http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/ Welcome to Been there. Your tips on the places you know - that you love, live in or have just visited - are what make this guide. http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20345
Also, I witnessed something I couldn't believe. Two ladies sitting next me were leaving just as I was settling down, I guessed they were just having coffees and cakes and they left 50 euros for a tip, would you believe it!

I'd recommend going to Angelina instead, or Mariage Freres on the rue De Bourg-Tibourg for a nice cup of tea.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20345 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17524 When I first visited Paris I was so disappointed by what seemed to my untrained eye as just another grey city - too busy, too full and too confusing. The moment I stepped off the metro at Abbesses, I saw the Paris I had dreamed of - cobbled streets, little parks, beautiful buildings and most of all a calm yet creative and highly inspirational (to the artist in me) atmosphere.

I don't need to list off the best places to shop and eat here because it is all so compact, you can wander round for hours, without feeling exhausted, and discover the endless hidden gems of vintage stores and cafes that not only have the friendliest staff in the whole of Paris but one of which serves their coffee (or herbal tea if you prefer) in bowls! It's just the nicest, coolest place I've ever been to. Great for the young, and the young at heart.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17524 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16454
The café has tall windows overlooking the square, and serves teas, coffees, cakes and other delicacies. Nearby, on Rue Rambuteau, is Le Potager du Marais – a café/restaurant which has long refectory tables where the mainly local clientele lunch on reasonably priced, delicious organic, veggie food.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16454 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16447 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16447 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16420
The famous haunt of Sartre and Simone de Beauvoir has stunning internal décor and takes you back to another era. The food is delicious and if you are seeking the true Parisian experience then there is nowhere better to dine.

And, even if you end up alone there on Valentine's Day, indulging in their silky hot chocolate, at least the waiters know the way to a girl’s heart. Dessert on the house!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16420 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16398
As an alternative to the snowtrain why not take the scheduled London to Paris Eurostar and change stations on to the TGV from Paris to Bourg St Maurice. There is the disadvantage of changing stations in Paris, but this can be eased by taking a taxi between the stations. The advantage is that you have more flexibility with traveling times and the fares can be cheaper if you book early.

If you end up at Bourg St Maurice you can take time to enjoy the French town life with many interesting bars and restaurants. The Bazoom Bar is a favourite of ours, directly opposite the station. You can enjoy several hours having a good meal and watching the world go by whilst waiting for your transfer taxi/bus or before you board the return train.

The transfer times are very short in comparison to the airports, often in the region of 30 mins for Les Arcs, La Rosiere and Tignes / Val d'Isere. There is a funicluar railway directly up to Les Arcs. For La Plagne and Les Trois Valleys you have to use stations before Bourg St Maurice or the transfer is longer.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16398 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16394 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16394 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16378
After they get thirsty head to Angelina's (Angélina 226, rue de Rivoli) for chocolat chaud. Do this before the crowds arrive here and at the Louvre.

Another tip for children is to head to Sacre Coeur for the farmers' market on top of the hill on weekends, jugglers on the church steps and the carousel at the bottom.

Need a new children's shirt to replace the one covered in hot chocolate? There are some good bargain department stores on your way back to the Metro station.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16378 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16375 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16375 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16374 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16374 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16367
The internal courtyards, lined with Andalusian mosaics, are offset by dark eucalyptus and cedar trim. The mosque's adjoining cafe and restaurant, serves excellent north African cuisine such as couscous, tajine and sweet mint tea to all.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16367 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16268
There were also free activities for the kids, the best bit being that they had period costumes the kids could dress up in and then a large frame you could take photos of them in, all in a French aristocratic style.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16268 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16203
You can sit outside in the garden and sip mint tea or eat sweet pastries in a calm, unhurried atmosphere. There is even a traditional hamman located there where you can have a very efficient Turkish-style bath for a fraction of the price any of the more indulgent spa hotels would charge to leave you feeling refreshed and ready to tackle the rest of Paris. A serene and peaceful environment where everyone is welcome.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16203 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16190 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16190 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15739 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15739 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/12843
Now it's a stop for a coffee, or lunch, because everyone wants to see the film location. Apart from the tobacco counter, everything is just as it was in the film, including the miniscule 'toilette' where the earth-shaking sex scene took place.

When I made my visit it was full of art students rather than tourists, perhaps you need to go there in the evenings to find out if the locals still actually use it. As a rare example of a real life film set though, it's priceless.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/12843 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11801 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11801 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/4815 Fantastic cafes and restaurant too.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/4815 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/2693
We were particularly grateful after the appallingly rude behaviour of the staff at Brasserie Lipp, down the road, our original intended destination.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/2693 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/2294 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/2294