MAN SHOPS GLOBE: TRAVEL GUIDES
Find out the best places to EAT, SLEEP, SHOP, and SEE in all the destinations featured in MAN SHOPS GLOBE!
PLAN OUT YOUR TRAVELS:
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EAT
La Cremerie
9 rue des Quatre Vents (Saint-Germain Neighborhood)
75006 Paris
Official Site (in French)
Article about La Cremerie (in English)
My favorite little place to eat is a casual, tiny cheese shop called La Cremerie. It's run by an architect and he sells organic wine and makes little salads... the mozzarella is better than any I've ever had!
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SLEEP
La Mirande
Avignon, France
Official Site
In Avignon, La Mirande Hotel, behind the Pope's palace is one of the best hotels in the world! Traditional style - everything is done to perfection. They have an 18th Century kitchen in the basement, which they'll open up for you with a large group. You have no say in what you'll be fed, but it's like going to a chef's home. He's just going to feed you something amazing.
La Maison du Village
Saint-Rémy-de-Provence
Official Site
La Maison du Village in Saint-Remy de Provence - it';s Baby Bear Porridge, perfect mix at shops, perfect size and quiet! It's a perfect Bed and Breakfast with great design.
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SHOP
The flea markets in France are legendary. The best part of the Saint-Ouen Flea Market in Paris is the Paul Bert Section. It has the most decorative things. My advice on buying is to ask yourself, "How much is this worth to me?" Then bargain, be fair and be willing to walk away. The truth is that you'll only regret the things you don't buy... you'll never regret what you do buy. In the context of the market, surrounded by similar objects, a piece may not seem special. That's the hardest part of being a buyer - taking things out of context.
History
Map of Market
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SEE
Be sure to plan plenty of unscheduled time in France. Put down the guidebooks and allow yourself "wandering time" and the chance to make personal discoveries. If you already know everything, what are you looking for?
The beautiful Decorative Arts Museum, connected to the Louvre, recently re-opened. Their gift shop is absolutely amazing and they carry a lot of work by contemporary artists. This is definitely a place worth checking out!
Official Site (in French with English translation option)
Artcle about re-opening in New York Times
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ADMIRE
One of the most amazing things about artisans in France is that there are still a lot of skills being passed on from parents and mentors. There's a real regard for craft itself. The French value and see the difference between something that takes four hours and something that takes four days.
Aurélie Alvarez - Artist
Official Site (in French)
