Image by Frédéric Moussaïan

An original cemetery is the cats and dogs’ one, located in Asnières (suburbs near Paris).

French people are not particularly animal rights activists, but they love pets! And for more than a century now, pet lovers can bury their pets in this special cemetery, located in a very peaceful and beautiful area along the river Seine.

Reading the pets’ names, their owners’ short epitaphs (some of them are in English) is quite entertaining, and there are actually beautiful graves, showing how some people are more attached to animals than to human beings. The place also hosts a shelter for abandoned cats, which brings life to this area where death reigns.

To get there: metro line 13, until « Gabriel Péri » (be careful, you have to use the yellow branch after « La Fourche »), or bus 54 until « Place Voltaire ».

If you’re still in the mood for another cemetery, walk along the Seine opposite its flow and cross the next bridge until rue Baudin, in Levallois-Perret: this (human) cemetery (not as famous as the big three: Père-Lachaise, Montparnasse and Montmartre) hosts a British WW1 memorial, and the graves of Gustave Eiffel (you might have heard of his tower…), Maurice Ravel (you might know his Bolero) and Louise Michel (the Red Virgin, a key figure of the Commune). Open between 09:00 and 17:00.

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Cimetière des chiens | Art & culture, Relaxing | Entrance fee € 3.50
Parc Robinson (Asnières-sur-Seine) | Montmartre/Clichy
Tue – Sun 10:00 – 16:30

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Image by Pierre BISMUTH

Kei is a  restaurant in Paris located 5 rue du Coq Héron in the first district of Paris and is promised to a bright future. Indeed, the chef succeeds to reinvent French cuisine but with a Japanese sauce. The funny trick in this restaurant is that the menu-carte indicates only the prices but not what you will eat.

I’ve been there during lunch time and you have a choice between a 4 course menu or a 5 course menu. The difference is that you’ll be served a fish and a meat for the second menu, which can be worthwhile as the portion are not so large, but delicious.

The decor is completely up to date, the room being painted in light grey and with not many tables. Therefore, you’ll have to book a table before you come. By the way, it is a perfect place to have a romantic dinner.

Let’s talk about the food now: it is just a miracle! And lots of my friends think that as soon as the famous guides will have tried this restaurant, Kei will be awarded a star as the delicateness and the taste of what it is served is exquisite. When I ate there, I tested a really good “foie gras” (you can believe me, I’m not a big fan), and delicious tempura of gambas, among other dishes. Last but not least, the service is impeccable, as you would expect in this kind of restaurant.

I hope you enjoy it!

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KEI | Restaurants (Franco-Japanese) | Main meal from € 38
5 rue du Coq Héron | Montmartre/Clichy | +33142331474
Tue – Sat 12:30 – 15:00 & 19:30 – 23:00

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Image by Adam Roberts

I’m far from being a chocoholic, and normally have no problems resisting the temptations of the exuberant window displays of the traditional Paris chocolatier. My tastes are more geared towards the simple and natural, and I find the pralines and ganaches offered by most establishments to be over-rich and slightly sickly.

Via Chocolat is a different kind of establishment though, being a showroom (or Cho’room as they describe themselves) for a constantly changing selection of the best independent chocolate producers in the country. The showroom is simple and slick, with photos of the producers being more visible than the chocolates themselves which are hidden secretly away in sliding drawers.

The chocolates are sold in a wide range of box sizes, with staff making a selection according to your personal preferences. Some are infused with teas, fruits or flowers, some have a slight kick of chilli or ginger whilst others offer a twist of the truly original, such as a warm aroma of honey or a crunch of salt. They feel homemade when you bite into them, the thin crust cracking and giving way to smooth, whipped centres.

As well as the individual chocolates, bars are also available ranging from classic strong dark chocolate to the astonishing ‘aperitif’ bar which is packed with popcorn, nuts and dried tomatoes!

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Via Chocolat | Shopping, Snacks | Tablet € 3.00
5 Rue Jean-Baptiste Pigalle | Montmartre/Clichy | +33145261273
Tue – Fri 13:00 – 19:30, Sat 10:30 – 20:00

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Image by Adam Roberts

I’ve never had any difficulties finding a good meal in Paris, but it can be tricky to find a restaurant that provides both an original location and reasonable, imaginative food.

It was a happy day therefore when I first discovered L’Aromatik, a jazz era venue where food is the music of life! The décor is pure 1930s and as fresh as the produce on your plate, with the original art deco fittings tastefully retouched in crisp sky blues, sunshine yellows and flashes of raspberry reds. The restaurant is not a large one, but the large mirrors, healthy pot plants and subtle lighting give the venue a feeling of space and well-being.

With the cool notes of jazz surrounding you it is easy to imagine Josephine Baker – a regular here in the early days – at the next table. She would have no problem recognising her old haunt, and would surely have appreciated the concerts that are held on Monday evenings. Thankfully though, this is not just a venue that draws on its heritage and atmosphere, but is also a table that is designed to appeal to the taste buds.

The menu is based around seasonal, organic produce, spinning Asian influences into classic bistrot favourites. The wine list is also heavily weighted in favour of organic producers, and there is even a full organic brunch offered at weekends.

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L’Aromatik | Restaurants (Organic) | Starter/main at lunchtime € 15.90
7, Rue Jean-Baptiste Pigalle | Montmartre/Clichy | +33148746227
10:00 – 15:00 & 19:00 – 01:00 daily

Copyrights Spotted by Locals Paris

Image by Harriet O'Brien

I love a terrace-pavement, by which I mean a pavement with a few chairs on it outside a bar. There’s something marvelous about the constant risk of falling in the road and the necessity to sit almost uncomfortably close to your own and other people’s friends. Anyone would think I crave attention…

Anyway, unlike some of Montmartre and the nearby Sacre Coeur, the Rendez-vous is scarcely tainted by the hoards of tourists. At first glance, the cool air of the place and almost exclusively French crowd can seem a little intimidating, persist though and you’ll find the atmosphere rather more relaxed and friendly.

Happy Hour (20:00 – 22:00) sees beers (pint) at €4.00 and a bottle of house wine (50cl) at €8.00. Baguettes as long as your arm packed with meat, cheese or paté cost €4, salads are €8.00 and charcuterie/cheese boards are €8.00 to €10.00.

On weekends bands play (anything from chanson to jazz-funk or rock) in the low ceilinged back-room – entrance is usually free. To sum up, Au Rendez-Vous des Amis is just that, a low-key venue, a lovely spot to have a drink with friends and a likely place to make some new ones.

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Au RDV des Amis | Bars, Music, Snacks | Baguette € 3.50
23 rue Gabrielle | Montmartre/Clichy | +33146060160
08:30 – 02:00 daily

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