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        <title>Been there | Tips</title>
        
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        <description>
            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.
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                <title>Bob Dylan L'Exposition Rock</title>
                
                <link>http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34667</link>
                
                <description><![CDATA[If you ever thought to yourself, publicly or privately, what's the big deal about Bob Dylan? What's all the fuss about? Then this exhibition is for you. Equally if, like me, you are already a believer then this will only serve to fuel the fire. Compiled by the Grammy Museum of Los Angeles, "Bob Dylan, Rock explosion" takes you on a journey through his influences, image changes and historical backdrop. It includes photographs by Daniel Kramer, footage from the documentary "Don't Look Back", memorabilia connected to his childhood and formative influences and (my favourite part) areas to simply sit and listen to his music and read his lyrics. You'll be rushing home afterwards to listen to your favourite Dylan record.]]></description>
                
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                <title>La Vigne St Laurent</title>
                
                <link>http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34234</link>
                
                <description><![CDATA[This is the best meal I have had in Paris. It is near Gare de l'Est at 2 rue St Laurent 75010 tele. 42 05 98 20.  It is not open at weekends.  The menu is limited but the food is awesome.  It is also a wine bar and the wines are as good (and as reasonably priced) as the food.]]></description>
                
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                <title>Aux Lyonnais Bistrot</title>
                
                <link>http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33917</link>
                
                <description><![CDATA[If you want authentic high-quality cooking by one of France's greatest chef's, but for a fraction of the price, then make sure you book a table at Alain Ducasse's traditional bistrot in Paris, Aux Lyonnais. As the name suggests all dishes are traditional Lyonnaise fair, including Quenelles a la Lyonnaise, sauce Nantua (yum) and Tarte et île flottante aux pralines roses (even more yum).  With set menus for lunch costing as little as 30 euros, this really was a gem of a find.  Tucked down a quiet side street, the 1890 decor makes for a sumptuous setting that was clearly good enough for Hollywood, as it recently featured in Woody Allen's film Midnight in Paris.]]></description>
                
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                <title>Chez Janou</title>
                
                <link>http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33905</link>
                
                <description><![CDATA[After winding your way through the Marais district, behind the Place des Vogues on the corner of a street, is a small bistro bursting with colour, ambience and delicious food. You can wait for a table by the bar, which has a fabulous range of Provencal wines and then nestle into one of the chairs or benches, under large bright prints with scenes from the French Riviera.  Starting with some tasty olives, the food is fantastic, especially the classics such as the mussels, steak and duck; somebody at your table (even if it’s for one!) has to have the chocolate mousse. Although very popular, this bistro seems to be off the tourist track, humming with local chat and is so quintessentially French, it has become a favourite place to visit in Paris.]]></description>
                
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                <title>Chez Toinette</title>
                
                <link>http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33901</link>
                
                <description><![CDATA[This is a warm and friendly French bistro that we found by accident when walking away from the tourist crowds through the back streets of Montmartre (we almost walked past the wooden frontage of the restaurant!) It's a lovely little spot with a great atmosphere, reasonably priced and very tasty classic dishes (around 15 euros for a main course). The wine list has a good unpretentious selection of wine too. Make sure you try the chocolate parfait for dessert! We went around 9pm when it was quite buzzy, and it seemed to go on until quite late - we loved it as the clientele were pretty much all French with the odd tourist dotted around (presumably they had got lost and found it by happy accident like us!)]]></description>
                
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                <title>Le Basilic</title>
                
                <link>http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33897</link>
                
                <description><![CDATA[Typically we stumble on the best restaurants on the last night of our trips, and invariably they are right under our noses. Such was the case with Le Basilic. It is intimate, atmospheric, inviting and affordable with a three set menu for 23 Euro's or the Parisian staples of escargot and duck from the a la carte menu. After feeling ripped off in the majority of Parisian eateries, Le Basilic restored our faith in French bistros, especially considering its location within a mile of Moulin Rouge and Sacre Coeur (both of which are worth a post dinner stroll). We first found Le Basilic in 2000, were delighted that it was still open when we returned to Paris in 2008 and we make a beeline for it whenever we are are near Montmartre.]]></description>
                
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                <title>Le Bistro au Vieux Chêne</title>
                
                <link>http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33890</link>
                
                <description><![CDATA[It is a small welcoming French bistro in a side street in the 11eme, a bit off the tourist track <br>The menu is short and the food good and the wine list has something for every pocket.]]></description>
                
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                <title>Chez Germaine</title>
                
                <link>http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33880</link>
                
                <description><![CDATA[It is not often that you can find an excellent bistro in Paris at very reasonable prices, but Chez Germaine certainly ticks all the right boxes.<br>Directly in the heart of Paris (7th district), the restaurant exudes class and authenticity with its simple, yet elegant interior. Likewise, with its daily special set menus and extremely friendly (and English speaking!) waiters, there is no wonder why Chez Germaine is so popular for both locals and tourists alike.<br>If it is classic French dishes you are after, I would recommend a homemade terrine to start with, followed by pork with lentils. If you are still not full after that (doubtful), I would top the meal off with a papillon au chocolat. Glorious!<br>Suitable for both romantic dinner dates and a family lunch, though one final tip would be to book in advance as it is a little small and obviously always crowded!<br>Set lunch and dinner with three courses- €18.60.]]></description>
                
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                <title>Porte de Vanves in Paris</title>
                
                <link>http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33504</link>
                
                <description><![CDATA[One famous flea market is the Porte de Vanves in Paris. Its is one of the best in France due to its size and variety. On Saturdays and Sundays more than 300 vendors set up shop. It may be messy, but it is more for people who love good bargains.]]></description>
                
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                <title>La Belle Hortense</title>
                
