We're extremely excited to have you all here, traveling from both near and far to be with us on such a big day. For many of you, it's a long trip, so to help out best we can, we've gathered together some ideas, notes and suggestions; Alex & John's guide to the city.
 

BEFORE THE WEDDING

We'll being doing our absolute best to spend as much time with all of you as we can. But there's also a good chance that we may end up being a bit pre-occupied with all of the celebration arrangements leading up to the big day.

So for those times when you're out and about on your own, we've gathered together some ideas and suggestions for some of our favorite things to do in Paris. Interesting places to visit, some of our favorite places to eat and drink and cool things to see and do.

AFTER THE WEDDING

It's not so often that we're lucky enough to have so many of you here at the same time. So for those of you who plan to stay in Paris for the days after the wedding celebration, we're going to do our best to organize some together-time.

It'll be October after all, so who's up for Halloween Nights, Paris Edition? A few rounds of Pétanque in the Jardin de Palais Royal? And we wouldn't dream of not sharing a bottle of wine (or two or three) with you on the banks of the river Seine. For more info, please keep your eye on the calendar, which we'll update regularly.

The ceremonie will be at the city hall of the 9th arrondissement, called the "mairie." Each arrondissement has it's own city hall. Ours is approximately a 5 minute walk from our apartment. So we recommend that you stay as close to us as you can. This will make getting to the cermonie for you a snap. Also, we're hoping to make it as easy as possible for people to meet and spend time together.

Please keep in mind the the "9th" is still quite big. Where we live is on the southern most side, very close to the "2nd." So if you're using Airbnb, please search "rue Richer, Paris 75009" and try to find accommodations as close to here as you can. If you have any questions, need specific advice on a hotel or Airbnb (cost, location, etc.), please don't hesitate to email us.

Airbnb

Search close to:
"rue Richer 75009"

It seems this is the most popular choice so far. For good reason too:  for the the price of a very small hotel room, you can have a descent size apartment with a separate living room and bedroom and a kitchen too. If you choose this option, search for places close to "rue Richer, Paris 75009"

Hotel Paradis

41 rue des Petites-Écuries
75010

This is a neat little boutique hotel that's a 5 to 10 minute walk from our apartment. We've always been curious about it and Alex likes to peer in the window each time we walk by. We've never heard anything from anyone who has stayed here, but the place looks pretty neat. Rooms start at approximately 160 euros per night.

Hôtel 34B

34 Rue Bergère
7500

This hotel is right around the corner from our flat, 2 or 3 minutes walking distance. It just opened this year and seems super clean, neat and funky - in a good way. The decor is all very up-beat and fun, and it's very open and spacious for a small hotel in Paris. Rooms start at approximately 110 euros per night, which is a great deal.

Hotel Pulitzer

23 Rue du Faubourg Montmartre
75009

This hotel is also right around the corner from our flat, 1 or 2 minutes walking distance. We honestly don't know much, but from the exterior, it seems pretty upscale and fancy pants, but with a unique twist, I mean, check out the picture above, apparently they have champagne waiting for you when you check in. It's not cheap though, so it's a good option if you're stay is short and you want to splurge.

Hotel du Temps

11 Rue de Montholon
75009

We have had some friends in Paris recommend this hotel to us - one says it's his go-to hotel when friends come to town. We personally don't know anyone who's stayed here, but we have celebrated a few birthdays in the bar downstairs and the vibe is great - there's also a neat piano lounge in the cave. It's a 10-12 minute walk from our flat and according to their site, rooms start at 120 euros per night.

Best Western Premier Carre Folies Opera

13 Rue Geoffroy-Marie
75009

This is another hotel right around the corner from our flat, 1 or 2 minutes walking distance. The staff is professional and it's super clean, tidy and conveniently located. According to their website, room rates start at approximately 145 euros per night. John personally stayed here one night (don't ask), and when Alex came to visit she thought the room was tiny - but then again, this is Paris.

These are some of our favorite places to eat, starting with the best of the best. With the exception of a few, they're all located within walking distance and range from pricey but worth it, to modest and quick. All are very good.

Le 52

52 rue du faubourg Saint-Denis
75010
Strasbourg-St Denis/Bonne Nouvelle, 10ème
Walk-in

For the moment, this is our go-to date night restaurant. The menu is quite small, approximately 4 entrées, 4 main dishes and 4 desserts, and the menu is always changing. But it's evident that the chef puts some serious thought and TLC into each dish, and we're always extremely impressed. The neighborhood is off the beaten tourist path and a little rough around the edges, but the vibe is pleasant. A full dinner (entrée, plate, dessert + alcohol) is approximately 50 euros per person, and well worth it.

