Ile Louvier Guidebook
Some of our local favorite restaurants
These are restaurants close to home where we ourselves like to go. These might not impress people who call themselves 'foodies' but will delight anyone who enjoys an above-average standard of ingredients, welcoming service, and a neighborhood vibe.
This is one of those solid neighborhood bistrot's catering to locals with a fairly priced menu and friendly service.
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Chez Margot
25 Bd Henri IVThis is one of those solid neighborhood bistrot's catering to locals with a fairly priced menu and friendly service.
One of the many good restaurants on the island. We like the home-cooked style food and cosy feel of this one.
Auberge de la Reine Blanche
30 Rue Saint-Louis en l'ÎleOne of the many good restaurants on the island. We like the home-cooked style food and cosy feel of this one.
On Weekends, this has a farmer's market. The neighborhood to the North and East streets is full of nightlife options
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Bastille
On Weekends, this has a farmer's market. The neighborhood to the North and East streets is full of nightlife options
Tired of fancy French food and need a change. This place offers sharing plates full of Nachos, Hummus, Mozzarella sticks, chicken wings, etc. A selection of locally brewed beers on tap and a pub-like atmosphere. Recommend the upstairs area with a couch for chilling with a small group of friends.
6 abantu bendawo batusa
Frog Revolution
9 Rue de la BastilleTired of fancy French food and need a change. This place offers sharing plates full of Nachos, Hummus, Mozzarella sticks, chicken wings, etc. A selection of locally brewed beers on tap and a pub-like atmosphere. Recommend the upstairs area with a couch for chilling with a small group of friends.
Great spot on Ile Saint Louis, a stone's throw from Notre Dame for people watching. Good bistro food at fair prices. Casual atmosphere.
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LE SAINT-RÉGIS - PARIS
6 Rue Jean du BellayGreat spot on Ile Saint Louis, a stone's throw from Notre Dame for people watching. Good bistro food at fair prices. Casual atmosphere.
restaurant dip tandoori
5 Bd Saint-MarcelGood Indian food. Fast delivery.
Go there a bit outside of the usual lunch and dinner rush and you'll get some amazing falafel, hummus, moussaka, etc. This place features in all guidebooks to the Marais area, so don't be surprised to find a line. There's a reason even the locals will queue to get food from here.
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L'as du Fallafel
34 Rue des RosiersGo there a bit outside of the usual lunch and dinner rush and you'll get some amazing falafel, hummus, moussaka, etc. This place features in all guidebooks to the Marais area, so don't be surprised to find a line. There's a reason even the locals will queue to get food from here.
If it's raining or cold, this place featuring a menu from the Savoy Alps region will warm you up. The Raclette or Fondue recipe wins approval of our Swiss friend who has very high standards as you could imagine.
56 abantu bendawo batusa
Le Chalet Savoyard
58 Rue de CharonneIf it's raining or cold, this place featuring a menu from the Savoy Alps region will warm you up. The Raclette or Fondue recipe wins approval of our Swiss friend who has very high standards as you could imagine.
There are 1000s of pizzarias in Paris, many of which are good. But this one is probably the best pizza we've had in Paris and just happens to be across the street! The ingredients are of the highest quality and copious. The crust is amazing.
Monte Cristo - Restaurant Italien
2 Bd MorlandThere are 1000s of pizzarias in Paris, many of which are good. But this one is probably the best pizza we've had in Paris and just happens to be across the street! The ingredients are of the highest quality and copious. The crust is amazing.
Things to do
Great view of Paris -- past, present, and future. Free entry, just down the street from the flat.
26 abantu bendawo batusa
Pavillon de l'Arsenal
21 Bd MorlandGreat view of Paris -- past, present, and future. Free entry, just down the street from the flat.
Institute yase-Arab World
1 Rue des Fossés Saint-BernardGreat view from rooftop (free access)
Gorgeous building designed by the famous architect, Frank Gehry, set in a park. Easy excursion on Line 1 metro. If travelling with kids, spend the day in the adjacent 'Jardin d'Acclimation' amusement park.
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Fondation Louis Vuitton
8 Av. du Mahatma GandhiGorgeous building designed by the famous architect, Frank Gehry, set in a park. Easy excursion on Line 1 metro. If travelling with kids, spend the day in the adjacent 'Jardin d'Acclimation' amusement park.
This underground 'mall' is tucked neatly underneath the courtyard of the Louvre and the famous Pyramid. On a rainy day, have some pastries at the tea salon and the 'world food court' . Getting here is easy via Line 7 or Line 1 if you're in a hurry. Or Bus 72 or walk along the river if it's a nice day and you want to be casually strolling.
