by JUST a stone’s throw away on the Eurostar, Paris is a hassle-free holiday destination for those with train connections to London.
It takes just over two hours from London’s St Pancras station and you’ll arrive in the beating heart of the French capital – where world-class hotels, restaurants and bars await.
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THE festive fun is in full swing and you’re treated to a free show at Printemps Haussmann department store. The Christmas window displays are nothing short of extraordinary – expect animatronic teddies and all-singing, all-dancing puppets on strings.
If it’s a special occasion and you’re planning to travel this month, upgrade your Eurostar ticket to Business Premier and you’ll be treated to a limited edition menu designed by French chef Raymond Blanc. The dishes are inspired by his two-Michelin-starred Oxford restaurant, Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons.
ARE THESE ROADS MADE FOR WALKING?
When you arrive at the Gare du Nord train station, you can tick off some of the top tourist attractions without hopping on a bus or metro. And exploring on foot is by far the best way to enjoy the Parisian architecture, ornate buildings and old-fashioned cafes that make this city so special.
Montmartre hill and the stunning Sacre Coeur Basilica are less than 20 minutes’ walk from the train station, and you’ll need comfortable shoes to climb the seemingly endless stairs to the top (although you can take the funicular for €1.90).
If you can make it, walk – it’s part of the experience and your effort will be rewarded with views that I think beat those of the Eiffel Tower.
The Champs-Elysees are also made for strolling. This wide, tree-lined avenue is famous for its shopping, with some of the poshest hotels and shops located along the two-kilometer stretch.
Even if you can’t afford the lavish diamonds and couture in the shop windows, the walk is entertainment in itself, and you end up at L’Arc de Triomphe, one of France’s most famous war memorials.
SOMETHING FOR THE BUCKET LIST?
THE world famous Moulin Rouge cabaret show is a favorite of chef Raymond Blanc. It’s every bit as loud as you’d imagine, with feather-clad can-can dancers twirling on stage, red fabrics over lights, and jeweled costumes galore.
If you’ve got cash left after the Champs-Elysees, Galeries Lafayette is Paris’ answer to Harvey Nichols or Selfridges – only way better.
The flagship store is located on Boulevard Haussmann with a huge Christmas tree at its center, stretching from the ground floor to a gorgeous stained glass dome ceiling.
WHERE SHOULD I EAT?
BLANC recommends the Le Boeuf Sur Le Toit cabaret club on Rue du Colisee for a stylish ambience. Or for quintessentially French food on a budget, Brasserie La Coupole on Boulevard du Montparnasse offers most of the classics, he tells me, including fresh seafood platters, chocolate-covered donuts and a crunchy crème brûlée for €7.50.
The French are famous for their cream cheese, but you don’t have to go to a fancy place to try some, says Blanc.
If you want to pack quality cheese in your suitcase, you can venture into any supermarket.
Fancy a drink?
Stroll down one of the narrow side streets and take your pick from one of the traditional bars and cafes, all guaranteed to serve delicious wine by the gallon – as long as you drink the French stuff.
After a specific cocktail? A few miles north of Notre Dame Cathedral, Bisou is on Boulevard du Temple, where the drinks are as decorative as the flower-covered facade. It’s small and intimate and the staff will prepare whatever you want.
WHERE SHOULD I STAY?
THE M Social has brought color and fun to the once tired walls of this traditional hotel.
Old-fashioned closed elevators and huge windows mean you still feel like you’re in classic Paris, but with modern conveniences like fluffy pillows and a restaurant that serves classic food ‘en cocotte’.
After a recent refurbishment, the rooms now feature ultra-comfortable beds with emerald green and orange linens and sparkling bathrooms with glamorous L’Occitane toiletries.
You can request a room with a view of the Sacre Coeur, just a 20-minute walk away, at no extra charge.
Go there: Paris
GETTING THERE: Eurostar runs from London St Pancras to Gare du Nord in Paris from £39 each way. Anyone traveling on Business Premier before November 23rd can sample the limited edition menu created by Raymond Blanc. See eurostar.com.
STAY THERE: Alcove rooms at the M Social Hotel Opera Paris start from £316.24 including breakfast. See www.millenniumhotels.com.
