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10 Reasons to Visit Paris in January and February

Daniela McVicker
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10 Reasons to Visit Paris in January and February

Anyone that loves to travel will tell you that the best time to travel to many destinations and not feel like a tourist is during the winter. January and February are two months which can especially help Paris look even more beautiful in the eyes of those who explore it.

Despite your worries about traveling to a new place during the winter, the City of Lights has a lot of hidden gems for you to discover during this time of year. Here are some great reasons why you should book your next flight to Paris during these two months.

Find great airfare and accommodation deals

The most important reason why visiting Paris during the first two months of the year is a good idea is because you will be able to find some amazing deals on hotels and plane tickets. Probably the worst time of year to visit Paris is during the high season of the summer, where everything is twice as expensive and overbooked by tourists from all over the world.

After the Christmas holidays have passed, most travelers will have returned back to their homes and everyday lives. As a result, the demand for plane tickets and bookings at hotels in Paris drops and this motivates air companies and hotel owners to make some great offers in order to attract more people to visit during this off-season.

You can greatly benefit from this situation and book plane tickets and accommodation for a fraction of the price you would originally pay. While Paris is in general one of the most expensive capitals of Europe, visiting during these two months could help you explore it even if you’re trying to keep your travels within a certain budget.

Explore Disneyland Paris in winter

One of the most famous destinations in Europe, Disneyland Paris is bound to offer a magical experience to its visitors all year round. Visiting Disneyland Paris during the winter though is bound to offer you a one of a kind experience.

If you decide to visit early in January, you might be able to see all of the beautiful Christmas-themed decorations all around the park. On the other hand, visiting the magical theme park sometime during January or February will help you reduce your waiting time in the lines and therefore enjoy every ride you want without having to wait in line for hours.

How to Visit Disneyland Paris

Enjoy a magical time at Disneyland® Park, or get a 2-park ticket to visit Walt Disney Studios® Park as well! 

Disneyland Tickets

Use Paris’ covered passages

Traveling during the summer can be a lot of fun and can allow you to walk a lot more and explore without having to care about the bad weather. During the winter, especially in early January, you might come across quite a bit of rain.

One of the questions many tourists have in regards to the weather is “Does it snow in Paris in January”? Snow is rare in the capital of France and the only thing you will have to worry about is some rain and quite a bit of cold. For example, Paris weather in January 2019 consisted of a lot of rain showers and also a few hours of sunshine each day. The weather in Paris in February is just as gloomy but will not prohibit you from exploring the city and enjoying your everyday activities.

The cold, rainy weather can give you a great opportunity to start exploring the many covered passages that take place around the city. Each individual passage carries a different style and therefore makes moving around the city and exploring the passages a lot more fun.

Live like a local

Paris is less crowded after the holidays so you will be able to have a chance to interact with the locals more and explore the city without feeling like a tourist. Coffee shops will feel cozier and you will be able to visit places you otherwise wouldn’t be able to because of the large masses of people.

Traveling during the winter can give you the opportunity to get a completely different view of the city or country you are visiting. Exploring a less crowded Paris in February will give you the chance to get nice seats in smaller and locally owned cafes; try pastries from smaller bakeries and walk and explore the city at your own pace.

This can also be a great chance for you to write about this more personal way of experiencing Paris. If you’re running your own blog for the first time or creating your very first posts, there are platforms with a reviews page dedicated to all the best writing services which can help you with perfecting your written content easily.

Catch the January sales

The big sales in Paris start from the second Wednesday of January and last for five whole weeks. These January sales are very popular among residents native to Paris and foreign visitors alike and will help you fully restock your closet, your makeup bag or buy some great presents for your loved ones. This way, you won’t have to worry about what to wear in Paris in February.

A big perk to this sale season is that the malls all around Paris are beautifully decorated from the holiday season and you will come to find a lot of discounted festive items wherever you search. If you’re a fashion lover or you simply wish to catch some great deals even on luxury products, this is the perfect time for you to visit the world’s fashion capital.

Go on a Seine River Cruise

Even during the winter, a river cruise could be an amazing opportunity for a romantic date with your loved one. You can simply choose to go on an enclosed cruise and have an amazing view of the Parisian river at night or day.

If you choose to go on the cruise at night, you should definitely not skip on having dinner on the boat. Not only is it going to be a one of a kind experience but you are also going to enjoy a delicious meal which you will only be able to taste there. The River Seine dinner cruise is one of the best and most amzing things we have ever done in Paris and we did a lot of thing. So much so that we went this specific dinner cruise 3 times.

River Seine Dinner Cruise

Cruise down the Seine and experience the Eiffel Tower under the stars and Parisian lights, led by your expert guide. Enjoy skip-the-line tickets to the Eiffel Tower, as well as a romantic cruise on the Seine with champagne…

Seine Cruise Tickets

Ice skate below the Eiffel Tower

If there is one thing you should not skip on while visiting Paris is going ice skating on one of the various courts which are set all over Paris. One of the most popular ones that always get a lot of attention is the one that sits on top of the Eiffel Tower.

Even if you are not an expert at ice skating, the view is the perfect motivation for you to enjoy the beautiful view of the tower and to also give this fun sport a try. This might end up becoming a favorite and a reason for you to visit this magical city again under similar circumstances.

Get into museums easier

Another very important reason why you should visit Paris during January or February is that thanks to the smaller amounts of tourists visiting, you will be able to get into museums a lot faster and easier. Paris is very rich in culture and there are so many different museums and historic sights you can visit, all in close proximity to one another.

During that time of the year, you will be able to not have to wait for hours in line in order to see some of your favorite artifacts and historic places. Along with that, you will also not have to invest in buying one of those “skip the line” tickets which can end up costing twice as much as the original fare costs.

Join a perfume workshop

Paris is known for its perfume manufacturing business and French perfumes are known and loved all around the world. If you are a fan of perfumes yourself, you can easily sign up for a perfume workshop if you visit at the right time of the year.

While these workshops are usually crowded, visiting in January or February could help you find a few empty spots for those courses. This can be a fun activity, especially if you wish to teach something interesting to your kids or spend some time creating perfumes with your loved one.

