Image by Pierre BISMUTH

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, 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, less than three years old, but it brought a sort of fresh air in the quarter, with the rehabilitation of a very affordable bistrot spiritt. Besides, this concept has already been copied with the opening of a new “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

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Paris

Image by Pierre BISMUTH

I’ve already told you about a quarter I’m very fond of, La Butte aux Cailles. And if, just like me, you fall in love with this street, you can try a lot of restaurants, like “Les Cailloux”, but you can also decide to go to “Le Temps des Cerises”. This restaurant, which is also a cooperative, is very different and cool as you will never hear someone talking to you with a “vous”, cause they only use the “tu” – so truly Parisian !

Inside, when Paris is not on holidays, you will have to join the queue and give your name at the cashier so he will tell you as soon as a table is free (I’m pretty sure you cannot book a table but you can always try).

Most of the things you’ll eat here are fresh and cooked by the team, and it is quite enjoyable : very nice meat, veal stew in winter or goat cheese as a starter, you will equally enjoy some very tasty little wine, not too expensive, so very helpful if you get really thirsty.

For dessert, you can try the strawberry tiramisu, in season, not so common and very good.

And don’t forget to visit the bars around this spot after and /or before your dinner, you will even be able to dance if you feel like it.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Le Temps des Cerises | Restaurants (French) | Main Meal € 25
18, rue de la Butte aux Cailles | Chinatown/Denfert | +33145896948
Mon – Fri 11:45 – 14:30 & 19:30 – 23:45, Sat 19:30 – 23:45

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Paris

Image by Pierre BISMUTH

Between Porte d’orléans and Denfert Rochereau, you can walk on the Avenue du General Leclerc, named after the famous General who enters Paris and freed the city from the occupation on the 25th of august 1944.

And, on this very shopping street, you’ll get to very famous shops like Sephora or Zara, but you will also find one clothing shop where men can finally find some good stuff at honest prices: Father and Sons. At the beginning, this brand made only shirts and ties, but now, you can find lots of very nice 100% wool suits for prices which can vary from €245 to €345.

Ok, in my kind of profession we like these types of clothes, as we are obliged to wear them for work, but you will also discover a whole sportswear department, with really nice and up-to-date leather jacket or very comfortable sweaters.

There are several possibilities to pay less than the clothes are worth: you can wait for the summer, winter or floating sales, or register in the files, and received invitation for private sales, which begin before the sales and provide you right away with 30% discount. Don’t hesitate to visit the website to see if it can suit you !

By the way, the sales in Paris lasts till Valentine’s Days, and you can profit from very good bargains in shops or on internet.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Father & Sons | Shopping
51, Avenue du General Leclerc | Chinatown/Denfert | +33143272086
Mon – Sat 10:00 – 19:30

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Paris

Image by Tamara Mesarić

Situated in the south part of Paris, park Montsouris is a first neighbour of La Cité Universitaire where in the spring-summer sun time you won’t need much more than this.

Constructed within the idea to give to each side of a city one big park/forest, Mount Mice is here from the end of 19 century. Before that time the main inhabitants were the mice, and bones (it was an old cemetery). Now they are Parisians and numerous species of birds.

Tourists are less present, certainly because it doesn’t show up in each general tourist guide. This slightly lesser popularity is maybe due to a fact it is not a typical symmetric French designed garden, but irregularly, a “wild” English one. The English-garden details here, are a lake, small falls and various rare sorts of trees that make it a pleasurable and picturesque place to be.

Positioned unusually on top of the train rails, its 15 hectares are adequate to take in the whole park walk in one visit, or run if it’s more fun for you. The slow-paced life of this park transfers you in a specific timeless mood.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Parc Montsouris | Relaxing | Free
Rue Gazan | Chinatown/Denfert
Mon – Fri 08:00 – 21:30, Sat – Sun 09:00 – 21:30

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Paris

Image by Tamara Mesaric

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

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Paris

Image by Pierre BISMUTH

Just near the Place d’Italie, there is a beautiful street, or a quarter, called “la Butte-aux-Cailles”, named after the owner of the place, where you can find lots of very cool restaurants and one of best Italians in Paris, “Les Cailloux”.

After having a beer in one of the bars of the street, like “Le Merle Moqueur”, you can take a seat in this wonderful restaurant and start discovering the menu, if you previously booked a table by phone.

The restaurants I prefer are the ones where you can ask questions about the cooking and get true answers, because, unfortunately, in Paris, you’ll be served industrial food just heated in the place more than half the time. And this one tells you that they import all the food from Italy, cook or make everything themselves, except for the red fruit coulis on the top of the pannacotta made out frozen fruits.

But before the desserts (I personally found the apple and pear compote just amazing), the starters are really enjoyable, like the mozzarrelle di bufflone and tuscanian ham or the beef carpaccio, so are the main dishes, with the real Italian pastas or the beef tagliata with rucola that I like the most.

Last but not least, you’ll discover some incredible wines in this restaurant that changes from the Chianti. Nevertheless, be careful! If you try a wine from Sicily (and you’re not used to it), please make sure you know your way home! That’a a super spot.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Les Cailloux | Restaurants (Italian Food) | Main Meal € 30
58, rue des Cinq Diamants | Chinatown/Denfert | +33145801508
Mon – Sat 12:00 – 14:30 & 19:30 – 23:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Paris

Image by Pierre BISMUTH

Now it is the time to visit a typical French bistrot located in the thirteen district of Paris, just in front of the Seine. “Chez Lili et Marcel” is a restaurant, but also a bar, a snack and a very friendly spot where you can have a drink before or after going to a concert at Bercy.

