December 26, 2011

Exhibition Sempé

Until February 11th
Hôtel de Ville.
Salle Saint-Jean.
5, rue de Lobau.
75004 Paris.
Metro : Hôtel de Ville (line 1)
Opened from Monday to Saturday from 10 am to 8:30pm
Free

I just wanted to see this exhibition and could not find time for it. When at least got there found a waiting line, but finally I get in about 10min later. Hope it will be really good...
Inside the wait is still long! 10 extra min and nothing to see! Just think about living the exhibition and I decide to jump the line to have a look on some drawings. This magnificent work is first shown inside of small windows which are all installed along a wall, so to see them all you must wait in line… I could not wait! So I just saw some of them and could have a fast glance to this Parisian ambience with the views on the small parks, and streets what a great work. I really love Sempé drawings…
After the “first room” no more waits, there are several groups of drawing organized by publication so you can see the American review for which the artist worked.
It’s a great job, it’s beautiful, and it’s all in one good to laugh and poetic. But if you do not want to wait you can just buy one of his books or the exhibition catalogue that should be just ok!

Anaïs
Regetel

December 22, 2011

Restaurant : Les tables du 104

104, rue d’Aubervillers
75019 Paris
Tel 01 40 37 10 07
Métro : Riquet, Crimée (ligne 7) stations Stalingrad (lignes 2, 5 et 7 : sortie 2, bd de la Villette) et Marx-Dormoy (12)

The 104 (Centquatre) is an unique cultural place in Paris . The building is first of all huge and splendid and allows to receive several stages, a library and of course a restaurant. Therefore after the spiritual and cultural foods nothing of such as to try earth food. And definitely, at4pm, the restaurant serves as well plancha of charcuterie as waffles! Anything to satisfy all tastes. And on top of that, my chocolate waffle was excellent. Therefore before or after the visit of the place, you will be sure to find a good restaurant.

Florence
Hotel Berne Opéra

December 16, 2011

Restaurant l'Entrepot's

68 Rue Ménilmontant
75020 PARIS
TEL 01 43 49 59 17
Metro: Ménilmontant(line 2)

Entrepot' s deserves! Having walking up a good part of the street of Ménilmontant, we finally arrive at Entrepot' s, nice and convivial place. The atmosphere looks like a bric-à-brac trades, what gives the aspect of a bazard which is in finale very successful. Service is nice, without more but we eat well and for inexpensive cost : a menu at 13 €, it is rare in Paris! Then if you are in this district of Paris, take a chance, you will not be disappointed.

Florence
Hotel Berne Opéra

December 8, 2011

Restaurant Le Petit Turin

25 rue de Turin
75008 Paris
Tel 01 43 87 44 84
Metro : Rome (line 2)

Located 3 mn walk from the Hotel Berne Opera, the restaurant “ Le Petit Turin” is worth to see it : Well decorated, extra fresh products and very friendly service. Thursday and Friday evening, there is even a pianist to allow the customers to have dinner in music. Therefore in midday or even for you Happy Hour, do not hesitate to push the door of this delightful restaurant.

Florence

December 2, 2011

Restaurant Le Petit Dakar

6 rue Elzévir
75003 Paris
Tel : 01 44 59 34 74
Metro: Chemin-Vert (line 8)

Located in the middle of the Marais, this small Senegalese restaurant is a true treasure. The boss was very charming and helpful. We of course tried a thieb, a Senegalese speciality and it was amazing. Moreover I was agreeably surprised by the dessert. Therefore if you want to change from the so French steak and French fries, go to “Le petit Dakar”, you won’t be disappointed..

Florence
Hotel Berne Opera

November 24, 2011

Concert at Saint Roch church

Eglise Saint-Roch - Paris
296 rue Saint Honoré
75001 Paris
Metro : Pyramides (lines 7 & 14)
Given by the association PIACER’CANTO
On Tuesday November 22nd we assisted to an excellent concert given at Saint Sulpice church (Paris 06) “La Grande Messe en Ut mineur” (Mozart). There were almost a hundred of choir members, 4 soloist singers all under the direction of Henry Didot. An evening plenty of emotion! A moment of real pleasure!
And it was even better as the Saint Sulpice church restoration-works are finished and we could appreciate its majestic architecture.
If you want to appreciate a concert in a French church you can go to Saint Roch church (Paris 01) where this concert will be given a second time on November 25nd and 29th. Entrance fare : 25€.
You can book on the association website.

