Paris, Plonk and Patisseries

Something a little different today in honour of my travel book, 24 Hours Paris, that's launching today in the other half of my schizo world! I thought I'd do a Paris post, dedicated to the two loves of my life (after writing, of course. Oh yes, and my husband): food and wine. So here are five of my favourite places to eat and drink in Paris. Enjoy! (*Drool, drool!*)

If you fancy winning a copy of the book, brilliant book blogger Scott Pack is doing a giveaway today on his blog, Me and My Big Mouth. Head over and write something in French in the comments section (Google Translator's helpful!) and he'll pick the winners on the weekend.

Sweet Breads
The debate over Paris’ best bakery rages on, but Poilâne is a definite contender. Opened in 1932 by the young Pierre Poilâne from Normandy, Poilâne’s bread has stood the test of time. Baked in a wood-fired oven the same way they always have been, the traditional sourdough loaves were so popular Salvador Dalí once ordered a whole bedroom made out of them! Bite in to see if they live up to your bread expectations. And if you love the bread so much you can’t live without it, never fear – you can take away a cushion shaped exactly like a Poilâne loaf and fill your head with sweet bread dreams. Poilâne: www.poilane.fr

Crazy for Coffee
If the heady smell of roasting coffee beans doesn’t get you, one look at the quaint, coffee-bean stuffed interior will lure Café Verlet has been giving caffeine-starved Parisians their coffee fix since 1880 and it couldn’t be more different from its chain-gang neighbours if it tried. Choose from a menu of coffees from the Yemen to Brazil, or splash out for a rare gourmet bean from Australia. No matter what you go for, you’re sure to leave here with a buzz! Café Verlet: www.cafesverlet.com

Hats Off
Napoléon and his hat parted ways at Café Procope, said to be Paris’ first café The young officer couldn’t pay for his meal and his beloved hat was left as collateral. It’s still there today, displayed proudly behind glass. Founded in 1686, Procope attracted everyone from Voltaire to Robespierre, all there for the drink of the hour: coffee. Just make sure you can pay the bill or you might lose your hat, too! Café Procope: www.procope.com

Crêpe Expectations
The crêpe may have its roots in Brittany, but it’s the stuff of legends at Chez Josselin. Located close to the Montparnasse train station (with a direct train to Brittany), this tiny crêperie is nestled amongst a whole host of other restaurants selling the national dish. Bretons coming to Paris for work settled around the train station, and restaurants set up shop to serve their crêpe cravings. The best of the bunch, Chez Josselin is cosy, cluttered and fast! Choose a dinner crêpe (with savoury filling, called galette) or satisfy your sweet-tooth with a traditional sugar crêpe. Either way, you can’t go wrong at Chez Josselin. Chez Josselin: 67 Rue du Montparnasse

Chamber Music
Housed in a twelfth-century prison complete with a guillotine that served its purpose well, Le Caveau des Oubliettes is a night-spot with ambiance to spare. Grab a drink in the pub upstairs then head down to the caveau – which used to be linked to a nearby prison by underground tunnels – for some free jazz. Today, the sweet sounds of music echo around the small room but centuries ago the room reverberated with the screams of tortured prisoners. Keep your head and avoid the rush down the narrow stairs by getting there at least thirty minutes before the music begins. Le Caveau des Oubliettes: www.caveaudesoubliettes.fr

Hope you enjoyed the mini-trip around Paris!