With its two screens showing only “Latin” films (ie films from Spain, Portugal, Italy, Latin America, and more rarely Romania), and its dance-floor upstairs hosting Latin dances classes, Le Latina cinema has become over the years an inevitable place for Latin cultures’ enthusiasts wishing to watch an Almodovar film downstairs while hearing the noise of High Heels on the floor above…

In 2009, Le Latina was slightly renamed in Le Nouveau Latina (The New Latina), and it slightly changed too, even if it keeps its strong Latin identity. Most of the films are still from Latin countries, but the programming is broader now, and also includes international auteur cinema (with a preference for films about homosexuality: we’re in the deep heart of the Marais).

The first floor has been renovated and is now Le Salon Rouge, a very cozy tea salon (open from 14:00 – 21:00) which also hosts a small store selling DVDs, film posters and books about cinema. If you add photography / drawing exhibitions and tango classes on Monday evenings (beginner / intermediate / free practice), it makes Le Nouveau Latina the perfect multidisciplinary space for modern “Latin lovers”…

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Le Nouveau Latina | Art & culture, Cinemas, Coffee & tea, Snacks
20 rue du Temple | Marais/Bastille | +33142466271
11:30 – 00:00 daily

I live in the 14th district of Paris, down in the south, between Porte d’Orléans ans Denfert Rochereau, where you can see a beautiful copy of Bartholdi’s Belfort Lion, Bartholdi is the sculptor of the Statue of Liberty and this is a copy because the original is, of course, in Belfort, in France!

And when I come back from a walk with my family in the Montsouris Park (check out the article, or if I want to share a good moment with some neighbors-friends, I like to go and have a brunch (on Sundays only for € 18) or dinner in a bistrot called “Le Verre Siffleur”, located rue d’alésia, very close to the eponymous underground station.

This place is relatively new, about three years old, but it brought a sort of fresh air in the quarter, with the rehabilitation of a very affordable bistrot spirit. Besides, this concept has already been copied with the opening of a new, and not really good “Bouquet d’Alésia” just near the cinema Gaumon Alesia.

But “le Verre Siffleur” is never empty, and even if you come to eat Burgers, Salads or pastas, the place is so nice that it is recommended to book a table, otherwise you will be “obliged” to have an “apero” at the wonderful bar, just in the center of the room.

Besides, it is also a French café with a small terrace, where you can have a coffee or a tea in the afternoon.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Le Verre siffleur | Bars, Coffee & tea, Restaurants (French Bistrot) | Main Meal € 20
73, rue d’Alésia | Chinatown/Denfert | +33140470834
Mon – Sat 08:00 – 23:15, Sun 09:00 – 23:15

These 2 cafés one across the other are one of the most popular local coffee shop around Bastille.

They have an interesting mixture of artefacts and pictures, as well as tranquil ambiance during the day makes it a place you feel good at.

Sometimes too boboish and a bit pretentious, nevertheless it has a charm.

When I came to Paris, at the beginning I was surprised that if you are by chance hungry at 16:00. it’s difficult to find a restaurant with kitchen opened. With time I saw that Parisians really respect the eating time table, so do the restaurants. With Le cafe de l’Industrie, it’s not the case. The kitchen is open all day around and the food is really good. The menu is bistro-range, with mainly French dishes.

In the right Industrie, a cat who is a household institution, will convince you, you have chosen well.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Le Café de l’Industrie | Coffee & tea, Snacks | Brunch € 20.00
16/17 rue Saint Sabin | Marais/Bastille | +33147001353
09:30 – 02:00 daily

Butte aux Cailles is a really lovely part of the city. What city is that? You wouldn’t guess, if someone just set you down without telling you, in the middle of the hilly Street Butte aux Cailles.

It is in southern Paris, in the 13th arrondissement – the northern limit is Boulevard Auguste Blanqui, to the south is Rue Tolbiac, Rue Barrault to the west and Rue du Moulin-des-Prés to the east.

It has the atmosphere of a tranquil little village and will certainly give you a holiday feeling, or if you like big cities but a calm neighbourhood, maybe a wish to live here. It had that effect on me.