Paris Perfume Workshop

Join this unique 2-hour perfume workshop in the beautiful city of Paris and learn to mix various scents and essential oils with the guidance of a perfume expert…

Workshop Tickets

Visit the scary catacombs

Last but not least, another reason to visit Paris at the beginning of the New Year is in order for you to take a walk through the catacombs. While you are able to explore the catacombs at any time of the year, any lover of scares will advise you to visit them at that time of the year.

Apart from it being much darker outside, the cold weather will help create a spooky atmosphere which will make the whole experience much scarier. Also at this time of year the line is not usually an issue however if you go when the weather is warmer you will find yourself at least 3 hours to visit this attraction.

Paris Catacombs Skip The Line

Skip the line to the Paris Catacombs and discover a darker side to the “City of Lights.” Descend beneath the streets of Paris and….

Paris Catacombs Tickets

Enjoying the gloomy Parisian sky

January and February are two months which usually consist of a lot of rain and cold in the capital of France. If you are not afraid of getting a little cold, this could truly be the best time to visit Paris for you. Not only will you be able to explore without having to worry about other tourists blocking your way, but you will also be able to see a completely different side of this city.

What is your favorite time of the year to travel? Share your winter traveling experiences in the comment section below!

6 Reasons Why You Should Visit the Centre Pompidou

Daniela McVicker
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0
6 Reasons Why You Should Visit the Centre Pompidou

Paris is one of the most beautiful cities you can explore in Europe. While most people who visit mainly want to see places such as the Eiffel Tower or the Louvre Museum, there are many other museums and beautiful places full of history and culture for you to explore.

The Centre Pompidou is one of those places which can offer you an incredible experience and help you get a fresh new experience in regards to the Parisian museums. 

Things You Should Know Before Visiting The Museum

Before reading about all the great reasons and facts revolving around why you should definitely pay a visit to the museum during your stay in Paris, there are a few things you should keep in mind in regards to your visit. First of all, the museum works every working day of the week from 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM. It is a good idea to keep an eye out for any holidays that could potentially change the working hours though.

One of the questions that most visitors have is how much time they will need in order to view the entirety of the building. This information should help you better plan your visit, as you will need roughly around 2-3 hours to explore this massive exhibition. So make sure to visit early so you have enough time to go through all of the artwork.

Another thing you might want to keep in mind is the price of the entry tickets. While the entry to the lobby of the Centre Pompidou is free and allows you access to the gift shop, book store as well as the ground level café and the restaurant, you will have to pay a fee in order to view the exhibition.

The full ticket for adults over 25 years of age is €14, and the reduced version or student prices for visitors between the age of 18 and 25 is only €11. Kids and teenagers under the age of 18 are eligible for a free pass, which you can acquire at the ticket window. There is no time limit on how long you can stay within the building.

Centre Pompidou Tickets

Don’t get scammed!! Get your Centre Pompidou museum tickets from a trusted source.

Buy Your Tickets

Last but not least, something important art lovers should know about is the temporary exhibitions of art pieces which take place on the top floor of the building. These exhibitions usually showcase the work of one particular artist and last for a limited amount of time. Even some of the past exhibitions might be recycled, so you might want to keep that in mind and look at any planning that might have been made for future temporary exhibitions and their creators.

Its a Great Location

Located near the National Picasso Museum, it will give you the chance to not only see the incredibly large gallery of art it offers but it will also allow you to have access to a variety of other museums and historic places you might want to visit during your stay in Paris.

Since moving around Paris is relatively easy thanks to the metro, you will have the chance to walk around and see a majority of places in just a single day. This will benefit you greatly, especially if your stay is limited to just a few days.

The Strangely Designed Exterior

Probably one of the most iconic things about the Pompidou Centre, apart from its large collection of modern art, has to be the strange red tubes that decorate the exterior. Those tubes actually are a large escalator which helps the crowd move their way inside and outside of the building.

The reason why this building looks so unique on the outside is that it was designed so that all of the electric wires, plumbing, pipes, and air circulation elements are on the outside of the building. On top of that, they are also color-coded. The green pipes are the plumbing ones, the yellow wires are the electrical ones, the blue ducts are for climate control and the circulation, health, and safety elements are coded in red.

The interesting architecture of the building perfectly matches the diverse and modern theme of the museum and it helps attract visitors from all over the world on a yearly basis since it first opened in 1977.

The Biggest Collection of Modern & Contemporary Arts in Paris

If you wish to see some of the most famous masterpieces of modern and contemporary artists such as Picasso and Miró, this museum will truly captivate you. With a space of over 5 acres, filled with over 50,000 pieces of art of some of the biggest artists of the late 19th-20th century, you will certainly be able to view and admire your favorite pieces.

The Centre offers its visitors 6 different collections of art which they can explore and they consist of the following:

  • The Modern Art Collection
  • The Contemporary Art Collection
  • The Photography Art Collection
  • The Design Collection
  • The New Media Collection and the Cinema Collection

All of these collections are not only recommended by Dezeen for all art lovers but they also truly are rich from the works of different artists and have something new and unique to show every single visitor. No matter what your main reason for visiting might be, you should definitely take the time to explore everything and you might just come to love a new style or artist.

Its Marvelous View of Paris

The 6th floor of the Centre Pompidou has a special spot in the heart of many loyal visitors, who come back to not only enjoy the art but to also admire the incredible view of the city that the Centre has to offer.

From the top floor of the building, you can admire the Eiffel Tower, the Sacre-Coeur basilica and other marvelous buildings and monuments throughout the beautiful city of Paris. This floor also offered its visitors a great view of the Notre Dame but sadly, since its destruction by the recent fire, the medieval Cathedral sadly doesn’t offer the breath-taking view it once did.

Explore The Pompidou Shop and Restaurant

The Centre Pompidou is so large that it would have been impossible for it not to offer a chance for a meal or refreshment to its visitors. The Centre currently offers two options, the Mezzanine Café on level 1, which is a more affordable option for those who wish to have a drink and rest their feet.

If you are looking for a great culinary experience, you can make a reservation at the Restaurant Georges, a world-famous restaurant known for its luxurious dinners and unique cocktails. You can also refer to some of the best paper writers from a variety of services in order to put your Pompidou experience in writing and ready for blog publishing.

On the same note, another thing you shouldn’t miss going through is the Centre Pompidou shops which can be found on the ground floor of the building. There, you will be able to find a very large variety of books, notebooks, designer items, and souvenirs which will remind you of your favorite parts of the exhibition.

