-Stroll in the Marais on a sunny Sunday, stopping for a mezze plate Chez Marianne or take away falafel from L’as du Falafel. Take a nap on the grass at Place du Vosges, and listen to the musicians play melodic symphony.
-Pack a dinner picnic and sit down at the footbridge on the Seine known as Pont des Arts. After 8pm, watch as Paris’ living room explodes into a social mecca.
-Rent Velib (public bicycles) and tour the city, stopping each hour for either noisette (espresso with a dash of foamy milk) or ice cold 1664 (the local beer).
-Take a 3-mile jog in the Luxembourg Gardens (two loops) sometime between 9 - 10am, when you will still beat most of the city up in the morning. Or go on a Sunday afternoon and take a seat in one of the classic green chairs - this is people-watching at its best.
-If you are in for a more adventurous fitness challenge, start this 5.5. Mile Seine Tour Run Loop at 11:30pm from St. Germain, and arrive at the Eiffel Tour just in time for its majestic midnight sparkling wonder!
-Join all of Paris shopping in St. Germain on the late afternoon - duck into large stores like Le Bon Marche, small boutiques, humble shops, uber-chic shops, crepe stands, and much more. Get completely lost anywhere near Metro St. Sulpice or Metro Sevres-Babylone - and when you are exhausted stop for a break at Cafe du Metro for a re-charge.
-Dedicate a night out (dinner, drinks, and more!) at the area of St. Germain that bustles with activity - Rue des Canettes, Rue Princesse, or Rue Guisarde.
-Take bus 69 from Metro Rue du Bac to the Champ du Mars, admire the glory of Eify at Sunset, and walk all the back along Rue Grenelle (about 2 miles), passing Rue Cler, les invalides, and so many other delightful Paris delights.
-Stock up on fresh meats, breads, cheeses, olives at the Sunday Market in the 6th (Boulevard Raspail and Rue de Rennes) and take your treasures to Luxembourg Gardens, the banks of the Seine, or the Champs de Mars.
-Eat a "baguette tradition" at the bakery on Rue de Rennes, 3 blocks south of Metro Saint-Sulpice (black facade, with "Boulangerie / Patisserie / Vennoiserie"). The best use of 1 EUR in the entire city.
Favorite Cafés - our favorite places to sip café créme (like a latte), noisette (like a good espresso), and grub on great salads, omelettes, and sandwiches...
-café du metro (6th). Our hands-down favorite café in Paris. Quinessential, lively, bustling, and friendly, great quality food and bread, and each beer is served with olives and nuts. Find it next to metro saint sulpice.
-le nemrod (7th). A class-act, typically high-end french cafe fare. great salads and main courses. Very close to Le Bon Marche.
-café roussillon (7th). Great for a stop on Rue Cler and especially for salads. Also a good one for drinks, but you won't be the only americans.
-le rostand (5th). You go here for the view and the food, not the service. Across from the eastern entrance to Luxembourg gardens, with wonderful outdoor seating. A classic.
-cafe bonaparte (6th). What a location, right on the square where Saint-Germain-des-Pres church sits. You'll pay for this location, but you'll be rewarded with great salads, omelettes, and standard french cafe fare.
-les pre aux clercs (6th). A block down toward the river from Saint-Germain-des-Pres church, across from Laduree (world-class baker / pastry). We go here for the french onion soup, then grab macarons at Laduree for dessert.
-le Pre (6th). A hipper, cooler cafe than most. So hip that they call their croque madame "croque madamoiselle". Worth a try if you can swing it.
Favorite French Restaurants - if you want a good French meal that represents Paris-quality cuisine, we recommend the following spots. This is not a hard and fast rule, but we found on average with wine you can expect to pay 80 to 120 EUR per couple -
-le fumoir (1st). Looks like a pretty average bistro from the outside? You'll be surprised- the food is fabulous and the service is top-notch. Request a table in the back room "library" if you can.
-aux bon acceuil (7th). How to get great food AND a street view of the Eiffel Tower? If it's spring or summer and you can get the limited outside tables, this is how.
-seraphin (6th). Classic st. germain french. Try the duck confit.
-louis vins (5th). Specializing in organic ingredients and wine, this place is well-priced and fantastic.
-petit lutetia (6th). Quinessential bistro near Le Bon Marche. Went back for more.
-les editeurs (6th). An all-around favorite, combining classic french with more contemporary. The chocolate molten cake and tarte tatin are the way to end this meal.
-le pure cafe (11th). Funky as the 11th is...good as the 11th is. Truly local.
-le fontaine de mars (7th). If Obama digs it, so do we (try the eggs with red wine for appetizer).
-cafe vavin (6th). This cafe by day turns into a great dinner spot. And how could it not be great, tucked there in the middle of one of Paris' most adorable streets (Rue Vavin). Try the steak with gratin.