Just a few centuries ago this area was covered with farms, windmills while the river Bièvre ran through it. The origin of its name comes from the 16th century owner, Cailles, while buttes are hills. Today, history is visible through its distinction from its surrounding areas: Haussmann’s Paris on one side and high blocks of buildings on the other. And the river went into the underworld (canalisation).

At evenings, weekends and on sunny days, there is a great atmosphere all around. Lively, not stuffy and not snobbish at all.

If suggestions for places to go are at all needed, I would just say walk around before choosing a bar, especially in the Rue Butte aux Cailles. Fine places are the Basque restaurant in the Rue des Cinq Diamants (Chez Gladines) and La Folie en Tête, Le Diapason, Sputnik in the Rue Buttes aux Cailles.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Butte aux Cailles | Bars, Coffee & tea | Pint of Beer € 5
Boulevard Auguste Blanqui/ Rue Tolbiac | Chinatown/Denfert
Most bars till 02:00

Salle à Manger is a pleasant place to stop if you are in the Rue Mouffetard.

Want to contemplate the historic or symbolic significance of the area or just to eat well, Salle à Manger gives you both.

Rue Mouffetard, where Salle à Manger is located, dates back to Roman times when Paris was called Lutetia. Later it became a commercial thoroughfare and today it is a mix of tourist attractions, restaurants and small food shops. When not overcrowded it is amusing, though my advice would be to take your time when choosing a restaurant.

Salle à Manger is a budget-friendly restaurant with two terraces, the second of which is the most interesting with a view of the St. Médard church (whose oldest parts date from the 15th century, though the church has stood in the same place since the 11th), situated in the middle of an open-air food market. The scenery is reminiscent of the Middle Ages when markets were often found in front of religious edifices. Street artists sometimes add to the experience.

“The Dining Room” is a brunch-oriented restaurant, with large and delicious salads that are prepared with care. The apple crumble is especially good, also available to take away. With a mild ginger flavour it is worth trying.

If you prefer to eat inside, the atmosphere is exactly as its name suggests – as cosy as a dining room.

And if the sun should make an appearance, the second terrace is bathed in sunshine during the morning and the early afternoon.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
La Salle à Manger | Coffee & tea, Snacks | Brunch € 15.00
138 rue Mouffetard | Quartier Latin | +33155439199
08:30 – 19:30 daily

La Bellevilloise is one of the important night life spots in Paris. There are lots of places where you can “live” culture during the day in the city, however the night palette of this kind is not so easy to find.

In today’s version Bellevilloise was opened in 2005 on the spot where there used to be (in 1877) an after Parisian-Commune worker’s cooperative. In those days it was dedicated to education and animation of the workers living in the area.

Today, the place took the same name and the motto is “dedication to light and creation”. Although nowadays you will meet mainly “bobo”(bourgeois boheme) public, but not exclusively.

There are different things going on even at the same time, as it is a music club, an exposition place, a bar and a restaurant with the stage (separated in 4 different rooms). From exhibitions, rock or world music concerts, to dj-ing, interactive workshops, film festivals to even bio markets there is always something interesting to participate in.

Once you are in rue Boyer you surely won’t miss a good concert, either in the nearby club la Maroquinerie (23, rue Boyer) or in La Bellevilloise. The pleasant choice is yours.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
La Bellevilloise | Art & culture, Bars, Coffee & tea, Music, Festivals & events
19,21 rue Boyer | Belleville/Nation | +33146360707
Wed – Fri 17:30 – 00:20, Sat – Sun 11:00 – 02:00

L’Impévu is an unexpectedly colourful bar, that stands out in its neighbourhood. It offers an easy going atmosphere, lively though calm enough to read a book if you are alone.

Like an apartment with 4 different owners, each room has it’s own style and personality. Depending on your mood you can choose the flea market-inspired first room with unusual painted walls, unique tables and dentist chairs; or an oriental room, smaller, quieter and furnished with a comfortable over-sized couch.

Even if it’s not your favourite design choice, this area of the bar, gives you the impression that time has stopped, and is set back so far from the street that you’ll forget where you are. There’s even weak mobile phone signal in that area of the bar, so relaxation is ensured.