The Large Public Collection of Books

While many people might not be informed about this, the Centre Pompidou actually offers one of the largest and most diverse public libraries in today’s world. Students and researches from all over the city of Paris like to use public library daily, so you should expect a longer wait if you are visiting during the day.

The Public Information Library of Paris takes up the second and third floor of the Pompidou Centre and is it filled with almost 500.000 documents which are all available and accessible to anyone who wants to read them.

If French isn’t a language you’re familiar with though there are other options for those who still want to view this massive collection. You can first of all watch television channels from all over the world, or you can even explore the large section of audiovisual or music collection that the library has to offer. No matter how to choose to spend your time there, the library will have a lot of content to offer you.

Centre Pompidou Tickets

Don’t get scammed!! Get your Centre Pompidou museum tickets from a trusted source.

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Citroen 2cv Paris Tour

Greg
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Citroen 2cv Paris Tour

rinpadvAs a former Paris scooter tour guide know first had how great it is seeing Paris from the safety of a car and the relaxation of being able to kick back and soak it all in. So lets kick thing of by answering the first question that’s on everyone mind.

What is a 2cv Paris tour?

It is a sightseeing tour that has gained a fair amount of support from tourists visiting Paris. Some people take the time to hire 2CV car to take their own Citroen tour, and some use a tour company that specializes in 2cv Paris tours.

 

Citroen 2cv Tour Prices

We found just what your looking for! all the tickets, all the prices, all in one place for your 2cv Paris car tour…

2cv Tour Tickets

BOOK YOUR 2CV TOURS HERE… 

What Is A 2CV?

In France, 2CV cars are rather more popular than in the rest of the world. A 2CV is a vintage car that is often referred to as a Dodoche or Deuche because the 2CV is pronounced as “Deux Chevaux” in France.

Between 1948 and 1990, Citroen where producing 2CV cars as a staple economy car in France. At the time, it had a very unconventional look, it had superior engineering, and was uncompromisingly utilitarian. When it was first released, it was considered to be technologically advanced.

At first, the 2CV was created to help smallholders that were still using horses and carts, but by 1953, it was winning awards for technical ingenuity. The look is different but adorable, which is why the 2cv tour Paris trend has emerged over the last few years.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Are 2CV Tours Expensive?

Hiring a 2CV car yourself and using it for a sightseeing adventure may seem like a real and very authentic way of getting around the city, but it is probably the most expensive way. After all, the people who are willing to lend you their vintage cars are often looking for a large deposit and a hefty fee to mitigate the risk of you damaging their car. Furthermore, it is tough to get cheap insurance for a vintage car, especially if you are not the registered owner. However, there are people that are willing to rent out their cars, and there are insurance companies that will insure you, but the cost is rather high.

If you wish to check out some prices here is a list of a number of different 2CV Tour At Different Prices..

Your other alternative is to approach a company that offers car tours and ask if they have a 2CV car tour. The car tours Paris has to offer are actually more varied than the bus tours, especially since the idea of private tours is rather popular in Paris. Taking a car tour is dramatically cheaper than hiring a taxi to take you around. Obviously, taking a 2CV car tour is going to cost you more than a bus tour because the trip is more personal, but you may be pleasantly surprised by the rates that private car tour companies are offering.

 

What Do Other Tourists Think Of 2CV tours?

The popularity of 2CV car tours is an indication that tourists like and enjoy the idea of a personal tour of Paris in a vintage car, but what do people think of the tours themselves?

As you can imagine, each tourist has a different experience depending upon the company running the tour and the staff they hire, but they also have a different experience based on their (the tourists) personality, their expectations, and the local conditions such as the weather and traffic conditions.

Many of the online reviews say that it is the guide who makes or breaks the experience. If you get a good guide, especially one that speaks fluent English and is personable, then you increase your chances of having a good time.

Some people enjoy the personal feeling that the tour gives them, and many enjoy having tourists photograph them in the vintage car. The car itself tends to draw a moderate amount of attention, which adds to the glamour of the experience.

In some cases you might find that the classic 2CV tours takes you places that you wouldn’t have thought of visiting, and to places that you didn’t know were important or historic. It is a great learning experience, and if you have a good guide, it is also very interesting and fun.

Tour in paris in a car

What Could You See In Paris In a 2cv Car

There are some places, such as Barcelona and London, where taking public transport will get you to the landmarks the fastest, but in Paris it is a little different. You are better off making your trip to each landmark via car. Firstly, you get to see the sights, and secondly, it may be quicker than taking public transport. Here are a few places that your 2cv tour Paris experience shouldn’t be without if you are driving yourself. They are also the places that car tours Paris companies will take you if you ask.

  • Place des Vosges
  • The Musée du Quai Branly
  • The Petit Palais
  • La Madeleine
  • The Champs de Mars
  • Dauphine Place
  • The Saint Louis Isle
  • The Ile de la Cité
  • The Champs-Elysées
  • Saint Sulpice Place
  • Pont Neuf
  • The Panthéon
  • The Alexandre III Bridge
  • The Luxembourg Garden
  • Montmartre
  • The Musée d’Orsay
  • The Place de la Concorde
  • The Trocadéro
  • The Eiffel Tower
  • The Institut de France
  • The Palais de l’Elysée
  • The Opéra Garnier
  • The Pont des Arts
  • Notre-Dame de Paris
  • Saint Germain des Prés District
  • The Place Vendôme
  • The Arc de Triomphe
  • The Invalides
  • The Grand Palais
  • The Musée du Louvre

Things To Note When Booking Your Tour

It is unlikely that you will be able to see all of the sights with just a day of touring, so why not try the places that are either miles from your hotel, or that are slightly trickier to visit by public transport.

The weather is going to affect your experience, but it only becomes a problem if your visibility is altered, otherwise you shouldn’t let a little wind or rain spoil your day.

Some tours either happen at night or go into the night, and you should consider a drive after the sun goes down because some of Paris’s landmarks look truly magical when they are artificially lit up at night.

A good guide will have no problem negotiating the traffic and zipping down little streets. Having an experienced driver behind the wheel makes all the difference. Remember to check online reviews before you choose a tour company and book a tour because it will help you avoid some of the less reputable companies that are here today and gone tomorrow.

