Living in Paris? Reliving Paris? Dying to visit Paris? Blame it on the rom-com movies (and no it isn’t breakfast at Tiffany’s) and all those almost unrealistic expectations set by those unbelievably beautiful movies set in Paris, every one of us once dreamt of seeing Paris. And so much of that seeing involves a lot of experiencing that people-watching bucket list, while sipping a cup of local coffee. There’s something addicting about the idea of daydreaming about the city of love, and no it is not because caffeine has that effect.... it’s maybe the cafe itself has that effect?

With sweet cobble stones, lively streets, and olden architectural structures in almost every corner of Paris, the Frenchies and people living in Paris are really fortunate. These ways of Paris, coupled with all the beautiful people walking around, coming from different walks of life, definitely make a blameless backdrop for anyone’s desire to do a proper people-watching activity. And this is especially true if you are having a cup of coffee in one of their cafes. Whether it’s expectation or reality that you are wanting to experience a Parisian coffee experience, I can say that it is true after all, perhaps this Parisian life isn’t just all about lights and romance, but it is also about goooooood coffee places! Yes, are you with me?

In my unbiased (wanting to visit again kind of) opinion, one of the most Parisian thing you can do, that’s almost free and easy, is to sit in a café while sipping on an expresso, maybe munching on a croissant and watching the dreamy world go by? Be enchanted by the magic that is Paris, and maybe it’ll pull some strings and bring good ideas, books, arts, and all that – just like the rest of the human race who has proven time and again that a Parisian cafe inspiration is a good thing to emulate. So without further delay, here’s a quick list to some of the local Parisian cafés the city has to offer that you must try you as soon as you can.

Brioche Doree
Official Website: https://www.briochedoree.fr/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/briochedoreepageofficielle/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/briochedoree/

The wonderful thing about living in a vibrant and diverse city like Toronto is that it offers some of the worlds finest restaurants, happening bars and cool cafes for us to enjoy. For a fun night out, checking out a new, talked-about restaurant is a blast, but there are those times when a quality cafe or bistro is just the place to pick up a fast but tasty lunch on-the-go or meet up with friends for a casual, “no reservations needed” Sunday brunch. In the King West neighbourhood, that special little place is Brioche Dorée. Read more here.

Columbus Cafe & Co
Official Website: http://www.columbuscafe.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Columbus-Caf%C3%A9-Co/179064732945570
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/columbus_cafe/

The waiters are kind and they attend customers with patience and a smile. I spilled my coffee unintentionally and they gave me another one without even asking and, and then they didn't allow me to pay it. There's also a wide and calm place to work with your computer, relax or meet new people. I'll certainly come back. Ignore Parisian clichés: they really are friendly! :-) Read more here.

Republique of Coffee
Official Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RepubliqueofCoffee/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/republiqueofcoffee/?hl=en

With its flashy pink neon sign, its atmosphere worthy of a Pinterest mood board  and strong scents of ground coffee, this new hot spot catapulted at Répu has all the winning assets: « inspiring » for Instagram. And it hit the bull’s eye: all the graphics, creative types and other free-lances spend their day behind computer screens, hooked on excellent coffee and house cakes. At lunch, everybody makes a beeline here to come taste sunny comfort-food by Mexican chef Mario Flores (ex Café Chilango). Starting with the already cult California Bowl made with rice, quinoa, avocado, red cabbage, sweet potatoes, cheese, black beans, kale chips… (13€). Another option, poached eggs or miso tuna and chilli sauce. A must. Tops also, couture tacos (12€ for 3), ceviche of ceviche and mango (14€) huevos rancheros, super fancy eggs on a tortilla twisted with guacamole and a fab tomato sauce (12€), mmhm. For the same price you even get a green tea or filtered coffee. Read more here.

Le Paname Art Cafe
Official Website: https://www.panameartcafe.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/panameartcafe/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/panameartcafe/?hl=en

I reserved ticket for show online but i think there will not be a problem to come before show and they will manage to find a place for you. Even i dont speak french well i manage to understand most of the show and spend one nice evening there. Read more here.

