Paris, France

Paris is a city that encompasses everything beautiful: art, fare, history, the Seine, bookstores, romance, and the people.

Some of the world’s greatest Chefs studied in Paris and we are fortunate enough to experience the culinary masterpieces they create. Below is a list of restaurants throughout Paris that are worth enticing your pallet with…

Food

Le Meurice

Address: 228 rue de Rivoli, 75001
Tel.: 33 (0)1 44 58 10 55
Metro: Tuileries
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This hotel restaurant is run by talented chef Yannick Alléno, whose innovative cuisine (such as calf sweetbread with mushroom béchamel) brought Le Meurice from one star in 2003 to three today. The restaurant’s interior is reminiscent of Versailles, with crystal chandeliers, antique mirrors and large bay windows overlooking the stunning Jardins des Tuileries. A set lunch menu is available for 75 Euros (approx. $99). Allow for 100 Euros/approx. $132 à la carte.

L’Ambroisie

Address: 9 place des Vosges, 75004
Tel.: 33 (0)1 42 78 51 45
Metro: St Paul

Located on the elegant Place des Vosges, this restaurant under Bernard Pacaud’s direction first gained its three-star rating in 1986. The seventeenth-century building provides a romantic and luxurious setting for a top-rate gourmet meal. The menu features delicacies such as crawfish soup and rack of lamb with nougat. Desserts include the legendary chocolate tart and orange and pink grapefruit trifle. Allow between €125 and €200 (approx.$165-$264) a la carte. Reservations are recommended at least one month in advance.

Arpège

Address: 84, rue de Varenne, 75007
Tel: 33 (0)1 47 05 09 06
Metro: Varenne
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Although simplicity is the key word where decor at Arpège is concerned, this in no way indicates simplistic food. Talented chef Alain Passard puts all his energy into the cuisine here, and foodies will not be disappointed. Truffles are a dominant feature in the dishes, and the Thai crab curry is one to try. Couscous with vegetables and shellfish and monkfish with mustard sauce are also among the specialties. Allow between €50 and €180 (approx. $66-$237) à la carte.

Alain Ducasse au Plaza Athénée

Address: 25 avenue de Montaigne, 75008
Tel.: 33 (0)1 53676500
Metro: Alma Marceau
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With an impressive nine to his name, world-renowned chef Alain Ducasse holds the most Michelin stars in all of France. Also responsible for the Louis XV in Monaco, Ducasse’s reputation consistently pulls crowds. In collaboration with designer Patrick Jouin, Ducasse ensures an unfailing, elegant and excellent dining experience at the Plaza Athénée. A winter menu will set you back a steep 320 Euros (approx. $422), and a la carte choices range from foie gras at 80 Euros/approx. $105 to Iranian caviar at 150 Euros/approx. $198.

Pavillon LeDoyen

Address: 1, avenue Dutuit, 75008
Tel.: 33 (0)1 53051000
Metro: Champs Elysees-Clemenceau
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A stone’s throw from the elegant Champs Elysees, this classic French restaurant was established by Pierre Ledoyen in 1792. The dining room is spacious, with high ceilings and numerous windows, providing customers with a view of the Petit Palais. A former chef at the Ritz restaurant, Christian Le Squer competently serves up dishes such as smoked eel and spaghetti with a cream of porcini mushroom sauce. Le Doyen is a top choice for a gourmet dining experience that won’t break the bank.

Pierre Gagnaire

Address: 6, rue Balzac, 75008
Tel.: 33 (0)1 58361250
Metro: Georges V
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In Paris’ chic eighth district, chef Pierre Gagnaire provides an exclusive gastronomic experience for a maximum of 45 guests. The menu is innovative (raw gambas stuffed with niora chilli are recommended), with entrees and main courses approximately €100/approx. $132 a piece, and a special tasting menu that will leave you short €225/approx. $297. Dessert is a medley of nine traditional French pastries accompanied with seasonal fruits and chocolate. The restaurant is closed on weekends.

L’Astrance

Address: 4, rue Beethoven, 75016
Tel.: 33(0)1 40 50 84 40
Metro: Passy

Opened in 2000, L’Astrance has ascended from one Michelin star to three in the past ten years. Although criticized in the past for sacrificing the fare to ceremony and decor, there is plenty on offer here to stimulate the palate. Chefs Pascal Barbot and Christophe Rohat concoct dishes such as gratin-style mussels and red mullet with tamarind butter. The decor is predominantly grey, with classically-clad wait staff, and a tranquil dining experience is guaranteed. Set menus are €150/approx. $158, and €250/approx. $330 with wine.

Pré Catelan

Address: Bois de Boulogne, 75016
Tel.: 33 (0)1 44 14 41 14
Metro: Porte Maillot
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Located in the Bois de Boulogne in Paris’ affluent 16th district, Frédéric Anton heads up this restaurant owned by the hotel Accor group. A stylish dining room opens to an outdoor terrace surrounded by greenery and sheltering parasols. Classic French cuisine meets contemporary here, with the likes of roasted Breton lobster or black risotto with Thai basil. Set menus range from €140 to €180 (approx. $185-$238), with main courses averaging at €80 (approx. $106).

*Information Provided by Paris Travel Contributor Aedín Mac Devitt

Art

Paris, France

Maison Europeene de la Photographie, Ville de Paris

A secret in the city… In addition to a plethora of mind-altering exhibits, MEP‘s cultural and educational service offers a special visit behind the scenes on three Wednesdays a month, providing the opportunity to discover the “Maison” in three stages:

• History of the building. The Hôtel Hénault de Cantobre was built in 1706 and bears the name of its first owner, the tax collector René Jean Rémy Hénault de Cantobre. The façades overlooking the street, the ironwork and the central staircase are listed features representative of neo-classical architecture. The building has belonged to the City of Paris since 1914. For the MEP project, the conversion and extension of the building were entrusted to the Yves Lion architecture firm.
• The media library collection. The Roméo Martinez library and video library is a consultation facility focusing on photography as a form of artistic expression. Its specialization and the number of documents available (24,000 books, 1,400 periodicals, 800 films) make it the only one of its kind in the world. It offers researchers and lovers of photography a repository of international audiovisual publishing devoted to photographers.
• The Restoration and Conservation Workshops (ARCP). Situated in the same building as the MEP, this is the first public service specializing in the conservation of photographic materials. Its main purpose is to deploy a implement a preservation policy for the municipal photographic heritage by carrying out expert evaluations leading to conservation and restoration work.

Visits will begin again in October 2011, to coincide with the next exhibition season.

Number of participants: maximum of 10
Length of visit: 2 hrs
Friends of the MEP, subscribers: free
Full price: 11 €
Reduced price: 7 €
Group: 7 € per person
Payment should be made on the day of the visit. An invoice can be provided on request.

Information and bookings: 01 44 78 75 30 or reservation@mep-fr.org

MEP | Art & culture | Entrance € 6.50
5/7 rue de Fourcy | Marais/Bastille | +33144787500
Wed – Sun 11:00 – 20:00