Category Archives: Paris

All Things French

Paris, April 12, 2013

Photo Copyright Karin Olsson

Big news in Paris – on Sunday the weather gods are promising sun and 23 degrees. It’s enough to bring an Aussie living in Paris to tears and make every Parisian rush to the local fromagerie, boulangerie and cave to stock up for a picnic and head to their favourite park.

As Cole Porter sang ‘I love Paris in the Springtime’ and so do the Parisians and Carrrrlllllaaaaaa..

In Springtime we feel like hugging Paris to our chest and thanking her for allowing us to survive the winter and rejoice in what’s ahead.

For all of you who want to enjoy this moment with us, here is a little vicarious French living.

Photo Copyright Karin Olsson

WHERE TO EAT:

Karin Olsson, star photographer and author of Paris in Four months takes beautiful photos and tours us around her Paris. She features a wonderful story on creme puff heaven, the current mono-dessert pate au choux.. Bon Appetit.

Photo Copyright Haven in Paris

WHERE TO SLEEP:

This is a question everyone wants to know when they come to Paris. The talented Erica Berman has put together a wonderful collection of beautiful apartments in Paris. I live in the Marais and lurve the Marais and love this little jewel not far from my place.. For more gorgeous apartments click here.

Photo Copyright Vicki Archer

DREAM OF YOUR OWN FRENCH BOLTHOLE:

My darling friend Vicki Archer does French better than anyone I know and her latest project Le Petit Bijou, a little Provencal townhouse in St Remy de Provence is almost ready. Vicki shares her project with us and shopping for antiques in her local area. I can’t wait to see the final product, I know it will be gorgeous. Cruise on over to French Essence to see this little project in the making.

Photo Copyright Lindsey Tramuta

VISIT THE LOIRE VALLEY:

Lindsey at Lost in Cheeseland shares her weekend in the Loire Valley. Castles, fresh food markets, delicious wines and beautiful architecture.. Hop on over to Lost in Cheeseland to visit the Loire.

Photo Copyright Carol Gillott

HAVE A LAUGH WITH PARIS BREAKFASTS:

Carol at Paris Breakfasts is such a card. I love her great sense of humour and she is tackling a subject that is dear to any Anglo who loves eating a bag of chips on the streets - French Girls Don’t Eat On The Street. I loved this.. how many times I have dared not eat a hot croissant on the way home from the bakery because of the disapproving looks I will get. Forget ever eating on the metro and even a Starbies take-away coffee could inspire a couple of air puffs..

Photos Copyright Antonin Borgeaud

PARISIAN SMALL PLATES AND WHERE TO DRINK:

Small share plates and funky restaurants that serve them are on the rise in Paris and the gorgeous gang at Hip Paris feature the cool La Buvette. A wonderful local bar with mosaic floors, marble counters and delish natural wines and small plates. Stampede on over to Hip Paris to check this cool little place

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend full of light and love and all things French.

“France is the only place where you can make love in the afternoon without people hammering on your door.” Barbara Cartland

PS: if you know anyone visiting or in love with France please feel free to share.. xx

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My Marais – Restaurants Part 2

Paris, March 19, 2013

Thank-you for the fabulous feedback to Part 1 of My Marais restaurants.

As I promised I’m delivering another instalment of the alphabet (and restaurants) where I love to eat, have road-tested personally and find sympa in Le Marais. Just remember I would rather cuddle up to a chick pea than wrestle ‘une entrecôte’.

Le Marais is my little corner of Paris and I love this quartier dearly. It’s my ‘safe place’ in Paris where I even get a smile at the local boulangerie and a kiss from my favourite bartender!

Spring is around the corner and for any of you packing your bags for Paris or planning a trip you might like to save some of these addresses. Part 1 if you missed it is here and this is Part 2. More to come..

I was introduced to Epouvantail, a fabulous restaurant by a friend of mine who is a neighbour of the owner! Delicious French cuisine, foie gras, saint Jacques and classics like profiteroles on the menu and has a great value lunch menu. Go for lunch..

Epouvantail

6 Rue de Jarente 75004 Paris

Tel: 01 40 29 03 03

Metro : Saint Paul

This is one of those restaurants you go to for the view. High atop the Centre Pompidou and owned by the Hotel Costes group, expect pretty young things in high heels serving you with lots of cleavage (not so good for a romantic night out)! The view is breathtaking and the décor a little Blade runner but expect some attitude from all. No Website, can you believe it..

