Paris 1

Warning...unreasonable amount of Paris related blogging about to appear. First, I thought I'd share some of my favourite Paris places to see/shop/eat from this trip.

We stayed at the Aviatic Hotel near Montparnasse, a small traditional B&B (depuis 1856) with a Charming Hotel Award 2008. All fab apart from the noisy plumbing (also I suspect depuis 1856).

Fave Museums include the Musee Cluny (medieval art in an amazing medieval/Roman townhouse) Musee Guimet (Oriental collections including statues from Angkor Wat) Musee Carnavalet (history of Paris and pretty period rooms in a historic townhouse in the Marais).

Fave Parks are Jardin de Luxembourg (tree lined avenues around a luxurious palace and not too many tourists) Place des Vosges (small park in lovely 1600s square).

Nice shopping at Shakespeare and Co (classic English language bookshop opposite Notre Dame) Le Bon Marche (classy department store on left bank) Monuments of Paris Bookshop (in Hotel Sully, wonderful art, architecture, design, food books sadly French language only, in rooms with original painted ceilings).

Enjoyed eating at Hippopotamous (Steak'n'Frites chain but great food quite cheaply) Relais d'le Entrecote (famous steak house with no menu choice but amazing steak and wines) Montparnasse 1900 (classic restaurant with lovely Belle Epoque decor, traditional food and a very kind Japanese waiter) Le Pre Verre (fusion food in a traditional bistro).