Les jardins des Archives Nationales

Métro: Rambuteau (line 11)
Address: 60, rue des Francs-Bourgeois, 75003 Paris
Hours: Everyday
Summer Hours 8:00 am - 7:00 pm
Winter Hours 8:00 am to 5:00 pm
Cost: Free
Website: www.archivesnationales.culture.gouv.fr

 Only opened since 2011, the gardens of the National Archives are just a breath of fresh air. You will find all kinds of hidden nooks. If you want to read that super cool book of yours in a serene environment, then you will be happy there. It's composed of 4 little gardens. They're a little bit like a family; you can tell they're siblings but they all have their own personality. All I can say is that I like this green movement! In fact, I enjoy it with a good Agatha Christie. And you, what good book are you reading?

Boutique Les Fleurs

Métro: Ledru Rollin (line 8),
Address: 6 passage Josset, 75011 Paris
Hours: Monday- Saturday from 12:00 pm to 7:30 pm
Closed on Sunday
Website: http://www.boutiquelesfleurs.com/

 If you are a girly girl, this is your sanctuary. I have to admit I am not one for being all cute and all but my sister is and she dragged me to the shop "Les Fleurs" (aka the flowers). You will find all sorts of objects from bags and jewels to things that truly do nothing but look cute (decoration, papers, and so on). You can also order online so you won't have to deal with the less than pleasant staff. The truth is: I kind of like this place although I did not buy anything.

 

Passage Vandrezanne and Passage du Moulinet

Métro: Tolbiac (line 7)
Entrance: 154 rue de Tolbiac, 75013 Paris
37 rue de Vandrezanne, 75013 Paris

Those two pedestrian streets are just too lovely to not mention. They truly form just one street. I have something of a crush on paved streets. So much better than tar. I'm just missing a horse. Another symbol of the 13th district is its street art, especially the infamous Miss Tic. It's hard to miss it, it's literally on every street. Her website is: http://missticinparis.com/ if you want to know more about her.

 

 

  

Musée de la vie romantique

Métro: Saint-Georges (line 12), Pigalle (line 2 or 12), Liège (line 13)
Address: 16 rue Chaptal - 75009 Paris
Hours: Tuesday-Sunday: 10:00am - 6:00pm
Closed on Monday
Cost: Free
Website: www.paris.fr

Talk about having a life! This place was originally housing for the nuns of Saint-Lazare then transformed into an amusement park where you could find the first roller coaster of France ( right around 1815) to be then sold and changed into this lovely place: the Hôtel Renan-Scheffer.

This mansion belonged to the artist Ary Scheffer. Between 1820 and  1860, it was the social gathering spot for Chopin and George Sand. Neighbors included Franz Liszt and Pauline Viardot. So it made total sense to Cornélie Scheffer-Renan, the last owner, to leave to the city of Paris at her death (granted she did not have any descendants). It is now the Museum of Romantic Life.

  Portrait de la Reine Marie-Amélie (1857) by Ary Scheffer

It is a free museum, however you will still need a ticket to get in. You can visit this fairly small house on your own, get an audio guide or even get a guided tour. You can admire paintings, furniture and even listen to some Chopin.

    Cast of the hand of George Sand by Auguste Clésinger

I love the stairs. It makes me so admirative of those ladies that could play acrobats on uneven stairs with huge dresses. The steps are all crooked. You feel like Indiana Jones crossing a bridge over a ravine. Maybe that's just me.  

If you really want to feel romantic, enjoy the tearoom outside! Feeling so bourgeois under the shade of those trees. All that is missing is a little Chopin copycat for a majestic concert.

Cour des petites écuries

Métro: Château d'Eau ( line 4)
Entrances: 18 rue d'Enghien, 75010 Paris
                   61 Bis rue Faubourg Saint-Denis, 75010 Paris

 

Not far from Canal Saint-Martin, you can find yourself in this little court enjoying a nice lunch or diner. I just love the paved street and those trees remind me of the south of France. Faubourg Saint-Denis is a busy street which sometime can make you feel a bit oppressed so finding this charming retreat is like finding an oasis in the Sahara desert.

The passage way is in a L shape. The side by the Faubourg Saint-Denis is the prettiest and the safest. I don't recommend you go through the other entrance late at night as it is the spot for a few homeless. However, the court is totally safe even late at in the evening. 

 

La patisserie des rêves

Métro: Victor Hugo ( line 2) or Trocadéro ( line  6 or 9)
Address: 111, rue de Longchamp 75016 Paris
Hours: Tuesday - Friday from  10:00 am to 8:00 pm
Saturday -Sunday : from 9:00 am to 8:00 pm
Tearoom (Friday-Sunday) opens from 2:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Cost: around 6 to 10 euros
Website: http://www.lapatisseriedesreves.com/

 

Almost hidden, this pastry shop has deserved its name: Dreams! It looks half way like a laboratory and halfway like a spa. you're not so sure where you are but you know it's good. Awesome has a price so bring your big wallet. Count on 6 euros for a pastry to go and 7  to 8 euros for the tearoom.

 

The tearoom is small ( not even 10 tables) but it's cozy. I love all the white which surprisingly does not make me feel like I am in a hospital but rather on a cloud. If you are taking a pastry to go, know that the main room is only a showroom and your pastry will come with a tiny delay from their magic room on a dumbwaiter (elevator). 

 We enjoyed a "Fruitier de Saison". Made with a meringue, a raspberry compote, a white chocolate layer and a pinenut cake, it is however light and it's gone in no time. On the other hand, we were not impressed with their lemon tart. Still a hot spot, it's worth finding this hidden gem.

Passage Jouffroy

Métro: Grands Boulevards ( line 8 and 9 ) or Richelieu-Drouot ( also line 8 and 9)
Entrance: 10 boulevard Montmartre, 75009 Paris
                   9 rue de la Grange-Batelière, 75009 Paris
Cost: Free
Website: http://passagejouffroy.com/

It's raining a lot lately so nothing's better than getting from point A to point B under a nice passageway! This passage way is named after the architect and Count Jouffroy.

Opened in 1845, it is the first Parisian passage way to be built entirely with metal and glass, only a few decoration are made of wood. If you visit the Musée Grévin, you will also find yourself in this passage as you exit.