Diners in Paris.

You may think it criminal, but over the three weeks I spent in Paris I went to not one, but three diners. I didn't feel too bad seeing as I am not American and so don't get this kind of food/decor at home in Somerset. Well, that's what I kept telling myself.

I have high expectations from diners as I always expect them to feel like this scene in Grease, and am disappointed if they don't.

The first one was Coffee Parisien. There are two of these diners in Paris, one in the 6th and one in the 16th. (I went to the one in the 6th) These diners don't really feel typical 'dinery' as in the decor is pretty sombre, so not much over the top America 50's memorabilia. Having said that the burgers are scrummy.

We then ventured to Breakfast in America (the original one, south of the river) and here, the pancakes are bigger therefore getting more for your money. The staff were really friendly and the place had a really good vibe, with cool wall art and personal touches from previous visitors. This was our addition which got a post on their instagram:

 

 Coke Float >>>














Finally, we went to a Happy Days Diner. There is a total of 5 in Paris, and we went to the new one on Rivoli. Now this was 50's America, Grease style. With all the garish colours, retro posters and juke boxes that you would expect. YAY.

And the food was great with loads of choice. It also seemed to be a little cheaper than the others. Yet again the staff were really friendly, even offering my friend a job!

All these pictures are making me hungry...

Bars in Paris.

While in Paris, due to the amazing weather, we tended to chill by the Seine in the evening along with everyone else. Make sure you do this if you can, and bring a picnic/various bottles of wine to really feel like a local.

But at the weekend we did venture to some bars for a change of scene.
We just HAD to try some of the cocktails on offer (or the €3 wine if we had spent too much money in Zara that day).

 The first one we went to was Pont Ephemere near the Jaures metro stop.
This bar's terrace is right next to the canal but it's not huge so you might have to hover and wait to grab a table.

The deco inside makes it feel like an art gallery... probably because it is I have later found out. (look at the website for exhibition dates)

even the toilets are arty>>

 They also have concerts here but we failed to check the dates before went, so make sure you do!


This place is great for a chilled drink early evening on the terrace, then if you fancy it, throwing some shapes on the dance floor which gets busy a bit later on.








I was staying with a friend while in Paris, Lilys, who she is living there as an au-pair at the moment.

So we had a guide, although there is only really one bar that she goes to ALL THE TIME.

Looking at these, I'm sure you can see why! >>

It's called The Bottle Shop and its a favorite with the locals for its array of interesting cocktails and in-house DJ. It's owned by Cheap Blonde Bars so if you're staying a bit too far away from the Bastille area, check the other bars out which may be more convenient and just as good!

Happy Hour is 6-8 and I would recommend making the effort as the cocktails are amazing. The barman will pretty much make anything you want on request and who doesn't love some money off?  If you don't manage to get there early enough, get one anyway.

Starting at €8 they aren't cheap, but go on... TREAT YOURSELF. You've earnt it with all that walking I'm sure.

The sun has got his hat on... but it's too hot to play.

In case anyone hadn't noticed. Its really hot atm. Like REALLY hot.

So hot that we are currently passed out in my flat, lacking the energy to move.

Seeing as much of Paris as I can this weekend is going well...

Yesterday the Paris Plages opened! And although I haven't yet ventured onto them, I plan to asap next week. Then are open from 9am-midnight which will be perfect for a cooler, evening visit.
However, if you're in need of somewhere to rest, but can't face the thought of being covered in a sweaty/sandy combo, there is a great little park at Pont Neuf, opposite the beach called Vert Galant. This place would be the perfect spot to meet friends for a picnic and even on a Saturday it wasn't too busy.

Today, we went to the Breakfast In America south of the river for some hangover-curing pancakes (so daymm yummy)
and as we were in that direction we decided to pop into the Jardin des Plantes. This place is lovely, it feels like they have picked up a museum from the South of France and dropped it in Paris. The only downer was the park warden stopping anyone chilling on the grass... but in slightly cooler weather I would definitely recommend a trip there to escape the hustle and bustle.
Oh and there's a zoo for €9 pp. with a leopard and everything.

