Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Meeting lions, white rhinos, giraffes and wolverines at the newly reopened Parc Zoolo-
gique de Paris .
Explore: Bastille & Eastern Paris
Bastille isn't known for its sights, but it's nonetheless a fascinating area to explore on foot.
As it's still authentically residential in most parts, a wander will give you a taste of everyday
life in one of Paris' most dynamic neighbourhoods. For a more voyeuristic glimpse, ascend
to elevated park the Promenade Plantée, which looks down on the streets around you and of-
fers the occasional peek through an apartment window.
Bastille's main attraction is not aimless flâneurie (urban strolling), however: this former
working-class district doesn't exactly have the same visual knockout factor as central Paris.
It's best for dipping your toes into a vibrant restaurant scene dominated by young, creative
chefs; its scores of popular, inexpensive bars and cafes; and the profusion of evening enter-
tainment, from avant-garde opera to indie rock.
You may be reluctant to leave the city behind with so much to explore, but an easy trip to
the Bois de Vincennes, the city's largest park, never disappoints. From a castle and zoo to
outdoor concerts, bike excursions, pickup football matches and picnics, it's one of the most-
loved spots in the capital to unwind.
Local Life
Bistro life The 11e and 12e have an unusually high number of old-school bistros that
have preserved much of their original decor, such as Chez Paul and neighbourhood fa-
vourites like Au Vieux Chêne .
Market life Fabulous markets in this neighbourhood include classic Parisian street mar-
kets like the twice-weekly Marché Bastille as well as the Marché d'Aligre , where food
shops, wine bars and a rapidly increasing number of restaurants fan out into the surround-
ing streets.
Green spaces Eastern Paris just might have the city's best collection of parks. The Prom-
enade Plantée and Parc de Bercy are easy escapes, but on weekends many Parisians de-
camp to the much larger Bois de Vincennes.
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