5 Essentials for the Perfect Parisian Picnic

August 29, 2018

Summer’s almost over, so with just a few fair-weather days left to enjoy, we’re heading to one of our favorite picnic spots to soak up the last of the sun. As for what we’re packing in our baskets… here are the five essentials we always have.

1. Baguette

It’s not a picnic without this most emblematic of French breads. The long, skinny loaf’s name actually means “stick” (and is also used to say “wand,” so Harry Potter had a magic baguette in French!) Not all baguettes are created alike, so seek out only the very best: a former winner of the “Best Baguette in Paris” contest is always a good bet!

2. Wine

While public intoxication is certainly illegal in France, public drinking is not! It’s not uncommon to see folks sitting in a park enjoying a glass of wine or a bottle of beer. Just don’t forget cups and a corkscrew!

3. Rillettes

Rillettes are one of our favorite charcuteries to bring along on a picnic. This spread of shredded meat (often duck) combined with fat is delicious slathered on bread, and it’s sold in most supermarkets in an easy-to-transport tub!

4. Cheese

Is a picnic really Parisian if there’s no cheese? Some easy-to-transport varieties include Camembert and Saint-Marcellin, both of which are sold in a handy container perfect for setting on your picnic blanket (or on the ground).

5. Pastry

Don’t forget about dessert! Most pâtisseries will box up your pastry selection for easy transport, making this the perfect choice for a picnic dessert. Discover some of our favorites with our pastry tour!

Bonus: The Emergency Picnic

Paris sunshine is famously fickle, so when we’re suddenly blessed with a sunny day, speed is occasionally of the essence. That’s when our favorite boulangerie becomes our best friend: local bakeries make fresh sandwiches to offer every single day. The classic Parisien is simple ham-and-butter, and it’s a delicious, truly Parisian treat.

Best 5 Spots to Enjoy Ice Cream in Paris

July 18, 2018July 18, 2018

It’s hot in Paris, and when you’re in a city that eschews air conditioning, it’s important to find other ways to cool down. Luckily, Paris is also home to more than a handful of great glaciers or ice cream shops.

But before we delve into our faves, here are some important words to know when you place your order:

Une glace – an ice cream
Un sorbet – a sorbet

Une boule – one scoop
Deux boules – two scoops
Trois boules – three scoops

Un cornet – a cone
Une coupe – a cup

Merci ! – Thank you!

Now, on to more important things!

1. The Oldest: Berthillon

It’s hard to talk ice cream in Paris without mentioning Berthillon, the French glacier that has been churning out luxury ice creams on the Ile Saint-Louis since the 50s. While you’ll find several shops selling the famous ice cream, there’s only one original shop, on the rue Saint-Louis-en-Ile. Here, you can sample all sorts of flavors, from classic vanilla or dark chocolate to more innovative whiskey-coffee, lavender, or lemon and cilantro praline. (Sample it with us on our tour of Paris’ islands and Notre Dame.)

Berthillon – 29-31 rue Saint-Louis en l’île, 75004 Paris

2. The Most Ubiquitous: Amorino

Nearly everywhere you go in Paris, you’ll find an outpost of this gelateria, an Italian-style gelato shop that is famous for scooping its ice cream into beautiful flowers. While it might not offer the artisanal charm of some other shops on this list, Amorino’s gelato is delicious (and is available in flavors like dulce de leche, blueberry cheesecake, or cream.

Amorino (find all addresses in Paris here)

3. The Most Creative: Une Glace à Paris

The co-owner of Une Glace à Paris, Emmanuel Ryon, received a Meilleur Ouvrier de France recognition for his work in ice cream and pastry, and it’s not hard to see why: these homemade ice creams are made with some of the best ingredients and boast flavors like beech-smoked vanilla or buckwheat nougat. (Test some more MOF-made creations on our Best Bites of Paris tour!)

Une Glace à Paris – 5 rue Sainte-Croix de la Bretonnerie, 75004 OR 44 rue des Abbesses, 75018

4. The Most Exotic: Bachir

Bachir brings cool, creamy flavors from Lebanon to Paris. Made entirely with organic ingredients, these ice creams feature flavors like rose, lemon, or pistachio that can be mixed and matched to suit your tastes. The Achta ice cream is one of the stars of the menu – a combination of cream ice cream and pistachio that has stolen the heart of many a Parisian.

Bachir – 58 Rue Rambuteau, 75004

5. The Chicest: La Glacerie

Paris is one of the world capitals of fashion, so it’s perhaps no surprise that this chic vibe has even made it to the city’s ice cream. At La Glacerie, ice creams are sold, not in a cone, but in a tube, like a lipstick! With a huge variety of flavors made from only the best ingredients, ice cream never looked so cool.