Le Muselet

48 rue Saint Georges
75009
01 48 78 46 09
Reservations required

For an extra-special-unforgettable dinner, we recommend Le Muselet. In a dream world, we'd take each of you here. This is a real-deal 7 course dinner blam bam boom kazow ("full dégustation") kind of place. The only questions you'll get from the server are what would you like to drink and are you allergic to anything? They also specialize in champagne, and yes, it's possible to take the dégustation + champange pairing for the full KO. It's hands down our favorite "celebration" dinner spot. The full dégustation is 65 euros, and definitely worth the price seeing as how it would be double that elsewhere.

L'Osteria dell'Anima

37, Rue Oberkampf
75011
Make a reservation

Pasta time, and yes this restaurant is as narrow as the facade in the photo. But don't worry you won't feel claustrophobic at all - it's as home-y and cozy as can be. Everyone who works here is Italian (or play the role well anyway), and they make the pasta fresh in the dining room while you eat. It's our favorite Italian restaurant; humble, quaint and absolutely delicious (Alex recommends the lasagna). Main courses are super reasonable, between 15 and 20 euros.

Le Nemours

2 Place Colette
75001
Walk-in

You kinda don't get more Parisian than this. Café Le Nemours is located almost directly in front of the Louvre, but you'll find as many, if not more, die-hard Parisians here as you'll find tourists. It's located on a plaza, and with it's huge outdoor terrace, it's great for lunch, people-watching and taking in some fresh air. It's one of our favorite lunch spots and we always order the same - "croque madame" (10 euros). Steve always outdoes us by adding a bottle of Champagne to the mix.

Nanashi

31 rue de paradis
75010
Reservations not required

This is a great choice for lunch or dinner, and it's one of Alex's favorites. It's definitely on the healthy side of the spectrum - Julian says it's for "Seed-eaters" but we love it all the same. One of their specialties is a kind of French-Japanese bento fusion. Main plates are around 15 euros a pop.

Arcimboldo

22 Rue Cadet
75009
Walk-in

They just opened this pizza spot around the corner from our flat this past year, and the pizza is excellent - thin, crispy and delicious. The place is pretty tiny, and most of the seating is outside (on rue Cadet). Weather permitting, this is a great spot for a not-so-expensive lunch or dinner, 12-15 euros a pie.

Super Nature

15,12 &, 8 Rue de Trévise
75009
Reservations not required

If you're of the vegetarian sort, or looking for a break from the standard meat, bread and cheese heavy French-faire, this is another go-to spot, and definitely slanted towards the healthy vibe. There are 3 different locations, all on the same street and just a few meters from each-other, so check out the menu for each and choose your fancy.  

Les Pates Vivantes

46 Rue du Faubourg Montmartre
75009
Walk-in

If you're in the mood for a solid Chinese pasta bowl, this is the spot. It's a 5 minute walk from our flat, and you'll know you've found it when you see a guy in a window slinging home-made pasta by the meter. They also make a solid stir-fry. It's a great lunch or dinner option. Main plates are between 10 and 15 euros. 

Hôtel Amour

8 Rue de Navarin
75009
Reservations not required

This is one of Alex's go-to breakfast and brunch spots. The entire ground floor of Hotel Amour is a restaurant. As cozy as it is, what makes it extra special is the outdoor terrace and dinning area oasis, complete with fountain, at the back of the restaurant. Main plates are between 15 and 20 euros.     

Rose Bakery

46 Rue des Martyrs
75009
Walk-in

If you're looking for more than a croissant or tartine for breakfast, Rose bakery is a great option. Everything is here is pretty darn healthy, sauf the muffins, pastries and carrot cake, but it's all home-made and organic and a good choice for visiting foodies (paging Ms. Caroline Hwang). You'll pay a little extra for the organic slant, but it's always delicious.

Mamie Burger

21 Rue du Faubourg Montmartre
75009
Reservations not accepted

If you're looking for a burger, the 9th has some of Paris's best options. Be advised, the average café or bistro is going to over charge you for something completely average. Mamie Burger just opened last year around the corner from our flat, and their burger is solid. The decor and atmosphere is super cozy and quaint too.

La Creme de Paris

2 rue du Faubourg Montmartre
75009
Walk-in

La Creme de Paris is a great stop for those visiting foodies looking for the obligatory Parisian crépe or gauffre (waffle). Everything is home-made, but as they get a ton of traffic, you'll notice the cépes and waffles are pre-cooked. Our advice:  tell them you'd like it fresh (i.e. willing to wait for it).

Le Relais de l'Entrecôte

20, rue Saint Benoit
75006
Reservations not accepted

They serve only one thing here, steak frite - pictured above. And it's amazing. This place is an institution. You'll get only two questions from the server - what would you like to drink and how do you want it cooked? There are no reservations and always a line, but definitely worth it. Dinner, shared dessert and few glasses of wine will run you about 40 euros per person.  

