We decided to escape the dog fight that is the UK to celebrate our first anniversary in one of our favourite cities — Paris. This time I wanted to do all new things apart from a meal at my favourite restaurant and also used lots of recommendations from friends. The result was a fabulous long weekend full of new discoveries of hidden treasures. We arrived at our airbnb and due to a late running Eurostar had to swiftly change and head right back out for our dinner reservation at Bouillon Julien.
This brasserie is tucked away on rue du Faubourg Saint-Denis in the 10e. All of this was making our way to Bd Beaumarchais, where I had a few secret spots I wanted to find. The first spot was Merci , a super cool homeware shop hidden away between a second hand bookshop and a cafe.
At the time of our visit they were hosting a fashion exhibit for Paris Fashion Week called Fluffy, celebrating all things puffa. Covering three floors, we had so much fun looking at the shelves upon shelves of crockery, glassware, cushions, lampshades… it was bursting at the seams. Then we made our way to Chez Janou for lunch, clearly a very popular spot for tourists and locals alike.
We had starters and dessert for our lunch as we had a big dinner planned and it was already 2pm. Chez Janou is famous for its mousse au chocolat. Fluffy, rich and thick, it was served unceremoniously in a big ladleful from an even bigger pot, and immediately devoured by us.
My favourite section displayed dozens of preserved shops signs. At a time before street numbers, signs were important landmarks in Paris. They show freedom of expression, surprising inventiveness and intense colours. The ground floor also has some amazing preserved shop fronts, including an incredible art nouveau pharmacy complete with elaborate interior. I was less interested by the ancient Paris section in the basement, more in the revolution section on the first floor.
