Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Browsing designer boutiques beneath the arcaded galleries of the
Jardin du Palais Roy-
Explore: Louvre & Les Halles
The banks of the Seine make an enchanting starting point. A wonderful exploratory loop
snakes westwards along quai des Tuileries, past the sculptures and green lawns, pools and
fountains of Jardin des Tuileries, to the Musée de l'Orangerie and Jeu du Paume. Continue
on foot north to ritzy place Vendôme, then loop back east along shop-chic rue St-Honoré to
Palais Royal.
Set aside at least half a day for the Musée du Louvre. Avoid museum fatigue by combin-
ing the often-intimidating art gallery with a long lunch or a picnic and invigorating mooch
around the designer galleries and manicured gardens of Jardin du Palais Royal. Serious art
lovers will likewise want to set aside another half-day minimum for the Centre Pompidou,
which boasts Europe's largest collection of modern art.
Once you cross rue du Louvre into Les Halles, the timeless sophistication of the Louvre
area disappears in a flash. Instead, unwary passers-by are solicited with bright lights, jost-
ling crowds, painted ladies and the swinging jazz clubs of rue des Lombards. Day and night
the mainly pedestrian zone between the Centre Pompidou and Forum des Halles (with rue
Étienne Marcel to the north and rue de Rivoli to the south) is packed with people, just as it
was for the 850-odd years when Paris' main
halles
(marketplace) for foodstuffs was here.
Shop mainstream by day, gorge on rum-drenched cakes at rue Montorgueil's famous
patis-
serie,
Stohrer, and drink and dance after dark.
Local Life
After-Work Drinks
Rue Montorgueil has a good selection of cafe-bars, but it is rue St-
Saveur's
cocktail clubs
and the hip bars on rue Montmartre that steal the
apéro
(predinner
drink) show.
Museums
Forget Tuesday when the
Louvre
and
Centre Pompidou
are closed; go local
and visit during late-night openings (less crowded) or one-off cultural events and happen-
ings.
Japantown
Busy rue St-Anne, just west of Jardin du Palais Royal, is loaded with Asian
eateries, though the best choices are found in the side streets.
