What to Remember When Eating in Parisian Bistros and Restaurants

Paris is definitely every food lover’s paradise, with its bistros and cafes serving delicious French cuisine. With thousands, even millions, of bistros and restaurants waiting to be explored, you will never run out of dining destinations. Paris is home to many pastry shops, fancy restaurants, and small diners which should definitely be in your itinerary as you visit the City of Light soon.

Aside from heading down to fancy restaurants for a full meal, tourists should definitely look into visiting open restaurants that allow you to enjoy your meals, al fresco. The view around Paris is simply breathtaking and the best way to enjoy the scene is to eat outdoors. Stunning terraces and gardens are just a few scenes you’ll see as you enjoy an al freso meal in any popular restaurant.

The amazing view is just one of the many reasons why tourists should try to eat out as much as possible-- after all, the opportunity to enjoy French cooking and meals come once in a blue moon for some people. Another reason that makes these restaurants a must-visit is the good food prepared and served by highly-skilled Parisian chefs.

Don’t know what to eat?

The meals on a Parisian could get confusing; however, it would help if you had a French-speaking companion to help you order your meals. If you’re still not sure where to start or what to order for the first time, you could always go for French classics or French favorites. For starters, you might want to try French crusty bread with fresh ham. This meal may be likened to a light sandwich but many French residents consider it a full meal.

If you’re anywhere near the Eiffel Tower, try dropping by the Le Cafe du Commerce and try their delicious leeks vinaigrette and eggs mayonnaise.

Other two restaurants to dine out at are L’Ecurie and Rue de St. Genevieve-- both of which serve sangria, for free, with every meal. Wine lovers often eat their meals here, due to the wine and cuisine options. Although the restaurants may seem fancy, they are actually known throughout the city as two of the most budget-friendly destinations.

French restaurants do not limit themselves to serving French cuisine only; some restaurants introduce a fusion of dishes to customers and tourists such as combinations of European and Asian meals, and other amazing blends. Visiting fusion restaurants allow you to taste dishes that come from the other side of the globe while in Paris.

To make your dining experience in Paris more authentic, it would be best if you took part in the courteous actions involved when ordering a meal in a French restaurant. For example, it is important to reserve a seat in a restaurant before going out for a meal. Many restaurants in Paris never allow tourists to simply barge in and order a meal. The moment you reach the restaurant, you will be greeted with the phrase, “avez-vous reserve?” or “have you reserved?” to which you will reply, “oui” or “non”, yes or no.

It pays to understand the French manner of eating meals and ordering since you could get your order faster if you attempted to order and speak in French as you order a meal.

5 of the Best Paris Pattisseries

A pattisserie is very unique and special to French culture. Some of the best pattisseries in town are as old as the government itself and these pattisseries have even earned a spot in French history. According to many pattisserie-lovers, France’s pattisseries reflect the culture and gastronomy in Paris. It seems that this may be true since every Parisian pattisserie serves recipes unique to the French culture.

If you have always wanted to taste the sweetest and most delicious pastry creations made by French chefs, head down to these highly-acclaimed Parisian pattisseries.

Pain de Sucre

14 rue Rambuteau

3rd Arrondissement

Pain de Sucre is one of the most popular pattisseries in Paris. Their specialty includes chocolate mint eclair and the baba au rhum, among other delicious creations. Pain de Sucre is known throughout Paris as an interesting cafe where you can taste unusual pastry creations but to tourists, Pain de Sucre is not just an ordinary restaurants, it is a Parisian landmark onto itself.

Jean-Paul Hévin 

231 rue Saint-Honoré
1st Arrondissement

Everything about Jean-Paul Hevin is amazing: the building itself is stunning and boasts such a comfortable interior, the recipes they serve are delicious, and the man behind it all, Jean-Paul Hevin, is an innovator and a magician in the kitchen. If you want to sink your teeth into something delicious, sweet, and memorable, head down to Jean-Paul Hevin.

Blé Sucré
7 rue Antoine Vollon
12th Arrondissement

Delicious pastry creations do not normally come cheap, but Ble Sucre's creations are an exception. At moderate prices, you can buy pastries created by skilled pastry chefs. This shop is perfect for Parisians who don't want to spend too much on a cupcake and for tourists who are on a budget.

Jacques Genin
133 rue de Turenne
3rd Arrondissement

The specialty of Jacques Genin include chocolate pastry creations and if you want to taste delicious French chocolate, this is the place to be. Everything here is luxurious, delicious, and simply amazing to look at.

Carl Marletti
51 rue Censier
5th Arrondissement

If you want an expert pastry chef to handle your sweet tooth cravings, head down to Carl Marletti. Chef Carl will prepare delicious creations for you that will surely keep you coming back, again and again.

