or you’re just arriving from Gare du Nord or you’re visiting the old gates into Paris. This newly renovated bar/bistrot, which serves often as a backgrounds for photo shoots during interviews of Parisian actors and musicians, is great for a quick inexpensive lunch (try their salads!) and at night the hip locals spill over to the sidewalk chatting, flirting, drinking and smoking…so Paris!

Practical Information

Address: 47, Rue du Faubourg Saint-Denis , 75010
Metro: Strasbourg St Denis
Opening hours: 8:00- 23:00 7/7j
Average price: 8 euros for lunch; 2 euros for a beer
Website

Art dealer, Kamel Mennour, hosts various prominent contemporary artists, many photographers, in his airy gallery housed in a Parisian hotel particulier. Larry Clark, David LaChapelle, Alberto Garcia-Alix have all graced his walls.

12th September will be the ten year anniversary of his gallery opening and partnering with the neighboring gallery KREO, group showcalled  “10 printemps en automne” will mark the occasion and retrace the artistic history of the gallery .

Visit his site for other current exhibitions.

Practical Information

Address: 47 rue St-André-des-Arts, 75006
Telephone: 00 33 (0)1 56 24 03 63
Metro: Odéon, St-Michel
Open: Tueday-Saturday, 11h-19h

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Inspiration for trend treckies.

The specialty of this cool small shop is art, design and fashion magazines from all over the world. Current and back issues of PURPLE, ACNE PAPER, A MAGAZINE, BANG BANG, LIVRAISON can be found here along a wide selection of art books, guides, artist catalogs and unique nothings. On a lazy sunny afternoon it is a great place to stop by.

Downstairs is a small gallery with seasonal exhibitions.

Practical Information

Tel: 00 33 (0)1 42 45 72 98
Address: 20, rue Dupetit-Thouars, 75003
Metro: Temple, Republique, Filles Calvaire
Opening hours: 10h- 20h; Sundays 14h-19h

Away from the bustle, this discreet spa is nestled inside a quiet courtyard behind Palais Royal and Comedie Francaise. The natural earthy tones of the decor give a sense of calmness as soon as one walks through the door and the extremely professional and friendly staff as well as highly trained Thai masseuses is what sets this spa apart. On the menu one will find a 60 minute massage that will be personalised to one’s specific needs (90 euros), a 45 minute reflexology massage for tired legs (60 euros), a rich mix of treatments for the face and hair, and even an introduction to massage session for parents and kids (50 euros.) The boutique offers a wide range of the 100% natural beauty ‘potions’ by the HARNN brand.

Practical Information

Tel: 00 33 (0)1 40 15 02 20
Address: 11, rue Molière, 75001
Metro: Palais Royal
Spa hours: Monday to Saturday

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Step into a “One Thousand and One Nights” tale.

Based on the ancient beauty rituals of Oriental women, the spa offers relaxation and beauty treatments in a beautifully decorated mystical setting. Here one can experience a gold powder and amber musk massage (60 euros), an eye contouring treatment with a honey and rose mask and steamed towelettes (35 euros) or get a full body eucalyptus and rose salt exfoliation after a hammam session (25 euros). All three locations offer a full range of treatments, including epilations and pedicures.

Practical Information

Tel: 00 33 (0)1 40 41 06 64
Address: 65, rue Greneta, 75002
Metro: Sentier, Etienne Marcel
Spa hours: Monday to Friday 10h30 -19h30, until 21h on Thursdays, closed on Saturday and Sunday

Tel: 00 33 (0)1 45 00 00 40
Address: 78, rue Boissière, 75016
Metro: Victor Hugo
Spa hours: Monday to Friday 10h30 -19h30, until 22h on Thursdays,  Saturdays noon to 20h, closed Sundays

Tel: 00 33 (0)1 48 08 19 09
Address: 22, rue Lejemptel, 94100, Vincennes
Metro: Château de Vincennes
Spa hours: Monday to Friday 10h30 -19h30, Thursdays 11h-21h, closed on Saturday and Sunday