As a final Gage of just how good an authentic, classic Citroen 2cv Paris tour is i often like to refer to TripAdvisor for a rating and review system. At the time this was written a tour of Paris in a 2cv has a rating of 5/5 stars overall out of over 1000 people. It also is ranked #9 as best tours to do in pairs out of over 900 tours.

Have a great tour… BOOK YOUR 2CV TOURS HERE… 

Some Of The Most Famous Restaurants In Paris

Greg
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Some Of The Most Famous Restaurants In Paris

hen it comes to fine dining and famous restaurants, you are spoilt for choice in Paris. The city is synonymous with exquisite meals and romance, where if you are in the mood, they have the food.Here is just a selection of some of the most famous restaurants in Paris.

Le Meurice
Rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris, France

Within the glamorous hotel Meurice, you will find a dining hall with heavy damask curtains, crystal chandeliers and mosaic floors. The dining hall is better known as the Le Meurice restaurant, and it is probably the most famous restaurant in Paris, especially since it picked up a third Michelin star in 2007.

Le Maurice restaurant menu
Photo Author | Janine cheung

The grandeur is reminiscent of something that the French Royals would enjoy. The décor and surroundings are only two reasons why this restaurant is on our list of famous Paris restaurants. The menu is evolves and changes on an almost weekly basis, and they even feature occasionally rare food items that cannot be found elsewhere in the country. The chef has a very deep knowledge of the classical Escoffier vintage culinary technique, so you should expect a range of classy French foods to try.

Le Maurice restaurant

  • Le Meurice is one of two dining areas in the Meurice hotel, but only Le Meurice is dedicated to fine dining.
  • It was decorated by Philippe Starck and was inspired by the Salon de la Paix at the Château de Versailles.
  • Expect to pay over 500 Euros if you want a starter, main and dessert.

Spring Restaurant
Rue Bailleul, 75001 Paris, France

The Spring restaurant has been popular since 2010, when an American chef Daniel Rose moved over to Paris to showcase his cooking skills. A Chicago man trying to compete in Paris has the odds stacked against him, but he has been running a thriving business since 2010, and he continues to draw people in with his inventive cuisine du Marche menu. There is a basement area that has a wine bar, charcuterie, plats du jour and cheese to stave off hunger. If you are looking for a reservation on the floor above the basement, you may have trouble because it is often fully booked.

At the time of writing, 2016, the Spring website is awful and only useful for booking a table online. You can find out more about this restaurant from this article, from Google+ reviews and from Trip Advisor. One of the biggest things you will notice is that it is a little hit and miss. The food is brilliant but very expensive. Sometimes, people are tempted not to return because they expect a slightly brighter shade of brilliant for their money; nevertheless, the restaurant is well reviewed and continues to be as heavily attended as a Paris train station.

  • Sit on the top floor and you can see the chefs create the food as you sip your wine.
  • The floor below the kitchen has the most charm and is often the quietest.
  • The white strawberries may thrill you, but you may be put off by the frothy food if you have a British or Americanized palate.

Ze Kitchen Galerie
Rue des Grands Augustins, 75006 Paris, France

Enjoy contemporary French cuisine thanks to the head chef William Ledeuil. Ze Kitchen Galerie is famous because its décor matches its neighbouring art galleries. The restaurant features French cooking with strong Asian influences. You will notice a distinct Asian influence when you taste the oriental herbs in the food. The head chef is a veteran in the trade, and has trained some of the top chefs that now operate in France and abroad, which is why many people say Ze Kitchen Galerie is their favourite Paris restaurant. As it says on their website, “Tastes do not hide, textures are exhibited, and colours are displayed with jubilant irreverence.”

Ze Kitchen Galerie menu
Photo Author | Neil Conway

If you are looking for a restaurant in Paris, then restaurant offers a very complex blend of flavours right from your starter, all the way to your dessert. Even people with an untrained palate will recognize the original mix of flavours and aromas. The tasting menu is very good if you enjoy meat and fish. Ask for the tasting menu without meat, without fish, or without both, and the quality of your meal drops dramatically.

  • There is less variety than most of the restaurants on this list, but the menu changes rather frequently to make up for it.
  • The menu often features healthy food that is presented in a natural manner without over processing.
  • The beautifully decorated culinary workshop used to be a canteen.

Macéo
Rue des Petits Champs, 75001 Paris, France

One of the best restaurants in the city for vegetarians is Macéo. It is run by an Englishman called Mark Williamson, and the restaurant draws people in with a regularly changing tasting menu. The menu is not exclusively for vegetarians, but Macéo has more vegetarian options than any of the other popular restaurants in Paris. As a result of its veggie-orientated direction, it receives an unfair amount of negative reviews, since some people do not think of vegetarian meals when they think of fine dining.

The menu changes according to the seasons. When certain vegetables and fruits come into season–that is when they are used in the restaurant. The setting within the restaurant is very light and open, which is partially thanks to the large window running down the side of the building. The prices are very good considering the quality of the food you receive, and it is the perfect place for vegetarians, especially since vegetarians are neglected in many of Paris’s fine dining and famous restaurants.

  • The food is fantastic, but they do need to hire better serving, administrative and waiting staff.
  • They have a cellar that holds over 10,000 bottles of old and new wine with fair prices.
  • The vegan food is good, but not mind blowing.

Honorable Mentions

As mentioned in the introduction, there are plenty of good places to eat in Paris; here are a few popular alternatives.

Yam’Tcha
121 Rue Saint Honoré, 75001 Paris, France

This is another popular restaurant that serves French food with an Asian twist, plus it has a female head chef, which is very rare in famous Paris restaurants.

La Tour d’Argent
Quai de la Tournelle, 75005 Paris, France

It is fast becoming known as a famous duck restaurant in Paris for its duck Confit and duck in orange meals.

Le Jules Verne
Eiffel Tower, Avenue Gustave Eiffel, 75000 Paris, France

The fine dining food is great, and you get to eat with a view from the Eiffel tower. For a tourist, this alone is a reason to visit France.

L’As du Fallafel
34 Rue des Rosiers, 75004 Paris, France

Israel has brought the world many great inventions, innovations and artworks, plus they invented the Falafel. The restaurant is very small and more of a takeaway, but it is very popular and often has two long lines stretching into the street.