Georges

19, rue Beaubourg (Centre Georges Pompidou),

75004 Paris

Tel: 01 44 78 47 99

Metro: Rambuteau

The terrace at Jaja

Opened by the ever so cool and onto it folks at Merci (must visit), Grazie has a fantastic New York feel about it, great cocktails and fabulous authentic Italian pizza. Hard to get into so you will need to book..

Grazie

91, Boulevard Beaumarchais

75003 Paris

Metro: Richard Lenoir

Open: Everyday lunch and dinner

Tel: 01 42 78 11 96

You could walk straight past dear sweet Jaja if you weren’t paying attention (which I wasn’t for 3 years). Set back off the street with lovely courtyard for outdoor dining in the summer I think this is one of the Marais’s best quality/price restaurants. I go for lunch with my architect girlfriends who work just around the corner. We LOVE Jaja for lunch.

Jaja

3 Rue Sainte-Croix de la Bretonnerie

75004 Paris

Tel: 01 42 74 71 52

Metro: Hotel de Ville

Open: Every day from de 12h00 à 14h30 et de 20h00 à 23h00

La Briciola Pizzeria

At La Bouledogue it’s bull dog central – paintings, drawings and even the name was inspired by the owners bulldog Elliott. I have had many a cosy winter’s lunch and dinner at La Bouledogue, love the owners, old fashioned service, the décor and a great traditional French menu.

La Bouledogue

30, rue Rambuteau

75003 Paris

Metro: Rambuteau

Open: Monday to Saturday 9.30am to 11.30pm

One of the few authentic Italian pizzeria’s in Paris and our local. They serve mainly pizza’s with a small antipasti menu, a pasta of the day and Italian desserts and Pozzetto gelato. You can book for the first seating around 8pm otherwise if you come later join the queue.

La Briciola

64 Rue Charlot

75003 Paris

Tel: 01 42 77 34 10

Metro: Republique

Open: Monday to Saturday from 12.30 to 22.00

This tiny restaurant in a side street off rue Rambuteau is a culinary surprise in the Marais. The chef once worked at Pierre Gaignaire’s Gaya, the decor is very modest but you can expect a great meal at Le Gaigne and the bill to match it.

Le Gaigne

12, rue Pecquay,

75004 Paris

Tel: 01 44 59 86 72

Metro: Rambuteau

Open: Tuesday to Saturday from 12 to 14 and 19.30 to 22.00

I go to Merci every opportunity I get. This fabulous store is like a breath of fresh air in Paris and so is the food in the canteen downstairs. A salad counter to make your head spin with treasures of ginger, coriander and spiced lentils. Sip your juice whilst gazing at their beautiful herb garden. Girl food central. No reservations. Lunch only but go early to get a seat.

Merci Merci

111 Boulevard Beaumarchais

75003 Paris

Metro : Saint Sebastien Frossart

“This is what you do on your very first day in Paris. You get yourself, not a drizzle, but some honest-to-goodness rain, and you find yourself someone really nice and drive her through the Bois de Boulogne in a taxi. The rain’s very important. That’s when Paris smells its sweetest. It’s the damp chestnut trees.” Audrey Hepburn as Sabrina.

PS: If you know anyone coming to Paris please feel free to share this post or to those who might like to travel vicariously..

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My Marais – Restaurants Part 1

Paris, March 13, 2013

Since the minute I arrived in Paris I have never lived anywhere but Le Marais.

When I am on the Metro and I pass the Tuileries Stop in one direction and the Bastille in the other it becomes the jungle to me. My little corner of Paris runs from the Ile-St-Louis to Republique and each day I eat, shop, drink and scour her streets.

I am always being asked for good addresses, so in a series of blog posts I hope to bring you I will give you some of my favourite addresses in Le Marais.

Just remember I’m a simple gal who loves ethnic food and only a couple of times has stepped inside a Michelin restaurant so expect a mix of all the good things Paris offers.

LE MARAIS

So here are some cafes and restaurants I love in Alphabetical order from A-C (the rest of the alphabet to come soon).