La Glacerie – 13 rue du Temple, 75004

How to Find the Best Sidewalk Cafés in Paris (Plus 3 of Our Faves)

June 20, 2018June 19, 2018

The second the sun comes out in Paris, you can bet that the locals will be heading for a sidewalk café, better known as a terrasse in Paris. But how can you find the best ones? We spill our secrets below.

The 3-Step Sidewalk Café Method

Step 1: Check Out the Sunshine

Sidewalk café sitting is a marathon, not a sprint. Seeing as in Paris, you don’t have to “pay rent” on your spot in a café or restaurant (and can stay there, undisturbed, for hours on end), you don’t necessarily want to find a spot in the sun right now, but a spot that will stay in the sun for as long as possible. You don’t need a compass to figure this out (just trust the Google Maps indications for where east and west are).

Step 2: Consider Your Drink (and Food!) Options

Some sidewalk cafés will have a selection of drinks but slim pickings on food – and that might be fine if you’re not planning on sticking around that long. But if you think you might get peckish later on, take a look at what’s on offer for lunch or dinner.

Step 3: Check Out Your Neighbors

Cigarette smoking is alive and well in Paris, so if you think you’ll be annoyed by this, make sure the people sitting near you don’t have their packs out. Alternatively, you could choose a seat on the edge of the terrace, thus ensuring that you won’t be engulfed in clouds of smoke should some well-meaning smokers appear.

Our 3 Fave Sidewalk Cafés in Paris

While pretty much any terrasse will do on a particularly nice day, we do have a few favorites:

1. Martin

Martin, shall we count the ways in which we love thee? Martin is a wine bar serving up natural wines and market-driven small plates, and nearly the entirety of this diminutive dining room is at least partially outside.

Martin – 24 Boulevard du Temple, 75011

2. Le Comptoir du Relais

Le Comptoir du Relais is the brainchild of culinary mastermind Yves Camdeborde, touted by some as the founder of the neo-bistro movement. His Comptoir is nearly impossible to get into at dinnertime, but at lunch, snag one of the coveted café tables for a drink, a delicious meal, and prime 6th arrondissement people-watching.

Le Comptoir du Relais – 9 Carrefour de l’Odéon, 75006

3. La Mascotte

Perfectly positioned on the rue des Abbesses in picturesque Montmartre sit the two restaurants of La Mascotte: the brasserie and the écaille or seafood restaurant. Two restaurants means two terrasses, thus giving you twice the chance of finding a spot to people-watch in one of our all-time favorite neighborhoods.

La Mascotte – 52 Rue des Abbesses, 75018

Image care of Moyann Brenn

Top 5 Restaurants in Paris Open on Mondays

May 23, 2018May 22, 2018

Visitors to Paris are often surprised to learn that much of the city shutters on Sunday: banks, shops, even supermarkets. But what’s even more surprising is that Parisian restaurants tend to be closed, not on Sundays, but on Mondays. Since so many folks dine out on the weekend, Monday is a well-earned day off for restaurant staff.

Luckily, that doesn’t mean you need to go hungry! A host of Paris restaurants remain open on Mondays; here are just a handful of our favorites.

1. Café Constant

This classic French restaurant not far from the Eiffel Tower is home to one of the most reasonable prix fixe menus in the city. 36 euro will get you appetizer, main, and dessert, each exquisite (and most influenced by Chef Christian Constant’s Southwestern French background).

Café Constant -139 Rue Saint-Dominique, 75007

2. La Bourse et La Vie

This restaurant near Paris’ stock market is the prime example of a neo-bistro, featuring classic French dishes dressed up with a modern flair. Chef Daniel Rose’s pot au feu is famous, and his gougères, served with apéritif, are worth the trip alone.

La Bourse et la Vie – 12 Rue Vivienne, 75002

3. Racines

Within the Passage des Panoramas lies this little natural wine bar, just as focused on food as on vino. With a Sardinian chef at the helm, Racines offers the perfect blend of French and Italian sensibilities.

Racines – 8 Passage des Panoramas, 75002

4. Café des Musées

This typical brasserie has long been a local haunt in the Marais. Their beef bourguignon is one of the best in the capital, and their unique play on escargots, served here in mushroom caps, is the perfect appetizer to share.

Café des Musées – 49 Rue de Turenne, 75003

5. Le relais de l’Entrecôte

This staple of Paris dining serves only one thing: entrecôte steak with a secret sauce. With a frisée and walnut salad appetizer and your choice of dessert, it takes all of the guesswork out of a delicious meal out.

