A wee trip to Paris, part 2

Chocolat Debauve & Gallais
Sulpice Debauve was a pharmacist-turned-chocolate maker for France's royal family, and he developed a range of chocolate coins for Marie Antoinette - which you can still buy today (Pistoles de Marie Antoinette).

This beautiful old shop has been selling chocolates for 200 years, and features marble columns and wood-panelled walls.
Chocolat Debauve & Gallais
30 Rue des Saints-Peres
Paris
Métro: Saint-Germain des pres
Opening hours:
Monday to Saturday 9.30am-7pm

A.P.C. Surplus
Bypass the tourists milling around the bottom of the hill leading up to the Sacre-Coer and walk around to Rue André Del Sarte , where you'll find A.P.C's outlet shop.

Well worth a visit if you're an A.P.C. fan, with 50 per cent discount off last season's collections.
20 Rue André Del SartE
75018 Paris
Métro:Chateau Rouge

Creperie Josselin
Walk past all the other creperies jostling for attention on this street and head straight to Josselin, considered to be the best of its kind in Paris.

It's relatively cheap and the buckwheat galettes are very filling, but you could also go simple and sweet with the house chocolate crepe.
Creperie Josselin
67 Rue du Montparnasse
75014 Paris (14th Arr.)
Tel. 01 43 35 26 68

Cafe de Flore
Another Sarte and de Beauvoir haunt, another way to watch the world go by from plush red leather seating and splendid Art Deco surroundings.

Yes, it's a wee bit touristy, but the Club Sandwich is really good (although not particularly existential).
Cafe de Flore
172 bd. Saint-Germain,
Paris (6th Arr.)
Métro: St-Germain-des-Prés

Shakespeare & Company
I hadn't visited this wee gem of a bookshop for many years, so it was lovely to rediscover it and enjoy its rather authentic bohemian atmosphere.

It's always very busy, but there are lots of little nooks for reading (or, uh, napping), as well as a great view of Notre Dame from the upstairs windows.
Shakespeare & Co
37 rue de la Bûcherie
75005 Paris
Tel. 01 43 25 40 93
Opening hours:
Monday to Saturday 10am-11pm
Sunday 11am-11pm

Left Bank booksellers
I usually don't pay much attention to the booksellers and their distinctive dark green boxes lining the Left Bank of the Seine, but I couldn't help lingering on a sunny Sunday afternoon.

Sitting alongside crappy print reproductions were some really incredible vintage magazines, although they are priced for tourists. Good for browsing, perhaps, rather than buying.

Comments

[Urban Mums]

Thank you for these great recommendations! I absolutely love Paris and will definitely visit some of these places on my next trip. Can't wait!

[Helena]

Hi! I just made the mistake of reading your blog before breakfast, and now I'm longing for a crepe or an artfully crafted chocolate to go with my mug of tea.

[Rose]

Ah Paris- just reading your posts had me humming and imagining walking around getting a bit lost but being happy.

[Deb]

Aching to go back, and it's only been a week!!!

[Make Do Style]

SIGH!

[Becky]

Brill! Thanks wee birdy, off to Paris at start of March so v. useful!

[Singaporean in London]

Thanks for the pictures! Was wondering whether to pop by Paris for awhile. The post just might provide that extra push. C K.

[shayma]

ah, the beauty of paris and its chocolate houses. the books, the crepes, the river. all so beautifully depicted in this post. i, like you, am also always glued to Le Marais, but it is nice to venture outside of it sometimes, for a wee bit, non? x shayma

[Fionnuala]

How lovely, TB, great photos! Paris will be going on the travel list for 2011 (2010's maxed out!).

[Christina]

wow these are great references for my future getaway to paris. i hope that's soon <3

[Angel Eden]

I love the look of this chocolate shop. There is a very good shop in Belper, Derbyshire started by a couple who spent some time living in France, http://www.i-shouldcocoa.co.uk/chocolates/

http://www.angeleden.co.uk

[Caroline, No.]

Lovely. I'll definitely be visiting some of these places on my next trip.

[club villamar]

Lovely article...I too like the Chocolat Debauve & Gallais shop...Its very strange to know that they are selling chocolates from the last 200 years...Thanks for sharing....