Guidebook for Paris
Sightseeing
Charming to visit, an inhabitual site in Paris where there are mostly just cathedrals. The Great Paris Mosque is a haven of peace and quiet. The attached restaurant is also good value for money and child-friendly. There is also a hammam, for women only.
393 locals recommend
Grand Mosque of Paris
2bis Pl. du Puits de l'ErmiteCharming to visit, an inhabitual site in Paris where there are mostly just cathedrals. The Great Paris Mosque is a haven of peace and quiet. The attached restaurant is also good value for money and child-friendly. There is also a hammam, for women only.
An old Roman arena, (re)discovered when building the line 7 metro line, has been partially restored and transformed into a public park. For kids there is a nice playground, and space in the arena itself to run around - lots of informal soccer and pétanque at all times of the day. You can also sit in the grandstands or on the many public chairs and picnic in the sun.
249 locals recommend
Arènes de Lutèce
49 Rue MongeAn old Roman arena, (re)discovered when building the line 7 metro line, has been partially restored and transformed into a public park. For kids there is a nice playground, and space in the arena itself to run around - lots of informal soccer and pétanque at all times of the day. You can also sit in the grandstands or on the many public chairs and picnic in the sun.
This square hosts a market every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday morning. You can buy everything from fresh fish to meat to bread to cheese to fruit and vegetables, with a good organic presence. Plus some clothes and gadget stands, and a few exotic foods. Its good to soak up the local atmosphere, and to stock up for a picnic in the Arenes de Lutèce.
126 locals recommend
Place Monge Metro station
Place MongeThis square hosts a market every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday morning. You can buy everything from fresh fish to meat to bread to cheese to fruit and vegetables, with a good organic presence. Plus some clothes and gadget stands, and a few exotic foods. Its good to soak up the local atmosphere, and to stock up for a picnic in the Arenes de Lutèce.
Rue Mouffetard is a (mostly) pedestrian street running from the Place de Contrescarpe to Les Gobelins. It has a permanent daily food market, some curio shops and many bars and restaurants catering to local, tourist and student crowds. Its always animated, with shopping in the morning and bars and restaurants at night.
469 locals recommend
Rue Mouffetard
Rue MouffetardRue Mouffetard is a (mostly) pedestrian street running from the Place de Contrescarpe to Les Gobelins. It has a permanent daily food market, some curio shops and many bars and restaurants catering to local, tourist and student crowds. Its always animated, with shopping in the morning and bars and restaurants at night.
This stretch of the left bank of the Seine is particularly lively in summer, with many Parisians coming to dance or picnic. You will also find many sculptures here as part of the Tino Rossi sculpture garden. Just next to the Pont de Sully there is also a nice children's play park, but beware of broken glass if there was a party the night before :(.
49 locals recommend
Quai Saint-Bernard
Quai Saint-BernardThis stretch of the left bank of the Seine is particularly lively in summer, with many Parisians coming to dance or picnic. You will also find many sculptures here as part of the Tino Rossi sculpture garden. Just next to the Pont de Sully there is also a nice children's play park, but beware of broken glass if there was a party the night before :(.
Fresh food market every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday morning. Complimented by excellent bakeries, butchers, fishmongers and brasseries, open every day. With the Place Monge, a great place to stock up and fresh produce, with a good organic presence.
30 locals recommend
Marche Maubert
Place MaubertFresh food market every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday morning. Complimented by excellent bakeries, butchers, fishmongers and brasseries, open every day. With the Place Monge, a great place to stock up and fresh produce, with a good organic presence.
Its Notre Dame! Fantastic atmosphere inside. Kids' playgrounds and a pretty park on the southern side. Right on the banks of the Seine. Climb the towers (entry fee + queues) for great views of Paris.
1613 locals recommend
Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris
6 Parvis Notre Dame - Place Jean-Paul IIIts Notre Dame! Fantastic atmosphere inside. Kids' playgrounds and a pretty park on the southern side. Right on the banks of the Seine. Climb the towers (entry fee + queues) for great views of Paris.
A residential boating basin. Below street level and protected on windy days, its a very romantic place, with residential boats all year, roses in summer, and just a lot of stone and water, for an old-world lost-in-time feel. The "Canauxrama" boat tour starts/ends here.
90 locals recommend
Bassin de l'Arsenal
A residential boating basin. Below street level and protected on windy days, its a very romantic place, with residential boats all year, roses in summer, and just a lot of stone and water, for an old-world lost-in-time feel. The "Canauxrama" boat tour starts/ends here.
Parks & Nature
The Jardin des Plantes (national botanical gardens) is a formal French garden that also serves as a botanical museum with plants, trees and flowers from all over France and the world. Less visitor-friendly than other Parisian parks (no chairs and little picnic space), it is nonetheless one of the most special, perhaps because of its purpose. Its also great for kids, housing the museum of anthropology (dinosaur skeletons!), of natural history (more skeletons and stuffed animals!), of geology (pretty rocks), as well as a small zoo with endangered animals and 4 beautiful greenhouses.
1390 locals recommend
Jardin des Plantes
The Jardin des Plantes (national botanical gardens) is a formal French garden that also serves as a botanical museum with plants, trees and flowers from all over France and the world. Less visitor-friendly than other Parisian parks (no chairs and little picnic space), it is nonetheless one of the most special, perhaps because of its purpose. Its also great for kids, housing the museum of anthropology (dinosaur skeletons!), of natural history (more skeletons and stuffed animals!), of geology (pretty rocks), as well as a small zoo with endangered animals and 4 beautiful greenhouses.