Hervé
Regetel

Restaurant Rollet Paradier - Traiteur

6, rue de Bourgogne
75007 Paris
Métro : Assemblée Nationale (ligne 12) Invalides (ligne 8 et 13)

As there are quite fiew restaurants near Assemblée Nationale we finally arrived at Rollet Pradier Restaurant which is located just behind the building. In fact Rollet Pradier is a Traiteur, but they have this restaurant at the first floor of the building.
It’s a quite small restaurant, but we did not have to wait and could seat. The decoration in white colors made us feel more relaxed. The waiting is a bit long but the waiters were all very polite and nice and the food (also expensive) is so delicious that you forget the rest.

November 18, 2011

Restaurant Carpe Diem

21 RUE DES HALLES
75001 PARIS
Metro: Les Hales (line 1 and RER A, B and D)
Tel : 01 42 21 02 01

To be honest, the view is not great as there are some works in front of the restaurant. But it is located in the heart of Paris and the waitress is very nice and very dedicated to her job, that’s why I went there many times. Downstairs, there is a lounge if you want to receive your colleagues, friends, etc, etc. The food was delicious, worldwilde cuisine as the Mojitos. So if you are near the Halles area, you can try this restaurant, it’s worth it.

Florence
Hotel Berne Opéra

November 15, 2011

Restaurant Le louchébem

31 Berger street
75001 Paris
Phone 01.42.33.12.9
Metro: Les Halles (ligne 4 et RER A et B)

Parisian Restaurant since the nineteen century

Menu of the day:

Monday : Roasted lamb's shoulder
Tuesday : Pot au feu
Wednesday : Roasted sucking-pig
Thursday : Tête de veau
Friday : Butcher's veal piece
Saturday : Roasted contre-filet

It was on Saturday, so I took 3 generous slices of medium rare contre filet served with real french fries.It melts in your mouth (19.90€). And a glass of wine of the month 4.90€.

+ Top quality french meat
- Long waiting (30mn at least) without reservation.

Yann
Hotel Eiffel Capitol

October 27, 2011

The Palace of Versailles

We booked a Guided Tour with the palace of Versailles. These tours are only in French and English but we took it because it is the only way to visit the private apartments of the King and have a chance to see the Opera Royal. Our wish was exhausted: we entered that magnificent Opera built in two years for the wedding of the grandson of Louis XV (the future Louis XVI) with Marie-Antoinette. To know about this place and its secrets I really recommend you this tour. After it we could visit by ourselves the rest of the palace (places everyone can see): the history museum, the State Apartments of the King, an exhibition about the furniture that is on currently. The entrance to the palace (state apartments and museum) is 15€ per person, the guided tour cost us 16€, one euro more to see much more! Moreover, the state apartments seem less interesting without a guide (we had the headsets), they are lively and answer to your questions…
Warnings!

October 24, 2011

GIACOMETTI ET LES ETRUSQUES

(practical information about this exhibition on Regetel website)
This exhibition is really attractive, I arrived there by 10:30am and half an hour later it was full!
It is well explained in French and English, one can learn lots about the Etruscan Civilization which is shown principally on the first floor. There are precious pieces, really beautiful, everything well organized to help the visitor to understand.

October 19, 2011

Restaurant A l'affiche

48, rue de Moscou
75008 Paris
Tel : 01 45 22 02 20


Having moved to another hotel and a new quarter, I do a duty to discover the addresses of my new arrondissement. And to begin, I chose for the restaurant the one which is closest to the hotel: A L’AFFICHE. It cannot can’t be nearer as it is fair on the opposite side of the street. Held by 2 friends enthralled by their job, atmosphere and fresh products are their real leitmotiv. With 17 - 33-€ menus, you have it as all tastes and all grants. In brief, run to this restaurant, it is a true culinary delight.

