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HomeTown Paris blog offers you a selection of articles devoted to the destination Paris, its news, culture, activities and of course, its people

Lifestyle

Vegan Dining in Paris

4 years ago - Léa D.

What is veganism? Responses from addicts... To be vegan is to refuse animal exploitation. This involves not consuming animal flesh, dairy products, eggs, honey... Vegan cuisine consists 100% of plant products and is above all very delicious! Even though veganism has become more common over the past several years, it is not always easy to find restaurants that offer 100% vegan dishes: this is why we have put together a wonderful list of the most recommended vegan spots in Paris so that you can fill your belly, satisfy your tastebuds, and take care of the planet! Wild and the Moon Inspired by the seasons, Wild and the Moon’s recipes are full of flavors from all around the world. You will find a selection of cold pressed juices, vegetable drinks, smoothies, salads, soups, desserts, super bowls, and snacks. Wild & The Moon products are homemade from fruits, vegetables, herbs, roots, and wild plants. They don’t use any refined sugars, additives, preservatives, GMOs, gluten, or dairy products: the menu is 100% vegan. The setting is soothing and natural: wooden tables, plants climbing to the ceiling and brightening up the room with green… It’s a great place to fill your belly while taking care of both yourself and the environment! We recommend: the Super Bowl made with red lentils, chickpeas, marinated mushrooms, sweet potato, and pickled beets. Wild and the Moon – 19 place du Marché Saint-Honoré, 75001 Paris La Guinguette d’Angèle Coconut milk panacotta, roasted cauliflower with turmeric, cream of squash with red lentils… are you convinced yet? If you're looking for a place to eat organic and gluten-free food, don't hesitate: La Guinguette d'Angèle is at your service. A guru of detox cuisine, its original and subtle recipes will leave you wanting more. You will also find a delicatessen and books on site, as well as a catering service for your events! La Guinguette d’Angèle : 34 rue Coquillère, 75001 Paris L’Abattoir Végétal “The Vegetable Slaughterhouse” Another famous spot in Paris: a must-see spot for feasting on a falafel burger and sweet potato fries, guacamole pancakes, raw vegetables and scrambled tofu with cumin, blue cheese spreads from the Jay & Joy creamery… Not to mention the coffee-shop and the juice bar which attracts all the neighborhood’s regulars! Needless to say, it’s hard to choose. Established in a former butcher's shop, this paradox is where the spot gets its name. The owners are local, the goods artisanal and made on a human scale for a tasty result: authentic cuisine that is respectful of the world around it! L’abattoir Végétal : 61 rue Ramey, 75018 Paris Le Potager de Charlotte Our favorite Parisians are particularly fond of this place, located in the heart of the ninth arrondissement. In charge of this popular canteen in the ninth arrondissement are two brothers - David and Adrien - who enhance the image of vegan cuisine. Though the recipes change with the seasons, the delicious rice and chickpea pancakes are this spot’s star dish. Served with sweet potato puree with toasted sesame cream, smoked tofu and black sesame. Le Potager de Charlotte – 12 rue de la Tour d’Auvergne, 75009

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Vegan Dining in Paris

Vegan Dining in Paris

Lifestyle

What to do in Paris this Fall and Winter

4 years ago - Léa D.