Exploring The Best Vineyards Near Paris

Greg
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Exploring The Best Vineyards Near Paris

Every year countless tourists’ visit France just to taste the exquisite wine varieties produced at Vineyards near Paris. The Champagne, Bordeaux and the Loire Valley are all great examples of where you might find a Vineyard near Paris.

In the Paris region, there are around 150 vineyards today. The consistent efforts from celebrated Winemakers under the Les Vignerons Franciliens group have made it possible to regulate the culture of winemaking, which is why vineyards are so widespread in France.

In this article we are going to look at some of the closest vineyards to Paris. Before we dive into the nitty gritty of the some of the best vineyards close to Paris i would like to suggest to you some of the most trusted website to book your wine tour form Paris.

Champagne-Ardenne – For the Champagne Enthusiasts

Who would want to miss out an opportunity to taste the most exclusive variety of the Queen of Drinks, the Champagne? Although it is one of the most expensive of all drinks but there are vineyards near Paris where you will find excellent champagne in reasonable rates.

bordeaux vineyard near paris
Photo Author | Megan Cole

Champagne-Ardenne is known for the sparkling white champagne and Reims and Épernay are the best towns in this region for tasting the world’s best champagne.

Once there, you will find hilly countryside that comprises of a number of vineyards maintained by the most well-known and respected winemakers. In Reims, don’t forget to visit the Pommery, which is among the top international champagne houses and a sought-after tourist destination. The best time to visit Epernay is during the Festival of Champagne at Christmas, which is a 3-day festival celebrated in December.

You can book one day trips to Champagne from Paris if you want to taste the most authentic champagne in the world.

From Paris to Champagne Vineyard Day Tours

Discover more information regarding prices, reviews, itineries and more…

More Details

Bordeaux – France’s premier Wine growing region

This is certainly one of the key places to visit if you are searching for the best vineyard near Paris. It is well known as the main wine-growing region in France. In Bordeaux, wine regions expand from the north via Médoc, to the east via St-Émilion and Entre-Deux-Mers and to the south via Sauternes.

Bordeaux is full of pretty villages offering world class wine as well as rich treasures of natural reserves. Among all, Medoc is the best place to visit for wine tasting.

To visit the vineyards in Bordeaux, you need to consult the local “Maison du Vin” in each village prior to booking a trip. This way, you will get important details about when to visit and where to visit at any particular time of year.

In our opinion, you must start your trip from visiting the glorious La Vinothèque . Here you can taste local wines and sample them as well. The magnanimous La Cité du Vin was also opened for public visit in June 2016. This glittery building has 20 different sections that inform you in great detail about every step of wine production from cultivation to packaging. Tourists are offered a glass of wine after the tour and kids are given grape juice.

Chateau Pontet Canet, Chateau Pape Clement, Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte and Chateau La Lagune are the best vineyards close to Paris in Bordeaux region to visit and taste exquisite varieties of both red and white wines.

You can visit Bordeaux through the Grands Crus Classes and lunch Wine Tour and enjoy the ultimate wine experience in this country. However, there are certain months that you must avoid such as in January, Bordeaux is cold, barren and useless to visit as majority of chateaux in Medoc and other areas are busy blending wine.

Avoid first week of April because chateaux would be busy with their en primeur tastings and will not entertain tourists.

Vinexpo is the largest wine and spirits convention of the world that is held in Bordeaux every other year in 2nd or 3rd week of June. This is also another time to avoid this city.
During August most chateaux are closed due to harvest season.

Conversely, March, mid-April, mid-June and mid-October onwards are the best time to visit Bordeaux.

vineyards cellar
Photo Author | Ryan O’Connell

Burgundy—Wine Lover’s Heaven

Burgundy is undoubtedly amongst the best regions to explore exquisite vineyards near Paris. It is referred to as the French Wine region of sorts because of its immensely exotic range of wine, which are also the most expensive wines around the globe. However, don’t feel discouraged because in Burgundy people from all walks of life can satisfy their wine cravings without affecting their budget.

vineyards close to paris
Photo Author | Phedonk

Burgundy Vineyard Day Tours

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In Burgundy, you will find two grape varieties in dominance; the Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The winemakers, also known as Vigneron, believe that these grape varieties are best for wine because these are aromatic, elegant, complex and very tasteful.

Winemaking is not a craft here; it’s a tradition that has been practiced for over 1000 years. Not surprisingly, Burgundy has over a hundred designated vine areas, which are also called 100 Appellations d’Origines Controllées.

Burgundy is divided into 6 appellations each having its own range of exclusivity in vines. Côte de Beaune, one of the 6 appellations, has remained the hub of vine trade in this area for centuries. Here you will find both the red and white varieties but the best one is the white Burgundies and Chablis.

Côte de Nuits is your perfection destination for tasting the world’s finest red vine with Grands Crus like Romanée-Conti and Chambertin.

Le Montrachet is famous for producing the best white vine in France. Montrachet’s rival is the grand cru Corton-Charlemagne. Côte Chalonnaise isn’t that prestigious per say but it is also known for producing great white and red vines.

If you are on a budget, head to the Mâconnais in Burgundy’s southern side. Here you will find inexpensive vines. Vines that are produced here are for drinking young.
Beaujolais is another favorable destination for red vine lovers. Here light reds are produced using Gamay grape.

On the northern side of Burgundy, you will find Chablis, which is famous for its dry white vines. The best grands crus include Grenouilles and Valmur.

You must not skip Crémant de Bourgogne, which is Burgundy’s trademark sparkling white vine. It is created with the conventional champagne method and is only produced in Auxerre, Châtillon-sur-Seine and the Côte Chalonnaise regions.

Touring Burgundy is very easy; all you need to do is contact the Burgundy Tourist Office and get yourself a self-guided tour booked. Or, you can opt for the three hour long Côte de Nuits Region tour with two visits.

The Loire Valley

The Loire is the largest river in France and the Loire Valley is a fascinating winemaking region. The valley is divided into four sub-regions namely the Nantais where climate is moderate with mild winters and hot summers, the Anjou-Saumur offers continental climate, Touraine has a combo of maritime and continental climate while the Central Vineyards has harsh winters and hot summers.

