FRIDAY
Thanks to its compact size, beautifully lit streets and a metro system that makes the New York subway look like a labyrinth, Paris is one of the best cities to soak up in a weekend. Though, two days in a capital drenched with culture and overloaded with delicious bistros serving the finest wines for little more than a few cents may leave you salivating for more.
When you arrive on Friday night, check into the Hotel le Bellechasse. The most notable trend to have hit the Paris hotel scene of late is the celebrity-designer hotel, thanks to a number of French fashion designers hankering to try their hand at hotel interiors. One of the best examples is Christian Lacroix’s Bellechasse, where the rooms are furnished with colorful textiles according to fanciful themes.
Food and drink being a lifeline of the city, Parisians dedicate hours to appreciating their food over casual conversation and bottles of Burgundy. With so many wonderful bistros to choose from, it’s difficult to get this wrong. After quickly recharging at the hotel, head out to try one of the more exceptional French bistros, Le Train Bleu. In this French brasserie-cum-train, the surroundings are as enchanting as the food itself. French classics like Lyon saucisson and lobster salad make for superb eating in the ornate building where antique paintings and linen tablecloths will transport you to the first-class dining cart of a train in the 1900s. Le Train Bleu has been around a while, but like all great things, this classic still manages to keep residents and tourists coming back for more.
The nighttime is the right time in the city of light where the best bars and clubs are those you will definitely miss unless a friendly Parisian takes pity on you. Even then, make sure to get past the tough door police before getting ditched. No more so is this the case than in Le Baron. Inside, the red couches, candlelight and quirky posters give a boudoir feel to the uber-cool club. Head there for after-dinner drinks and dancing, but be sure to look your best as crown control can be vicious.
SATURDAY
Parisians are serious about their culture. And so they should be, with some of the best museums, galleries and sites in the world to boast about. The best way to take it all in is on foot, which is exactly how you should spend your Saturday exploring the city. As one of the few cities which actually encourages pedestrianism, you can easily cruise past the Eiffel Tower, explore the Louvre and dip in and out of hundreds of museums and galleries all the while strolling along cobblestoned boulevards lined with lampposts and bridges equally as ornate as the objects inside the museums. Make sure to pass by Jeu de Paume and Palais de Tokyo to check out the up-and-coming hot shots of the art world.
Once you’ve had your cultural fix, head to the bohemian area of Le Marais to fill your stomach at La Chateaubriand. From the outside, this Chateaubriand looks identical to the hundreds of other cramped bistros that line the narrow streets, except for the queue running outside. Once inside, the bustling crowd and mouth-watering seasonal French dishes will soon make you realize what all the fuss is about.
Leave some cash for shopping. Colette isn’t the only famous concept store in the city to lose hours in. Newcomers like AB33 and Haut-Marais bring together art, fashion, design and other creative influences under one roof to make the shopping experience all the more engaging. Make time to visit some of Paris’ rare specialty stores, like the antiques within the 7th Arrondissement.
Come evening time, if your feet haven’t given up on you, start your night on the town with dinner at Drouant before heading to Experimental Cocktail Club. This speakeasy style bar is a great place to do just what it advertises – experiment with their ever-changing menu of lethal cocktails. The bartenders are friendly, the drinks are rich and the crowd is flirtatious.
SUNDAY
Wake up early on Sunday for a walk along the Seine where you can catch young lovers strolling hand in hand and grab one last croque monsieur and glass of Burgundy before hitting the road. If by the end your feet are hurting and your stomach is swollen, you should be just about ready to head home and start planning your next visit.
[slideshow]