L'Oursin, Galeries Lafayette’s New Restaurant We all know the famous department store brand Galeries Lafayette, located on boulevard Haussmann in the 9th arrondissement. You’ll surely be thrilled as you make your way through the aisles lined with the names of the world’s greatest creators. On Thursday, March 29, 2019, Galeries Lafayette also opened their doors on the Champs Elysées. A real treat for shopping and food addicts: 4 floors, brightly and carefully decorated. After Café Citron, located in these same galleries, creators Simon Porte Jacquemus and Caviar Kaspia opened up a new restaurant: L’Oursin. It has a sunny menu embellished with the best seafood, created by chef Erica Archaumbault. Located on the second floor, the Oursin restaurant is aptly named: when you walk into this magical place, you feel like you’re by the sea. The shapes and design are reminiscent of Mediterranean coasts lined with pretty white houses. The lime-washed walls are carved out of small niches where handicrafts, heathered by Simon Porte Jacquemus, a climbing vine, and finely styled plates reminiscent of the South are on display: a nice escape for a meal, at the heart of the capital! It is difficult to choose between the sea urchin tarama or the delicate lobster salad, the marinated zucchini with fresh ricotta and basil, or the halibut accompanied by delicious fresh and grilled vegetables ... L’Oursin 60 avenue des Champs-Elysées 75008 Paris +33183656102 The long-awaited reopening of the Samaritaine For those who don’t know, the Samaritaine was Paris’ first department store. A masterpiece by Ernest Cognacq, it opened in 1870. Closed in 2005 for renovation, this gem of savoir vivre à la française will reopen in early 2020. Located between the rue de Rivoli and the Seine, this is the ideal place to visit the heart of Paris, enjoy the best restaurants, and shop. With a beautiful 25 meter high corrugated glass facade, this property of the LVMH  Group promises to surprise you… A true emblem of the capital, the old-fashioned charm of the department store has been preserved: a large glass roof, a monumental staircase, two atriums, beautiful friezes ... Indeed, the original building had been registered as a Monument Historique: a historical building to be preserved. Designed by the Japanese architecture firm Sanaa at the origin of the Louvre-Lenss, this project composes an astonishing mixture: combining historical heritage with luxury. Fashion, groceries, jewelry, beauty, well-being: this incredible place has everything to make you happy! Great restaurants, a luxury hotel, and other follies also await you at the heart of the capital, just a few steps from the Louvre ... The"Autrement" Exhibit by Chaumet Founded in 1780 in Paris, the Maison Chaumet quickly mixed its history with that of France by becoming the official jeweler of the Empress Josephine. At the heart of the Place Vendôme, jeweler and watchmaking creations reflect exceptional savoir-faire and perfectly illustrate Parisian taste. Paris is the city of love, gastronomy, and fashion, but also art. Many exhibitions and museums highlight our beautiful capital’s best artists. From October 1 to November 2, 2019, visit the Maison Chaumet's "Autrement" exhibit at 165 boulevard Saint-Germain. With the aim of showcasing its jewels, Maison Chaumet approaches jewels in a new way thanks to Julia Hetta's series of photographs. Enjoy a 45-minute visit by booking here. A Nice Stroll Through the Parisian Passages Paris’ covered passages form galleries that travel through buildings. These galleries are covered with a beautiful glass roof, giving them special and unique lighting. You will find these passages on the right bank of the Seine, mainly near the Grands Boulevards. Typically Parisian, these passages are finely furnished and decorated in Parisian style and architecture. Glass, moldings, and gilding are interspersed. Numerous shops of all kinds can be found, including antique stores resistant to the passage of time. Open your eyes, you may find a real treasure! Here are some addresses: Passage des Deux-Pavillons - 6 rue de Beaujolais, 5 rue des Petits-Champs Passage du Grand-Cerf - 10 rue Saint-Marc, 11 boulevard Montmartre Vivienne Gallery - 4 rue des Petits-Champs, 6 rue Vivienne

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What to do in Paris this Fall and Winter

What to do in Paris this Fall and Winter

Culture & Art

Japanese culture in the heart of the capital

4 years ago - Léa D.

