As an organization that sends thousands of students abroad each year, CEA has captured a list of local secrets - a collection of discoveries from our students, resident staff, as well as other locals - that make this city unique. We hope you will find the information helpful and, at the every least, an interesting read.
Great Place for Salads
Tucked behind the Musée Picasso is a great little café worth discovering. The
Café Apparamment (metro stop: St. Paul) has a great ambiance, with comfy club
chairs and couches, dim lights, board games, and a fabulous lunch menu. Besides
the usual lunch fare, Café Apparamment lets you build your own salad for a
reasonable price, much like at a salad bar. You check off the ingredients you
want, and voilà!
Where to Buy Concert Tickets?
While all concerts are listed in the weekly Pariscope (entertainment guide) for
that week, if you are interested in seeing what is playing for an entire
season, the best place to go is FNAC. There is a concert board where you can
find out what is playing and buy your tickets too.
Best Place to Buy School Supplies
French school supplies are beautiful! Here are a few places where you have a
large choice at reasonable prices: Gilbert Jeune and Gilbert Joseph are the
most popular book and supply shops. You will find them both on Boulevard Saint
Michel. Otherwise, try BHV, a department store located across from the Hotel de
Ville.
Outdoor Markets
You don’t have to do all your grocery shopping at traditional stores! Opt for
the very Parisian way to shop – the outdoor food markets. Every neighborhood
has an outdoor market that is open at least two mornings a week. Some markets
are open every day. Try the Marché Aligre, (place Aligre at metro stop Ledru
Rollin) open every morning. A fabulous way to get fresh produce, meat, cheese,
flowers, etc. and it is beautiful!
Parc Floral de Paris
Metro stop Chateau de Vincennes. This botanical garden is a great break from the
bustling city if you are looking for a quiet stroll with Mother Nature. In the
summer, students can enjoy the Festival de Jazz which offers free Jazz concerts
every weekend. In the Fall and Spring, enjoy the beautiful plants, plan a
picnic, or rent a tandem bike for four!
La Mosquée de Paris
Hidden away in a quiet corner of the 5th arrondissment is the Mosque of Paris.
Besides being a popular place of worship, the Mosque boasts a full service
Hammam as well as an excellent restaurant where students can enjoy traditional
North African couscous. If you don’t have much time, at least stop by the Salon
de The for a sweet mint tea and pastry.
Magical Moment
For an intense surge of emotion, Parisians like to go to the Place Carré du
Louvre. By day, this is one of the two main courtyards of the Louvre museum,
but by night the sophisticated lighting brings life to the magnificent
architecture. Take some time to sit in the courtyard. The courtyard closes at 9
p.m., so you have to get there early!