Florence
Hotel Berne Opera

October 12, 2011

Walk arround PAris

Nice and long stroll from Saint Lazare train Station to Concorde Square
Even in autumn with the gray days we can love Paris !
And when I am with friends, we can go for walks crossing the city without even noticing it !
We started at Saint-Lazare walking to the Opera thinking to do some shopping before going to a coffee place. We passed the Passage du Havre that used to be nicer some time before, and walked fast to the Printemps. I was impressed by the beauty and luxury of the shops (I haven’t been to this place since long time) and was glad to discover the paying loo as I had seen it on TV… Then we stopped the shopping and decided to get to Madeleine Square passing through Vendome Square which is beautiful.

October 6, 2011

Un bistrot en ville
11, bis rue de Moscou
75008 Paris
Tel : 01 43 87 53 50
Metro : Liège (line 13), Europe (line 3) et Rome (line 2)

Located 5 minutes walking from the hotel Berne Opera, Un bistrot en ville has a big terrace which is unfortunately often overcrowded, it is hard to have a place unless having reserved. Liking lunching outside, I was convinced that for lunch there would be some room. Error, it is worse than in the evening. Happily, inside is very clear thanks to its huge windows. I ate delicious chicken fajitas (13.80 euros). Service is flawless and good-natured ambience. Therefore do not hesitate to go there. On top of that, its really 5 min from hotel Berne Opera.

Florence
Hotel Berne Opera

September 28, 2011

August 31, 2011

LE COMMERCE CAFE
80 rue du commerce
75015 PARIS
Tel : 01 48 28 77 01
Métro : Commerce (line 8)

In this very trading lane or you will find all the shops without too much bustle, you can have a small lunch break to have lunch in front of the small park. I tasted a very copious and delicious Indian salad for 11 euros. It is necessary to consider 4 euros for one ½ vittel. I recommend this address for a shopping break.

Valérie
Hotel des Nations Saint Germain

August 29, 2011


PIZZERIA I DOGI
16 rue Xavier Privas
75005 PARIS
Tel: 01 56 24 11 25
Metro: Saint-Michel (line 4)

Small nice stopping place in the Latin Quartejavascript:void(0)r near Notre-Dame. In this pizzeria where you can taste pizzas cooked in a woodfired oven, we decided to taste a roasted chicken with chips ( 10 euros) and a plate of pasta and its 2 salmons (13 euros). Dishes were copious but I found the smoked salmon too salty. The atmosphere area, the service and the welcome were quite good in this tourist district. I recommend the room situated in the 1st the floor.

Valérie
Hotel des Nations Saint Germain

August 19, 2011

Bérengère KRIEF One Woman Show (French)
Theatre Point Virgule
7 rue Sainte Croix de la Bretonnerie, 75004 Paris
Métro : Hôtel de Ville - Lignes 1 et 11
Bus: N° 75 (Arrêt La Verrerie) ou N° 29-67-69-76-96 (Arrêt rue Vieille du Temple)

What a beautiful evening!!! This young and attractive woman full of energy transports us during one hour in her universe. She already has everything of a big humorist.

Valérie
Hotel des Nations Saint Germain

August 18, 2011

AU CADET DE GASCOGNE
4 place du tertre
75018 PARIS
Tel : 01 46 06 71 73
http://www.cadet-de-gascogne.com/
Metro: Anvers (line 2) Abesses (line 12) or Funiculaire de Montmartre

Outside or inside, I did not hesitate to settle down in front of place du Tertre (Montmartre). Even if we were on a really touristic site I have to admit I have been pleasantly surprised by the welcome of the waiter. We tasted a veal cutlet (17,50 euros) with chips. The plate was copious and very good even if the dish was little expensive. You will need 6, 60 euro for ½ vittel and 3,10 euros for a coffee(café). Although the amount of the invoice is a little raised, I recommend this address on the extraordinary place. Last point important for this address, toilet were very clean.