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Carrousel du Louvre
99 Rue de RivoliThis underground 'mall' is tucked neatly underneath the courtyard of the Louvre and the famous Pyramid. On a rainy day, have some pastries at the tea salon and the 'world food court' . Getting here is easy via Line 7 or Line 1 if you're in a hurry. Or Bus 72 or walk along the river if it's a nice day and you want to be casually strolling.
The Palace of Discovery is the city’s second science museum and really oriented towards younger kids (under 12). It’s located in a beautiful 19th century building that is a leftover from the World’s Fair but is decked out with all the latest technology. The video of open-heart surgery is a highlight. Although everything’s in French, the topics and presentations transcend language.
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Palais de la Decouverte
Avenue Franklin Delano RooseveltThe Palace of Discovery is the city’s second science museum and really oriented towards younger kids (under 12). It’s located in a beautiful 19th century building that is a leftover from the World’s Fair but is decked out with all the latest technology. The video of open-heart surgery is a highlight. Although everything’s in French, the topics and presentations transcend language.
This is hands-down our favourite children’s museum. Everything works and is smartly designed. We usually have to drag the kids away–and I’ve been known to lose an hour or two watching the how-to-make-a-baquette video. Buy tickets ahead and make sure you plan around their pre-scheduled entrance, although if you arrive early, there’s always the fantastic Parc de la Villette just outside.
18 abantu bendawo batusa
City of Science and Industry
30 Avenue Corentin CariouThis is hands-down our favourite children’s museum. Everything works and is smartly designed. We usually have to drag the kids away–and I’ve been known to lose an hour or two watching the how-to-make-a-baquette video. Buy tickets ahead and make sure you plan around their pre-scheduled entrance, although if you arrive early, there’s always the fantastic Parc de la Villette just outside.
If you must go high, and the queue to the Eiffel is too long as it usual, then consider going to the top of the bland Montparnasse Tower (https://www.tourmontparnasse56.com/en/) instead of the Eiffel Tower and avoid the queues. Plus you get to see the beautiful Eiffel Tower from the Montparnasse tower. If you go the Eiffel Tower, you’ll have to avert your gaze when looking at the monolithic Montparnasse Tower that seems totally out of place. It’s still worth going to the Eiffel Tower, but its majesty and grace is best admired from Place du Trocadero (Metro stop of the same name). Or have a picnic in the gardens underneath called the Champs du Mars. After dark people gather to watch the sparking lights come on at the top of every hour for the first 10 minutes.
596 abantu bendawo batusa
I-Montparnasse Tower
33 Av. du MaineIf you must go high, and the queue to the Eiffel is too long as it usual, then consider going to the top of the bland Montparnasse Tower (https://www.tourmontparnasse56.com/en/) instead of the Eiffel Tower and avoid the queues. Plus you get to see the beautiful Eiffel Tower from the Montparnasse tower. If you go the Eiffel Tower, you’ll have to avert your gaze when looking at the monolithic Montparnasse Tower that seems totally out of place. It’s still worth going to the Eiffel Tower, but its majesty and grace is best admired from Place du Trocadero (Metro stop of the same name). Or have a picnic in the gardens underneath called the Champs du Mars. After dark people gather to watch the sparking lights come on at the top of every hour for the first 10 minutes.
Best view of the Eiffel tower and easy to reach via Bus line 72. At the stop along the river, walk up the hill to the viewing platform between the two curved buildings.
230 abantu bendawo batusa
Place du Trocadero-et-du-11-Novembre
Place du Trocadéro et du 11 NovembreBest view of the Eiffel tower and easy to reach via Bus line 72. At the stop along the river, walk up the hill to the viewing platform between the two curved buildings.
Parks & Nature
Great spot for rainy days in the Natural History Museum or the arboretum greenhouses.
Just across the bridge from the flat, along the Seine in the 5th arrondissement, the Jardin des Plantes is a grand botanical garden in the middle of the city and a favourite spot for strolling. This is a good place to let the kids run and sniff flowers. There’s also a menagerie (zoo) with some cool monkeys and an old school natural history museum with huge, dusty dinosaur bones and not a trace of the frenetic edutainment that goes on in so many museums these days. Here it’s just bones–tons and tons of them–all crowded into a majestic hall. You feel like you’ve stepped back into the 19th century.
1390 abantu bendawo batusa
Jardin des Plantes
Great spot for rainy days in the Natural History Museum or the arboretum greenhouses.
Just across the bridge from the flat, along the Seine in the 5th arrondissement, the Jardin des Plantes is a grand botanical garden in the middle of the city and a favourite spot for strolling. This is a good place to let the kids run and sniff flowers. There’s also a menagerie (zoo) with some cool monkeys and an old school natural history museum with huge, dusty dinosaur bones and not a trace of the frenetic edutainment that goes on in so many museums these days. Here it’s just bones–tons and tons of them–all crowded into a majestic hall. You feel like you’ve stepped back into the 19th century.
