France

Tips for Dining, Eating, and Food Shopping in France (including Paris, Nice, Bordeaux, Burgundy, and Marseilles)

1. It is very easy. Buy Une Carnet des Billets (Book of tickets) or you can buy a pass. Make sure to purchase Paris par Arrondisement--a blue book that has street maps and metro and bus maps. When you go into the metro you will see a large map where you can enter your destination and usually the route will light up (not always working). What I do is figure out the route before I leave and use the street map to figure out what to do once I get to the destination. Then I draw myself a little map in my agenda. You can ask and if French is not good, you can point out the street in your plan book. Most addreses give the metro stop closest to it. You can also ask the concierge at the hotel to help you if you have trouble finding something. I travel all the time to places I've never been and I just figure, what's the worst, I'll get lost and find something unexpected. Go enjoy and don't worry.

   You might like L'Ardoise or Chez Denise in your neighbourhood. For a treat try Le Carre des Feuillants just north of Rue de Rivoli. L'Ardoise is a lively and noisy bistrot with pretty good food. They only have prix fixe, no a la carte. It is reasonable (30 euros, I think). The menu is written on a slate (l'ardoise). Chez Denise is a traditional place with steak frites, and a nice wine list. Le Carre des Feuillants is a 2 star restaurant specializing in south west cuisine and wine (I love the wine list). It has a reasonable prix fixe lunch --ask the concierge to make reservation--if you are interested do it a couple of weeks in advance. The only thing I am not sure if any of these places are open in August. I'll check and get back to you.

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   faijay Jul 08, 2006 01:30AM

   1. re: faijay

      Thanks so much for your replay. You are right of course, getting lost can be a good adventure. I read about Chez Denise so thanks for confirming...will check the others as well.

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      PeteDelfino Jul 08, 2006 03:07AM

2. Folks-

   Please keep it on the chow please. Any further replies discussing transportation in Paris will be removed.

   Thanks for helping keep the focus of this board on the chow.

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   The Chowhound Team Jul 08, 2006 02:34AM

   1. re: The Chowhound Team

      Sorry, first time user, so just getting used to asking.

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      PeteDelfino Jul 08, 2006 03:06AM

3. If you're going to be at the Hotel du Louvre, near the Louvre and the Comedie Francaise, you will be about a block from Le Dauphin, one of our favorite places (I think it's on the rue St. Honore). When we were there last month, there was a lot of fresh fish on the menu. I've also had a pretty good cassoulet there in the winter months, and good meat and chicken dishes. Over the years they've been consistent, reasonably priced, and the service and staff are so nice, even if you don't speak French.

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   CynD Jul 21, 2006 12:33AM

   1. re: CynD

      Thanks CynD and Dodo...will check it out.

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      PeteDelfino Jul 23, 2006 09:18PM

4. I second Le Dauphin, a true charmer. And yes, it's located at 167, Rue Saint-Honoré. And the best, it's open 7/7.

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   Dodo Jul 22, 2006 08:00AM