Reader's guide to Paris

ESCAPE readers reveal their world-city travel secrets in this monthly Doc Holiday guide compiled by Anthony Dennis.

escape paris

ESCAPE readers reveal their world-city travel secrets in this monthly Doc Holiday guide compiled by Anthony Dennis.

SEE
Paris by Citroen
A great way to orientate yourself in Paris is a private tour in a classic Citroen 2CV. Your driver is a local Parisian who will stop when you like and even take photos of you.
Where: 22 rue Bernard Dimey; [phone]; www.4roues-sous-1parapluie.com
- Kim

Fragonard Perfume Museum
Staff at this impressive museum are on hand to explain the various procedures used in the manufacture of world-famous Paris perfumes. Perfumes are on sale, with the wisest purchase the "10 sample bottles pack". When you arrive home you have 10 magnificent gifts, perfumes from Paris, for those who were unable to travel.
Where: 9 rue Scribe; [phone]; www.fragonard.com
- Don

Bateaux-Mouches
I thoroughly recommend a boat trip along the Seine with Bateaux-Mouches to see many of Paris's iconic buildings in comfort and at a leisurely pace. The pier is just east of Pont de l'Alma, across the river from the Eiffel Tower, in front of the Trocadero.
Where: Pont de l'Alma; [phone]; www.bateaux-mouches.fr
- Jackie

Discover Walks
You meet the guide (who will be wearing a pink shirt) at a designated landmark to begin one to two-hour walks at 11am and 2.30pm that cover famous areas such as Montmartre, the Right and Left Banks, the river walk and Notre Dame.
Where: Rue Therese; [phone]; www.discoverwalks.com
- Don

La Nouvelle Eve
If you feel like splurging on a cabaret show, try La Nouvelle Eve. For about 88 euros ($117) you get half a bottle of champagne and a great night out.
Where: 25 Rue Pierre Fontaine; [phone] www.lanouvelleeveparis.com
- Julie

Eat Au General La Fayette
This restaurant is reasonably priced with food to die for, such as the French onion soup and the confit of duck, which will stay in my memory for ever. I regret not leaving room for the creme brulee.
Where: 52 Rue La Fayette 9e; + 33 (0) 1 47 70 59 08
- Mary

Restaurant le petit canard
This restaurant is tiny and homely, with the menu and decor, as the name decrees, heavily based on all things duck. It will be the best duck you will ever eat and the prices are reasonable by Paris standards.
Where: 19 Rue Henry Monnier 9e; [phone]; www.resto-lepetitcanard.com
- Di

Fauchon
An incredible chain store that has the freshest cakes and pastry. Special packs are sold that can be used for a picnic or for when travelling.
Where: 30 Place Madeleine; [phone]; www.fauchon.com
- Mary

Le Cafe des Deux Moulins
Go to Montmartre, where the hit French film Amelie was filmed. Le Cafe des Deux Moulins was the cafe where Amelie worked. Also in Montmartre, the view from Sacre Coeur, which has some cute restaurants around it, is worth seeing.
Where: 15 Rue Lepic; [phone]
- Julie

Le Coup de Torshon
The helpful owner at this tiny restaurant, which serves superb food, speaks good English. There's a three-course set meal for around 15 euros a person. It's a great-value meal and authentically Parisian.
Where: 187 Rue Saint-Jacques; + 33 (0) 1 46 33 22 93
- Jan

Jean Pierre Auberge de l'Hautil
The menu at this great restaurant with great food is what the chefs decide to cook that day and seating is at communal tables.
Where: 33 Rue Saint-Roch; [phone]
- Toinette

STAY
Hotel College de France
This small, family-run hotel has a great location in the Latin Quarter close to Notre Dame, cafes and the metro. Nothing is too much trouble and it's affordable by Paris standards.
7 Rue Thenard; [phone]; www.hotel-collegedefrance.com
- Lisa

Hotel Observatoire Luxembourg
The staff at this 3-star hotel are helpful, the rooms are spotless and have comfy beds and there's a nice restaurant. Directly across from the beautiful Luxembourg Gardens and within walking distance of the Seine and the Notre Dame, this hotel is a real find.
Where: 107 Boulevard Saint Michel; [phone]; www.observatoirehotel.com
- Jan

Hotel Residence les Gobelins
A good, clean, basic hotel if looking for a cheap option. It is near so many great areas Rue Mouffetard, Luxembourg Gardens, the banks of the Seine, the Sorbonne and the Pantheon.
Where: 9 Rue des Gobelins; + 33 (0) 1 47 07 26 90; www.hotelgobelins.com
- Margaret

TIPS
Paris Metro Pass
A Paris Visite card gives you access to the Paris underground train network, plus travel by bus. Choose zones one to three only (inner-city) or the full one to six-zone pass, which provides unlimited access to all Paris and suburban public transport, including Disneyland Paris and Versailles.
www.parismetro.com
- Jan

Eiffel Tower
Book a "behind the scenes" tour of the tower (Wednesdays and Saturday at 5pm). You get to inspect the original machinery, which still operates the elevators. This tour finishes at Level 2 and you can then buy a ticket to climb the tower at night.
Call: + 33 (0) 825 05 44 05; www.cultival.fr
-Don

Bicycles for rent
Paris has the wonderful VELIB self-service bicycle scheme. This allows you to rent a bicycle for as long as you want, with the first 30 minutes free. Rental stations are about 300m apart and are virtually all over the city. You will feel like a true Paris local as you pedal your way from one tourist attraction to the next.
www.velib.paris.fr
-Jan

Roissybus
One of the better Paris bargains is the Roissybus (nicknamed the "Opera Bus"), which is available for travel to and from the Opera Garnier to Charles Des Gaulle airport. It is very reasonably priced and is a much safer method of travelling than using the train service, where you often hear of tourists losing passports and handbags.
www.aeroportsdeparis.fr
-Margaret

Next
You've revealed your Paris favourites now give us your recommendations of where to stay, where to eat, what to see and any general tips for San Francisco. Email doc@ docholiday.com.au. You can provide multiple recommendations across the four categories, as above, but keep your tips to a maximum of three or four lines. A limited selection will be published and may be edited. The readers' guide to San Francisco will be published next month.