NEWSFLASH! This entry made the top 10 in the Accor Hotel’s “24 Hours” Blogger Contest! Click here to vote for this entry!
Regular readers will know I’m deeply immersed in recipe development for my very first cookbook right now. It’s a lot of work (on top of my full-time job and blogging) but I seem to be getting there. Every now and then, though, I do find myself sitting at my desk or standing in the kitchen, daydreaming about the day when I can wake up with a day to myself. Even better? A day to myself in Paris.
Many of you know that I lived in Paris for many years when I was much younger, and it’s a city that still holds a very special place in my heart. Until we purchased our vacation rental property in the South West of France, we spent a fair bit of time in Paris (me especially) but in recent years our holidays have focussed on Nérac and the surrounding area. Not that we are complaining at all by I do miss me some Paris!
A couple months ago, when I was starting to plan my summer, I wondered about flying through Paris instead of going directly to Toulouse just so I could get my fix. Timing is always tight so I was even considering just staying 24 hours – it would be better than nothing. I was telling a colleague and their response was “What could you possibly do that’s worthwhile in Paris in just 24 hours – don’t you need, like, a month?” Well, yes, that would be ideal but I don’t have a month. In the end, I didn’t book my ticket at that point. But I kept on thinking about making the time for even a short stay in Paris.
What would I do? Was it worth it to spend that short an amount of time in Paris?
As I was still pondering this question, last month, I came across Lindsey’s post about her ideal 24 hours in Paris as part of the Accor Hotels “24 Hours in…” blogger contest. And I figured that if anything was a sign for me to figure out once and for all if it was “worth it” to spend 24 hours in Paris (a moot point really since Paris is ALWAYS worth it!). So, what would I do? Where would I go? What would I eat? Could I squeeze in some “research” (you know, the learning, eating and drinking kind. For the book, you realise. For the book).
So, first thing’s first…. After an overnight flight, I’d need to fortify myself. So, coffee. I’d head to Holybelly for a flat white.
A “Melbourne-style café” that serves food, these folks have great coffee (despite what you might have heard, not all Paris coffee is like “sock juice”. Thanks to places like this, the coffee scene in Paris is thriving these days). Bonus? They serve “to go” cups which this visitor on a mission needs!
Holybelly: 19 rue Lucien Sampaix, 75010
Of course I need some sustenance too so I’ll swing by Du Pain et des Idées for an Escargot Pistache-Chocolat. Best. Breakfast. Ever.
Du Pain et des Idées: 34 rue Yves Toudic, 75010
Coffee in belly, Escargot in hand, I’ll head to the Marché Bastille, one of my favourite markets in the city…
Marché Bastille: Boulevard Richard Lenoir, 75011
Because I can’t buy any fresh food (I’m only there for 24 hours, remember!), I’ll have to be content with eating with my eyes only. since I CAN carry something small like chocolate so once I’m done with the market, I’ll head to La Manufacture du Chocolat by Alain Ducasse.
I’m kind of addicted to the 45% Lait Non Conché, which has a grainy as opposed to smooth texture thanks to skipping the final “conching” stage (and the addition of cane sugar). It’s really something.
La Manufacture du Chocolat by Alain Ducasse: 40 rue de la Roquette, 75011
And since I’m in the area, I can’t *not* drop by the Marché d’Aligre…
(yes, I’m imagining this is a summer trip, as you can see from the fruits and veggies!)
As well as ogling the gorgeous meats, seafood, breads and produce, I’m going to wander by the “brocante” (bric a brac) section as well… You never know what fun souvenir you might find…
(food-related pins are always a good buy!)
(it’s a great place for people watching too!)
Marché d’Aligre: rue d’Aligre, Between rue du Faubourg St Antoine and Boulevard Diderot, 75012
Ok, my market fix taken care of and a couple of easy-to-carry souvenirs procured, I’m heading across to the Marais for some learning at La Cuisine Paris.
As a teacher and cookbook author I am always looking for opportunities to learn more. They say the best teachers never stop learning and I can’t think of a better place to learn than here. A smallish (but ever-growing) school, offering cooking classes and walking tours in English, it’s one of my favourite places to research the foods I write about and cook!
(because it’s always the right time to “research” a mille-feuille, right?)
La Cuisine Paris 80 Quai de l’Hôtel de ville, 75004 Paris
After the class, I’m going to go for a stroll through the Marais, perhaps passing by yet another market and stopping for a few samples…
I’ll probably stop by BHV (Bazar de l’Hôtel de Ville)…
If you didn’t know this is a fabulous department store selling anything you could possibly want. I like to check out their kitchenware department. Oh and…
There’s an outpost of La Pâtisserie des Réves there too… (because you know, I don’t think I stopped for lunch…)
BHV 52, rue de Rivoli, 75004 Paris
Heading on up into the area around Les Halles, I find myself here.
E. Dehillerin is THE place to come for kitchenware in Paris. I mean, Julia Child shopped here, so…
Yeah, um this is where I’m wondering if I can pay for a checked bag on the way home from my 24 hour jaunt… Though buying stuff is a little convoluted..
Once you’ve found the item you want to buy on the shelves, you’ll have to flag down an assistant (they will not come and find you) and they’ll write the sale up on a piece of paper with the item numbers which you then take to the cash desk where you will pay. Once you’ve paid, you’ll go to another desk to pick your items up. Yes, a little confusing but the system has been operating like that since 1820 so it does work!
E. Dehillerin 18-20 Rue Coquillière, 75001 Paris
A little further down the road, I find myself checking out more of my favourite kitchenware supply stores..
Read all about my favourite places to shop for kitchenware here.