Happy Sunday!

No reason really.

I just thought this was funny...

The end.

My New Lodging.

So the family that I was staying with have gone on holiday which means I have had to find somewhere to stay and quick!

Now everyone knows that Paris is expensive so I knew that it would probably break the bank, but it's so seems to have been worth it :)

I looked on airbnb.com and found this cute little flat just of the Boulevard des Invalides. Great, central location and no changes on the train line to work! RESULT!

Just a few metres outside the door I have this view<<<

  This is the courtyard>>>












I think I'm probably going to like it here.....



Now, I'm off to a bar tonight because ITS THE WEEKEND! *pours glass of rose*

A Marais Must.

So it pretty much goes without saying that if you find yourself in the Marais, the ONLY thing you should be buying (apart from a gem of a vintage bag or denim jacket) is a falafel. And the Rue des Rosiers is the place to be.

At only €5.50 its a bargain compared to say, a crepe or a panini, and you get a lotttt for your money.
In fact, I defy you not to be full after one.

Even if there's a long queue, don't be put off! It will go down quickly and you can take away and sit in a nice park somewhere.

Pretty nice way to spend your lunch hour, hey?

Sorry we're closed.

Summer, especially August, in Paris can only mean one thing....


 Although I don't blame the Parisians, the metro felt hotter than a sauna today. eurghhh. :(

Le petit dej

In an effort to resist eating too many pain au chocolat I have been trying to start my day in a 'reasonably' healthy way. Because sitting at a desk just isn't going to burn of those calorific butter/pastry/chocolate parcels of yummyness. Such a shame.

Taking inspiration from Gweneth Paltrow of all people, and her new cookbook (It's All Good), this is what I'm rustling up in the morning:

 




Avocado on Toast:
(and it is literally avocado, toast and a drop of olive oil)

All washed down with a nice mug of green tea.





I'm totally looking like Gwennie already...

Sundays are for sleeping.

Being a Sunday and the 14th of July, in true French style, not much was open yesterday. It was also a million degrees outside. Therefore, we decided that the best thing to do was to have a lie in, sit indoors and watch the parade on the TV. Good decision in hindsight. At 6pm it was off to the pretty Parc de la Tour Saint-Jacques by Chatelet to soak up the last of the rays, then off to watch the fireworks.....

I had read on the BBC website that we should go somewhere with a view over La Tour d'Eiffel, and it suggested Belleville park. So to avoid the crowds that is where we went.At first, the park seemed to be locked and we couldn't see much sign of life. Having traveled 30 mins to get there this was slightly worrying as we might miss the whole thing! But turning a corner, we found that hundreds of people were piling in the top entrance, trying to shotgun the best spot.

The only trouble was we couldn't see the Eiffel Tower... And whats the first rule of watching a firework display? Know where you're facing.           Putain.

So we just sat on the grass, with a bottle of wine and waited.

 Inevitably we were facing the wrong direction so as soon as the first explosion went off, it was a stampede to the other side of the park. But after some elbowing through the crowds the bloody TREES were in the way and all we could see were a few red sparks.... So to sum up, all we saw of the 14th July fireworks were trees and rows and rows of heads. Greatttttttt.

Well, at least we know for next year...

Paris: C'est le weekend!

So my year abroad has officially begun... How exciting!
I am currently in Paris, on a 'stage' during the week while trying to squeeze in as much of 'la vie parisienne' as I can after work.
And I have done pretty well so far considering the 6.30 am starts (as a student this is hideous), having already been to the Musee d'Orsay, the Arc de Triomphe, the Champs Elysees and strolls by the Seine...
The weather has been perfect, and it's 'le 14 juillet' this weekend. I have definitely arrived at the right time.
 And as Audrey Hepburn said "Paris is always a good idea".
As it has been so pretty, I have been very happy snappy and here are some of the results:

p.s. sorry for the cliche use of Instagram but they do look prettier with a filter. #noshame.