What you should be looking for in the Loire Valley is to taste the extremely popular Sancerre and Pouilly Fumé wines, which are produced in the Central Vineyards region. Winemakers prefer Cabernet Franc and Gamay grapes for producing their exquisite red wines while are Melon de Bourgogne and Chenin Blanc are preferred varieties for white wine.

In Nantais region, you can try Muscadet, which is made from Bourgogne and has a slightly dry and acidic taste. Savennières is known for producing excellent varieties of Chenin Blanc, which takes years to age and then it develops the fruity flavor and mineral complexity for which it is famous.

Loire Valley is a vast region and you must plan appropriately before exploring it. We suggest that you visit Loire Valley during the Loire Valley Vine festival where you can get a glass of vine for as low as £4. It usually is held in May.

You can avail the 13-hour tour from Paris to Loire Valley called Chateaux de Chambord, Chenonceau and Loire Valley Wine-Tasting Day Trip from Paris. It starts from the Château de Chenonceau and takes you at a number of vineyards and lets you taste Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Rouge. This would be a guided tour where a designated oenophile will take you through the vineyards. The ticket includes entry fee, gourmet lunch and also round-trip transport from Paris.

The Clos Montmartre Vineyard

Although you would find many vineyards mentioned on France tourism websites but there are various new, hidden treasures that you must not know about. Such as the Clos Montmartre vineyard, a beautiful vineyard tucked away at Sacré-Coeur, atop Montmartre hill. This vineyard must have gone unnoticed so far but the annual 5-day grape harvest festival called the Fête des Vendanges has drawn tourists’ attention to this amazing place. The festival is celebrated in October and hence, it is the best time to visit because of its glory and grapes galore.

clos montmartre vineyard near paris
Photo Author | Son of Groucho

Montmartre region is particularly known as a vineyard haven since the time when Romans built the temple of god of wine, Bacchus, over here. Clos Montmartre vineyard covers an area of 1,556 sq m and annually it yields over 1,500 ½ liter bottles of pinot noir and gamay. Wines bought from here are no less than souvenirs as the bottles are designed by local artists and most of the wine are auctioned for local charities during the Fête des Vendanges.

Clos Montmartre is one of the best vineyards near Paris particularly because it has flourished since 12th century and offers exclusive variety of wine. In case you have missed the Fête des Vendanges then you can get an entry arranged through the Montmartre tourist office. Usually, it is required that a group of 12 people should visit this vineyard. Tour is free but you have got to pay for tasting.

Additional Tips:

• In case you intend to use TGV-Europe website for reserving or booking your tickets then always remember to uncheck the option “Direct Trains.” This will provide you wider variety of options.
• If the website redirects you to the RailEurope site, then enter Antarctic or Great Britain as your ticketing country. You must try to find some country that doesn’t redirects to RailEurope because its trains are expensive and you won’t get many options.
• You must buy tickets beforehand for trains, ideally up to 3 months in advance because the ticket will be cheaper and seat will be of your choice.
• PREM tickets are although discounted tickets but these are non-exchangeable and non-refundable.

Sixt Guide To The European Championship 2016

Greg
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Sixt Guide To The European Championship 2016

For all you fans of the football scene (or as we Australians call it, Soccer), you will undoubtedly have heard about the European Championship. 24 teams playing at 10 different locations around France, and all are very driveable, if you are one who likes to hit the road like I am.

Recently I was introduced to an extremely useful Euros 2016 Guide on the sixt.co.uk website. If you are planning on going to any of the games, you should really take a look at the link below. Here is a brief run-down on what you will find in this Euros 2016 France Travel Guide.

After reading through the guide, I found a useful discount which some of my readers may be interested in. Any time England wins at football, sixt.co.uk offers exclusive discounts to their email newsletter subscribers. But what I liked the most about this European Champion guide is the in-depth information provided about each and every venue in France throughout the competition.

Not only can you figure out the run-down of each venue, but there is also a load of information about the city which hosts the specific game you may be interested in. Within the city guide section you will find cultural tips, places to eat, transport information and more. There are even suggestions as to what type of car they think would best suit your circumstances.

If I was to choose a venue to go to and watch one of this year’s matches, it would have to be either the Stade de France in Paris or the Stade de Nice located on the beautiful southern beaches of France. Paris is pretty good for public transport and you don’t always need a car however, if you attending Nice then without a doubt I think you should hire a car. Not only can you watch the football matches that are played in the city but you can also check out all the amazing towns and enjoy the culture scattered on the southern shores of France.

And so, if you are planning on catching any of this year’s 2016 European Championship, then check out this Guide. Hopefully it can help with your decision as to which town is the best for you to watch and enjoy a match at this years Euro 2016.

Paris Pass Promo Code

Greg
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Paris Pass Promo Code

To reward our extremely loyal reader we have worked very hard to make a deal with the supplier of the Paris Pass card to bring you this Paris Pass Promo Code.

In order to get access to this Paris pass discount code all you need to do is click the button below in order to reveal a coupon code. Afterwards you can copy the promo code and past it into the Paris Pass website at the point of purchase. The current value of this Paris pass discount code is a savings of 10% on any purchase.
(note:this coupon only applies to 3,4 and 6 day passes)

 

[coupon name=”paris pass promo code” id=”1″]

This offer is currently limited until the end of May so act quickly

For more information about the product here are a few quick links which might help you decide if it is the right choice for you visit to Paris.

Download 4 Free Maps and Guide Books of Paris Before Purchase
Paris Pass Prices – How Much Does It Actually Cost
Unlimited Travel With Paris Travel Card
4 day Paris Pass Itinerary
Skip the Line To Louvre Museum
Hop On Hop Off Bus Is Now Included
Entry to the Palace of Versailles is Now Included

Miss Kô Asian Fusion Restaurant Review Paris

Greg
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Miss Kô Asian Fusion Restaurant Review Paris

With a craving for something different Megan and I were told about an Asian fusion restaurant near the Champs Élysées called Miss Kô. The restaurant is actually located on Avenue George V, about 100m away from the Louis Vuitton Store.

If you would like to dine at Miss Kô it is essential that you make a booking. We arrived at about 8pm and thought it was strange that we had to book because the place was not even half full. By the time our food was served there wasn’t a spare seat in the house.

