Living in Paris means not needing to find a room for the night, but I do like to keep up to date with new openings for when I need to make recommendations. It's been interesting to see how popular hostels have become, but most are huge spaces and parts of international chains, with locations that look the same in every city.
Les Piaules is not like that. It feels more like a boutique hotel, even if it can still cheaply squeeze you into a dorm for eight people. What sets it apart is not the rooms or the beds, but the atmosphere. It's housed in a converted 1930s art deco style office block to start with, but it also has a cosy bar that is open to everybody. Perhaps best of all though is the rooftop terrace, reserved only for those staying at the hostel.
The neighbourhood is a cool one, with perhaps the city's best nightlife nearby. It's also just a 5-minute walk from my home, so I sometimes pop along to the bar. With its international globe-trotting atmosphere, it feels like I'm travelling in my home city!
Find your way with 168 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters
"L’Atelier Geneviève" is a 'ceramicafé' - here you can decorate your own ceramics w/ a coffee or breakfast. They even have kintsugi workshops!
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"Land & Monkeys" in Paris makes 100% vegan croissants & other French staples. Is such a thing possible, you ask? Oh yes...
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"Des Gâteaux et du Pain" was the first place that sprang to my mind when listing my top spots in Paris. They completely changed my croissant habits...
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The "Grand Palais Éphémère" in Paris is set to host the Grand Palais' events while the latter is being renovated. Who knows, it might even stick around!
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"Tomo" in Paris serve a variety of delicious Japanese pastries known as wagashi. Try them with the best-selling matcha and black sesame daifuku...
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Paris Jazz Corner is your place to go for getting hold of archive & rare music, as long as it's jazz. The knowledge of the associate owner is also mint...
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Entering "Le Silence de La Rue" in Paris you fall silent yourself, in awe of the copious racks of cataloged vinyl & merchandise from indie to rock...
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The records sitting in the racks at Vinyl Office make it seem like someone's prized personal collection, with a special focus on black music!
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Cafe "Nomade" is based in an ex-tapissier. It's a perfect morning stop-off ofr a combo of filter coffee, pressed juice and a croissant or pain du chocolat.
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Music Avenue Paris is my local soul/funk/hip-hop specialist. The place has been going since 1995 and every year they really celebrate record store day!
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"Fontaine de La Croix" in Paris is a folie that's a street relic of a roundabout with many bizarre details that make it very attractive to me...
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Les Brutalists is where you'll find a leather maker's workshop that produces customized leather belts and unique, edgy accessories!
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168 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
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Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌
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