The Batignolles Area
 

Does anyone have recommendations regarding your favorite restaurants, cafes, boulangeries, or other shops/attractions in the Batignolles (17e) neighborhood?

This is the last area we stayed in on our May trip. My husband thought it more exiting than anywhere else we have stayed in Paris and that covers a lot of ground!
We booked a garden room at the Hotel Eldorado in rue des Dames. It's a mighty long road and all downhill from the hotel but lined with all kinds of interesting shops, restaurants etc. At the bottom Rue des Dames connects with Rue Levis and there is an enormous Franprix - gosh I hope I'm right! Maybe it was a Monoprix!

At the hotel Eldorado is a VERY BUSY restaurant called Bistro Des Dames. Packed every night we were there so didn't get to eat there this time as they do not take reservations.
We did however have a fabulous Chinese meal at Sinotak in the same street.

This area is alive especially at night. Cafe's open to the sidewalk where you will glimpse a lady perched on a barstoll strumming a guitar while singing a melancholy French song.

We found the bus far more convenient than the metro.
Here is the hotel link in case you are interested:

http://www.eldoradohotel.fr/

Thank you, Ms. TOD--

We have rented an apartment about 3 blocks from that hotel. I am especially interested in restaurant recommendations, although on our previous trips to Paris (staying in other neighborhoods) we have had mostly great success just looking at cartes/menus and eating where it looked interesting.

Because we will be there for 4 weeks, we plan to prepare some meals in the apartment, especially breakfasts, so we will be buying fish, cheeses, breads, fruit, vegetables, etc. as well at patronizing cafes and restaurants. We are familiar with shopping at Franprix and Monoprix and expect to make good use of them, as well as smaller, "local" sources.

I understand there is a nearby Marche Biologique? Did you get a chance to stop by? Any impressions?

Are there any places, basides Sinotak, you enjoyed?

I had great hopes of a splendid meal at Au Petit Chavignol, 78 Rue Tocqueville,75017. I had set my heart on a Salade Rouergate - a traditional dish of Aveyron cooking.
Sadly, this was a disappointment and no different to the Boyarde Salad I had at Chez Papa. Lots of saute` potatoes, with a slice of ham, a splash of dressing and a bit of cheese, and a slice or two of tomato, with a softly fried egg on top.
The prices were steep. My duck tough, my husband fish - fishy and very salty! What a let down.

Never got to Marche Biologique.

Around the leafy Square Batignoles, near the church there seemed to be quite a number of restaurants or cafe`s. Nice for lunch before or after the park.

Do take a walk around and check out the area on: PagesJaunes

It was almost right next door to Hotel Eldorado that we saw the singer strumming her guitar. Bistro des Dames overflows into the inner courtyard of the hotel and it was delightful looking down through the bamboo and fairylights at the diners from our window! I posted those photos with my trip report:

http://tinyurl.com/ksga8v

It is a Monoprix on rue de Lévis.
The marché biologique is indeed on boulevard des Batignolles, which runs on top of metro line 2 between Rome and Place de Clichy.

I lived in the Batignolles area for 2 years and loved it.

The church just in front of the Square des Batignolles has been used in movies more than once as a church in Marseille or elsewhere in the south of France, because it does not look like a Parisian church at all. I recall one movie with Sophia Loren and Jean Gabin that used it.

I agree with that, I've been in that church, it is very unusual for Paris. I would also tour the Cite des Fleurs running north near Brochant metro, if you can. Just a nice walk of an unusual and nice neighborhood. It is only open to the public at certain times though, I think only in the daytime and is closed as a private street at night or after 1 on Sundays. Catherine Deneuve was born there. Here is info on it on the 17e arr. mayor's website:
http://mairie17.paris.fr/mairie17/js...sp?page_id=631

I spent two weeks in an apartment in the Batignolles last November. You might be interested in my trip report:

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...rip-report.cfm

I visited the marche biologique two Saturdays. I bought a wonderful rotisserie pintade (like a tastier chicken) and some great cheese. The cheese galettes are a nice snack to eat at the market.

There is a nice bar called Point Bar on the rue des Batignolles. One night I heard live music there.

Next to the Point Bar is a very good bakery, and there is another one a block closer to the Square des Batignolles on the other side of the street.

I enjoyed my meal at Aubergine very much.

At Place de Clichy, I enjoyed the Brasserie Wepler.

We discovered the Batignolles area 3 Paris trips ago and now would not stay anywhere else! We have been in three different apartments in the area and will return to another apartment in October. I don't have much to add to the info above - I love to cook, my husband is a wine expert, so we eat in more than out. There is an covered market on Rue Brochant with fresh fish, produce, cheese, etc. and it is connected to a regular Mono- or Franprix. I'm certain you will enjoy your stay!