A Guide to the Best Street Food in Paris

By Go City Expert

Street food has recently become as popular a thing has dining in, and especially in Paris where food plays such an important role in society and culture and where the multinational influences are ever growing. Now, where to go for the best takeaway French crêpe is almost as important as where to go for a sit down moules et frites. We thought we’d take to the streets and whittle down some of our best eateries around the city so that you will be well fed on-the-go and can leave Paris with some real recommendations to pass on. To suit every taste and fancy, we’ve tried to provide something for everyone: Crêpes The crêpe is one of the best things to have come out of Brittany. As much loved now as ever (who isn’t partial to a bit of Nutella?) you’ll see many pop up stalls dotted across the city. Our favourite is just around the corner from Notre Dame; great if you want a sugar hit when you’re sightseeing in Paris. Boulangerie de Papa is a must and caters for all whims, whether you want sweet or savoury. You pay by the ingredient so great for big groups – or big tummies! 1 Rue de la Harpe, 75005 Paris Kebabs Istanbul on the bustling rue des Batignolles has a queue outside it no matter when. But don’t let that put you off by any means! If anything it’s a sign of its unwavering popularity. Here residents call it their local while those who happen upon it leave feeling unquestionably satisfied and pass it on to whoever will list, like an urban legend. Not just your average doner meat, this meat is prepared by two brothers and marinated in a ‘secret ingredient’ that heralds from their native town in Turkey. At €5 a pop, you can’t argue with the price either! 43 Rue des Batignolles, 75017 Paris Ice Cream Although you don’t think of ice cream as a typically Parisian dish, mark my words there are some strong contenders throughout the city. One of the most popular venues is Clasico Argentino, which serves creamy smooth helado (ice cream in Spanish). With authentic flavours like dulce de leche (a caramel flavour) and boozy fruits, it’s a sure-fire way of sweetening up your day! The cafes (there are more than one!) are even open late if you fancy stopping by for desert, too. 56 Rue de Saintonge, 75003 Paris Sandwiches Don’t be fooled by the name, Thieng Heng is the master of all things sandwich related! If you’re not afraid of being a bit experimental, this place is a must. Think crusty French baguettes meet Asian infusions. One of their signature dishes is Vietnamese pâté and with glazed pork and vegetables – and at under €5 you can’t argue with the price. Visit Thieng Heng to make your own or stick with the classic ham and cheese if you’re not feeling brave. 50 Avenue d'Ivry, 75013 Paris Burgers For one of the easiest meals in Paris (and one of the most sought after) head to this mobile burger van, Le Camion Qui Fume. Here, you’ll find some of the most succulent burgers at a snip of the price. Forget stereotypical greasy roadside vans, this is something else. For just €10 you can tuck into a range of burgers from classic to champagne, with cheese and home cut chips. As it is a mobile concept, they’re on the move and frequent different stops every few days so look out for their schedule to make sure you don’t miss out. If you miss them at lunch, don’t worry they even do dinner slots too! 11 Place de la madeleine, 75008 Paris Falafel Le Marais (the Jewish Quarter) is one of Paris’ most popular neighbourhoods and is full of falafel joints, but one in particular stands out is l’As du Falafel. Not a secret spot, however, it’s claimed Mr Lenny Kravitz himself makes a bee-line to it when he visits Paris. Hardly expensive either, you can dine with €5 and receive a wrap stuffed to the brim with fresh falafel, salad and spicy sauce. Eat it wandering around the quirky vintage shops and boutiques in the area and you can’t ask for a more Parisian street food experience! 32-34 Rue des Rosiers, 75004 Paris

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Summer Concerts in Paris

Huge concerts to look forward to this summer When it comes to live music, Paris is one of the best cities to head for world-class acts and performances. There aren’t many places that can match Paris for the sheer quantity - and quality - of artists that perform there each year – and this summer is no exception. Long been a season associated with smash-hit concerts, 2014 is a good year for music lovers, with a host of huge acts booked in to perform. So if you fancy some music among the monuments, here are a few of the biggest gigs to look forward to over the summer in Paris: The Rolling Stones Arguably the biggest band in the world, the Rolling Stones have been producing hits since 1962 and are currently going through something of a revival after reforming for a series of comeback shows over the last couple of years. Led by frontman Mick Jagger with the (in)famous guitarist Keith Richards, the Stones will be performing at the Stade de France on 13th June, so if you like your stadium rock concerts then you won't find a better one than this! One Direction Also playing at the Stade de France this summer will be British boy-band One Direction. Every teenage girl’s dream, if you’ve got young kids this one is a failsafe option! With as many number ones as you can shake a stick at, this ‘pop’-y five are taking over stages around the world and you’ll be pushed to find someone who doesn’t know at least one of their songs... Performing on 20th June, the Brit Award-winning group will be playing hits from their smash-hit albums Up All Night, Take Me Home and Midnight Memories. Arcade Fire June is looking like one hell of a month in Paris this year, with Arcade Fire also set to play in the French capital on the 3rd. The Canadian indie outfit will be taking to the stage at the Zenith de Paris in a warm up for their headline slot at Glastonbury at the end of the month. Having enjoyed enormous success with albums like Funeral, Neon Bible and The Suburbs, the band are currently among the most respected and critically-acclaimed acts on the planet. Jack Johnson If chilled out vibes and lullaby tones are your kind of thing then Hawaiian singer-songwriter Jack Johnson is sure to strike a chord with you. This former professional surfer is lined up to play at L'Olympia on the 1st July, so make sure you’ve got tickets! After shooting to fame with albums such as Brushfire Fairytales, On and On, and In Between Dreams, he is currently promoting his latest record, entitled From Her to Now to You, and is sure to play a number of tracks from all of his most popular albums. Eminem One of the most iconic - and controversial - figures in the hip-hop scene, Detroit rapper Eminem has worked with all of the biggest names in the industry and has helped to redefine the genre over the past 15 years. Remember Slim Shady? Exactly. With tracks like My Name Is, Stan, Lose Yourself and a host of others in his repertoire, this is a show that all fans of urban music will surely want to attend. Naturally, an act of this size can only be accommodated by the Stade de France, so free up your diary for the 22nd August. With the Paris Pass your travel is included in the Paris Visite travelcard. This will make getting from A-B even easier, as it covers all travel in the centre between zones 1-3 for the duration of your pass length. Find out how to make your holiday run even more smoothly, here.
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Do Paris in a day

