On the Streets of the 8th Arr.

I was in the 8th Arr., yesterday around the Champs -Élysées, meeting with various hotel concierges about my Eye Prefer Paris tours. It was a cool, windy half sunny/half rainy day and many of the streets were blocked off to traffic because of the WW II Victory day holiday.

I got off at the George V metro stop and looming large on the Champs-Élysées was a 30-foot poster of Dalida, rising from the dead inviting me to an homage of her music at the Queen disco (photo above).

Dalida was one of France’s most popular & beloved singers. She was plagued with bad luck with her lovers and two of them committed suicide and in 1987 took her own life at 54. She has become a cult figure to old and new generations since her death, much like Marilyn Monroe.

The 8th is a mix of a low key Times Square and a wealthy enclave for the visiting rich, with expensive restaurants, exclusive nightclubs, top designer shops and 4&5 star hotels. The opulent neighborhood ‘s architecture is mostly very well maintained Haussmann style buildings, many with window boxes of radiant white and red geraniums.

As I left the trendy boutique Hotel Tremoille, I couldn’t help but take photos of these 2 classic cars in mint condition.

It’s always a challenge to find a simple and good lunch place in an area like this. There are either fussy expensive 2 -hour lunch restaurants or tacky rip off tourists’ cafes with bad photos of unappetizing food on the menus. I was lucky to find Jour, an American style make your own salad bar and sandwich place. In the cool & clean mint green modern interior I enjoyed a tasty Caesar salad wrap for only 4.50 euros. The salad bar offerings of over 30 ingredients were meticulous in their presentation in small stainless steel compartments and you can make up any salad you want with each ingredient ranging from 75 centimes to 2 euros. Toppings included the usual standard meat, vegetables and seafood but I also noticed some unusual choices like sardines and squid. They are served in attractive large melamine rust colored bowls with mint green insides. A great place for a fast bite, wholesome food, and an under 12-euro price tag.

Jour
12 rue Clément Marot, 75008
Metro: Franklin Roosevelt
Take out and delivery available
Click here for other Paris locations

I stand corrected: On my last posting about Chapelle Expiatore there was an error. King Louis XIV and Marie Antoinette were decapitated on Place de Concorde and buried in a pit in the Madeleine cemetery. I reported that they were decapitated and buried in the Madeleine cemetery. Thanks to Maitresse and Judy G. for pointing that out.

How much is that baby in the window?

I am pleased as punch to announce the launch of Eye Prefer Paris Tours, which are 3-hour walking tours I will personally be leading. The Eye Prefer Paris Tour
includes many of the places I have written about including small museums & galleries, restaurants, cafes & food markets, secret addresses, fashion & home boutiques, parks, and much more.

I look forward to meeting you on my tours and it will be my pleasure and delight to show you my insiders Paris.

Check it out at www.eyepreferparistours.com

 

Comments

[Chrisos]

You have some OK and almost affordable restaurants on the Champs Elysées and around Saint Philippe du Roule: Flora Danica's Butik, bistro napolitain, Bugsy's, Maison Faucheux...

[David]

Hey Richard -- LOVE this post bc I love Dalida. Your tours must make it a point to stop by her apt in Montmartre and by her tomb. How I wish I were jetset enough to go to Paris on Monday for Dalida's bash. Anyhoo, a minor correction: Dalida killed hereself at age 54, not 44.

Bisous!

[richard]

Hi David,
Thanks for the the age correction on Dalida and I changed it.