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CLOSED FOR RENOVATIONS UNTIL 2012

“I am the greatest collector of Picassos in the world.” – Pablo Picasso

Over 3,000 works of the world’s most famous artist are on display in this hotel particulier in the Marais district.  Arranged largely chronologically, the sketch books, photos, sculptures and paintings offer a comprehensive overview of the evolution of Picasso’s techniques. His art is put in context of the times with press clippings, caricatures, and reviews. Works by other artists such as Matisse, Chirico, Degas or Cezanne collected by Picasso are also there.

Practical Information

Tel: 00 33 (0)1 42 71 25 21
Address: Hotel Sale 5, rue de Thorigny, 75003
Metro: Saint-Paul, Chemin-Vert, Saint-Sebastien Froissart
Open: Monday-Sunday, 9h30-16h45; Closed on Tuesday
Entry fee: 6.50 € – 8.50 € Free for visitors under 18

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Presentation

Step back in time and discover bourgeois life inside a 16th century mansion.
This museum displays the private collection of art lovers Ernest Cognacq and Marie-Louise Jay, founders of La Samaritaine, one of the first departments stores of Paris. Here one can see great examples of 18th century French art: Boucher, Fragonard, Chardin, Watteau are all framed by opulent furnishings, paneling and accessorized by jewels, snuffboxes, clocks, china and other every day items.

Hotel Donon, a 16th century Paris townhouse, was built by the Superintendent of Royal Buildings to Charles IX & Henry III and stands monument,together with Hotel Carnavalet, to the original chic Paris district.

Practical Information

Tel: 00 33 (0)1 40 27 07 21
Address: 8, rue Elzévir, 75003
Metro: Saint-Paul, Chemin-Vert, Rambuteau
Open: Tuesday-Sunday, 10h-18h
Entry fee: Free for all visitors

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The entry to Parc de la Villette,  this area is the alternative/preferred waterside hangout for many Parisians. One can take sun during Paris Plage in the summer, play petanque, lending a set of balls from the Bar Ourcq, have a picnic or simply stroll and enjoy the serene modern surroundings. Always spectacular is the routine opening of the bridges.

Quai de la Loire, Quai de la Seine, 75019
M: Ourcq, Juares, Stalingrad

For those looking to get more out of visiting this institution of impressionist art, why not join a guided tour? Around 90 minutes in length, various versions and themes are available depending on the language . Currently in English two version are given, one focuses on 19 century art and the second to the museum collection overall. Cost is just an additional 7,50 euros to one’s regular admission ticket. A note to parents – children under 13 are not allowed as there are specially designed tours for them. Start times are around 11h, 14h and 16h.

Practical Information

Address: Musée d’Orsay, 1, rue de la Légion d’Honneur, 75007
Metro: Assemble National, Solferino
Opening Hours: Tues.- Sat. 09h30-18h, Thurs. to 21h45 (last entry 1 hr before closing)
Admission: 9,50 euros;  Free for visitors under 18

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This is the original of now six sites of the French National Library, heir of the royal library of France, itself dating back to 1368. Site Richelieu is dedicated to coins, stamps, maps, manuscripts, music, objects and prints, holding the rarest objects including first examples of human writing. Apart from the impressing oval reading room and many dedicated libraries, it is also a site for separate art galleries, hosting numerous exhibits throughout the year. It should definitely be one of the stops while exploring the covered galleries, the Paris Stock Exchange and small boutiques of the 2nd district before heading over to Palais Royal gardens.

Practical Information

Bibliothèque nationale de France – Site Richelieu
00 33  1 53 79 59 59
58, rue de Richelieu, 75002
Tuesday – Saturday 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Sunday noon – 7 p.m.
Closed Mondays and public holidays
Métro: Palais Royal
http://www.bnf.fr/visiterichelieu/

image from Wikipedia