New Large Apartments to Stay at in Paris

Large apartments are hard to come by in Paris and if you do find one, chances are, they have already been booked and you're left with the option to stay in a daft, ugly hotel. Fortunately, Welcome2France has recently added two new amazing large apartments to their gallery and these apartments are Passy - Beausejour Duplex and Marais - Bretagne.

Both apartments are large and can accommodate 7 people for Passy - Beausejour and 6 people for Marais - Bretagne. The best thing about these apartments is that they are located in the best neighborhoods in the 4th and 16th Arrondissement. It would be amazing to stay in such a calm and peaceful neighborhood, and in a large apartment at that.

For now, there is not much information present about Marais - Bretagne, but for Passy - Beausejour, Welcome2France describes this apartment as below:

This spacious and bright duplex apartment of 250 square meters with high ceiling and parquet floor has been fully renovated in 2012. It features 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms and can sleep up to 7 people. It is located on the 6th floor with elevator of a "Bourgeois" building in the upscale 16th district, near the prestigious area of Passy and the Bois de Boulogne. It is also a perfect spot for the French tennis Open.

Its living room boasts 4 windows to welcome bright light and fresh air and includes stunning wooden furnishings such as bookcases, a coffee desk, a decorative fireplace, sofa and chairs, a cable TV and a fast Internet access. The dining room of this apartment features a large table that seats up to 8 people. The kitchen is fully equipped with all the appliances that you may need such as oven, micro wave, toaster, boiler, coffee maker, etc... A dishwasher, washer and dryer are also available.

The apartment has 4 bedrooms : 2 bedrooms with a queen size beds, 1 bedroom with 2 single beds and the last bedroom with a single bed and it is ensuite bathroom. Two bathrooms are equipped with a full bathtub and shower, and one bathroom has a shower only. There are 2 toilets as well.

The wooden floors that adorn this apartment give it a very comfortable appeal while its wooden interior and moldings create a very elegant and luxurious environment. If you want to stay in an apartment that exudes with elegance and comfort, make Passy - Beausejour your home away from home.

Want to see this apartment or stay in it? Book today by clicking here http://www.welcome2france.com/?apartments=461 and sending an inquiry.

Things to Consider for Last Minute Paris Apartment Booking

Don't make a late booking destroy your plans for a beautiful Parisian escapade. With the help of the experts at http://www.Welcome2France.com, we'll help you turn late bookings into amazing Paris apartment rental accommodations.

There are a few things which you should consider whenever you intend to book for a Paris apartment rental. If you find yourself browsing for apartment rentals online 7 to 14 days before your scheduled flight, you are entering what we would call the late booking period. When you book late, chances are, the best apartments have already been reserved and you might be left with terrible options; however, Paris apartment rental companies can search for other apartments for you, some of these options may even be owned by other apartment owners.

Now, to make the process easy and fluid, finalize the following information before sending it in to the apartment rentals company:

• What are your definite arrival and departure dates? Make sure to have these dates in mind so the apartment rentals company can search for availability.
• How many people will be in your group? Some apartment have limits so make sure to mention this when sending an inquiry.
• Do you have pets, children and do any of you smoke? Take note that while children are welcome to staying in apartments, pets and smoking are not!

You may also want to prepare your flight details afterwards. You will have to mention these details to the agency once they have selected an apartment for you.

Budget may be a concern when booking an apartment late. Most often than not, the more expensive apartments are often left behind and the agency might propose an apartment that is a bit expensive; however, which would be more affordable for you: staying in a hotel where all you get is a bed and a bathroom or in an apartment where pretty much everything you need is within reach?

Renting an apartment, whether months early or  a day away from your arrival, will always be a more affordable and more convenient option.

If you find booking a comfortable apartment at this time very challenging, the experts at http://www.Welcome2France.com will walk you through the dimensions necessary to booking a comfy apartment. We will take you by the hand and assist you as you plan for your accommodation in Paris.

5 Reasons Why You Should Rent a Penthouse Apartment

Penthouses are what you call homes built on the topmost floor of a building. Since the maximum floor limit in Paris is 7 floors, expect to see a lot of penthouses located in the heart of Paris as well as in other stunning neighborhoods nearby.

If you’re made to choose between a large apartment located in the heart of Paris or in a penthouse located in the 6th, 7th, or 8th district, it may be beneficial to choose a penthouse instead. Here are 5 reasons why penthouses are even better than ground floor apartments:


1. Most penthouses have air conditioning units and elevators.

Since penthouses are located on the topmost floor after all, it would only be logical to have elevators in the building to make it easier for residents to ascend to and descend from the apartment. If you have luggage with you or other heavy belongings, it may be more comfortable to take the elevator than to go by the stairs.

There are still apartment buildings that do not have elevators or air conditioning units though and these are usually common in most old buildings.