Le Relais de l’Entrecôte – 15 Rue Marbeuf, 75008

Did we leave out one of our favorites? Let us know on Facebook!

Top 5 Viennoiseries in Paris

May 9, 2018

Perhaps one of the most famous French pastries is the croissant, but this beloved flaky wonder isn’t actually considered a pastry at all, by the French! Instead, it’s part of a category known as viennoiseries (named after Vienna – the city where the very first proto-croissant was born). These “pastries” are less sweet than the French desserts like éclairs and tartes that more frequently sport the name pâtisserie. Whereas pâtisseries are eaten at the end of a meal, viennoiseries actually make the perfect special occasion breakfast!

To get to know even more about this unique category of French baked goods, here are some of our faves in the city.

1. Top Pain au Chocolat – Blé Sucré

What Anglophones know as a “chocolate croissant” is dubbed either a pain au chocolat or a chocolatine in France. The one from Blé Sucré is unparalleled in its flakiness!

Blé Sucré – 7 Rue Antoine Vollon, 75012

2. Top Croissant aux Amandes – Vandermeersch

The almond croissant at Vandermeersch boasts the best ratio of flaky pastry and sweet almond filling we’ve found anywhere. Add to this that the bakery is co-owned by macaron master Pierre Hermé, and it’s no surprise that the details are spot-on.

Vandermeersch – 278 Avenue Daumesnil, 75012

3. Top Escargot – Du Pain et Des Idées

An escargot, in this case, doesn’t refer to a snail stuffed in butter, but rather to the viennoiserie more often sold as a pain aux raisins. The most traditional version of this baked good is made by spreading pastry cream over the same dough used to make a croissant, scattering it with rum soaked raisins, and rolling it up so that snail shell-shaped pastries can be cut. But Du Pain et Des Idées takes it a step further, with flavors like chocolate-pistachio, nougat, or even berry-cream cheese. The pastry itself is a dream – rich, buttery, and flaky. You can’t go wrong, here!

Du Pain et des Idées – 34 Rue Yves Toudic, 75010

4. Top Chausson aux Pommes – Poilâne

Directly translated as an “apple slipper,” a chausson aux pommes is a puff pastry filled with an apple surprise. This master of the miche country-style loaf makes his chaussons a bit differently than most, with whole chunks of apple in place of the apple compote that’s usually used.

Poilâne – 8 Rue du Cherche-Midi, 75006

5. Top Croissant au beurre – Cyril Lignac

You wouldn’t think it, in Paris, but some croissants are actually made with margarine! Of course, that’s not the case for Cyril Lignac’s butter croissant or croissant au beurre: in fact, you can really taste the exquisite butter when you bite into this rich, flaky pastry. Get it while it’s hot, and this croissant will literally melt in your mouth.

La Pâtisserie Cyril Lignac – 24 Rue Paul Bert, 75011

What’s your favorite viennoiserie in Paris? Share with us in the comments or on Facebook!

Top 5 Delicious Treats for Warming up in Paris

December 6, 2017December 7, 2017

Image care of Jameson Fink

Winter has arrived in Paris, and that means lots of twinkle lights, Christmas markets, and, yes, rapidly falling temperatures. Luckily, Paris has just the thing to take the chill off.

1. Vin Chaud

Vin chaud is called mulled wine in English (a better term, in our humble opinion, than the direct translation of “hot wine”). A combination of red wine, fruit, and warm spices, vin chaud can be found at nearly every outdoor Christmas market in Paris. But if you want to try a truly exquisite version of this wintertime classic, head over to Chez Georges, a bistro and wine bar that cooks up our fave vin chaud in the capital.

Chez Georges – 11, rue des Canettes, 6th arrondissement

Image care of Angelina

2. Hot Chocolate

If you’d like a warm beverage with a bit less of a kick than vin chaud, you’re in luck: Paris, as home to some of the best pastries in the world, is also home to some of the best hot chocolate. There’s no contest for our favorite: the exquisite African hot chocolate at Angelina. The legendary cocoa here is served with a side dish of unsweetened whipped cream – ostensibly to temper the nearly impossible richness of the brew. If you’re traveling with friends, consider ordering one African and one white hot chocolate – the latter is served with a chocolate whipped cream instead.

Angelina – 226, rue de Rivoli, 1st arrondissement

Image care of Varaine

3. Fondue and Raclette

These two Alpine specialties are classics of après-ski or after-ski dining: the former is a bubbling cauldron of melted cheese and a touch of white wine into which you dip croutons of crusty, day-old baguette. When you order the latter, meanwhile, you’ll be brought an apparatus featuring a half-wheel of melty raclette cheese which you heat and scrape (racler, in French) over a plate of potatoes, cured meat, and pickles. To satisfy all of your cheesiest dreams, Le Brasier is the place to go.