In the 19th century, the land of the rising sun opened to the world. Thereafter we can say that France and Japan have forged close cultural ties and developed a mutual fascination. The French admiration for this nation on the other side of the globe was born thanks to the refinement of the Japanese: cinema, cooking or art, all of which the Japanese excel. European art inspired by Japanese culture is called Japonisme, but it should be noted that if the French are passionate about this beautiful country, the Japanese are not left out! French chefs like Alain Ducasse and cinema are all the rage in Japan. But back to our topic of the day, when the Japanese culture decides to slip into the daily lives of Parisians ... Japanese art, a visual delight The Japanese creativity is put in the spotlight in Paris through numerous exhibitions, films, shows, conferences, workshops ... There is something for everyone. The know-how and mastery of objects as well as traditional arts are at the heart of Japanese culture: for the Japanese, art is a means of expressing beauty, elegance, serenity and Zen spirit. La Maison de la culture du Japan in Paris highlights several events that will immerse you in this varied and refined culture: exhibitions of popular paintings, conferences on the crossing from the East to the West, shows and concerts of various instruments including the piano by Jun Kanno. Many workshops including Shiatsu classes are available. The Guimet Museum, devoted to Asian arts since the 19th century, contains many collections and exhibitions consecrated to Japan: they offer a varied panel of Japanese art for decades. The exhibitions are temporary: just go to the museum website given above, and click on the "exhibitions" tab. Yoga classes for children as well as storytelling workshops are sometimes organized during the school holidays: a very fun way to introduce the beauties of Japanese culture to your child! Culinary secrets No need to wonder how many Japanese restaurants are present in Paris ... They are innumerable! You can confirm this if you have already strolled in the streets of the capital, or if you have plans to do so soon. To savor a taste of Japan in Paris, go to rue Saint-Anne. It is full of many Japanese restaurants including sushi, very famous ramens (sometimes 1 hour waiting to taste one of these delicious bowls...). It has the advantage of grouping a multitude of restaurants, but small pearls also hide elsewhere in the capital... Here is our selection of the best addresses scattered in Paris: Ramen Bowl Whether you are unconditional fans or simple fans, we have found for you the ultimate address to enjoy a delicious bowl of ramen. A refined and warm decoration, light wood furniture, bright bar, Ramen Bowl is a Japanese stall of modern times. From the open kitchen, the curious are invited to watch the Japanese chef and his team prepare the recipe for this famous broth. 44 rue de Ponthieu Such. : 09 81 27 77 16 Sapporo This Japanese restaurant on Saint Anne's Street is always busy. The specialty of the house is the ramen. It is therefore in a popular and friendly atmosphere that people from everywhere come just to enjoy this traditional and very popular dish from Japan, a noodle soup made from broth. A real treat for a reasonable budget, between 12 and 15 euros the meal. 37 rue Sainte-Anne Yasube According to the saying, a Japanese restaurant who has Japanese during lunch time is a good Japanese place ! This is the case of Yasube, a traditional cuisine restaurant. A very Zen decor, sober and refined, where the favorite dish is none other than the famous bento, an authentic and generous Japanese picnic lunch to eat on site. 9 rue Sainte-Anne The 3 chocolates For all those of you with a sweet tooth, there is in the Marais a shop that blends Western and Asian flavors: The 3 chocolates. You will find all kinds of chocolate and fruity sweets, worked in the greatest finesse. 45 rue Saint-Paul Aki Boulanger To end on a sweet note, here is a bakery revisiting the best French classics in the art of the Japanese tradition. The quality of the product is original and of rigor. 16 rue Saint-Anne The mangas, the inevitable A manga is a Japanese comic. The word manga is also sometimes used to designate, by extension, a non-Japanese comic strip respecting the codes of popular Japanese productions. Mangas translated into French are generally read in the original sense, that is, from right to left. France is the second largest consumer of manga in the world after Japan: lovers of mangas, you will find your happiness in Paris. Our first recommendation: the manga coffee. It is a Japanese concept that consists in creating a stress free place and of relaxation in which is made available a large library of manga. There is also the possibility of having fun between two readings through video games made available. Themed evenings and other animations and events punctually beat up the life of the café. In 2019 will be held the 27th edition of Paris Manga. This event is a reference in terms of manga and science fiction. It is the rendezvous of Japanese animation, movie stars and TV series, cosplays, showcases, video games; animation and martial arts. In the program of each edition: guests from all over the world, demonstrations and initiations, quizzes and conferences, 200 stands of animations and shops to find the latest trends direct  from Japan and the United States .... Paris Japan Expo: 30 minutes from Paris, this is a must event for lovers of Japan and its culture. From manga to martial arts, from video games to Japanese folklore, from J-music to traditional music ... A place of discovery and pleasure mixing traditions and novelties.

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Japanese culture in the heart of the capital

Japanese culture in the heart of the capital

Night Life

The best speakeasy bars in Paris

5 years ago - Léa D.

