We just returned from a wonderful 10 day trip to Paris. I spent 6 months reading and researching, including perusing this message board. One thing we found, however, was that we sometimes had problems finding something to eat! Either the establishment was closed or they had stopped serving food. Is there some pattern to this that we missed? (p.s. - we did find several excellent places to eat near our wonderful hotel in the 7th, so we certainly didn't starve).

Well, I'm speechless....

Me, too!!!

What time of day were you trying to eat? That's the only thing I can think of. You DID remember to switch your watches to Paris time, right?

Do you tend to want to eat after midnight or something? More restaurants are closed on Sunday-Monday, also, but not on other days especially. Also, in full-fledge restaurants, you aren't going to be able to order meals in the middle of the day or the middle of the morning or anything, of course, as they serve at lunch and dinner. All you have to do is go to a cafe or someplace that does serve at all hours, though, so you shouldn't have any trouble finding something to eat.

you need to describe what you did a little better for anyone to comment -- what kind of places you were going to, and when.

Europe isn't quite on the same 24/7 schedule as North America. Smaller or family run place sometimes close on the weekends, or evenings. Even proper restuarants in North America only serve lunch during a specific time, then no full menu, then dinner until a specific time.

I'm sorry your were surprised and had some trouble with this- though I'm puzzled how someone could spend 6 months researching for a trip and never stumble across this sort of information.

Or maybe you were trying to eat lunch after the lunch period and before they they had started serving the evening meal.

But having a hard time finding a place to eat?!? Maybe a particular restaurant was closed - but w/ 6 or 8 others in the same block one wouldn't starve

Now this is a problem I've never encountered in Paris. Oui, speechless is the word. EJ

Excuse me but how can you not find food in France, I am dumbfounded!
Okay, the French have a tendancy to eat at certain times, mostly at lunch during the week, and while some restuarants may seem vacant they will serve early before and somewhat after. The trick is to arrive somewhat early (perferred) or near the end of the meal hour.
Its roughly the same with dinner but that is more a hometime meal.
Ask your hotel the next time what the city/area meal times are.
One of our best experiences was in a off boulevard cafe, between meals, the chef was in the back and came out to greet us, we were hungry and it was my wife's decision, the chef advised us what to have (my wife was so happy it was funny), the food though simple was excellent.
Enjoy!

I too am totally confused by this post. You were in the Paris in France -- right?? I mean, not Paris, Texas or Paris, Kentucky or somewhere?

I suppose it might be hard to get dinner at 4:30 or 5 PM except in brasseries, but other than that I simply can't imagine what you're talking about.

Gosh, it seemed like asking if there are any Catholics in the Vatican.
Travelprincess when you return, remember that the brasseries, some that are so beautiful will be open.

...and the establishments were closed?? As in shuttered permanently?? Where did you stay and where did you end up eating?

And where did you "try" to eat?

LOL cigale

...could the moveable feast have moved?

WOW

princess - we need some more information so we can really attack you!

I think she's got to be pulling our collective leg. I'm guessing the second leg of the trip involved a visit to Newcastle where she couldn't find coals.

I always bring my own food when I visit Paris, so I'll be sure and have enough. In a fanny pack.

LOL

Great spoof travelprincessmn. You would probably have trouble finding snow at the North Pole also.

When I was in Paris, I had the opposite problem- trying to find way to *stop* myself from eating- continually, all the time

I could survive(happily) by just eating the crepes in Paris.

I will say, that my friend and I had a bit of a problem finding a cafe, restaurant, what ever, open on Sunday night in Montparnasse. However, having said that, we were kind of late, and we went back to "our" neighborhood, hoping to find a quick bite close to the hotel. It took a bit of walking, but eventually we did find a couple of places open. Other than that, there were places every where, always.

Also, I guess it would depend on the type of place your were looking for. We always just ate in cafes or brasseries, never a "real" restaurant, so we never had any problem no matter what time it was that we wanted to eat.

Wow, I'm just really surprised.