We are taking a trip to Paris for our 45th anniversary and are going with another couple, also 45 years. As most of the money will be used up by airfare and hotel for a week, can anyone suggest relatively moderate places to eat? We are staying near the Louvre and will get metro/museum tickets. We might do one night of splurge. I am SO excited!!!
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OK, fun times! Where to eat without breaking the bank in Paris?
- Thread starter anna_x
- Start date
If you want to have the meal and view of a lifetime, eat lunch at Jules Verne
in the Eiffel Tower. We prefer it to dinner for the economy, but really for the view during the day and actually seeing the city. I think for lunch it would be about 200E with a glass of wine.
Le Train Bleu in the Gare de Lyon would be fun for the Belle Epoque décor--we had a drink in the lounge and loved watching the Parisians arrive for lunch and imagine it in the grand days of the last centrury. Our favorite place is La Florimond, near metro Ecole Militaire. We celebrated DH's birthday there. It is small, intimate, great food (about 35E prixe fixe) and affordable.
A great place we found was Au Piano Muet on rue Mouffetard--a raclette restaurant. VERY inexpensive.
you are going at a great time for the dollar.
The Bistro du Septieme is fun. A classic bistro open on Sunday (make reservations) is Fontaine de Mars. All a la carte--had delicious foie gras and cassoulet there.
Eating lunch at great places can be a way to have the experience more affordably.
And we make a trek over to the Gare du Nord every trip to eat mussels on the terrace facing the Gare at one of the several cafes there--Maison Blanche is one. Of course, you can get mussels just about anywhere, but this is our way.
in the Eiffel Tower. We prefer it to dinner for the economy, but really for the view during the day and actually seeing the city. I think for lunch it would be about 200E with a glass of wine.
Le Train Bleu in the Gare de Lyon would be fun for the Belle Epoque décor--we had a drink in the lounge and loved watching the Parisians arrive for lunch and imagine it in the grand days of the last centrury. Our favorite place is La Florimond, near metro Ecole Militaire. We celebrated DH's birthday there. It is small, intimate, great food (about 35E prixe fixe) and affordable.
A great place we found was Au Piano Muet on rue Mouffetard--a raclette restaurant. VERY inexpensive.
you are going at a great time for the dollar.
The Bistro du Septieme is fun. A classic bistro open on Sunday (make reservations) is Fontaine de Mars. All a la carte--had delicious foie gras and cassoulet there.
Eating lunch at great places can be a way to have the experience more affordably.
And we make a trek over to the Gare du Nord every trip to eat mussels on the terrace facing the Gare at one of the several cafes there--Maison Blanche is one. Of course, you can get mussels just about anywhere, but this is our way.
Not exactly what you're after, but our favorite hole in the wall was literally a hole in the wall.
In a small space between two buildings, an enterprising young man was carving gyro, but served on long fresh crusty Paris baguettes...meat, bread, onions, sauce...for a DOLLAR. Since we were traveling ala "Europe on $25 a day" this was a blessing. We'd split one and it would make a meal and a snack.
In a small space between two buildings, an enterprising young man was carving gyro, but served on long fresh crusty Paris baguettes...meat, bread, onions, sauce...for a DOLLAR. Since we were traveling ala "Europe on $25 a day" this was a blessing. We'd split one and it would make a meal and a snack.
I have two possibilities to mention-
Both are owned and run by an American couple. I am friends with the gentleman's mother who lives near me in Massachusetts.
The first place they opened was Verjus, a wine bar, sandwich shop and restaurant. It has been getting rave accolades from the French press and food community as well as some celeb chefs here at home.
http://verjusparis.com/en-main/
The second was recently opened, across the street from
Verjus and is called Ellsworth, named for the owner's grandfather.
http://www.ellsworthparis.com/en-main
If you are on Facebook, take a look at their page.
https://www.facebook.com/verjus.paris?fref=ts
http://verjusparis.com/en-main/
Both are owned and run by an American couple. I am friends with the gentleman's mother who lives near me in Massachusetts.
The first place they opened was Verjus, a wine bar, sandwich shop and restaurant. It has been getting rave accolades from the French press and food community as well as some celeb chefs here at home.
http://verjusparis.com/en-main/
The second was recently opened, across the street from
Verjus and is called Ellsworth, named for the owner's grandfather.
http://www.ellsworthparis.com/en-main
If you are on Facebook, take a look at their page.
https://www.facebook.com/verjus.paris?fref=ts
http://verjusparis.com/en-main/
Anywhere; it's hard to find bad food in Paris. But I have an especially fond memory of this place:
Vaudeville. (It's been many years). Here is their site:
http://www.vaudevilleparis.com/en/
(Before fainting at prices, remember tax and service are included.)
http://www.vaudevilleparis.com/en/
Vaudeville. (It's been many years). Here is their site:
http://www.vaudevilleparis.com/en/
(Before fainting at prices, remember tax and service are included.)
http://www.vaudevilleparis.com/en/
Le Petit Vendome
Our shuttle driver recommended this place and we went back twice. Very small and extremely reasonable. Definitely walking distance from the Louvre (isn't that what everyone tells you about all of the places in Paris? We walked about 10 miles each day) near the Place Vendome. Our driver told me to order the duck confit and pomme frites and I was really glad that I did. (8 Rue de Capucines - you can check them out on Trip Advisor.)
Our shuttle driver recommended this place and we went back twice. Very small and extremely reasonable. Definitely walking distance from the Louvre (isn't that what everyone tells you about all of the places in Paris? We walked about 10 miles each day) near the Place Vendome. Our driver told me to order the duck confit and pomme frites and I was really glad that I did. (8 Rue de Capucines - you can check them out on Trip Advisor.)