Le Brasier – 58, Avenue des Ternes, 17th arrondissement

4. French Onion Soup

French onion soup was originally invented in the Paris Les Halles market: market vendors would throw a hodgepodge of leftover veg into a pot and cook it up for a nighttime snack. While Les Halles has since shuttered (and Parisian markets these days take place during the daylight hours), you can still find excellent soupe à l’oignon in Paris.

A perfect French onion soup is a labor of love, with deeply caramelized onions and a rich beef broth topped with a generous handful of gruyère cheese before being gratinéed under the broiler. While some still seek it out at holdover restaurant Au Pied de Cochon, located a stone’s throw from where Les Halles once stood, we prefer the slightly less touristy dining room (and even better soup) at Bistrot des Vosges.

Bistrot des Vosges – 31 Boulevard Beaumarchais, 4th arrondissement

5. Roasted Chestnuts

If you want to warm up but you don’t want to slow down, Paris has a solution! For just a few euros, nearly every street corner affords the opportunity to get your hands on a paper cone of freshly roasted chestnuts, which you can snack on as you walk to your next adventure. Bon appétit!

Meet Your Paris Uncovered Guides

November 29, 2017November 29, 20172 Comments

The brains (and the brawn) behind Paris Uncovered are Randa and Emily: two American expats who fell head-over-heels in love with the city and decided to make it their permanent home.

We’ve made a career out of showing visitors to Paris the ins and outs of our adopted home via walking tours, but we have a few little tips and tricks to share with you via this blog, too! So without further ado, it’s time to meet your guides.

RandA

When and why did you first move to Paris?

Having had short stints living abroad in Lyon and London, I fell in love with the experience of discovering a new city and culture. While I loved my years discovering Chicago, I was ready to explore another city and tackle a new challenge. In January 2011, I dove head first into my next chapter: studying at the Sorbonne, making new friends from around the world and attempting to master the French language!

What’s your favorite Paris neighborhood?

The Marais (both north and south) has always been a favorite and continues to be thanks to its blend of old and new Paris. You have it all: gorgeous views of gardens, medieval-to-renaissance-to-haussmannien architecture, cozy cafes and innovative restaurants. Whether you want to wander, shop or sit and people-watch: it’s perfect for any mood! A close runner-up would be the canal district -excellent for a long meandering walk.

What’s your favorite period of French history to discover?

I’ve always been intrigued by the French Revolution and it’s many cultural implications. When you dig beyond the famous “let them eat cake!” and “off with your head!” phrases, you find a story about human rights and the human spirit that has impacted France (and maybe, the world) in many ways beyond the guillotine. Although, the guillotine certainly makes for a dramatic element to that part of history!

What’s your favorite thing to eat in Paris?

It’s so hard to choose! The first to pop into my head: either a croissant aux amandes or jambon-beurre. A croissant aux amandes is a croissant that’s filled with almond paste, covered in almonds, then baked and covered in powdered sugar (its honesty more dessert than breakfast!) A jambon-beurre sandwich is the edible form of “less is more”: a slice of ham and smear of butter on a crunchy baguette. Both can be found at nearly any boulangerie, but they are not all created equal, so be careful!

What’s one thing you wish visitors to Paris knew about Parisians?

Pride in our city and culture is a universal trait around the world – and Parisians are no different. Showing your appreciation for their city, culture and language can help you make friends fast. A simple “bonjour” when greeting someone, and a “merci” to thank them can go a long way!

Emily

When and why did you first move to Paris?

I first moved here in 2007, and it was a total accident. I had been studying abroad in Cannes, and when push came to shove, I wanted to stay. There was no way for me to transfer my university credits to the French system, so I moved to Paris to attend the American University here, thinking I’d stay 18 months to finish my degree. That was eleven years ago.

What’s your favorite Paris neighborhood?

There are so many that are close to my heart: in fact, wandering Paris’ neighborhoods was one of the things that convinced me that I wanted to make the city my permanent home. I spend a lot of time in the 5th and 6th, where my favorite bookstores are located, but I have a lofty dream of someday living in Montmartre. When I’m not giving tours with Paris Uncovered, I’m also a food journalist, which means that these days, I spend a lot of time in the 10th and 11th, around République, where many of the innovative restaurants are.

What’s your favorite period of French history to discover?

