Travel Tips - Paris, France

From limited edition trainers, portable electronics including Leica and Diana F cameras, music, jewellery, books on fashion and men’s and ladies designer clothing upstairs, Colette is an essential destination for a shopping trip in Paris.

Sandwiched between a number of quality designer boutiques including Louis Vuitton and Dior, a visit to Rue Saint-Honoré is a must if you like shopping.

Despite the wealth of restaurant choice on offer in Paris, particularly in the Latin Quarter, I feel slightly ashamed in recommending this franchised fast food chain as a quality place to spot for a bite to eat in-between sightseeing and photographing Notre Dame cathedral, however both the chips and the falafel make Maoz well worth visiting.

The place is small, sometimes the tables are messy, but the novelty of
being about to load up your Falafel in pitta with your own salad and tahini
soon makes you forget about that, not to mention the price.

For a cheap eat on the go, I cannot recommend Maoz enough.

Le Pain Quotidien will no doubt attract a mixed reception, as I am sure any chain of cafes or restaurants will, however having enjoyed breakfast in a number of their establishments (namely New York city and Paris) its definitely a café that will remain on my radar.

Here you’ll enjoy a range of wonderful breads, sandwiches, cookies, cakes and other artisan bakery items in a really inviting setting of wooden tables and shelves packed with freshly baked bread and jars of preserve.

Go for the breakfast basket of organic bread, croissants, jams and whole nut peanut butter... all washed down with an orange juice or a bowl of milky coffee (café au lait). This will certainly keep you going as you explore everything on offer in Paris, and if you don’t want to wait, they also offer take away.

The Eiffel tower is another essential sight when visiting Paris, and despite the queues at the foot of the tower and the subsequent queues to get on and off the lifts at each level, the 360 degree views alone at well worth if.

By far the best time to visit is last afternoon or in the evening as the crowds are much shorter. If you opt for the evening you can enjoy a different perspective on the city by seeing the city lights as well as enjoying two admissions for the price of one. Sunset is beautiful, but expect to queue.

I’ve been lucky enough to visit the top of the tower around three times now, on various trips to Paris, and on the first occasion I opted to descend the middle floor via the stairs rather than taking the lift, which, although tiring, was quite rewarding. I’d also recommend everyone visits the very top of the tower, if only for the slightly nervous feeling you get when ascending in the last lift!