A Day Near the St. James Hotel
Located on Avenue Bugeaud between Avenue Foch and Avenue Victor Hugo in the 16th arrondissement, the regal 48-room chateau-hotel St. James is perfectly situated for its visitors to enjoy both the palatial grandeur and privacy of the city while still having easy access to some of its most bustling attractions.
Getting around the city is relatively easy thanks to the Paris Metro, or subway. Located just a short block away from the hotel is the Port Dauphine Station, where you can board the number 2 line, which is two short stops to the main 1 line. Whatever your destination, figuring out how to get there is easy thanks to the Paris Metro website. Just type in your origin and destination and it will give you the most direct route.
Of course, the concierge at the Saint James is also at your disposal. Whether you need the appropriate Metro stop for your destination or a taxi to take you there instead, the front desk will happily arrange it for you.
There are plenty of things to do near the hotel if you prefer to stay on foot. The beautiful Parc Monceau is within walking distance and is filled with natural and architectural wonder. The painter Louis De Carmontelle was commissioned in 1769 by Phillippe d'Orléans- Duke of Chartres and cousin of the king- to design “an outstanding garden bringing all times and places together." Though not as large as it originally was, this English-style garden remains one of Paris’s most magical destinations with some of its finest flowers, sculptures and trees. There are also a number of playgrounds for those with children.
Walk or take the metro to the Trocadero, where you’ll get the best view of the Eiffel Tower, especially at night. From there, you can wander off the beaten path to the Wine Museum of Paris where artifacts illustrate France’s lifelong love affair with the fermented grape. Wine tasting classes are offered periodically but must be arranged beforehand and there is a museum restaurant if you’re looking for lunch. If you’re just looking for the bar, rest assured that your museum entry fee gets you a free wine tasting at the end of your tour.
More natural luxury can be found at the Bois de Boulogne, which at 2090 acres is two and a half times bigger than Central Park in New York. Formerly a royal hunting ground, the Bois was converted into a public park complete with lakes, playgrounds, restaurants and a waterfall. Some of the most luxurious moments to be had here include boating on the Lac Inférieur and eating at the deluxe Le Pre Catalan. Though pricey, the cuisine and ambiance at this French institution- consistently rated as one of the best restaurants in Paris- is well worth it.
If architecture and design is your thing, head instead to La Fermette Marboeuf 1900, where the exquisite original art nouveau décor is still beautifully intact. Request the winter garden when making reservations and enjoy its painted glass ceilings and mirrors from 1898, when the room was dining area in a simple hotel.
If all you want is a nice croissant and café crème, the Boulevard Victor Hugo near the St. James Hotel has plenty of cafes to sit and people watch in. For the more adventurous, take a taxi or the Metro to Angelina, one of Paris’ most exquisite tea salons. Although this belle époque tearoom serves quiches, salads and other light fare, they’re better known for their chocolat chaud, which has the consistency of a melted chocolate bar in a small cup. Also try their Mont Blanc, a decadent chestnut, meringue and whipped cream dessert.
Walk it off afterward with a stroll in the majestic Jardin des Tuileries across the street.
A Day at the Saint-Ouen Flea Markets
Le Marche aux Puces de Saint-Ouen is Paris’s most famous flea market. It is made up of a number of smaller markets that formed after people who were trading bric-a-brac in Paris were expelled from the city in the late 19th Century. They congregated just outside the city gate of Porte de Clignancourt and set up temporary stalls and continued trading everything from furniture plucked off the street to clothes that had fleas, hence the name ‘flea market.’ Despite the fleas, the market grew increasingly popular came to be frequented by even high-society. In 1920, the temporary trading posts made way for St. Ouen’s first official, organized market - the Vernaison. Today the Vernaison market, known as the bric-a-brac market, remains true to its original spirit and is still the cheapest of the many that make up St. Ouen aux Puces.
Marking the entrance to Vernaison at 99 rue des Rosiers and 136 avenue Michelet is the market’s mascot- a little man wearing a tailcoat and an18th century wig while holding a fishing rod, indicating that this is where deals are caught. Spend a day wandering this endless Virginia-creeper-covered maze of alleyways and you will undoubtedly find something memorable to take home yourself.
Before leaving the Vernison, visit the restaurant Chez Louisette to enjoy a meal in the place Edith Piaf and other iconic singers first got their start. If you don’t want your wait staff singing ‘La Vie en Rose’ to you while you eat, however, you can opt for Le Soleil down the road which is known for the exceptional quality of its food.
Things To Do Near the Marche aux Puces:
If modern architecture is your thing, head to Le Parc de la Villette before returning to your hotel. This park was completed in 1993 as part of a city renewal plan and at 86 acres, it makes up the largest green space in Paris. The famously controversial design was conceived by award-winning architect Bernard Tschumi who was highly influenced by the principles of deconstruction in building it. Populated by sculpture gardens, sport and recreational areas and playgrounds, Tschumi wanted it to be a park for the 21st century. There is also science and technology museum and music arena in the park. Check the website for schedules, events and information.
Not far away is the breathtaking Basilique du Sacré Coeur, which translates to Church of the Sacred Heart. Due to its position high on the hill of Montmartre, this regal Romano-Byzantine church offers some of the best views of Paris from its dome, surpassed only by the Eiffel Tower. A walk around the quaint neighborhood surrounding the church, featured in the 2001 film Amelie, will fill you with equal wonder.
If you’re hungry, stop by the welcoming Le Refuge des Fondues for its excellent 15€ prix fixe menu that includes a variety of fondues along with a petite bottle of wine.
For classic bistro fare, drop into the family-run Paris Bohème, where the food is served in accordance with the restaurant’s motto: “Generosity, Sincerity, Friendship.”