                <link>http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33094</link>
                
                <description><![CDATA[This is a wonderful 'literary wine bar' in the Marais, that hosts readings and performances. They have a solid list of 'by the glass' wines and space in the back to relax.]]></description>
                
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                <title>'The Flaneur' - Edmund White</title>
                
                <link>http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/32230</link>
                
                <description><![CDATA[In its way, an anti-travel book. Not against the notion of exploration and discovery, but contrary to prescripted itineraries, tired clichés and sightseeing schedules. A celebration of getting lost in Paris; of finding one’s own trajectory through a city that has been much-written about, but that can still stun you with its surprising beauty.]]></description>
                
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                <title>Hotel Esmeralda</title>
                
                <link>http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/32204</link>
                
                <description><![CDATA[How to say this: you don’t find these hotels anymore and Hotel Esmeralda will undoubtedly sooner or later fall into the hands of savvy promoters who will turn this most authentic and simple 12 bedroom hotel, all with views over Notre Dame into a boutique hotel with stratospheric prices. However, for the time being, just enjoy it: rush to this gem of a hotel with its cats and wallpapers coming out of a bygone era. Share this secret address with everyone you love. As with all great passions, it won’t last, so savour every moment of your stay.]]></description>
                
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                <title>Pharmacy Fouhety</title>
                
                <link>http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/32203</link>
                
                <description><![CDATA[If you’re familiar with Paris, no need to tell you about how pharmacies are so different here, compared, say, to London. French pharmacies are like beauty parlours where you can get your subscription of antibiotics of course but also the best beauty, baby, diet, vitamin, and herb products. We call it para-pharmacy. Of course, this can prove pricey. So think no more and head straight to rue du four in the St Germain-des-Près area. Pharmacy Fouhety is the cheapest in Paris and it stocks every brand and product you may dream of. Be prepared, the whole world meets here and queues are long but it’s all worth it.]]></description>
                
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                <title>La Petite Epicerie de La Rue Mouffetard</title>
                
                <link>http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/32118</link>
                
                <description><![CDATA[Situated on the famous “rue Mouffetard” in the heart of Paris, right next to the Panthéon, this fabulous boutique is typically French, and prides itself on selling products that are original, yet quintessentially French and, above all, of the very highest quality. The delicatessen boasts an array of products, such as Fauchon, Hédiart, in addition to delicious products sourced from small French manufacturers. A wide range of designer kitchen tableware is also available on sale. A very pretty boutique, perfect for indulging yourself, or indeed, others. A beautiful selection of luxurious products at prices which won't break the bank.]]></description>
                
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                <title>Berthillon</title>
                
                <link>http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/31560</link>
                
                <description><![CDATA[Say what you want about Italian ice creams, and God knows they are divine, the real apex for me is called Berthillon. And you’ll find their glaces in the St Louis island of Paris. Each boule (scoop) is small and pricey but there is no word to describe the ecstasy of their gianduja with orange peel, verbena sorbet and raspberry à la rose. You can enjoy Berthillon ice cream at the salon de thé or just in cornets from their stands.]]></description>
                
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                <title>Patrick Roger</title>
                
                <link>http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/31559</link>
                
                <description><![CDATA[Here is one of France’s best chocolatiers and I know one thing or two about eating chocolate. Patrick Roger makes little milk and black rochers to die for and his 100% cocoa tablettes in their elegant green magnet boxes are like jewels. Roger also experiments with spices and you will find his chocolate with basil a real discovery.]]></description>
                
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                <title>Toraya</title>
                
                <link>http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/31558</link>
                
                <description><![CDATA[Just walked hours from Le Louvre to the Arc of Triumph and looking for some respite far from the maddening crowd? Look no further. All you need is a love for Japan and its wondrous wagashi pastries. Toraya, a stone throw from Concorde square, is this very quiet and authentic Japanese salon de thé where you’ll be able to taste green tea-hot chocolate and restore your natural zen.]]></description>
                
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                <title>Chez Germaine</title>
                
                <link>http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/31305</link>
                
                <description><![CDATA[I saw this bistrot recommended in a 2008 Guardian article as one of the 'Top 10 Paris bistrots on a budget'. I can gladly say that it continues to please. We were superbly attended to from start to finish by the friendly owner/ waiter making us feel very welcome. We ordered the three course menu (€18.50-very reasonable for an evening meal in Paris) and let the owner suggest a wine, which went perfectly with the fish we ordered. A constant supply of chilled water was brought to the table and baskets of wonderful fresh bread. The chocolate pudding and the tiramisu were delicious. As a digestif we had the excellent homemade Vanilla rum (€4.50).]]></description>
                
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                <title>Stéphane Vandermeersch</title>
                
                <link>http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/31272</link>
                
                <description><![CDATA[Tourists may be queuing up in front of Ladurée for its famous macarons but Parisians often shlep to the bucolic and authentic Daumesnil quartier to get the best Mille-Feuille in Paris, at Vandermeersch’s. A Mille-Feuille (literally, thousand leaves) is a landmark of French patisserie. Its « leaves » must be light and crispy and its cream delicately perfumed with vanilla and a touch of rum.]]></description>
                
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                <title>Album</title>
                
                <link>http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/31271</link>
                
                <description><![CDATA[The Album bookshop is a temple dedicated to the art of Bande dessinée, an extremely successful art form in the Francophone world, which has no equivalent in Britain or the USA. In Anglophone countries, comic strips are considered a mere entertainment mainly targeted at children. The expression graphic novel had to be coined to appeal to a more mature readership. In France, Belgium and Switzerland, dozens of young authors’ names and unique visual signatures catch people’s eyes whenever they pass a bookshop. Asterix alone has sold 326 million albums since its creation in 1961 and has been translated in 107 languages and dialects.]]></description>
                
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