2 Best Restaurants in Side Trips from Paris, France

Back in Monet's day, this pretty-in-pink villa was the favorite hotel of the American painters' colony. Today it remains one of the most charming spots in the Île-de-France (despite the tourists), although the surroundings retain more historic charm than the simple cuisine (mainly salads large enough to count as a main course in their own right, or straightforward, if unremarkable, dishes like an omelet or gigot d'agneau [lamb and mutton]). A decent three-course prix-fixe menu is available at lunch and dinner. Renovated to appear as it did in Monet's time, the dining room is stage-set rustic; and there’s an extraordinarily pretty rose garden out back with embowered paths that lead to the studio Cézanne once used.

Founded in 1822, this renowned pâtissiere has served generations of local families and Parisians alike, who come here for seasonal specialties like fraise des bois tartlets with almond cream and delicious viennoiseries (croissants, pain au chocolat, etc.). Savory specialties are equally delicious and perfect for a picnic in the nearby gardens.