The central square is quiet and green, ideal for playing outside with children, far from the busy streets of Paris. The chapel is also worth a quick detour.
36 locals recommend
University Hospitals Pitié Salpêtrière - Charles Foix
47-83 Bd de l'HôpitalThe central square is quiet and green, ideal for playing outside with children, far from the busy streets of Paris. The chapel is also worth a quick detour.
A larger-than-most public park with a great set of kids equipments for all ages. Has a good-sized wood for kids to lose themselves, a rose-garden and 3 large sandpits. It also has a snack stand that does chips, waffles, coffee, etc.
52 locals recommend
Square Rene-Le Gall
A larger-than-most public park with a great set of kids equipments for all ages. Has a good-sized wood for kids to lose themselves, a rose-garden and 3 large sandpits. It also has a snack stand that does chips, waffles, coffee, etc.
Fantastic parc with numerous landscapes and a large lake. Lots of children's play parks for all ages, and a traditional Parisian puppet show (marionnettes). Unfortunately, not much in the way of food (mediocre snack shop and very chic and expensive restaurant), picnic recommended!
809 locals recommend
Parc Montsouris
Fantastic parc with numerous landscapes and a large lake. Lots of children's play parks for all ages, and a traditional Parisian puppet show (marionnettes). Unfortunately, not much in the way of food (mediocre snack shop and very chic and expensive restaurant), picnic recommended!
The loviest of the Parisian gardens in the typical French style. Lots of trees, sculptures and manicured lawns. The main occupation of park visitors is sunbathing. Also possibly the most awesome kids' playpark (entry about 2€) + pony rides + puppet show (marrionnettes) + sandpit + paddling pool for toddlers.
2469 locals recommend
Luxembourg Gardens
The loviest of the Parisian gardens in the typical French style. Lots of trees, sculptures and manicured lawns. The main occupation of park visitors is sunbathing. Also possibly the most awesome kids' playpark (entry about 2€) + pony rides + puppet show (marrionnettes) + sandpit + paddling pool for toddlers.
Getting Around
Austerlitz is a local hub: RER C, METRO 5 and 10, BUS 57 and 91, a TAXI station and a VELIB station. + AVIS car rental, generally with good availability. + Mainline (inter-city) trains to Spain. GARE DE LYON is also only 10 minutes away on foot just across the river.
76 locals recommend
Gare D'austerlitz
Austerlitz is a local hub: RER C, METRO 5 and 10, BUS 57 and 91, a TAXI station and a VELIB station. + AVIS car rental, generally with good availability. + Mainline (inter-city) trains to Spain. GARE DE LYON is also only 10 minutes away on foot just across the river.
Food Scene
Delicious Korean food at reasonable prices. Children welcome.
12 locals recommend
BEKSEJU VILLAGE FRANCE
53 Bd Saint-MarcelDelicious Korean food at reasonable prices. Children welcome.
Fabulous pizzas, better AND cheaper than the competition. You must try the the "Pizza al tartufo" with fresh cream, truffles and rocket salad: To die for!
19 locals recommend
Pizza César
81 Bd Saint-MarcelFabulous pizzas, better AND cheaper than the competition. You must try the the "Pizza al tartufo" with fresh cream, truffles and rocket salad: To die for!
Tapas dishes from the Southwest of France, with strong links to Spanish and Portuguese cuisine. Great value for money and simply to die for. Also a great ambiance, very lively and friendly (noisy!). Not for kids. Also, you generally need to book, they're always full.
36 locals recommend
Dans les Landes
119 Bis Rue MongeTapas dishes from the Southwest of France, with strong links to Spanish and Portuguese cuisine. Great value for money and simply to die for. Also a great ambiance, very lively and friendly (noisy!). Not for kids. Also, you generally need to book, they're always full.
Fantastic lighter-than air marvels made of meringues and cream. To die for!
173 locals recommend
Aux Merveilleux de Fred
7 Rue de TocquevilleFantastic lighter-than air marvels made of meringues and cream. To die for!
Fantastic boulangerie with what I consider to be the best baguette in Paris. They also make delicious sandwiches and pastries. Strongly recommended for a picnic lunch (about 9€ for a sandwich + pastry + soda).
79 locals recommend
Eric Kayser
14 Rue MongeFantastic boulangerie with what I consider to be the best baguette in Paris. They also make delicious sandwiches and pastries. Strongly recommended for a picnic lunch (about 9€ for a sandwich + pastry + soda).
Chez Neung
70 Bd Saint-MarcelTiny Thai restaurant with excellent food at reasonable prices.
Beach-themed spicy seafood restaurant where the floor is covered with sea-sand. Not cheap, but good food and good ambiance.
10 locals recommend
Coco de Mer
34 Bd Saint-MarcelBeach-themed spicy seafood restaurant where the floor is covered with sea-sand. Not cheap, but good food and good ambiance.
Local bakery where you can buy sandwiches for long days exploring Paris or Versailles.
L'Epi Saint Marcel « Boulangerie Pâtisserie Artisanale . »
56 Bd Saint-MarcelLocal bakery where you can buy sandwiches for long days exploring Paris or Versailles.