PARIS: Stylish, Practical Tips For Your Trip Including Where to Eat and Stay

Getting Around

Your number one mode of transportation will be your feet! Don’t wear uncomfortable or new (I’ve made that mistake) shoes. Fortunately, lots of Parisians are running around in these…

Wear socks…its a marathon. Our trackers said we had some 11 and 12-mile days.

It was cold, so I wore jeans and broken-in boots and socks…no blisters!

Metro It’s relatively easy to navigate… buy a carnet (packet of 10 for a better deal)…don’t throw away your ticket until you walk through the gate at your destination stop. Our son, Tommy did when he was younger and we had to pay an on-the-spot fine. Try this I-Tunes App.

Accommodations

Hotels: Check out Tablet Hotels. For smaller, boutique hotels, we like Hotel La Voisier in our old neighborhood (8th arrondissement). And just recently, we stayed at the Hotel Baltimore (16th arrondissement). Ask if breakfast is included…nice start to the day.

We got to Hotel Baltimore early straight from the U.S. and look what they served us in the lobby while we waited.

Don’t you love ironed sheets?

Apartments to Rent. We have had good luck with Haven In Paris. We stayed here before. This one comes with a great kitchen and Howard shopped at his favorite markets in our old neighborhood. My sister said that his dinner was the best she had in Paris.

Food

Here are a few places that we always like to visit including one new one…

Del Papa On Saint Honoré…good Italian food…hey, why not? Unpretentious and reliable.

La Bourse et La Vie I read about this restaurant on David Leibovitz’s blog (follow him if you like Paris). It starts off with a warm popover.

David said to order the pot roast…so I did. Simple French and delicious.

Relais Entrecote There are a few and we normally go to the one on Marbeuf. Go early and wait in line. Good value. Wow…that Bernaise sauce! Just salad, steak, and fries. Also dessert, but we never seem to have room for it!