The area around Sentier, Etienne Marcel and leading all the way up to Les Halles is, in my opinion, one of the best shopping districts in Paris. Here one can find a wide selection of stores offering trendy street fashion for men women and even kids. There are also several famous ‘fripperies’ or thrift shops like Kiliwatch and EPISODE or the smaller ones like Le Troc de Montorgueil. When looking for unique pieces or if you’d like to stroll and window shop on a sunny Saturday afternoon, Montorgueil is a great location. Below are my favorite boutiques in the area.

LE TROC DE MONTORGUEIL

Address: 34, Rue St Sauveur , 75002
Telephone: 00 33 (0) 1 40 13 08 48
Store hours: Tuesday-Friday 11h30-19h15; Saturday 14h-19h

SAIKI

Address: 32, Rue Etienne Marcel, 75002
Telephone: 00 33 (0) 1 42 21 32 25
Store hours: Monday- Saturday 11h-19h
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KILIWATCH

Address: 64, Rue Tiquetonne 75002
Telephone: 00 33 (0) 1 42 21 17 37
Store hours: Tuesday- Saturday 11h-19h30; Monday 14h-19h30
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G. DETOU EPICEIRE

Address: 58, Rue Tiquetonne, 75002
Telephone: 00 33 (0)1 42 36 54 67
Store hours: Monday- Saturday 8h-18h

ANTHONY PETO CHAPELIER

Address: 56, Rue Tiquetonne, 75002
Telephone: 00 33 (0) 1 40 26 60 68
Store hours: Monday- Saturday 11h-19h30
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IHEART

Address: 48, Rue Montorgueil, 75002
Store hours: Monday- Sunday 10h30-20h
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KOKON TO ZAI

Address: 48, Rue Tiquetonne, 75002
Telephone: 00 33 (0) 1 42 36 92 41
Store hours: Monday- Saturday 11h-19h30
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NOT SO BIG

Address: 38, Rue Tiquetonne, 75002
Telephone: 00 33 (0) 1 42 33 34 26
Store hours: Monday- Saturday 11h-19h30
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BODDYWOOD

Address: 19, Rue Tiquetonne, 75002
Telephone: 00 33 (0) 1 42 33 23 46
Store hours: Monday- Saturday noon-20h
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L’EPICERIE DE BRUNO

Address: 30, Rue Tiquetonne, 75002
Telephone: 00 33 (0) 1 53 40 87 33
Store hours: Monday- Saturday 9h-18h
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EPISODE

Address: 12-16, Rue Tiquetonne, 75002
Telephone: 00 33 (0) 1 42 61 14 65
Store hours: Mon. 13h-19h30, Tue.-Fri.  11h30-19h30, Sat. 11h-20h
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LE COQ SPORTIF

Address: 11, Rue Tiquetonne, 75002
Telephone: 00 33 (0) 1 44 82 02 88
Store hours: Tueday- Saturday 11h-19h
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WESC

Address: 13, Rue Tiquetonne, 75002
Telephone: 00 33 (0) 1 40 41 92 97
Store hours: Monday- Saturday 11h-20h
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OUT BOUTIQUE

Address: 9, Rue Tiquetonne, 75002
Telephone: 00 33 (0) 1  42 33 34 07
Store hours: Monday- Saturday 11h30-19h30
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Who can open a small restaurant on a nearly forgotten street with a few simple menu items, charge below average prices and make  every single customer walk out of the door satisfied? Gregory Marchand can. After a long time abroad, working with the likes of Jamie Oliver, he came back to Paris and set up shop in the bustling Montorgueil district. In his small restaurant he proposes fresh and flavorful meals to unpretentious crowds looking for a relaxed and delicious meal.

Reservations highly recommended!

Practical Information

Tel: 00 33 (0) 01 40 39 96 19
Address: 5, rue du Nil, 75002
Metro: Sentier
Opening hours: Tuesday-Saturday: noon-14h30 & 20h-23h
Average price: 2-course lunch menu 15 euros, 3-course dinner menu 33 euros

When you are tired of the traditional French food and want a little more zest and spice, try the Pescado a la plancha, Calamares en su Tinta or  Gratinada de Viera served in this small romantic Cuban restaurant. Its  relaxed yet chic decor, extremely professional and efficient service all add up to make this place one of the addresses to keep in Paris.

Practical Information

Tel: 00 33 (0) 1 42 21 98 86
Address: 10, rue Marie Stuart, 75002
Metro: Sentier, Les Halles
Restaurant hours: Everyday 19 – 00h;
Average price: Main course: 17 Euros; Cocktails 8 euros; Bottle of wine around 20 euros

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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Presentation

They understand the true meaning of cocktail.

France is known for its wines but when it comes to cocktails…yes,  in a fine martini glass iced before use… yes, with proper ingredients properly shaken…yes, not watered down by one lone ice cube floating desperately to stay alive…this gourmand nation seems to be still learning how to properly pronounce the word.

Several Paris establishments, though, are quickly mastering the art of cocktails and the ‘Experimental’ easily competes for the top spot.

Bartenders are true maestros here, professional in their demeanor and execution. On the menu are classics with a twist. Try a “blend of torn lemongrass stock, organic elderflower and lemon juice freshly squezed along with a premim vodka; better with a london dry gin” as recommended by Romee, one of the owners.  Once you have your martini in hand, you can proceed to mingle with a rather hip international crowd and groove to the guest dj. The boudoir rustic chic decor completes the ambiance. If it becomes too crowded, the centrally located, Montorgueil district, has many other bars to have fun in, just stick to a mojito or a beer.

Practical Information

Tel: 00 33 (0) 1 45 08 88 09
Address: 37, rue Saint Sauveur, 75002
Metro: Sentier, Reaumur-Sebastopol
Open: Monday-Saturday 18h-02h/04h
Average cocktail: 11 euros

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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

Ed Banger Bunch.

What used to be Tryptique is now Social Club and is the venue for the best electro parties in Paris. The crowd is young and beautiful, face control is light but the wait can be excruciating so better get tickets in advance, not that that will help much. The fumoir is THE place to socialize.

Address: 42 rue Montmartre , 75002

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First off it must be mentioned that the general area of this bar is a great place to barhop amongst the cool beautiful Paris crowd. The drink of choice here is a mojito or caipirina. There is a terrace for smokers, the overall ambience is greasy chic.

33 01 42 33 91 33
55, rue Montmartre, 75002
M: Bourse

Opened in 1876 by Gustave Gallopin, it became the first  Anglo-American bar in Paris. Four generations of ownership later, today the brasserie is an impeccable and classy establishment in terms of decor, classic french cuisine, service and reserved clientele. Smart dress and reservations are recommended.

Practical Information

Tel: 00 33 (0)1 42 36 45 32
Address: 40, Rue Notre Dame des Victoires, 75002
M: Bourse
Average Price: Preset menu 20-45 euros
Opening Hours: Everyday noon-midnight

Located inside the gorgeous Passage Viviene, it is one of the oldest and most reputable wine “caves” of Paris. The boutique includes a wine bar, epicerie and cellars. Here you can also sign up for wine tastings and lessons in oenology.

33 142 60 07 12
1, rue de la Banque, 75002
M: Bourse
www.caves-legrand.com