Au Petit Thai

4 Rue Roi de Sicile,

75004 Paris

01 42 72 75 75

Metro : Saint Paul

I love the first floor of this Thai restaurant with a mix of sandstone walls and hanging plants. This isn’t Sydney Thai but it comes close and we have had many a delicious meal here.

Benoit

20, rue saint martin

75004 Paris

01 42 72 25 76

Metro: Hotel De Ville

Open: Every day from 12 to 14 and 19.30 to 22.00

Thanks to a friend and a special invitation, dining at Benoit was my first Alain Ducasse experience. The classic French menu was spot on, the bistrot décor from your French dreams and the service impeccable. I am sure the price tag matched all the above (my friend picked it up) but it was a wonderful culinary adventure for me that I would have hated to miss.

Bistrot Des Comperes

16 rue Charlemagne

75004 Paris

01 42 72 14 16

Metro: Saint Paul

A young French couple have turned this traditional bistrot into a warm, family friendly place. We often lunch with friends here and love the ambience and the good food.

Breizh Crepes

109 Rue Vieille du Temple

75003 Paris
01 42 72 13 77

Metro : Filles Du Calvaire

I walked past this little place a thousand times and saw that it was always packed and finally decided to join the melee with friends. Loved it, organic delicious buckwheat savoury crepes and caramel beurre sale (be still my beating heart) and icy cold cider! Kids and adults alike will love it.

Open: Lunch and dinner 7 days.

Caffe Boboli

13 Rue Roi de Sicile

75004 Paris
01 42 77 89 27

Metro : Saint Paul

A little bit of Tuscany in the Marais. The Florentine owner of this tiny restaurant is committed to serving authentic Italian products and dishes in a lovely quiet ambiance. Delightful.

Camille

24,rue des Francs Bourgeois,

Paris, France

01 42 72 20 50

Metro: Saint Paul

Loved by Christian Lacroix and other fashion friends, Camille has a solid reputation as a great bistrot in the Marais but a little more expensive than the average. I have always eaten well here.

All Photos Copyright Carla Coulson

Chez Nenesse

17 Rue de Saintonge 75003 Paris
01 42 78 46 49

Metro: Temple

This place is great on a winter’s day, family run and looks like you are eating in a Robert Doisneau photo with a giant heater in the middle of the tiled floor room. Traditional French food. Photo Opportunity!

Cru

Village St Paul

7 Rue Charlemagne

Paris 75004

Metro : Saint Paul

Open : Every day except Sunday for dinner and Monday

A mix of cooked and raw food based on Italian cuisine – lots of carpaccio. Wonderful for a summer lunch in their beautiful courtyard or perfect for light eaters.

Stay tuned for more fabulous addresses in the Marais. If you are looking for 4 Star Hotels in the Marais check out these or a little of Italy in Paris you might like this post.

“Everything ends this way in France – everything. Weddings, christenings, duels, burials, swindlings, diplomatic affairs -everything is a pretext for a good dinner.” Jean Anouilh

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Links to Put a SPRING in Your Step

Paris, March 7, 2013

Natural Room Scents

The sun shone this week in Paris and the weather went from 0 to 15 and so did our mood. We are skipping around Paris, almost hugging strangers with happiness. It is so good to see the sun god shining his light down on us. Hallelujah! Things were getting dark there for a moment.

This post has nothing to do with photography (except the wonderful link at the end) but these links I adored this week on the net and even a photographer needs a little juice, fun stuff, wanderings and inspiration when Spring has sprung. So here is my pick of this weeks wonderful links.

Above Images via Thistle Wood Farms

SPRING

I am going to open the windows, pull back the curtains and freshen the apartment with a little spring magic using these natural personalised room scents. What a fabulous idea to give the house a little scent of citrus and herb after our long and stuffy winter. Get the recipes here. Love them..

Image Copyright of Meg Zimbeck

WANDERINGS

We all love to travel to wander and to promenade…. PARIS IS ITS PEOPLE………..A collection of stories/photos of interesting characters of Paris another list to add to your must do’s next time in Paris!