The ultimate one day itinerary in Paris There’s no doubt Paris is brimming with museums and monuments, art galleries and architecture to explore and discover. With so many things to do and to see, sometimes it can be quite difficult to plan your trip without missing out on anything. To make it easier we’ve made the ultimate 1 day itinerary that should tick off most of the top attractions and must-see sights in Paris so you can leave assured you’ve seen and done the best – or les mieux, as they would say! Make sure you get up early, fill yourself with a big breakfast and take to the streets in a pair of comfortable shoes. Yet that’s not to say we haven’t factored in enough time for a sit down lunch and a glass of wine at some point during the day... Morning Notre Dame Cathedral is one of the most famous cathedrals in the world and should be on your to-do list for Paris whether we tell you or not! Right in the middle of the Seine, Notre Dame sits in the Île de la Cité, once the centre of medieval Paris and still the nucleus of the contemporary city today. Thanks to the bishop Maurice de Sully, he commissioned the build of a cathedral grand enough to reflect the cultural and economic boom that Paris was experiencing at the time, dedicated to the Virgin Mary which translates as notre dame, our lady. Over many years and many modifications it is one of the most impressive buildings in Paris with its looming stained glass windows, religious paintings and Gothic architecture, complete with gargoyles, not to mention the legendary bells and towers which make up its impressive silhouette. Mid-morning Just a stone’s throw away is Sainte-Chappelle, behind the Notre Dame on the same Île de la Cité. This wonderful Holy Chapel sits in the courtyard of the royal palace and is renowned for its stunning Gothic architecture and stained glass windows. Commissioned originally to house King Louis IX’s collection of Passion Relics – including the Crown of Thorns, it is now one of the largest surviving collections of 13th century stained glass windows in the world. If you’re interested in medieval and religious history, you won’t be disappointed with this colourful culture house. Lunch time Take a stroll up the Seine, cross the lovers bridge Pont Neuf, and head to the Louvre [link]. One of the most famous art galleries in Paris not only does it house the enigmatic Mona Lisa but around 35,000 other artefacts from prehistory to the 21st century. It’s also the most visited museum in the world with over 9.7 million people going through its door every year, so not surprising you’ll be in for a treat. Within the Louvre Palace, a 12th century Parisian landmark in itself, is nearly 70,000 square metres of exhibition space for you to pour over at leisure. From the Venus de Milo to Delacroix’s Liberty Leading the People, there are centuries of masterpieces for you to discover. Get a breath of fresh air and put your feet up in the gorgeous Tuileries Garden, just outside the Louvre, leading up to the Palace de Concorde. It’s the perfect spot for a bit of people watching and great if you have brought a picnic so take shelter under one of the many trees or on a patch of manicured lawn and watch the world go by. It might shock you to know that before 1667 this was actually a private garden, commissioned by Catherine de Medicis as an homage to her native Florence... Mid-afternoon Once you’ve rested and recharged, cross the aptly named Pont Royal over the Seine to the Orsay Museum, another one of Paris’ most visited art galleries. The Orsay was originally built as a hotel and station in the late 19th century, designed in the style of the surrounding Louvre and other royal buildings, it’s not surprising it’s architecturally impressive! As well as the original station clock, you can explore the Luxembourg Rooms, The Sovereignty of White and works by Monet and Picasso, among others. Evening Since you’ve been able to tick off most of what Paris is famous for on foot, it’s time to get another perspective, this time at 56 floors up. Whizz up Europe’s fastest elevator to a height of over 196m to the top of The Montparnasse Tower [link] and you’re guaranteed breath-taking views across the city. If you go in the evening you can see Paris lit up – and on a clear day you can even see for 40km. Look over Paris from the glass viewing platform and take in the sights of the Pantheon, Arc de Triomphe and Eiffel Tower. Discover Paris for less with the Paris Pass, the complete sightseeing package complete with Museum Pass, Attractions Pass, Travelcard and guidebook. Not only will it save you time and money but it will make your trip easier and allow you to plan in advance... Find out more, here.
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