I have just returned from Paris, definitely the most romantic and stunning city in the world. There are millions of sites that will tell you how you have to see the Eiffel Tower and climb Notre Dame, but here are a few really useful tips for the more experienced traveller to Paris.

1. A large cup of coffee (cafe allongé) at a coffee shop on the street costs anything from 4.50 to 8.00 euro. Coffee at a self service cafe can cost as little as 1.40 euro. Good cheap coffee can also be had at McCafe or Starbucks. They serve great cakes too.
2. The best and cheapest meal in Paris consists of a fresh baguette, tasty Brie and a cheap bottle of wine. Don’t buy the baguette in a supermarket ( shame on you!) the fresher, better baguettes are at the Boulangerie and you can pick up some great calories there called after Napoleon. Don’t be lazy and settle for the regular baguette, buy the baguette tradition or any of the other varieties such as flute or the ficelle.
3. Want the best view of the Eiffel. Yes I know the meal at the Tour Montparnasse “Le Ciel de Paris” restaurant  is no secret ( and not cheap but well worth it) but hear me out. Order a table on the internet for seven pm, well in advance, and request a window table. The next tip is especially useful during the summer months when the days are long. Order your meals slowly checking out the complete menu, then eat like a mouse or your Aunt Harriot who commences breakfast at 9:00 and finishes in time for lunch. In this way you’re only commencing your dessert when the Eiffel lights up and are still around when the light show starts. OK this may not make you the most popular guest with the staff but it’s not as if you are coming back again soon – right? The view from the 56th floor is outstanding.
4. Get lost! Seriously the best way to see the real Paris is to pick a general area to walk in and then wander off and enjoy the beautiful streets and houses which are the secret treasure of the most romantic city in the world. Yes there are the museums but if it’s a beautiful sunny day why pay to spend it in doors when a walk along the Seine is free. Try a different direction everyday.
5. If you’re not into French food or fancy a change, Paris is overflowing with ethnic restaurants. Steer away from the Chinese restaurants that have a full display of dishes which they heat in a microwave. There are millions of cheap sushi places that display picture menus in the window, though don’t expect them to employ Japanese waiters or chefs – for the untrained, a Cambodean with an accent does fine. Italian restaurants are fun too and they will even serve you a well done steak (pure sacriledge in a city which prides itself with Steak Tartare).
6. I have talked, not so fondly, about Parisian hotels elsewhere, but I must give credit to the small hotel Opera Franklin that we stayed at this time around. I got the recommendations from Tripadvisor and they well 100% correct. The rooms were small but modern, the staff were the friendliest you’ll ever meet and the situation was the tops. Just make sure you don’t get a room on the top floor.

© 2010 Steve Taite. All rights reserved.
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