I kind of feel obliged to say the 19th century, because that’s the period I specialized in when I was getting my Master’s degree at the Sorbonne. I love the post-revolutionary period and the way in which the French tried, failed, and tried again to create a sustainable republic. I think this period, wrought with difficulty, shows us a lot about what defines the French as a people.

That said, I’m also very interested in Les Années Folles (the “crazy” years, also known as the Roaring Twenties) and the Occupation of Paris and the French Resistance during World War II. I think what I love so much about French history (or history in general!) is that it’s just a chain of cause and effect, so if you delve deep enough, all periods of history are linked in one way or another (and there’s no better place to see how and why than Paris).

What’s your favorite thing to eat in Paris?

I’m a huge cheese lover – give me your smelliest piece, and I’m sold! But I’m also loving the return to truly artisanal bread these days. I have a few favorite addresses in the city for hand-made, slow-fermented bread (which goes very well with cheese, I must say!)

Other than that, I’m really digging the small plates revolution that has (finally) come to Paris. Market-driven menus are my jam, and there are a lot of them popping up in the capital.

What’s one thing you wish visitors to Paris knew about Parisians?

That the “rude” stereotype is a total misunderstanding! I come from New York, and I know that we’re painted as brusque and kind of mean, but both New Yorkers and Parisians love their city and want to help you out – we just want to be asked politely and appropriately. In the case of Parisians, that means starting every interaction with “Bonjour ! Parlez-vous anglais ?” (Hello! Do you speak English?) Most Parisians do, and when they hear that you’re trying (and that you’ve started your sentence with bonjour), they’ll be more than happy to point you in the right direction.

Trip Planning & Concierge Services

With so many sights and experiences in Paris, planning can be a challenge. There are museum tickets to buy, skip-the-line entrances to consider, opening hours to check, reservations to make… it’s enough to make your trip seem like anything but a vacation!

Let us help take all the stress and guesswork with our trip-planning and concierge services.

No-Stress Turn-Key Trips

With our no-stress Turn-Key Trips, your trip to Paris will be entirely mapped out by your expert Paris Uncovered concierge! With this service, you’ll have no planning to do ahead of your trip. Your Paris Uncovered concierge will help you uncover the must-visit sites that best coincide with your interests, be they historical, artistic, gastronomic, or a mix of everything. Not only will your trip be specifically designed just for you, but you’ll reap the benefits of years of experience, with the most efficient exploration of the city to take the best advantage of your time.

Just sit back, relax, and let Paris Uncovered plan the perfect trip for you!

This service includes:

An in-depth phone call with your Paris Uncovered concierge to uncover all of your interests
A bespoke trip specially designed according to your interests
A comprehensive plan featuring your unique timetable: scheduled tours, directions, custom activities, and more for each day of your trip
Bespoke shopping guides, depending on your interests and favorite neighborhoods
Vouchers for skip-the-line museum entrances, performances, special exhibits and more
Restaurant suggestions and/or reservations for any or all of your meals

Flex-Itinerary

If you want just a touch of help during your stay, our Paris Uncovered Flex-Itineraries might be just the thing. This service includes:

An in-depth phone call with your Paris Uncovered concierge to uncover all of your interests
Printable full-day suggested itineraries for the entirety of your trip
Restaurant suggestions

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Left Bank: 2,000 Years as the Heart of Paris

History | Legends | Culture

Paris’ scholars and intelligentsia have long comingled in the Latin Quarter. But this charming neighborhood’s history starts long before Hemingway scribbled in local bars and BB King took a bow in the local jazz clubs. The Latin Quarter is one of the last bastions of medieval Paris, home to gorgeous cobbled streets, beautiful Gothic churches, one of Europe’s first universities, and the oldest living tree in Paris. Discover Paris’ history through the ages with this beautiful, charming walk through the Left Bank neighborhood.

Details at a Glance
– Private tour guide
– 225 € total (based on two people)
– Approximately 2.5-hour visit

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Paris Highlights: Intro to the City of Light

History | Culture | Discovery

As countless travelers have said, Paris is best discovered on foot. Walking through the city allows one to soak up it’s beauty, rich history and endless charm; it’s no wonder that walking tours are one of our favorite things to do in Paris. On our Introduction to Paris walk, your private tour guide will lead you past famous landmarks and hidden courtyards known only to locals. We’ll discuss the dramatic history behind monuments and savor the subtle beauty of the scenery. Along the route, you’ll see the glorious Notre Dame de Paris Cathedral, the historic streets of the Latin Quarter, beautiful bridges with stunning views, the grandeur of the Louvre architecture and the tranquility of Parisian gardens.

Details at a Glance
– Private tour guide
– 225 € total (based on two people)
– Approximately 2.5-hour visit

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