Valérie
Hotel des Nations Saint Germain

June 10, 2011

Georges Pompidou

Place Georges Pompidou
Metro : Rambuteau, Hôtel de Ville, Châtelet
Bus lignes : 21, 29, 38, 47, 58, 69, 70, 72, 74, 75, 76, 81, 85, 96


On Sunday I decided to go to Centre Georges Pompidou, when arriving I realized we where on the first sunday of the month and that entrance to the museum was free. I was quite astonished to see there was no waiting to go to the museum. But after thinking a wile i deduced it is because this place is huge and people get dispatched in different places according to their interest. There is waiting at the interactive rooms for example at the photo center but for the main exhibiton no line at all. Happy about making economies, I climbed the electric stairs discovering the magnificent view on Paris. Once in the exhibition rooms one can sometimes have a view on Montmartre or Notre Dame and the restaurant bar at the top is ideal for this. Even if it's expensive I had great pleasure drinking my orange juice in front of Saint Eustache admiring also the place very trendy with a red rose on the table.

Anais Regetel

May 31, 2011

SHIRLEY SOUAGNON (show in French)
THEATRE DE DIX HEURES
36, Boulevard de Clichy
75018 PARIS
01 46 06 10 17
Thursday to Saturday 8.15pm.
Until July 2nd 2011.
18.00 €
A friend told me: Go and see Shirley Souagnon, she is incredible. Indeed, I was not disappointed, on the contrary. She has an unconvincing verve, a corrosive and loving humour at the same time. She tells us her life brilliantly and effectiveness. We were very happy to see her show as we laughed so much even if it is a bit short (1 h 15).

Florence
Hotel Eiffel Capitol

May 17, 2011

MONUMENTA 2011- Anish Kapoor

This year Monumenta was great. I am awaiting for next year!



Anaïs
Regetel

April 4, 2011

Think about spending your night at the museum.
Frightening? At all, it is more instructive and different way to discover the place. But it is only once a year
Nuit des Musees
Saturday 14th May
Demandez le programme !

Anaïs
Regetel

March 22, 2011

CURIEUX SPAGHETTI BAR
14, rue Saint Merri
75004 Paris
tel : 01 42 72 75 97
www.curieuxspag.com
Metro : Rambuteau (line 11) ou Hôtel de Ville (line 1)

Located right behind Georges Pompidou centre, this small restaurant is a true nugget. Mixture of design, baroque and mind-expanding, it is difficult to describe it. Anyway, it is a very good place for a brunch. There is to drink and to eat: sweet,
savoury food, crêpes, eggs, salads, in brief, the buffet is hudge. The atmosphere is busy and mirror balls make us forget that we are on Sunday afternoon!!! It is necessary to reserve; there are 3 services of brunch: 11h-12h30 and 14 h 30. Afterwards, nothing of such as a digestive promenade on quays closed in the circulation and we arrive at the feet of Louvre and its pyramid. This it is Paris!

Florence
Hotel Eiffel Capitol

March 18, 2011

L’ARROSOIR


75 avenue Daumesnil
75012 Paris
Tel : 01 43 43 64 58
www.restaurant-larrosoir.com
Metro: Gare de Lyon (lines 1 & 14 RER A & B) Reuilly Diderot (line 1 & 8)

This small corner of paradise, located near to Gare de Lyon train station, under one of the arcades of the Viaduct of Arts, looks like an English garden. It is very warm-hearted, with its old stones, very bright, decoration is simple and from good taste. In brief, we feel very comfortable. I opted for a brunch while my friends took dishes which are delightful and very much abounding. Concerning the brunch, tartines, scrambled eggs, potatoes, cheese, fruit salad. etc, I loved. Good presentation and very well served. To be kept on your address book, for sure.

Florence
Hotel Eiffel Capitol

March 7, 2011

REIMS CATHEDRAL ANNIVERSARY
I passed a week-end to Reims and discovered that THIS YEAR IT IS THE CATHEDRAL 800th ANNIVERSARY.
Reims Cathedral is very important in French history. Kings used to be crowned there (not all the kings) so if you come to France may be you could spend a day in Reims. Especially if you come between May and October as there will be many events for the anniversary.