For sweets lovers, the tasteful cakes and cookies are ensured and Chai-spiced tea with milk is extraordinary.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
L’Imprevu | Bars, Coffee & tea | Chai € 4.00
7, rue Quincampoix | Louvre/Les Halles | +33142782350
Mon – Sat 15:00 – 02:00, Sun 15:00 – 00:00

Art brut, a narrow, darkly-lit bar has incredible energy and charm. It is situated near the Pompidou Centre in a quiet, historic street, Rue Quincampoix, where you will face the pleasant but difficult choice among three great bars: L’ Imprévu, La Comédie et Art brut.

Art brut is usually my first choice, though it is not always easy to get in.

Bar and art gallery in one, and decorated directly by the artists themselves, it offers a unique cultural meeting point, as well as a spot to meet people of different ages and backgrounds. The arty part presents expositions that rotate monthly of both young unknown artists and „stars”, including members of the great French music group Têtes raides. Photography, paintings, sculptures, and DIY also can be found here. .

The staff is unpretentious and friendly, and music is often Serbian and Croatian rock as well as ethno sounds from these parts of Europe.

Main menu stars include Šljivovica- Balkanian plum brandy and Montenegrian Nikšičko beer.

Coffee is pretty inexpensive for this area of Paris and the meat and cheese plate is scrumptious.

Cosy, inspiring and human, Art brut tempts you to return again and again to check out the latest exhibition or just meet old and new acquaintances.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Art brut | Bars, Coffee & tea | Coffee € 1.50
78, rue Quincampoix | Louvre/Les Halles | +33142721736
16:00 – 02:00 daily

I don’t smoke, but somehow it makes me feel bad for my friends, having to go outside the bars each time they want to smoke. It reminds me once more how extreme solutions rarely work. Anyway, that’s one of the reasons why I like La Comédie, the small joyous bar on 2 floors with a big heated terrace for smokers.

The entrance is quite ordinary, however, when you arrive at the first floor the mystery of the bar’s name will be resolved – hundreds of movie stars pictures and theatre posters cover the walls. So you can amuse yourself endlessly checking who is who, what theatre plays are still on or just compare the favourites.

Visitors are usually younger people, and it’s not too crowded. Staff is polite and friendly which is always a good news in Paris. Happy hours from 16:00 to 22:00 provide lower price cocktails (€4.00).

This Comédie Triade – theatre, books and cinema reminders that fill the first floor room make you feel as you visited your old friend’s home with whom you share hobbies and taste. Here is one more reason you could feel so comfortable at La Comédie.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
La Comédie | Bars, Coffee & tea | Pint € 4.00
17, rue de Quincampoix | Louvre/Les Halles
Tue – Sun 16:00 – 02:00

I love a second-hand book shop. I’m not sure whether it’s the musty smell, the odd-looking man lurking as if he has nowhere else to go (and more than likely he doesn’t), or the weird and very wonderful things you can pick up on the cheap (cookery book where everything looks as if its coated in slime, DIY book in which every piece of advice is now illegal or extremely dangerous, calendar from 1990… to name just some of the treats I’ve come across).

Also, these places always make me feel (smugly) like I’m cheating the system somehow. Like when you find exactly what you want and its on sale, but not like a normal shop sale, more like 90 per cent off. And it’s a book, so somehow just a little bit better. Glorious.

Anyway, in Paris, second-hand book shops are both better and worse than the ones at home (mine’s the UK). Better as there are so few of them and English/US literature is such a treat when you live abroad, worse because the books can be so shockingly expensive and the selection is often poor.

Hurrah then for Tea and Tattered Pages which has both a wide and varied selection of stock, all at reasonable prices.

Its a little off the usual tourist track out in residential Montparnasse but well worth the journey. What’s more, the lovely American lady who runs the shop will serve you English tea, scones and carrot cake in the tiny tea-room at the back. Fab.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Tea and Tattered Pages | Coffee & tea, Shopping, Snacks
24 rue Mayet | Montparnasse | +33140659435
Mon – Sat 11:00 – 19:00, Sun 12:00 – 18:00