Metro/Museum Pass
You're more than welcome - I hope you have a fabulous time! I was pleasantly surprised to find out that the 2 day Museum pass did include a Metro pass. We had thought of getting the Visite pass for the Metro, but found that we were able to walk to many of the places we wanted to see. I scheduled our days around which museums were open (varies by each museum). The Orsay is a beautiful building (it does have escalators which I found out AFTER I walked up the 5 flights of stairs AFTER having walked up to the top of the L'Arc du Triomphe). I was in Monet heaven in the Orangerie. (BTW - the Museum pass is not valid at the Marmottan which is a must if you're a Monet fan.) Do beware of the gypsy girls (dressed in sweatshirts and jeans) as they travel in packs at times. I saw a young Japanese couple swarmed by a few of them. A bit later, a couple of Chinese tourists were chasing down the same girls by the Opera Building after they had cut their crossbody bags with a box cutter. The gypsies ran through traffic and down the stairs to the nearby Metro station. Despite that experience, I found the Parisians to be friendly and helpful despite what friends had told me. Have a very Happy 45th Anniversary!
You're more than welcome - I hope you have a fabulous time! I was pleasantly surprised to find out that the 2 day Museum pass did include a Metro pass. We had thought of getting the Visite pass for the Metro, but found that we were able to walk to many of the places we wanted to see. I scheduled our days around which museums were open (varies by each museum). The Orsay is a beautiful building (it does have escalators which I found out AFTER I walked up the 5 flights of stairs AFTER having walked up to the top of the L'Arc du Triomphe). I was in Monet heaven in the Orangerie. (BTW - the Museum pass is not valid at the Marmottan which is a must if you're a Monet fan.) Do beware of the gypsy girls (dressed in sweatshirts and jeans) as they travel in packs at times. I saw a young Japanese couple swarmed by a few of them. A bit later, a couple of Chinese tourists were chasing down the same girls by the Opera Building after they had cut their crossbody bags with a box cutter. The gypsies ran through traffic and down the stairs to the nearby Metro station. Despite that experience, I found the Parisians to be friendly and helpful despite what friends had told me. Have a very Happy 45th Anniversary!
Thanks for the warm salutation!
I have to admit that it's been bittersweet reading posts here without Steve's witty comments. Last day of school is tomorrow and my 5th Graders are very nervous about their speeches at the Promotion ceremony. One of my Special Ed students was extremely nervous at the rehearsal yesterday, so I had to tell her to just look at me while we were up on the stage. The other 5th Grade teachers laughed when she replied, "Okay, it's going to be just you and me, Kiddo" as I've often told her this year.
I have to admit that it's been bittersweet reading posts here without Steve's witty comments. Last day of school is tomorrow and my 5th Graders are very nervous about their speeches at the Promotion ceremony. One of my Special Ed students was extremely nervous at the rehearsal yesterday, so I had to tell her to just look at me while we were up on the stage. The other 5th Grade teachers laughed when she replied, "Okay, it's going to be just you and me, Kiddo" as I've often told her this year.
I added this thread to a travel thread in T&T great threads. take a look at the other posts on Paris
http://www.eat.at/swap/forum38/193_Paris
http://www.eat.at/swap/forum38/193_Paris
Those places are along rue Hachette==and they are delicious. But I will
say, please do not eat at any restaurant in Paris where there is someone on the street admonishing you that this is the best place to eat.
All restaurants post their menus outside so you can see what the offerings are, and how much. And remember--no tax or tip--all included.
say, please do not eat at any restaurant in Paris where there is someone on the street admonishing you that this is the best place to eat.
All restaurants post their menus outside so you can see what the offerings are, and how much. And remember--no tax or tip--all included.
Wow...I feel like I just read a 1985 Gourmet magazine article. Articles I used to
read and dream that one day I would go to restaurants like that and sit and eat and have views like the ones you've mentioned.
While many of the food magazine today laud the smoky brisket in Austin and bourbon in Charleston and are places I can afford to go to now, I regret that I missed the "to be expected everywhere" fine-dining in Paris that I read about for so many years.
Thank you for letting me live vicariously through you.
read and dream that one day I would go to restaurants like that and sit and eat and have views like the ones you've mentioned.
While many of the food magazine today laud the smoky brisket in Austin and bourbon in Charleston and are places I can afford to go to now, I regret that I missed the "to be expected everywhere" fine-dining in Paris that I read about for so many years.
Thank you for letting me live vicariously through you.
The Paris Visite pass is rarely a good value---the places it "gives" you are
not the big museums and attractions for the most part, and the Metro portion is not as good a value as just buying a carnet of tickets and sharing between the couple.
The Paris city museums are closed on one day (I think Tuesday) and the National museums are closed on another day (Monday, I think). The museum pass is good for consecutive days.
I have never heard that the museum pass included a metro pass. The best and cheapest way to buy the museum pass is after you get to Paris--not online. You can buy it at any museum --choose one that you want to see that is smaller (like the Rodin or Cluny) and won't be crowded. Then you can avoid the crowds at the Orsay and Louvre.
not the big museums and attractions for the most part, and the Metro portion is not as good a value as just buying a carnet of tickets and sharing between the couple.
The Paris city museums are closed on one day (I think Tuesday) and the National museums are closed on another day (Monday, I think). The museum pass is good for consecutive days.
I have never heard that the museum pass included a metro pass. The best and cheapest way to buy the museum pass is after you get to Paris--not online. You can buy it at any museum --choose one that you want to see that is smaller (like the Rodin or Cluny) and won't be crowded. Then you can avoid the crowds at the Orsay and Louvre.