So here is what you could do during your day to Reims:
Departure early in the morning (really early), around 8:50 am from Paris Gare de l’Est.
From Reims Train Station, take rue Colonel Driant until rue de Thiers which leads to the Hotel de Ville square. In front of the City Council (Hotel de Ville) you have a nice view on the Place Royale through rue Colbert.
Then take rue du Cloître to the Cathedral. If you compare it with Paris Cathedral, it seems really bigger and sober: There are fewer decorations and as the glass windows were broken during the war some are modern but less colorful (but there are also Chagall glass windows!). You started your tour day!
You can assist to the shows given between May and October 2011 or visit the city.

Before starting your visit it may be better to rent audio guides at the Tourist Office which is located next to the cathedral. They may give you the precious information I could not get about history or architecture. One can read some explanations written in French sometimes in English and German. But not everything is well explained! We were very lucky getting a French guide when entering to the Palais du Thau, he was really good and we got good knowledge to make a tour of the city after. You can also visit the Tourist Office Web where they suggest a guided tour from April to August for example. Their contact are really good answering to all questions.

Beside the Cathedral, the Palais du Thau is very important for the Kings Crowning Ceremony. And you will discover the real size of the statues that seem so tiny at the front of the Cathedral. After that you can go to the restaurants at the walking zone (which is interesting also for the buildings architecture) specially at Place Drouet d’Erlon.

After lunch the buses (lines A or F) will drive you to Saint Remi’s church and its monastery. There one can also discover the history of Reims and its surroundings. I found it quite interesting but not really well explained.

Your main regret will be the return to Paris: last train is before 8pm which is too early to see the Cathedral marvelous enlightening at this period of the year...

Everyone knows Reims for Champagne. It is really a nice city full of history. Plenty of monuments but getting modern infrastructures (there will be a Tram within few days!!!). It is really a beautiful French city not to be missed.

Anaïs
Regetel

February 2, 2011


FRENCH PASTRIES
Crèpes,
There are lots of persons that when coming to Paris want to try the crêpes.
Personally I don’t really prefer the “Real buckwheat Crêpes”, and if I have one it will be a salty one (ham and cheese for example), so I did not try to make them at home. If you want to try one, you can read the message of Valérie or Geraldine who talk about good restaurants (label Paris-crepes).
So as we love crêpes at home I had to learn how to do them and it is really simple! It is like a pancake recipe without yeast. I always melt first little milk (less than 1/2littre) with 3 eggs and then add flour (2 or 3 cups), salt and melted butter (a small spoon of it). If we want sweat crepes I add some vanilla sugar.
I see if it is liquid enough and add milk or flour according to my needs. Then I leave it for 15 minutes (recipes say more, but I’m not patient enough), and start trying the first one in a really hot pain where I passed a small paper with few butter. I sometimes miss my first crêpe. But then they are all ok.
I really believe that crêpes recipe changes according to one’s taste. At Grands-Boulevards station (line 8 or 9) they sell thick crêpes, personally I prefer them thinner.
My favorite crêpe is the sugar one (just few sugar inside). But you can add chocolate, marmalade, almonds, honey, chestnut…
Bon Appetit!

Anaïs

January 18, 2011


When coming to Paris don’t miss the Marais. It is one of the nicest districts of Paris. There you will discover history, art, architecture, shopping…
Take your time and enter the court yards where you will find nice shops that seem hidden in a private world. For example at 8, rue des Francs Bourgeois (75003 Paris) there is a nice courtyard with with a haberdashery and the Photo-Gallery YellowKorner.

To go to the Marais, you can get of at metro staion Chemin-Vert (line 8) and Saint-Paul (line 1).

Anaïs
Regetel

Photo © Legnit

January 11, 2011

LE BOURBON


1, Place du Palais Bourbon
75007 Paris
Metro : Assemblée Nationale (line 12)
Tel : 01. 45. 51. 58. 27

It is the third time i have lunch at le bourbon. Food is just ok (nothing excellent), but the place seems welcoming and very Parisian. Moreover we felt cramped for room. When the wether is good it is better to take a table outside, you have a nice view on the square and the National Assembly.
The service is not really fast, but they are nice and helpful.
Main dish is about 15€.

Anaïs
Regetel