Food

Megan and I had mixed feelings about the food. Megan really enjoyed her plain rice with 2 sauteed kebab sticks sitting on top. For this dish I felt that the price tag was slightly high as it cost around 19euro for something very simple.

miss ko food

 

My meal was in a similar price bracket however I wasn’t really impressed with my by noodle burger. As the waitress couldn’t tell me exactly what I was receiving when i questioned the menu prior to taking my order. I did not expect to receive a burger with had buns made from noodles.

miss co menu

 

I understand that its a fusion restaurant but this combination of food simply does not mix. the noodles were almost dry to the point of being crunch. I was not able finish my noodle burger as it was quite filling, however not in the least bit satisfying.

 Staff

The weightier that served as was nice enough and spoke perfect English. Unfortunately thats all the positive comments i can say about her. At the rick of many thinking im being picky, there were a few things that took what could have been a good dinning experience to an experience which was a little bit frustrating at times.

The questions i had about the menu she was unable to answer and even when she went to ask the chef she was still unable clarify what the dish actually was. This lead to me getting a meal that was a little strange and not what i was expecting.

The biggest complaint i had for the night was the lack of service once the restaurant become busy. Once we finished our meal and our plates had been removed from the table we politely declined a desert menu and waited for our check. After 20 minutes of waiting and trying to get her attention we finally were able to ask the waitress for our bill.

Once we asked for our bill she was so busy handing out dishes and taking orders that it took another 20 minutes to actually receive our bill and pay for it. As we were also heading to the cinemas that night waiting 40 minutes after finishing our meal was not ideal and a little frustrating.

I feel that it was not entirely the waitresses fault. When the restaurant started to fill up, it was clear that they were under staffed to handle all the customers to a satisfactory standard.

Atmosphere

The atmosphere was fantastic and by the time we received our meal the place was buzzing with people. We had three people at our table and although at times it felt a little cramped, the decor and table settings pretty cool.

20150624_193500

 

The Miss Ko restaurant hit the nail on the head by creating a vibrant atmosphere which screams modern Asian fusion. It is the atmosphere, location and popularity which the Miss Ko restaurant to set above average price tags for average food.

miss ko paris

Recommendations …

Don’t be as stupid as i was by ordering a burger in an Asian restaurant unless you like fried noodle paddies for buns.

Be sure to either book online or over the phone before you go because during the popular hours it is essential to have  a reservation to dine at Miss Ko.

If you are not interested in trying the food you could maybe just have a few drinks at the bar. I noticed a number of people sitting at the bar without food which would be a great way to also enjoy the amazing atmosphere.

Address: 51 Avenue George V, 75008 Paris
Phone: 01 53 67 84 60
Website: www.miss-ko.com
Opening Hours: 12pm-2am every night
Metro: George V

Finding The Best Beaches Near Paris

Greg
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Finding The Best Beaches Near Paris

Megan and I both grew up with some of the best beaches in the world at our door step. When we made the decision to come to Paris we knew that asides from missing family and friends this was going to be one of the hardest transitions we would have to make.

We knew that in Europe there are probably only four months out of the year that it was warm enough to even think of enjoying some of the beaches near Paris. The fact that the closest beach to Paris is only a two hour train ride means that getting the beach is a very feasible option.

I should mention that there are a few beaches in Paris during the summer time known as the “Paris Plages”. These are basically sidewalks along some of the canals in Paris which have been covered with sand for sunbakers. I don’t consider the Paris Plages to be a beach near Paris because although there are a number of activities available for Paris Plages enthusiasts, there is still nowhere to swim.

The closest beaches to Paris are located on one of three bodies of water: The Bay of Biscay, The Celtic Sea or The English Channel.

View Some to the Guided Tours From Paris to nearby beaches – Click Here

Trouville and Deauville

deauville treauvill beach from paris
Photo Author |
Guillaume Paumier

As you can read in our Paris to Deauville day trip article, we love this area and I would probably go as far as saying it the best option for beach seekers traveling from Paris.

Both Deauville and Trouville are neighbouring cities and are accessible by a direct train from Paris. It is faster to travel by train than it is by car with the entire train trip only taking about two hours from Saint Lazar train station in Paris.

The towns are very quaint and stylish with load of things to do that dont enjoying the beach. Maybe you could try your luck at the casino, visit many of the popular restaurants in town, go to the horse races, relax at a beauty spar or play a round of golf.

The sand is quite shelly and much like most French beaches it pretty cold for most months out of the year. Deauville beach is lined with traditional beach umbrellas and changing cabins which have become very poplar throughout France and Europe.

There is also the option to take a guided day tour to the area which would produce an entirely different experience that going solo. It all depends on your budget and what you looking for.

Xtrem Aventures Parc Cergy

I wanted to add this one into the mix because it’s a great alternative for a day trip from Paris. Although it is not located along the coast line and is only 30minutes or so from Paris they technically have a beach. Not only do they have sandy beaches and warm clean water to swim in they also have an adventure park.

With activities such as white water rafting, cable skiing, wave boarding, high rope and much more it has everything a beach by the seaside could offer and more. Be aware that there is an entry fee to the park and if you would like to try extra activities there are separate fees on top of the park entry price.

D-Day Beaches

Paris to Omaha beach
Photo Author | Caspe Moller

One the most popular towns and beaches to visit in the regions during any time of year would be Omaha beach. This is partially due to the fact that it was the most bloodiest of D-Day beaches to be landed on. The four other D-Day landing beaches in the area are: Utah Beach, Gold Beach, Juno Beach and Sword Beach.

Getting to these beaches by train are not as easy as the other options we have listed. To get from Paris to Omaha beach you will need to take the train to either Caen or Bayeux. This trip can take up to approximately 2hours. Once you exit the train you will then need to take a local bus or Taxi service.

The easiest way to get to Omaha beach is to try one of the following Paris to Omaha D-Day Tours…

Find Out More About Paris to Normandy D-Day Beaches – Click Here

La Rochelle and Ile de Re

paris to ile de ra
By Pep.per at fr.wikipedia [CC BY-SA 1.0(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/1.0)], from Wikimedia Commons
I wanted to add this into the mix because my people looking for the closest beach to Paris are also looking for beaches with fine sandy beaches and a typical touristic party atmosphere. La Rochelle would have to be one of the most accessible beaches to Paris which matches this criteria however it is a little more than 3 hours by train.

