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| RendezvousFrance.com | |
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PIGALLE
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| Pigalle, the old red-light district Paris, is the new red hot neighborhood. It is a curious blend: beautiful landmark burlesque theaters mixing with very bourgeois buildings, prostitutes and artists, the Moulin Rouge and the mobs doing Paris by Night. Pigalle is becoming very chic, so chic that its real estate is now almost out of reach. It is the territory of Jean-Paul Gaultier, stand-up comic star Valerie Lemercier ("Les Visiteurs"), Luis Bunuel's alter ego, Jean-Claude Carrière, former Chanel model Inès de la Fressange, Canal + CEO Pierre Lescure. Further up, Johnny Depp and his French girlfriend, Vanessa Paradis have a house, just like Claude lelouch (A Man and a Woman). The heart of the neighborhood is the "Divan du Monde", a unique night club/cabaret where over 1 million people have met in just a few years, one of the city's most creative spots. The backbone of Pigalle, at the foot of the butte Montmartre, is the Boulevard de Clichy and the Place Pigalle. The very trendy (the French now say "très tendance") street is the rue des Abbesses. Even though it is being discovered, Pigalle remains a real village. After all, Montmartre became part of Paris only in 1860. Follow the guide. The favorite addresses of the "hippies chic": | |
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La
Fourmi Café. The meeting place of all the
"locals". Good food, friendly service, reasonable price, right
across from the Divan du Monde. 74, rue des Martyrs. 18th Metro: Abbesses |
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Le
Divan du Monde. A former brothel which was turned into the most creative concert place in the city. You can find new Arab music as well as ballroom dancing or techno music. 75, rue des Martyrs. 18th Tel:01 44 92 77 66 Metro: Abbesses |
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RESTAURANTS
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| La Chao Ba. Asian atmosphere. Bamboo walls, soft light, comfortable armchairs. Great late in the evening. 22, Blvd de Clichy. 18th Tel:01 46 06 72 90 Metro: Pigalle |
| L'Elysée-Montmartre. Great program of concerts and ballroom dancing. 72, Blvd Rochechouart. 18th Tel:01 55 07 06 00 Metro: Anvers |
| Le Nezbullon. A very pleasant restaurant run by Americans. 20, rue La Vieuville. 18th Tel:01 53 41 00 21. Metro: Abbesses |
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Table de la Fontaine. Right
next to the Théâtre Fontaine, actors often come here after
the play. Nice decor and excellent cuisine. 5, rue Henri-Monnier. 9th Tel:01 45 26 26 30. Metro: Abbesses |
| Sole d'Italia. Few tables and the place is very popular. The Italian cuisine is among the best in Paris. 25, rue Turgot. 9th Tel:01 44 53 91 33. Metro: Anvers |
| L'Oriental. Good Maroccan cuisine. 76, rue des Martyrs. Tel:01 42 64 39 80. 18th Metro: Abbesses |
| Chez Toinette. A nice decor, very good French cuisine and little prices. Need to reserve. 20, rue Germain Pilon. Tel:01 42 54 44 36. 18th Metro: Abbesses |
| Casa Olympe. One of the best restaurants in the city. Movie director Milos Forman is sometimes there. Olympe was one of the new young stars of French cuisine. Several years ago she opened this wonderful restaurant with very reasonable prices 48, rue Saint-Georges. 9th Tel: 01 42 85 26 01. Metro: St George |
| Le Bouclard. The restaurant was open by Michel Bonnemort, a former "ostheopathe". The food is really wonderful and the wine excellent. 1, rue Cavallotti. 18th Tel:01 45 22 60 01. Metro:Clinchy |
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BOUTIQUES
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| Antoine & Lilli. One of the great shopping destinations in the city. You can find objects from all over the planet: Chinese tablewear or a nice little dress. 90, rue des Martyrs. 18th Metro: Abbesses | ||
| Rumba Records. The best record store for Salsa and rumba music. 45, rue Lepic. 18th Tel:01 42 23 50 12 Metro: Blanche | ||
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Omiz. The cream of the young new stylists in this interesting boutique. Also great accessories like necklaces made with wire. 8, rue des Abbesses. Tel:01 42 52 13 30. Metro: Abbesses |
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BARS
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Le Café-Bar. A real bistro atmosphere. 6, rue Germain Pilon. 18th Open only after 7:30pm. Metro: Abbesses |
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Katabar. A great place. Locals come to have cocktails for cheap. Try L'Hemorragie - vodka, black current, apple cider. Electronic music. 37, rue Fontaine. 9th Tel:01 40 16 12 13. Metro: Blanche |
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Le Colimaçon. For wine lovers. A wonderful address. Full of habitues, but you'll feel like an habitue too. 32, rue Rochechouart. 18th Tel:01 45 26 24 14. Metro:Anvers |
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Le Dépanneur. 24/7. One of Pigalle's institutions. All the genres mix there: tourists, ladies of the night, residents, etc. Cocktails 27, rue Fontaine. 9th Tel:01 40 16 40 20 Metro: Blanche |
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Folies Pigalle. A former cabaret. Very trendy right now. The early Sunday morning (un "after" as the French now say) is one of the musts of the Parisian night. 11, place Pigalle. 9th Tel:01 48 78 25 26. Metro: Pigalle |
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CAFES
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Le Palmier. Those who are going to bed meet those who are going to work. Open 24/7. 7, |
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Le Balto. 27, rue Victor Massé. 9th Tel:01 48 78 53 04. Opens at 5:30am Metro:Pigalle |
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Brasserie La Cigale. Opens at 7am. 124, Blvd de Rochechouart. 18th Tel:01 46 06 59 29. Metro: Anvers |
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A La Place Saint Georges. The friendliest place for a coffee and a croissant and to look at the old posters for plays in the theater next door. 60, rue Saint-Georges. 9th Tel:01 42 80 39 32 Metro: St.Georges |
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Horus. Why not enjoy the end of the day while smoking narguile, the Egytian pipe? You can chose several flavors - honey, almond, strawberry, apricot, apple, mint. You can then sit on one of the cushions and taste the good Egyptian cuisine. Horus. 25, rue de Douai. 9th Tel:01 48 78 68 00 Metro: Place de Clichy |
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SANDWICHES
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Charcuterie Desseaux. Great sandwiches start with great bread. 16, rue des Martyrs. 18th Tel:01 48 78 29 06. Metro: Abbesses |
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The boulangerie Delmontel sells a delicious "baguette Renaissance". 39, rue des Martyrs. 18th Tel:01 48 78 29 33 Metro:Abbesses |
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Boulangerie Grolleau. 21 rue de Condorcet. 9th Tel:01 48 78 59 34. Metro:Pigalle |
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Chez Reza. Delicious sandwiches. About 25F. 28, rue Fontaine. 9th Metro:Blanche |
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