Get acquainted with the 9th Arrondissement:
Our neighbourhood is a well-kept secret! It used to be famous for the Pigalle district which is close by, but in recent years has become the favourite of Parisians because of the beauty of its buildings, the accessibility to central Paris, its 'neighbourhood' ambiance evocative of old Paris. Known to Parisians as 'Nouvelle Athenes', you will find within steps of our apartment the traditional boulanger, small working shops--the shoemaker, antique dealer, the wine merchant, as well as genuine neighbourhood bistros (bistro! is 'quickly' according to Parisian lore). This is not chic Paris of high fashion and higher prices, but a true neighbourhood where parents take their children to school, old ladies chat on the front door steps, young couples gaze adoringly at each other over a kir. The neighbourhood is ideal for families with children, as there is a small park close by with children's play equipment. A full-service supermarket (Monoprix) is 5 minutes away.
Getting around in Paris:
We live 5 minutes away from our Douai apartment and like Parisians, we ride the bus. You will quickly master the 6 lines within minutes from the front door and you can easily get to any tourist destination you wish, while enjoying the sights of Paris from your seat. Direct city buses go to the Louvre, Musee d'Orsay, St. Germain des Pres, the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame and the Arc de Triomphe. For excursions outside Paris, Gare St. Lazare is 10 minutes away and has direct service to Versailles and Giverny. Of course, Paris is a walkers' delight and Montmartre is close by and easy to explore. The climb up to Sacre Coeur will take you 15 minutes and you'll go past Amelie's cafe, Les Deux Moulins, down rue des Abbesses (where the shopping is great fun) and then uphill past Bateau Lavoir and memories of Picasso. For the musically inclined, try Musee de la Vie Romantique and see the plaster cast of Chopin's hand. And then take tea in the beautiful secret garden before adventuring on.
Eating your way through Paris:
There are many reasons to come to Paris, but as one of our guests said, 'We come to eat.' So we'd like to offer names and addresses of several favorite bistros and restaurants near our apartment. For a special meal, we recommend either the beautiful Lapin Agile, below Moulin de La Galette, 83 r. Lepic. Tel. 01 46 06 84 77 or Le Diapason in the Terrass Hotel for a fabulous view from the roof terrace. A '10' on the romantic scale! 12-14 r. Joseph de Maistre. Tel 01.44.92.34.00. For a typically Montmartre experience and the best ribs in town, try Le Zebre, 38 r. Lepic. For a true bistro lunch, pop into Le Coin des Rues, 34 r. Ballu or Le Gourmet, 19 r. de Bruxelles. The pace is fast, but very welcoming. Other classic Montmartois 'joints' are La Mascotte, 52 r. des Abbesses. Tel 01 46 06 28 15 and across the street at #61, La Villa des Abbesses. Tel 01.42.57.96.77. Of course, it's very easy to eat at home. All you have to do is walk up Lepic, harvesting as you go. Bon appetit!
Other Activities:
Cultural activities including museums, theater, opera and ballet, jazz clubs, restaurants, cinemas, billiards, antiquing
marks the location of the property in Paris