The origin of these mysterious places Hidden behind a launderette, a pizzeria or a small back door, you have surely heard about these bars with a special trend, inspired by prohibition. Indeed, in 1920 in the US, the manufacture and sale of alcohol was banned, which led to the opening of multiple clandestine bars. When buying alcohol, the bartenders asked the customers to "speak easy", speak softly in French, hence the expression in French today. In 2007, this concept is repeated in New York by the Please do not Tell bar. The principle is simple: to get in, you have to call from the phone booth of a small restaurant. The success is immediate and the fashion is launched, reaching Paris in 2011 with the Candelaria in the Marais district. This Parisian speak easy is only accessible by a small door at the bottom of a Mexican restaurant, which also serves excellent nachos ... But not only! Today, this place is known as one of the best European addresses for cocktails on a trend pop music background. The map is original and renewed regularly, the place is hype and the price-quality ratio is excellent; it is certainly the most inescapable address of the Marais, rewarded with a Timeout Award in 2016. Only here, a hidden bar is by definition ... hidden! Here are our best places to experiment during your next stay in Paris! Our favorite addresses The syndicate A discreet facade, some posters on the wall: this contrasts sharply with the cozy and classy interior of this speakeasy so well hidden in rue du Faubourg Saint - Denis, in the 10th arrondissement. The union is a cocktail bar composed of unexpected ingredients, rare French liqueurs and especially a specific mission: to defend the cause of blue-white-red spirits. Regarding the menu, different cocktails are offered based on French whiskey, pear, gentian or calvados. They are all 100% original, worked with delicacy and precision for a mixture of new flavors. With friends or as a couple, this place is perfect to enjoy a drink in the first room with a central bar, or in a softer atmosphere behind the curtain that gives way to the second room. The Moonshiner The term Moonshiner means in English a smuggler of alcohol, which you will have understood was in charge of supplying the underground bars at the time of the prohibition. This speakeasy is aptly named, and it is really well hidden. At the address 5 rue Sedaine, in the 11th arrondissement, you will find the pizzeria Da Vito which you will have to cross the cold room to finally find yourself in the subdued atmosphere of a bar of the 30s, golden patterns painted with stencil on walls and some blues notes accompanying the bartenders. The whiskey is the flagship drink of this surprising place, in a variation of several cocktails revisited. The secret of this place (secret) is the safe in the smoking room: find the combination of the code and win the bottles there. Of course, if you feel like it, do not hesitate to stop first in the pizzeria Da Vito's room which will satisfy your taste buds with delicious pizzas, burratas or other homemade salads for a guaranteed taste pleasure! The Speakeasy This gourmet piano bar is by far a place not to be missed during a stay in Paris. Opened in 2011, it is located in a discreet street of the 16th arrondissement of Paris. Its owner is an art dealer and has made this place a magical place, a real step back in the 20s. In this cozy atmosphere, come and enjoy the signature cocktail Speakeasy based on cognac, licorice liqueur, lime and ginger ale or the alcohol-free Caribbean, a mixture of mango juice, orange, passion and banana. On the menu side, you are spoiled for choice: truffle pizza, tender cuts of beef or salmon fillet, the dishes are refined and delicious. In the background, artists from around the world come to perform on piano and saxophone, reminiscent of the atmosphere of the cabarets of Harlem and Broadway. Here, no DJ sets, just live and authenticity in an artistic and bohemian atmosphere of the most exciting. The most recent The Lavomatic The new speakeasy of the capital is the Lavomatic, concealed on the 1st floor of a laundromat of the 10th district (rue René Boulanger). Once in the laundromat, look for the camouflaged button and access the Lavomatic! Here, the pop, colorful and original decoration soothes and gives a friendly atmosphere. Sit comfortably on cushions and take a look at the menu which offers a multitude of fruity and colorful surprises. Basil Instinct is based on fresh basil, cucumber, lime juice, cordial elderflower; the DetoxOmatic will be suitable for the more adventurous with beet, blackcurrant, artichoke liqueur, gin, lemon and grapefruit. A multitude of other 100% original cocktails await you. You can accompany them with small dishes made with quality ingredients, adapted to the seasons: filet mignon caramelized with pomegranate, ginger ceviche ginger cucumber, cantaloupe organic farm ham ... Do not wait to discover and enjoy this unusual place! Baranaan For Indian food lovers, this naan bar is the perfect place. No name is written on the front and at first, it feels more like approaching an Indian-style tea room. To get to the real heart of the place, go see a waiter and ask him "Where is the train? ". You will then embark on a real journey, accompanied by a delicious smell of incense. Opened in 2015, this charming place offers Indian cocktails but also some culinary specialties such as naan and kebabs. The room is designed like a vintage train car, in length, decorated with leather seats and "windows", or rather screens placed on which scroll landscapes. Our choice of the day is the Tajma, a mix of 4 rums and pineapple juice served in a fresh coconut.

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The best speakeasy bars in Paris

The best speakeasy bars in Paris

Secrets

Exotic Paris: Go around the world without leaving the capital

5 years ago - Valérie D.