2. Get the best view of the Parisian skyline.

The Parisian skyline is best viewed when you’re on the rooftop of a 6th-storey building. If you stayed in the 3rd, 4th or even in the 5ht floor of a building, chances are, you will have 7-storey buildings around you, making it almost an impossibility to take a picture of Paris without having other buildings block your view.

3. There is a 7-floor vertical limit in Paris. If you are staying in the 7th or 8th district, your chances of seeing the Eiffel Tower from your window is greater.

Many tourists find it romantic and exciting to wake up to the Eiffel Tower every morning. If you’ve found an apartment for rent in the 7th or 8th district of Paris, make sure to stay in the topmost floor or in a penthouse. The Eiffel Tower is a tall structure, but tall buildings could also block your view. If you don’t want to worry about tall buildings stumbling into any of your photos, then stay on the topmost floor.

4. Penthouses in the city center are ideal because they are close to so many tourist attractions but still far from the city noise.

There are penthouses in almost every district in Paris but the best penthouses to rent are those located in the city center. The heart of Paris is where most of the action happens, but it can be a bit too crowded and a bit noisy. The best way to beat the noise and still stay within distance of everything is to stay in an apartment in the inner districts of Paris.

5. You can eat your breakfast, lunch and dinner al fresco.

Nothing beats eating your meals in the open wind. An al fresco experience is definitely something you’d want to take part in and when you stay in a penthouse, eating a delicious French dish out in the open can be a regular, day-to-day event.

Arriving in Paris - How to Get to the City from CDG

As soon as you reach CDG, the next, best logical step is to leave the airport and make your way to the heart of Paris, located 2 hours and 30 minutes away. There are many ways to do that; however, if you were unable to rent a car or reserve for private transportation from the airport to the city center, you might want to take these alternatives, instead:

The most common form of transportation from the airport to Paris is by shuttle service. There are vans that go from Charles de Gaulle to Paris and back every day; in fact, if you taking Air France, you may want to secure a seat in their Air France shuttle, as well.

Another method is to take the cab; however, take note that the rates for the taxi ride may vary. It would be wise to take a cab if you know where to go or if you are unsure if the shuttle service will stop at a location near your destination. It would also be wiser still to take the cab if there are 4 or 5 people in your group since the cost for the taxi ride will be the same as that of a shuttle.

Hail a cab when you get to the exit of the apartment. Simply look for the signboard that says “Taxi”.

Another option you can take to reach the city would be by train. This is also the cheapest option yet; however, you need to be familiar with the RER system in Paris though. You might want to ask around for help if you are unfamiliar with the RER in the airport.

First, take a free shuttle from the airport to the train station, terminal 3. Locate the RER B line from Paris CDG which will take you the Chatelet les Halles. Make sure to bring cash with you to pay for tickets. This is a 50-minute trip, but it stops at a location still a bit far from the city.

If you plan to go to Disneyland directly after arriving at the Paris CDG airport, you could take a shuttle from Orly or CDG, as well. You need to secure tickets from terminal 2E and 2F, though. The shuttle will arrive on different hours so it may be wise to check the Disneyland Paris website for the schedules. The Disneyland shuttle will pick you up from terminal 2E and 2F at Paris CDG and will proceed to the Disneyland Hotel and other key areas.

How to Choose a Paris Apartment Rental

If it’s your first time in Paris or your first time to rent a Paris apartment, it’s normal to feel anxious over reserving an apartment online but once you get through the selection stage, it will be easier for you to judge an apartment and its price. If you want to make the right choice on your first Paris apartment rental reservation, all you have to do is to take note of the following tips:

1. Apartments in the city center are a bit expensive but if you want to be close to the center, a good alternative would be choosing apartments near the Seine, Marais, or in Saint Germain des Pres. Apartments located far off, like in Saint Denis are the most affordable but the neighborhood is not entirely safe or ideal for tourists.

2. Choose apartments with complete amenities. If you are fond of cooking, an apartment with complete amenities will surely be a good option for you. You might want to go over the amenities of an apartment before booking or sending an inquiry. It helps to list down what you would want in an apartment and asking apartment rental companies if they do have an apartment that matches your preferences.

3. Apartments with air-conditioning units are not necessary especially if you are staying in a Hausmann-era building. The beauty of Hausmann buildings is that they were designed with good ventilation features and they have wide windows often situated in the direction of the wind.

4. Read the rental agreement carefully before accepting a rental or committing to pay. When you are dealing with a company overseas, you can never be too sure. You should take the necessary steps to secure your rental and to protect yourself from scams.

5. Utilize legit websites like TripAdvisor, VRBO, and Homeaway when booking an apartment. Only legit companies can advertise on these websites so scammers are rarely, sometimes never, found on these websites at all. If you want to know where to start your search, utilize these three apartment directories.