A few minutes later, I’m here:
G. Detou. A play on words (J’ai de tout) – meaning I have everything. And they really do. As it says on the window, “Everything for cooking and baking”. I lived next door to this store for 4 years when I didn’t have a kitchen. It was a sad time in my life so everytime I go to Paris now, I make sure that I go there to make up for all that lost time… Plus, you know, “reasearch”, Right?
G. Detou 58 rue Tiquetonne, 75002, Paris
I’ve somehow ended up in my old neighbourhood (I always do!) which is, in itself, a place I could spent days. On some trips to Paris, I’ve stayed here and spent the better part of a week not straying too far from the rue Montorgueil and its beautiful market street and surroundings.
I’m OBVIOUSLY going to stop off at Pâtisserie Stohrer, the oldest pâtisserie in Paris:
Classics. Rhum baba and an éclair. Classic.
Practically next door, there’s a new place I have been dying to check out (it opened just days after my last trip to Paris) – Fou de Pâtisserie. Featuring pastries from big name pastry chefs across Paris, it sounds like the kind of place you can hit up when you don’t have much time.
I’ll definitely spend a while wandering the market streets…
Read more about how I would spent the day in this neighbourhood here.
One last stop would have to be Monoprix for some essentials…
It seems like it might be time for an apéro, right? I can’t think of a better place for people-watching than Le Tambour.
It’s not fancy but it’s an authentic taste of an old-style Paris bistro (decked out in old metro station paraphernalia). It’s open 24/7 and it’s a great place to people watch.
Le Tambour 41 Rue Montmartre, 75002 Paris
Ok it MUST be time for dinner, right? For me it’s a tough choice in that neighbourhood. Do I go to Frenchie Wine Bar?
This is the wine bar across the road from the restaurant of the same name. If you can’t get a reservation there (good luck!), note that the wine bar opens at 7 but does not take reservations so head there at 6.30 and line up to eat there, It’s REALLY good (and cheaper).
Frenchie Bar à Vins rue du Nil, 75002, Paris
Or Verjus?
Serving beautiful, seasonal dishes, Verjus is a “special treat” restaurant – a splurge, for sure, but definitely worth it. And hey, since I *am* only in Paris for 24 hours… pourquoi pas? 😉
Verjus 52 rue de Richelieu, 75001 Paris
or do I go classical with La Bourse et la Vie, Daniel Rose’s new-ish place offering classic French bistro cooking in an intimate (30 covers) space, tucked away in the 2nd on rue Vivienne? Highly recommended for bistro-type dishes done very, very well done.
La Bourse et la Vie, 12 Rue Vivienne, 75002 Paris
Dinner, I guess, it all depends on how I’m feeling… But the choices are there.
My time in Paris is coming to an end, sadly but there might just be room for a nightcap… And since I’m in the ‘hood, how about Ma Cave Fleury?
About a block from the rue Montorgueil in what looks like a seedy street but it’s really quite harmless, this is the place to order biodynamic wines or champagnes by the glass or bottle, served up by Morgane Fleury, a former actress who serves as brand ambassador for her family’s champagne house in this quaint, slightly chaotic looking space. It’s a friendly cozy place to while away a few hours over some wines you likely won’t find outside France. Live music on some nights and they serve cheese and charcuterie platters too.
Ma Cave Fleury 177 rue St Denis, 75002, Paris
I’m headed to bed for a few short hours (the Lumen Paris Louvre is closeby) but in the morning you’ll find me waiting to board my flight home with a few last-minute souvenirs…
How would YOU spend 24 hours in Paris?
NEWSFLASH! This entry made the top 10 in the Accor Hotel’s “24 Hours” Blogger Contest! Click here to vote for this entry!
Great post! Thank you for all the tips, they all look appealing, even for a longer visit.
Oh for sure you could stretch these 24 hours into 48 or many more!
Bring your cumfy walking shoes! 😉
Always!
I did spend 24 hours in Paris once & covered a lot of ground in that time. I think I’m due for another visit!
It’s a very walkable city, for sure!
Oh this article made me feel very nostalgic…it brought tears to my eyes because of the lovely memories! Three weeks ago we were in Paris staying in an apartment in Rue Saint Sauveur which is off Rue Montorgueil. Maison Collet was my patisserie of choice and the local shops were all brilliant! I also did a cooking course at La Cuisine Paris. Back home now in Queensland, Australia after five wonderful weeks in France; three of those in Rue Saint Sauveur. Can’t wait to go back to Paris, thank you for the memories!
Hey Maureen – I lived in the rue St Sauveur for the last year I lived in Paris 🙂 I lived in the rue Tiquetonne for the four years prior to that! Maison Collet was also my favourite place to get my bread and pain suisse au chocolat… Sigh! Glad I could take you on an armchair visit today!
What a fabulous post ! I discovered LaCuisine on my first trip to Paris and it is a go to every visit ! You have inspired me to book my next visit for the spring and given me some new destinations.
Glad I could give you some more ideas!
I would spend it following you around! Great post. It is now filed in my “City of Light” folder.
Aw thanks so much! I’d love to spend a day in Paris with you!
Sounds like a wonderful day! Voted for you – bonne chance!
Thank you so much!
In my circle of fine art photographers we talk about the dream shoot we would do in Paris!
Long flowing gowns & flower crowns with the most amazing light creating legacy images. Just spectacular!
Voted & shared on Twitter!
Thanks so much for your vote! And I love the idea of YOUR 24 hours in Paris!
You know what they say, where there’s a will, there’s a way… wonderful post. Thanks for sharing!
🙂 Thanks – glad you enjoyed!
Love living life vicariously through you, Mardi. Great shots and wonderfully written. Now I’m really hungry…:)
Aw thanks for the support 🙂