Maison Georges Larnicol
Official Website: https://larnicol.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Maison-Georges-Larnicol/605426159482443
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maisonglarnicol_officiel/?hl=en

The location on Boulevard Saint-Germain is one of three Paris locations, but the original family owned business was in Brittany. Maison Georges Larnicol is a Meilleur Ouvrier de France winner (they make beautiful chocolate sculptures) and they offer visitors a wonderful selection of chocolates, macarons, fudges, candies, and cakes. Read more here.

Feature: Travel App Giveaway Alert!!!

Giveaway Alert! Do you want to finally win an all-expenses paid week stay with me in Singapore? Well, I got something for you! Hahaha it’s time to tell all your friends about this and make sure you enter this mini-giveaway because the winner will get ALL of this one!

On a completely related and relatable note, I actually did an analogous giveaway a long time ago about strong travel partner I am friends with: GPS My City. GPSmyCity is this notable app that produces city walk apps for around 500 cities across the world. Using GPS tracking to chart your progress around the route, you can quickly choose the articles of the places of interest around the area you are walking around in – you can snappily pick restaurants, shops, or even additional landmarks which you would probably have missed out, if you use an unadventurously predictable travel app.

Apart from Google Maps, what I really recommend and find nice to use is this mobile app, because in GPSmyCity, you can access the articles offline, meaning that you can read it on the airplane, or while following a walk, even if you don’t have Wi-Fi / 3G access! Goodbye to roaming fees and free WIFI hunting. I can guarantee that once you have experienced first-hand what GPSmyCity can do for you, you want to be an ongoing user.

So, while we’re at it – it’s about time to use this opportunity to give away this article app "8 Places to Get Your Obligatory Coffee Drink in Tokyo" for one week, during which you will be able to upgrade it for an absolutely FREE fee! FREE GOODS, FREE OF CHARGE! Be sure to visit these links here, here, and here to get your free upgrade! Thanks to GPSMyCity for providing free updated apps for the period of the giveaway.

Just because the Statue of Liberty in New York City is so prominent, it doesn’t mean that it’s the only one you should see? Did you know that there are more than a hundred of replicas of the Statue of Liberty all over the world? Yes, even in Singapore. But the really cool thing is that even in France, they have it! Yes, we all know the history here: France gave the United States the Statue of Liberty in 1886, and apparently, the Americans, with their very generous spirit, gifted the French with a similar one, but a smaller version in 1889. So, why queue in the top touristy places like the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe; Notre-Dame Cathedral or even the Louvre. Instead, try visiting the southern area of Paris, maybe somewhere in the very middle of the river Seine – meet up with lady Liberty, oui?

Fun fact: The Statue of Liberty was designed by a French sculptor named Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi and was then constructed by THE Gustave Eiffel himself, yes, THE man who made the Eiffel Tower! Merci! Although apparently, there are five lady liberty replicas in Paris, the grandest of them is in the heart of Paris. Just like the lady liberty in NYC, the one in Paris, is situated in a little man-made island called Île aux Cygnes. It is a smaller version, and it actually faces west, towards its 'big sister' beyond the oceans. It’s just just off the Grenelle Bridge, and quite accessible to tourists and locals.

The surrounding area looks like a park of some sort, with a couple of benches and several work-out areas. It’s along the Siene river, so it’s pretty dramatic to just stop and stare at lady liberty, while enjoying the Parisian city vibes. If you are lucky, you can even see the Eiffel Tower a bit blurred from the overall background, but still quite noticeable. It’s definitely one of those areas in Paris that’s relatively still hidden compared to the likes of Pont de Bir-Hakeim (hello Inception movie?) which is a few blocks from the area.

Ending up walking around this vicinity by accident, because the intention was really to find a shortcut to the Pont de Bir-Hakeim. Nevertheless, since the nearby mall Beaugrenelle is closeby, and the Parc André Citroën also is walkable (and worth the visit!) – deciding to stop by the Statue of Liberty, Pont de Grenelle is worthy of being included in your itinerary if you’re looking for a less touristy, more random yet still culturally relevant place to visit. Best part is, it’s free – no need to ride a ferry, or pay expensive tickets like the ones you’ll spend in NYC!

Directions: 15th district - Access on Pont Bir-Hakeim and Pont de Grenelle

Metro: Bir-Hakeim on Line 6