The decor is from the beginning of the XXth century, the room being all made out of wood, with old furnitures, telephones and books. It seems to me that it is open 24 /7, but it should be closed after 02:00.

In the morning, you can have a continental breakfast, with French toasts and marmalade, or “croissant” or “pain au chocolat” and coffee.

At noon, during lunchtime, it is very crowded, as the restaurant has a big terrace where one can sit in the sun during spring and summer. The meat is really good and one of their specialties are the Lili’s (or Marcel’s) Burger or the plancha, which is a big piece of beef served with salad and french fries.

During the afternoon, you can try a tea or coffee and in the evening, of course you can have the same that at noon, or choose a big tartine or a big salad, even if it is after midnight with draugth beer or a glass of wine.

OK, it is not the most exclusive spot ever, but if you want to eat for less than 20 euros, it’s a place to know.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Chez Lili et Marcel | Bars, Snacks, Restaurants (Meat) | Main dish & Coffee € 15
1, Quai d’Austerlitz | Chinatown/Denfert | +33145850008
08:00 – 02:00 daily

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Paris

Image by Pierre BISMUTH

Just where we live, not so very far away (10 minutes) from Montsouris Parc, there is a workshop from an artist I did not know, but who deserves to be known as her art is not only beautiful, but also affordable. The smallest size of paintings starts at 480 euros.

Isabelle Malmezat works in a lovely place located in the Tombe Issoire Street, just near a very famous dog shop, where our first ladies come to choose theirs (that’s authentic!). Besides, the name of the street comes from the giant bandit Isoré.

To admire the work of Isabelle, you have to make an appointment with her, or if you are lucky, you can try to go directly at her place. This very kind woman will let you discover her paintings, which often express feelings.

I’m sure you will be so enthusiastic that you will start or continue your collection.

In january, Isabelle shows her work in Galerie Kartner la Cardinale, rue Dauphine in the 6th district, and in a Galerie located 29, rue Vielle du temple in the 3rd district.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Isabelle Malmezat | Art & culture | Painting from € 500
58, rue de la Tombe Issoire | Chinatown/Denfert | +33665587068
On appointment

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Paris

Image by Frédéric Moussaïan

After advising you the so Parisian reclining chair, available in some of the most exclusive gardens of the capitals, here is a spot to have a more relaxed nap, off the beaten tracks, but in a very accessible and original place.

The Passerelle (footbridge) Simone de Beauvoir is the 37th and most recent bridge in Paris (2006), and it is one of the 4 bridges dedicated to pedestrians (and non motorised transports, like rollerblades or bicycles). It connects two modern (and green) urban areas of Paris, Bercy on the Right Bank, and Bibliothèque Nationale area on the Left Bank, where I already advised to stop for a nap, but rather in the winter time.

Not only it is an interesting bridge from an architectural point of view (with ondulating shapes and no pillar in the Seine), but also its structure makes it very comfortable for any kind of break: you’ll always find sunny areas next to shadowed ones (thanks to the above structure, see picture), especially at the warmest hours of the day; and its wooden floor is clean and quite comfortable to lie on for a nap.

Only (slight) problem: traffic on both sides of the river can’t be completely ignored, but the noise is quite regular and you won’t smell smog.

And if the quiet murmur of the river incites you to swim, you might even end to the nearby Joséphine Baker swimming pool, the best way to dive into the Seine avoiding its pollution…

Details about this spot (Show on map)
Passerelle S. de Beauvoir | Art & culture, Relaxing
Passerelle Simone de Beauvoir | Chinatown/Denfert
24 hours daily

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Paris

Image by Frédéric Moussaïan

Something that generally lacks in traditional guidebooks is where to have a good nap! Especially for a big walker and cyclist like me. Thus I decided to show you my favourite places to have a good nap in Paris.

In winter: BNF Mitterrand (other winter nap article here).

The National Library of France is one of the big architectural projects planned under François Mitterrand’s presidency. Made of four high buildings in shape of open books, with a conifer garden in the centre of this rectangle, the spaces open to the public are at haut-de-jardin level (first level below ground floor).

I don’t advise to go there for books consultation, because you’d have to pay an admission fee, the rooms are very dark, and the BPI is definitely a better choice (see the BPI article). But the corridors all around the garden are freely accessible, with a nice view on this “urban forest”, and above all equipped with very comfortable chairs, ideal for reading a book, using your laptop, chatting, and of course enjoying a well deserved nap!

This space also hosts a bookstore and a cafeteria, and exhibitions (some are free) about literature, comics or press are often displayed in the corridors (mostly in French), including the impressive Coronelli globes (see picture).

Although not very central, the automatic metro line 14 (never on strike!) will bring you there quite rapidly from the very centre, and it’s a good occasion to visit this modern Parisian neighborhood, recently embellished by the modern pedestrian Passerelle Simone de Beauvoir.

Details about this spot (Show on map)
BNF Mitterrand | Art & culture, Relaxing | Free
Quai François Mauriac | Chinatown/Denfert | +33153795959
Tue – Sat 09:00 – 19:00, Sun 13:00 – 19:00

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Paris