Another guest post by another great expat writer, this week Vicki Lesage, author of Confessions of a Paris Party Girl, and I have done a sort of challenge. We’ve taken on the Marais! We’ve each written up our favorite spots in this fab area, mine is one her blog. We also had a laughter and cider-wine filled apero to get to know each other! To be repeated! Below is Vicki’s entry and more about her hilarious memoir! Bravo et Merci Vicki!
Vicki Lesage Takes on Le Marais
The cute, trendy Marais has something for everyone. Fancy restaurants and dive bars. Trendy bistrots and quirky shops. All connected by charming, narrow streets with buildings so ancient they lean precariously over the sidewalks.
Sounds lovely, non? With so much to see and do packed into such a tiny area how do you decide how to spend a day in the Marais? Here are my top picks for one of my favorite quartiers in Paris:
L’As de Falafel, 32-34 Rue des Rosiers, 75004 Paris
I’m not the first to recommend this place and I won’t be the last, but that doesn’t mean I should leave it off the list! This restaurant is literally the best falafel restaurant in Paris. I mean, it has “Ace” right there in the name, but more importantly (and more objectively) there is always a mile-long line in front while the falafel restaurants on the same street are embarrassingly empty. Don’t be deterred by the queue – the line moves pretty fast and the food is totally worth it.
La Mosaïque – Pat’s Hot Dog, 56 rue de Roi Sicile, 75004 Paris
While hot dogs are not fancy nor typical French fare, Pat’s Hot Dog is worth a visit. It’s fun to see the French take on the American classic, and you won’t be disappointed. Load up with toppings then let half of them fall on the Rue de Roi Sicile as you shove the hot dog in your face. Classy? No. Delicious. Yes.
Hotel de Sully, secret courtyard
Hotel de Sully, 62 rue Saint-Antoine, 75004 Paris
This tiny garden is tucked between Rue de Rivoli and the famous Places des Vosges. It’s relatively quiet and you can usually find a seat. I love meeting my husband there for lunch and chatting away in the place where aristocrats used to do the same thing centuries ago. Well, I’m guessing they didn’t eat ham and cheese sandwiches on baguettes but they certainly strolled the garden and gossiped, so I’m reliving at least part of it.
Les Bonnes Soeurs, rue du Pas de la Mule, 75003 Paris
Situated just off the Places des Vosges, this cute restaurant does an awesome brunch. I’m guessing they do a nice lunch and dinner too but I like the brunch so much that’s the only time I’ve ever been. When the weather’s nice the windows are all open and you can enjoy a nice view, fresh breeze, and delicious breakfast foods. The good life.
The Pure Malt Scottish Bar
The Pure Malt, 4 rue Caron, 75004, Paris
Billed as the only Scottish Pub in Paris (the others are Scottish-themed but are run by Frenchies), this is one of my favorite bars. In fact, it makes an appearance in the first chapter of my book. Great drinks and fast service from the gruff-but-friendly-underneath Shep (the owner) – and surprisingly affordable for the usually-pricey Marais. The best part? Shep’s taste in music and his openness to requests. I’ve passed many a tipsy night singing along at the top of my lungs. On second thought, you might not want to go there unless you’re sure it’s a night I’m somewhere else.
What are you waiting for? Head on over to the Marais and check these places out. Or, if you’d like more suggestions, check out Lily’s favorite spots in the Marais on my blog.
About Vicki Lesage and her book Confessions of a Paris Party Girl
Wine, romance, and French bureaucracy – the ups and downs of an American’s life in Paris. This laugh-out-loud memoir is almost too funny to be true!
Drinking too much bubbly. Meeting sappy Frenchmen who have girlfriends or are creeps or both. Encountering problème after problème with French bureaucracy. When newly-single party girl Vicki moved to Paris, she was hoping to taste wine, stuff her face with croissants, and maybe fall in love.
In her first book, this cheeky storyteller and semi-professional drinker recounts the ups and downs of her life in Paris. Full of sass, shamefully honest admissions, and situations that seem too absurd to be true, Vicki makes you feel as if you’re stumbling along the cobblestones with her.
Will she find love? Will she learn to consume reasonable amounts of alcohol? Will the French administration ever cut her a break?
Vicki Lesage is an IT Director by day, writer by night. And a full-time nerd. She loves fondue, wine, math, and zombies. She lives in Paris with her French husband, rambunctious son, and charmante daughter. Her first book, Confessions of a Paris Party Girl, was released in January 2014, and her sequel, Confessions of a Paris Potty Trainer, was released in May 2014.
Tigresse Note: While I’m not “ready” to read her second book I thoroughly enjoyed reading Vicki’s lively stories in her memoir about moving to France, and living la vie en rose and less rose 🙂
Have some other favorite spots in the Marais? Share them with us in the comments below!
It was so fun meeting you! Afternoon drinks are awesome – I wish I could have stayed well into the evening. I really enjoyed this co-blog. Hope your readers do too!
Fabulous connecting with you Vicki, first over email then in person! Hopefully we’ll be able to hang out in the evening and we can test out some of our suggestions together!
“Gruff”!! Thanks for the shout out. x
Our pleasure! A big Scottish cheers to you!
It’s probably the quietest shout you’ve ever heard from me. Don’t worry, I’ll be coming to the bar soon to get back into the swing of things!