LMWW

I'm not a big poster here, but I do admit to using these pages quite a bit as a resource for planning my recent trip to Paris.

I studied abroad in Paris as a college student, so I am fairly familiar with the city and had no problem planning our daily itinerary. But now that I'm an adult (vs. a college student on the cheap), I appreciated the tips for the "grown-up" aspects of trip planning.

Upon the recommendation of several people here, we stayed at the Hotel Caron de Beaumarchais. We were extremely pleased. The staff were hospitable and kind, and the room was lovely and comfortable (although small). The location was perfect for us - we are in our early 30s, and enjoyed using the Marais as our home base, and the convenience of its central location.

We mostly used the Time Out guide to plan our meals. We had delicious dinners at Le Dome du Marais, Le Souk, Blue Elephant, L'as du Falafel - we tried to go to Chez Hanna, my preferred spot in college, but it was closed.

We also ate at Le Petit Zinc, which served a very memorable soupe de poisson. Le Petit Zinc does not seem to get much mention online or in guideboosks, but it is a tradition among my family members to go. In fact, my first visit was when I was 12 years old, when the restaurant was located in a different location. We also had fabulous lunch at Mariage Freres (I am a HUGE tea enthusiast), and did tea and macarons at Laduree. ALL delicious.

The only snag we hit was with the Parishuttle. It was EXCELLENT upon our arrival. I called from the baggage claim, and we were promptly met and taken to the hotel. However, on the trip home, they were 45 minutes late. Moreover, the driver spoke very little French, let alone English. He did not seem to realize that we were seriously delayed - we got to the airport with about 1 hour and 15 minutes before our flight. In hindsight, we should have just cancelled and grabbed a cab.

Otherwise, we had a wonderful stay and just wanted to say thanks!

Scarlett

I am so very glad that you were happy with your trip, that any advice you garnered from Fodorites was useful and that you came back to tell us

Dining at Le Petit Zinc is a very nice family tradition that I must copy

Dasher

Hi LMWW,
Thanks for the post. I'm heading to the Marais district in a few weeks with my 16 year old daughter. We'll need a restaurant for 2 dinners and 3 lunches, so I'm wondering if you had a favorite among those restaurants you mentioned. We eat just about anything, although I particularly like fish. Did you need reservations for any of the restaurants?
Thanks.

Sarah

I ate at Petit Zinc 11/26 LMWW and was surprised more was not written online about it. I did notice that it was part of promotional offer. This made me think it was less successful than other restaurants of a similar caliber.

Our meal was ok and I was disappointed that the art nouveu (sp) style interior was a reproduction.

I only gave our meal an ok status because we had an EXTRAORDINARY meal at "Le Hanger" two days before. You know how that goes, you have an incredible meal and the bar is raised for all other expectations.

We tried to get into Hotel Caron de Beaumarchais too but it was booked out, lucky you!

So where in the Marais were you if you can use landmarks. This area really confused me. I was on the edges on the 3rd. Don't recall bumping into the Jewish quarter so I am a bit confused at to where the funky night life of the Marais was. I was a bit off though on this trip it was so cold I found it difficult to explore streets as thoroughly as I would in warmer months.

Sarah

Dasher LeHanger....atmosphere is very simple but the food was incredilbe

Loved my apertiff of champaigne and strawberry liquor. I think that is a kir Royale. Friend has the Saternes. We both enjoyed our drinks and we only bought the by the glass offerings so this was a surprise.

we had fried a starter of cream of sweet potatoe soup w/nutmeg. Just called sweet potatoe soup on menu.
a main dish of fried foie gra on mashed potatoes much more delicate than it sounds. Other main entree was scallops on a celery puree. The puree was more of compote with a consistancy lighter but similar to risotto.

IT WAS TRE FAB as my travel partner proclaimed. The 21 year old I was with was over the moon with the food here. The table next to us, French patrons ordered exactly what we had, and yes they were watching our responses!

dessert....just ok but I live in NYC so it takes a lot to wow me on many food fronts. The desserts here were fine just not fall on the floor, change your outlook on life delicous. LOL

Sarah

One thing I saw people from other places not knowing about (because I asked them) was the high quality of the yogurt in France.

Dasher take your daughter into a grocery store and check out the dairy section. There are super rich options that are more like desserts.

LMWW there is one brand and the name I want to guess has manon is in the title. It will be the only variety with a coconut option, Fig is another flavor (I did not try fig). Anywho, I undertstand it is the number one yogurt in Paris. Very creamy dannon options that taste more like cheesecake than yogurt too. This is a fun isle to play in.

We put them just outside our window and ate them in the morning, one or two days.

Sarah

Le Hanger - 12 impasse Berthaud, near Geo Pompidou Center

just off rue beuboug, ask for directions not fully visiable from street. We were advised not to be put off by its isolation.

Dasher

Thanks, Sarah. Le Hanger sounds fun. By the way, since my daughter is the one living in France and I am the visitor, SHE will probably be showing me around. She probably knows ALL about dessert-like yogurt and other French delicacies, so I'll be the one who is wowed by everything. If you think of any other tidbits to share about the Marais area, I'm all ears.