AFAR website is a gold mine of information on anything and everything travel they also have a published and online magazine that is a wonderful travelers resource as it is a collaborative travel guide so the everyday traveler is able to submit their story/tips to be published. As they say on their blog Travel Deeper: Get Inspired. Plan a Trip. Share your discoveries shimmy on over and take a look you may be starring on their pages with some of your travel gems sometime soon x

Image Copyright StickyGram

FUN STUFF

I am in love with instagram and this fun website StickyGram lets you turn your instagram favourites into magnets so cool and so simple to do see how easy it is here…. sweet gift idea for any instamaniac friends!! Plus they have a cool sping competition on their blog

Image Via Samantha Wills

SPARKLE

Every girl needs a little glitter glam in her life and the talented young Australian designer Samantha Wills has a jewellery range that has something for all of us! I personally need a little spring revival! Samantha also has a stunning Bridal Boutique for anyone ‘tying the knot‘. Just loving Samantha’s style….

Image Via Samantha Wills

INTERNAL SPRING CLEAN

Time to give my body a jump start from the inside out and drink my way to better health…so here are 4 Green Smoothie Recipes from Body and Soul the home of health and happiness!

Body + Soul Green Renewal Juice

INSPIRE ME

Eloquence of the Eye the latest series on the blog of photojournalist Steve McCurry his portraits and images peppered with beautiful quotes have long been a source of beauty to my eye so this series resonates……always inspiring thank-you Steve the world through your eyes is a better place!

Umbria, Italy. Image Copyright Steve McCurry

Love life a little extra when the sun is out. Hope the sun is shining in your world. Thanks for sticking with me through winter.

“It’s spring fever. That is what the name of it is. And when you’ve got it, you want – oh, you don’t quite know what it is you do want, but it just fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so!” Mark Twain

Love and light

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Paris – 5 Feel Good Addresses in Paris

Paris, February 15, 2013

Happy Friday to all of you. I hope you are all feeling great and better than I did this week.

I have survived one of the worst flu’s of my life. I don’t remember ever having the flu before where I didn’t get out of bed for 3 days and had temperatures soaring through the ozone layer and then plummeting to the Antartic.

So I feel like doing something nice for myself and thought I would share some addresses in Paris that don’t cost a fortune but put that little skip back in our step and a little shine in our eyes.

1. Bar A Chignon

Hell, I have always wanted a messy, sexy French chignon that I see my wonderful hair and make-up artist Veronique give to some of my beautiful portrait subjects (see above). Well, Vero isn’t available tonight but hey there is a Chignon Bar just down the road where for 20 Euro’s you get a quick Chignon for Friday night! LURRVVEE IT..

Bar à chignon au Salon de coiffure Marianne Gray
52, rue Saint-André-des-Arts, Paris 6e
Tel : 01 46 33 72 32.

2. Popelini

I love my food and for 4 days I have barely touched a piece of toast so I can always tell when I am on the mend because my hunger comes back and for some reason I just keep thinking about those ‘Choux’ balls down at Popelini. Little mouthfuls of flavour creme like mini bites of an eclair.

Popelini

29, Rue Debelleyme

Paris 75004

3. Massage

Massagggggggggggggggeee… If I could have one everyday I would. Francesco bought me an hour and a half oil massage at the Thai home spa for my birthday and it was the perfect present. I might indulge in a foot massage today or two!

Thai Home Spa

68, Rue de la Verrerie

Paris 75003

4. Mariage Freres

I almost live in front of this lovely shop but I rarely go and sit in their tea salon out the back and have a beautifully brewed cup of tea. But when I do this I feel like I am a ‘lady’ (doesn’t happen often) in an exotic world in eastern India with white linen napkins and fruit scones. Currently loving the ‘Madame Butterfly’ tea.

MarIage Freres

30 Rue du Bourg Tibourg

Paris 75004

5. Musee Jacquemart-Andre’

Seeing an exhibition for me is a treat, kind of like having a foot massage or certainly an inspiration massage. I love to go to some of the smaller quieter museums in Paris and in my current mode the Musee Jacquemart-Andre would be perfect. A beautiful mansion in the 8th houses a private collection of some of the worlds biggest artists and has the prettiest tea salon to boot! Currently showing the lovely paintings of Eugene Boudin.

Musee Jacquemart-Andre’

158, boulevard Haussmann

75008 PARIS

“A hug is a great gift – one size fits all, and it’s easy to exchange.” Author Unknown

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