-alcazar (6th). HIP new french, fantastic food. Eat upstairs where it is more casual, and more fun.
-kong (1st). Even hipper than Alcazar, go there for the view from the beautiful glass-dome celing overlooking the Seine, and respectable asian-influenced french.
-chez fernand (6th). CLASSIC red-and-white checkered cloth, pack-em-in, chalkboard menu french. Find it on Rue Guisarde near Saint Suplice church.
-la bastide odeon (6th). Double winner for food and service. Great location next to the old classic theater at Odeon.
-la cigale Recamier (6th). If you like souffle, this will be your heaven. Do not neglect the salted-caramel souffle for dessert. Near metro Sevres-Babylone.
-le boullion racine (6th). Classic bistro, period elegance and great food in St. Germain.
-hotel du nord (10th). Funkier but candlelight charm and great french, near the canal on the right bank.
-bistrot paul bert (11th). Best steak and frites in Paris? So says Bon Appetit magazine. We loved it, but be prepared to eat it rare.
Swank Restaurants / Special Occasions - ready to do some damage for a special occasion? These spots will give you a thrill...for a small extra fee. :)
-pershing hall (8th). Stunningly gorgeous interior, a blend of classic / new french, and a contemporary hipness that all come together. Beautiful people eat here.
-bon (16th). Same as pershing hall above, but with an asian influence. Philip Starck designed it - Sarkozy has dined in it. Try to secure a table with a couch.
-les bouquinistes (6th) - multi-course splendor on the border of the Seine. Your taste buds will thank you.
-georges (pompidou) - the top floor of the pomidou center hosts the ultra-modern, ultra-chic restaurant that dazzles the eyes for the view alone. Good food while watching that Eify sparkle!
-le restaurant (l’hotel) (6th) How romantic and cozy can you get? This place will master the french classics, and make you feel like royalty.
-le sensing (6th). I was sensing greatness from this place. While it's a blend of contemporary and classic, it's 100% classy.
-la grande cascade (16th). This garden-pavillion on the edge of the city will bring you enchantment. And 100 waiters. And a footstool to hold your handbag.
Cheap Eats - Here are our grab-and-go favorites....
-pita grecque at Cafe-des-Arts (5th). Add fries on the top! Start at Metro Saint Michel and walk down Rue Saint-Andre-des-Arts (with the rest of Paris). The Pita Greque window is on the left.
-crepes (6th). Classic stand on the corner of Boulevard Saint Germain and Rue Bonaparte. Ask for "Mixte" (Ham and Cheese) or Nutella (self-explanatory).
-falafel (4th). Try L'as du Falafel for Schwarma or Falafel, a Sunday tradition in the Marais on Rue Rosiers.
-croque madame and baguette sandwiches. At every cafe and boulangerie in the city, but yet irreplaceable.
-Amorino. The best gelato in Paris, available in most neighborhoods.
Italian / Pizza - Mamma Mia! Can it be this good outside of Italy?
-pizza positano (6th) - the best pizza on earth, according to Rue Cassette. Go to rue des canettes in the 6th, wait if necessary - and while waiting grab a drink at Cafe Six and the owner will come find you when your table is ready.
-alfredo positano (6th)- we've never had a bad italian meal here, but we've had a lot of happy and full bellies. Rue Guisarde in the 6th.
-les valseuses (6th). Quiet little charmer with risottos and such, right off of Rue de Rennes (Metro Saint Germain-des-Pres) around the corner from the Rolex shop.
-barlotti (8th) - Gorgeous and impressive, hip italian. Good food too. Fun for the experience.
Drinks / Going Out - You've got more energy and more Euros?
-la palette (6th). Local wine bar with lots of beer offerings in the St. Germain arts district between Bouelvard Saint Germain and the Seine.
-pub st. germain (6th). One of the largest bars in Paris, although you wouldn't guess from the outside. Inside is hip, dark, and swanky...and not bad for a meal either.
-eden park and surroundings (6th). Most nights you will find night-life in Saint Germain at the charming and buzzing discrict that includes Rue Guisarde, Rue Princesse, and Rue des Canettes. Eden Park is one of many to drop in for a pint.
-fubar (6th). The name might be offensive, but this Irish-like bar on rue Saint Sulpice is surprisingly friendly.
-kong (1st). If you can get in after 10pm, you are officially cool. Drink and dance with Paris' aristocratic up-and-comers.
-cab (1st). Underground dance club for models and such, near the Louvre.
-le bar (8th). The bar at the Plaza Athenee hotel is one of the most exclusive bars in Paris. And look, then menu is digital. If only drinks didn't start at 26 EUR...
-showcase (8th). Under the fanciest bridge in Paris (Pont Alexandre III) is Paris' club concept that resembles the inside of a roman aquaduct with cool furniture. Bands play there too. It's mostly for dancing and spending money.