Just drop down to the river from around the corner. This former road is permanently closed to traffic and is now a beautiful promenade lined with picnic areas, cafés, activities, and the best views of historic Paris architecture.
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Quai de la Seine
Quai de la SeineJust drop down to the river from around the corner. This former road is permanently closed to traffic and is now a beautiful promenade lined with picnic areas, cafés, activities, and the best views of historic Paris architecture.
Getting Around
Get the boat here which will take you down the river to Eiffel Tower with stops along the way you can hop off/on to see the Louvre, Latin Quarter, Champs Elysees, Hotel de Ville, Notre Dame.
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Batobus Jardin des Plantes
Quai Saint-BernardGet the boat here which will take you down the river to Eiffel Tower with stops along the way you can hop off/on to see the Louvre, Latin Quarter, Champs Elysees, Hotel de Ville, Notre Dame.
From this station, you can take the RER C line to the Eiffel Tower or stay on to Versailles.
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Gare D'austerlitz
From this station, you can take the RER C line to the Eiffel Tower or stay on to Versailles.
Essentials
Great grocery with everything of higher quality or organic.
6 abantu bendawo batusa
Bio c' Bon Paris Cerisaie
16 Rue de la CerisaieGreat grocery with everything of higher quality or organic.
Grocery store. Has a salad bar and eating area if you need a quick and healthy bite
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Franprix
19 Bd Henri IVGrocery store. Has a salad bar and eating area if you need a quick and healthy bite
Excellent gym. Ask for a visitor pass approximately 15 to 20€/day. www.keepcool.fr or just go there during office hours.
6 abantu bendawo batusa
Keep Cool Paris Bastille 4
12 Rue du Petit MuscExcellent gym. Ask for a visitor pass approximately 15 to 20€/day. www.keepcool.fr or just go there during office hours.
Les Caprices de l'Instant
12 Rue Jacques CœurWine boutique. Selection and personalized recommendations can be trusted.
Closest hospital for 24/7 emergencies
36 abantu bendawo batusa
University Hospitals Pitié Salpêtrière - Charles Foix
47-83 Bd de l'HôpitalClosest hospital for 24/7 emergencies
Neighborhoods
Place de la Bastille
Place de la BastillePlace des Vosges
Place des VosgesRue Mouffetard
Rue MouffetardMarais
It's a local's favorite for the lunch crowd in covered street gallery full of interesting food options. Great for a rainy day. It's hard to find and most tourists don't. Avoid the rush from 12:30 to 1:45pm on weekdays.
34 abantu bendawo batusa
Passage Choiseul
6-8 Pass. ChoiseulIt's a local's favorite for the lunch crowd in covered street gallery full of interesting food options. Great for a rainy day. It's hard to find and most tourists don't. Avoid the rush from 12:30 to 1:45pm on weekdays.
Izeluleko zedolobha
Ukuzulazula
Line 72 bus is our favorite line
It departs from the front of our building (how lucky!) and connects you to Notre Dame, Hotel de Ville, Louvre, Champs Elysees, Royal Palace and Eiffel Tower
Imishwana ewusizo
The magic word is 'Bonjour'
The first word before you ask anyone anything in Paris is 'Bonjour' or 'Bonsoir' if after 5pm. Give them a second to acknowledge you before you ask them anything and you'll notice your odds of encountering the 'rude Parisian' drastically diminishing, though not completely eliminated :-)
Ukuhamba nezingane
Use the above ground bus routes during off-peak hours
The underground is very efficient way to get around, but there are lots of stairs and nothing to see. On a bus however, Kids (and you too) will enjoy looking out the window. There's space in the middle of all buses for strollers. Though if it's already full, you'll have to wait for the next bus.
Okufanele ukupakishe
Socks or house slippers
When inside our place with hardwood floors, remove your hard soled shoes at the entry to keep the downstairs neighbors on good terms :-)
Okufanele ukupakishe
Plug adapters and a multi-plug extension cord
If you're coming from UK or USA, bring a multi-plug extension cord and one plug adapter to fit a European socket. That way all your devices don't need plug adapters to charge. The current is 220-240V. Look on your device charger to see if it handles 110 to 240V. Most laptop and smartphone chargers adapt to the different current. You just need the plug adapter.
Bhukha ngaphambi kokuthi uhambe
Get your smartphone ready
Check your cellular provider's policy on data charges while roaming in Europe. If the cost is over 30€, you'll be better off buying a local SIM card if your phone isn't locked to your home carrier.
If data charges are included while you're in France, I would recommend downloading the 'CityMapper' app to help you with navigating various mobility options in Paris (bus, metro, car and bike share, scooters, ride hailing). If not, Google Maps is not bad but not as complete. Apple Maps is not very reliable unfortunately.