When you depart the train station at La Rochelle you can take a bus across the 3km bridge long bridge where you will find a very popular French tourist destination called Ile de Re. This small island features 10 small coastal villages, holiday resorts, camping and many touristic features youwould not expect when compared the other beaches mentioned earlier.

If you are looking to find somewhere to surf at a location close to Paris then you will probably find some waves here if the conditions are right. Don’t get your hopes up for Pipline or Kirra beach style wave.

Dieppe Beach

Deippe Beach is a little over two hours by train which includes a quick change of trains in the town of Rouen. Deippe is located on the banks of the English Channel in the French district of Normandy.

Its beauty has been captured by some very popular artists such as Delcroix, Monet and Gaugin. It’s most recognizable features are the dramatic limestone cliffs which engulf one end of the beach. Deippe beach also had a number of historical roles to play during World War II, however it is not part of the 5 D-Day landing beaches mentioned earlier.

Deippe beach is quite stunning however the surface is lined with small pebble and would not be suited for those looking for white sandy beaches. Extending the length of the beach is a long promenade perfect for those how fancy a bit of exercise or leisurely stroll.

Sun, Sand and Not Surf! I would like to point out that the majority of the time you will not find any waves at the beaches which are close to Paris. Don’t expect white sandy beaches and crystal blue waters such as the destinations like the Maldives or the Bahamas. Although many towns add artificial sand so it’s softer and more tourist friendly, the majority of the time you can expect the conditions to be somewhere in the vicinity of sharp small shells to larger rocks or pebbles.

These have been some of my top picks to find a beach near Paris which are mostly accessible by public transport. I hope the picture is a little clearer for those who want to mix a Parisian metropolitan adventure with a little bit of sun, sand and sea.

Late Night Food Delivery Options In Paris

Greg
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Late Night Food Delivery Options In Paris

With my wife dancing on stage until the early hours of the mourning we are occasionally too tired to cook by the time we get home. Unlike large cities like New York it is can be hard to find some late night meals in Paris after about 2pm.

The only real options are a few late night bars which also serve food or some specific late night delivery options in scattered locations around Paris. Luckily over the last few year we have complied a list of different delivery options.

I don’t want you to think that we have tried them all because we haven’t. We have found these takeaway and delivery services through friends and a little bit of research.

You should be aware however that the majority of these websites are not in English. My suggestion if you have very little to no understanding of the French language is to call them or use Google Translate. The process should be easy enough as the delivery websites have many images and are pretty easy to figure out.

A few of these stores also look to be owned and operated by the same business or franchise. I have noticed this because even though the web address is different, the phone numbers, opening hours and food options are the same.

If you are reading this post and know of any others please let us know as we would love to include them.

Late Night Sushi In Paris

suhi delivery paris late night

The first option is one that I was referred to by a friend recently and will order order something in the near future. It’s probably one of the healthiest options and from what I hear they have some excellent food choices.

Maki Night Sushi: has a minimum order value of 20euro they are open 7 days per week from 6pm to 6am and have a wide variety of sushi, rice and noodle options

Website: http://www.maki-night.com

Late Night Pizza Delivery In Paris

Late night pizza delivery paris

You will notice that a lot of these pizza delivery services offer a wide variety of food choices such as: deserts, wraps, salads, Panini’s and more.

Pizza24: This is one of the more popular choices however it also seems to be owned by the same people as “Pizza by Night” and “Pizza de Nuit”. These guys are open from 11pm to 5am and have a minimum delivery order value of 20euro.

Website: http://www.pizza24.fr
Website: http://pizzabynight.fr
Website: http://www.Pizzadenuit.fr

Andiamo Pizza Paris: A very similar choice of delivery service as the Pizza24 however these guys have minimum order value of 25euro. They offer everything from fish fingers and pasta to salad and pizza. They are also open from 6pm to 5am 7 days per week.

Website: http://andiamopizza.fr

G-Faim La Nuit: This website sends out a few mixed signals but in a nutshell it seems to have some very similar food choices to the other pizza shops above. It is unclear about its opening hours as the home page says it closes at 5am however the delivery page says it closes at 430am. Minimum order price order price is 25euros.

Website: http://g-faim-lanuit.fr

Hamburger, Chicken Burger and Sandwich Delivery In Paris

late night delivery paris

There is a similar trend with these sandwich, hamburger and chicken burger delivery services as there was with the pizza delivery options. A number of them appear to be owned or operated by the same person, company or franchise.

Chicken Corner: the chicken corner shop used to be our favorite takeaway store at place de Clichy before it was closed down. These guys look to serve a number of options however when I researched the address they have the same location as the Pizza24 shop mentioned earlier. So whether or not these guys are the same as the original chicken corner take away store I don’t know.

The minimum order is 16euro and they are open until 8am on the week end and 7am on week days. There is also pizza available for order however the majority of options are burgers and Tex Mex varieties.

Website: http://www.chicken-corner-paris.com

Chicken Night: Both “Sandwich de Nuit” and “Chicken Night” seem to have the same phone numbers and are owned by the same people. We have ordered from “Sandwich de Nuit” a few years ago and it was pretty good. The quality was that of a burger you would buy at a service station because it had been wrapped in tin foil prior to delivery. The prices are pretty good and probably the best option for a cheap feed. i do like that you can get chocolate bars for 1euro as an extra.

The minimum order is 10 euro which is fantastic for a single person or cheap feed. You can order via SMS and they are open until 5am weekday and 530am on weekends.

Website: http://www.sandwich-de-nuit.fr
Website: http://chickenight.com

Chicken75: These guys seem to be an expanding franchise with minimal options. The rates are decent and affordable plus the payment process is through PayPal or credit card. This is an added bonus for customers that are security conscious.

These guys seem to have a minimum order of 10euro with a delivery fee of a few cents if the purchase value is too low. They are open until 5am and also deliver to many areas outside of Paris as well.

Website: http://chicken75.com

Planet Burger: The food images on this website looks pretty dam good. Whether or not they look the same on delivery is another question. With a large range of desert and sandwiches there is something for even the pickets of eaters.

The minimum purchase value is 15euros and they are open from 11am to 5am 7days per week.

Website: http://planet-burger.fr

Are Your Hungry Yet? All this writing about food is making crazy hungry. So hopefully this will make your decision of selecting some late night munchies delivered to your hotel or apartment in Paris a little easier. Bon Appétit.

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