Why not pop to Paris for lunch?

Jan 07, 2008

Good news, says The Sunday Times. The “tectonic plates of travel” are about to shift: on 14 November, the Eurostar terminal at St Pancras is to open, making the journey from London to Paris 20 minutes faster – a mere two hours and 15 minutes. So why not go for lunch? Paris’s reputation as a foodie heaven “has taken a bit of a knock” recently, but it simply isn’t the case that you can eat better in London than in the French capital. Those in any doubt need only count the stars: London has one three-star Michelin restaurant, five two stars, and 37 one stars; Paris has ten, 13 and 42 respectively. And however much one might admire the UK’s gastro-pub revolution, if your budget doesn’t stretch to Ducasse or Robuchon, “you’re much safer gambling on a back street bistro” in Paris than in London. 
So where to go?

You can “test drive” one of France’s top chefs without breaking the bank, says The Sunday Times, by visiting Alain Ducasse’s bistro Benoit (20 Rue St-Martin) at lunchtime and having his three-course set menu (£27).  Otherwise, you could try Senderens (9 Place de la Madeleine). It is run by Alain Senderens, who is “famous for handing back his three Michelin stars in order to produce heartier food in a less formal setting”. However, Paris isn’t just a city for foodies. It is also a city for lovers. And lovers – after a visit to the “pastoral oasis” of the Musée de la Vie Romantique (16 Rue Chaptal); a quick trip to view The Kiss at The Rodin Museum (79 Rue de Varenne)’ and the purchase of a few “exotic slinkies” at lingerie shop Le Boudoir de Chantal Thomass (211 Rue St-Honoré) – will want to stay the night. 


The Sunday Times suggests doing so at the Hotel Balzac (www.hotelbalzac.com), with its opulent open spaces and view of the Eiffel Tower. For those who have spent most of their cash on lunch, the Hotel Amour – “once a Pigalle house of ill repute”, now a charming boutique – offers doubles from £80 a night (www.hotelamour.com). However, those after real luxury might prefer the new Park Hyatt Vendome (www.hyatt.com). Decorated by American designer Ed Tuttle, and combining an unrivalled location between Cartier on Rue de la Paix and Place Vendôme, the hotel boasts huge rooms; specially commissioned products from renowned parfumier Blaise Mautin; open and covered gardens; a fully-equipped spa and a buzzy restaurant – Les Orchidées – which is open into the small hours.  This doesn’t come cheap (doubles start from around £450), but then it is the City of Light’s only “Palace” (French for five-star hotel).

Related articles