Chez George

1 Rue du Mail
75002
Make a reservation

Chez George is out of a dream. It's the complete French brasserie experience, serving all the classics; ris de veau, anyone?  Leather banquettes, silverware, wood and copper piping finish the dining experience and you'll likely see the owners dog strolling or sleeping beneath the tables. Main plates are between 20 and 40 euros, but it's all pretty unforgettable. 

Le Tambour

41 Rue Montmartre
75002
Walk-in

If you find yourself skipping the dinner hour or get hungry after a late night out and realize that most other kitchens are closed, we recommend Le Tambour (15 minute walk from our flat). Granted, you'll need to be in the mood for some French cooking, but the kitchen is open late (3, 4am, maybe later), and the crowd and ambiance are always entertaining.  

Ladurée

21 Rue Bonaparte
75006
Walk-in

Lisa Butterworth, I'm looking at you. Ladurée is an institution and a palace of macaroons and pastries and all things sweet and holy. John's favorites are the "pistache," aka pistachio macaroons by the way. There are several locations throughout Paris. We like the one in Saint Germain des Pres, which has a cozy tea salon and is a great afternoon stop for coffee, tea and sweets.

Here are a few of our top-pick places to sip adult beverages. Some are close, some are a bit further away. But all of them are easy to get to.

We'll continue to add to this list as the dates approach.

Le Faubourg 34

34 rue de Faubourg Montmartre
75009

This is our neighborhood café and where you'll find us (and most of our neighbors) most of the time. The owners and staff are are all super friendly and it's our usual (practically daily) stop on the way home from work or for one last drink after dinner or an evening out. We'll most certainly share some drinks here together.

Le Comptoir General

80 Quai de Jemmapes
75010

This place is a must see. There's simply nothing else like it in Paris, or anywhere else for that matter. It's located directly on Canal Saint Martin, and in all honesty we couldn't tell you exactly what it is. Bar? Restaurant? Café? Night club? Thrift store? All the above? It's probably best to go in the late afternoon or very early evening - there's usually a line later on in the night.

Candelaria

52 Rue de Saintonge
75003

Candelaria is a bar disguised as a hole-in-the-wall taqueria. Order a few tacos if you're hungry, then find your way to the back of the restaurant and through the nondiscript and unmarked door past the register and you'll discover a cozy cocktail den serving up some wicked adult beverages. 

Dirty Dick

10 Rue Frochot
75009

Dirty Dick is classic tiki lounge a 15 minute walk up the hill from our flat in the direction of Pigalle. I can see Christina knocking back a few here, for sure. The menu is pretty hula-esque, but they also have regular beer on tap. If you're into sharing, you can order a flaming volcano - ask Justin. The place is period retro, dark and loungy and perfect for vibing out tiki style.

Following are a few of our favorite things to see and do, starting with what's in the neighborhood and easy to find and get to. 

We'll continue to add to this list as the dates approach.

Passage Verdeau

Passage Verdeau
75009

Throughout Paris, you'll find a number of passages, or arcades. The Passage Verdeau, built in 1847, it is one of the most charming covered arcades in the city. Here, you'll find antiques dealers, unique shops, old book stores, antique postcards, unique stores and cafés, etc. It's one of the jewels of our neighborhood and makes for a neat and interesting stroll. Certainly a must see.

Drouot

9 Rue Drouot
75009

We live in the quartier of "Le Drout" - Paris's auction house. The neighborhood is filled will antique shops selling everything from antique furniture to not so priceless works of art. The Drouot is open to the public, where you'll find live auctions happening as you visit. You never know what you'll see, and it's certainly a must see, but if you do visit and find you've stumbled into a live auction, just be sure to not put your arm up to stretch, or touch your ear or nose or anything like that.

Palais de Tokyo

13 Avenue du Président Wilson
75116

The city is filled with a bazillion and one museums, and you'll certainly find something that caters to your taste in art. Palais de Tokyo is our favorite. We're rarely able to figure out what the art or artist is trying to tell us, but we always walk away either laughing or in self reflective silence. Unlike other museums, it's open until midnight too, so it makes for a great evening activity. The view of the Eiffel tower from the central plaza is a bonus too.

Les Puces de Saint-Ouen

Rue des Rosiers
93400 Saint Ouen

"Les Puce" is an enormous flea market just outside paris at the end of the line 4 (open Sat. through Mon.). It's about 30 minutes away by metro, and a great daytime activity. Parisians like to frown on it as the prices aren't particularly interesting - given it's supposed to be a "flea market." But it's great, you'll find everything and nothing, and you can spend a super interesting and fun afternoon here, and there are several great places to eat or have coffee too.