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!
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"Les mots a la bouche" is an LBGT-themed bookshop in Paris. It's nice and quiet. I strongly recommend you drop by -- you will discover interesting things.
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"La Belle Iloise" in Paris, next to Les Halles, does top quality canned fish . I very much like tuna & sardines and how they even have fish sandwiches...
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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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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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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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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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The "Gardens of the Quai Branly Museum" in Paris are next to the Eiffel Tower. What I love the most about them is that they're for free! Not to be missed.
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The "Modern Art Museum of Paris" is free, which, as it so happens, means fewer tourists! Come here to enjoy some Modigliani, Picasso or Matisse in peace...
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"Les Mouettes" in Paris is an authentic French bistrot from the '70s-'80s. It's got honest, simple bistrot food in big quantities & fantastic flavors!
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"The Zouave of the River Seine" is a statue on the Alma bridge that's become famous; Parisians come here to see how high the waters are compared to it...
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"59 rue Rivoli" is a must-visit in Paris. It started out as a squat in one of the most expensive commercial streets. Now it's a living space of creativity!
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