There are so many things to see in Paris and so little time to make your trip to the French capital may wind up taking the colors of a marathon. I offer a different view on it: stop, review your options and decide to kill a couple of hours to do something quite different than reading a good book in a place where you can be left to itself. Here are three places you can do just that.
The China House
In America, when we think of a social place where you can spend a few hours reading and sipping a hot drink, the local store Starbucks comes to mind almost immediately. Starbucks is slowly building a beach head in Europe, where coffee Italian espresso dominates the market, leaving little room for the kind of Starbucks sells tea.
In other words, Starbucks stores are not lacking in Paris. But there are many other places like that, and sometimes better. The China House (The House of China) belongs to this latter category.
Standing at 76 rue Bonaparte in the Saint Germain des Pres, The China House offers tea lovers a perfect haven to enjoy different teas and nibble a few buttons (small biscuits with a light cream spread on the inside) and other pastries. The teahouse is open 03 hours 00-19 hours 00 Monday to Saturday. tastings give you the opportunity to taste some of the best Chinese teas: Tieguanyin, Longjing, and Yinzhen Shuixian. The tea is prepared in the sense of an ancient tradition with special bamboo utensils, tea pot of clay and water, a mug to feel “and a” cup to drink.
If you also want to have lunch, their Shanghai Cafe opens 12:30-14:30. Their courses are a mix between Chinese and Thai cuisine, with interesting flavors. The food is not cheap (there are two options, one for 22, one for 28), but the quality is good.
Les Jardins du Luxembourg
Definitely one of my favorite places in my teens. The Luxembourg Gardens are the Paris version of Hyde Park in London and New York’s Central Park. It covers a large part of the city, which covers parts of several districts. The French Senate has been built along one side room.
Monikered “Le Luco” by young people of the 6th district (one well to do crowd with its own social codes and exclusive parties), the Luxembourg gardens are informally divided into sections.
In one of them, children can ride a merry old wooden-horse-go-round, and catch rings metal wood short sticks. Further, there are a few tennis courts, and a puppet theater. The vast expanse of land facing the French Senate House has a pool of water with floating boats young model.
One of the quietest spots in the border garden in the Rue d’Assas. It is shaded by old trees around which narrow conclusion. Metal chairs lined up in aisles, and it may become difficult to find someone unoccupied during the summer that students like to hang out and study in this field. A perfect place for a quiet afternoon of reading or romantic walk.
Meet Louis 13 at Place des Vosges
Hidden by four rows of houses from the 17th century Place des Vosges is probably best known for its art galleries. These works present a more modern breed that galleries that line the famous Rue de Seine, near Saint-Germain-des-Pres.
For me, however, Place des Vosges is chiefly remarkable for its calm, miniature park. The 39 houses around the square house rumble of traffic from the Rue Saint-Antoine (south side) and the Boulevard Beaumarchais (east side). This kind of wall serves as a windbreak during the fall and spring.
In medium-sized tree line to the fence around the park built symmetrically. In its center, a tree-circle in which there is a bronze statue of Louis the 13 that we learn, has died at age 33. Around the central circle, my goal: one of four green lawns where I can place a gap, went to bed and read.
During the summer there is always some training in classical and jazz playing in the arcades nearby. They play at a fairly good which gives a nice touch to the local atmosphere.
Among the restaurants around the place, I personally like “Ma Bourgogne” at No. 19. They serve meals for 25-35.
Many more items coming
There is no shortage of quiet spots where killing a couple of delightful hours in Paris. In fact, I’ll write a bit more in the coming weeks. When you are in Paris, take some time to enjoy the city vibe differently, do not just roll with the Parisian bustle. I’ll see you from time to time with more food for thought.
As an experienced traveler and a long-term specialist in Paris, Phil Chavanne gives dozens of tips and advice on Paris hotels, restaurants, monuments and its city guide free , Paris-Eiffel Tower-News .