Paris is a world capital in many ways. The city has seen the meeting of peoples, the mingling of various traditions, and it keeps the imprints of these influences from the five continents. Going around the world without leaving Paris is an adventure accessible at the price of a metro ticket or a few steps away. Architectures and gardens of foreign inspiration, flavors and perfumes from elsewhere, the city of light offers a multitude of spots to connect to the four corners of the globe without losing sight of the Eiffel Tower. These places are so numerous that we will not list them all, but a handful of them hold our attention especially ... fasten your seat belts, take off immediately! Cults from here and elsewhere "Paris is worth a Mass," said the sovereign Henry IV. To celebrate it, Paris has Notre Dame, but not only. Since 1861, the French capital is the seat of the Archdiocese of the Russian Orthodox Churches in Western Europe, with the Saint Alexander Nevsky Cathedral. The Byzantine-Moscow style church bears witness to the Russian presence in France since the end of the 18th century. Its characteristic apses are surmounted by arrows adorned with golden bulbs, themselves capped with the eight-pointed Russian cross. Here no gargoyles, yet you are in the 8th arrondissement of Paris. More famous perhaps, the minaret 33 meters high of the Great Mosque of Paris was erected in 1922 according to models of buildings in North Africa. Parisians know they will find in the shadow of his Hispano-Moorish architecture the best mint tea in the capital. After having accompanied your beverage with some oriental pastries in the famous tea room, why not enjoy the hammam, the visitor can glimpse the prayer rooms, then visit the patio, before strolling in an Andalusian-inspired garden. White marbles, multicolored columns and zelli ges, oriental palms and carpets: past the cedar doors of Lebanon, the change of scenery in the heart of the 5th arrondissement is guaranteed. For even more distant spiritual journeys, one can also discover the Great Pagoda of Vincennes and its Buddhist temple Kagyu Dzong. This Zen refuge is home to the largest gold-covered Buddha in Europe, donated by Thailand. On the other side of Paris, it is the Hinduism which is in the spotlight, near the La Chapelle metro station: welcome to the neighborhood nicknamed "Little Jaffna" where reign Indian and Sri Lankan cultures. It is between the saris shops and the Tamil grocery stores, that is located Sri Manicka Vinayakar Alayam temple dedicated to Ganesh. The elephant-headed deity, son of Shiva, is celebrated here in September, during a grand and colorful parade. Oasis of exotic greenery Among the few lush greenery in the great metropolis of Paris, there are a handful of gardens out of the ordinary. The largest of these is the Jardin d'Agronomie Tropicale, in the Bois de Vincennes. This green space inaugurated for the colonial exhibition of 1907 reopened its doors to the public in 2006. It allows to observe what remains of the pavilions of African or Asian inspirations, in the heart of a vegetation dotted with some tropical plants. Preferable is the park of the Albert Kahn Museum. The former property of the traveling philanthropist groups English, French and Japanese gardens around the museum. An island between two decks of red wood, cherry blossoms, bamboo and pebbles, even the carp are not lacking: it's like being in the land of the rising sun. The Heidelbach Hotel garden at the National Museum of Asian Arts - Guimet, in the 16th arrondissement of Paris, also reflects the art of the Japanese-style garden in an idealized natural way. The best time to visit is spring, when traditional tea ceremonies take place in a dedicated pavilion built by master carpenter Yamamoto Takaaki. Unusual architectures Of these unusual places that dress Paris with a touch of exoticism, we will not forget to mention the Cité Universitaire Internationale. We already hear all the languages ​​of the world leaving the station RER Cité Universitaire, since this campus welcomes 12000 students from 140 countries. They are fortunate enough to be housed in some forty buildings designed by big names in world architecture (Lucio Costa, Le Corbusier, or Claude Parent). Here all the national styles are mixed with the Houses of Iran, Korea, Japan, Argentina, or the College of Spain. Isolated in the 8th district, and all the more spectacular, Maison Loo surprises the onlooker with its red walls. The Chinese-inspired pagoda, former private mansion of an art dealer nostalgic of his country, M.Loo, is now a private museum, which offers exhibitions and salons abled to be privatize. The opportunity to discover an interior decoration as exotic as the surprising facade. Flavors from far away Of course, restaurants are not lacking in the world capital of gastronomy. But when you want to change flavors for your taste buds, where to dine in Paris? Of course, to enjoy fine Asian dishes and discover that there is not only spring rolls and sushi in life, Parisians are familiar with the Rue Sainte Anne in the Opera district for the best Japanese restaurants, or the Avenue de Choisy in the XIIIth district "China Town" for the most authentic Chinese cuisine. Falafel lovers will go to look for food in the Marais. Want to taste a real Malian mafé? The district of La Goutte d'Or, metro Château Rouge, is full of grocery stores specialized in African products. On the lookout for perfumes from India? It's Passage Brady where you’ll find them. This "Little India" hides behind its colorful frontages the most spicy spices. Off the beaten track and those neighborhoods where you will be spoiled for choice, Paris also has many tables that blend almost incognito into the Haussmann landscape: Vietnamese, Thai, Mexican, Argentinian or Peruvian cuisine all found their place not far from the Seine. Among these good addresses of exotic restaurants in Paris, we have tested for you a reference in Indonesian gastronomy: the well named Indonesia, located near the Luxembourg Garden. Behind an almost secret entrance, one discovers a bamboo decoration adorned with puppets and masks evocative of the cultures of the volcanic archipelago. The national dishes that are served here such as nasi goreng (fried rice) or sate ayam (chicken skewers with peanut sauce) will transport your senses to Yogyakarta or Ubud, to the sound of a traditional gamelan ... we believe it!

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Exotic Paris: Go around the world without leaving the capital

Exotic Paris: Go around the world without leaving the capital