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/16456
Climb up the hill around the lake, up to the view point. Now the real secret: if you happen to be there on August 30th at about 8.20pm, you'll see the sun setting right behind the Sacre Coeur and the Montmartre hill, now that's a view that will stay with you for a while.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16456 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/16233 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16233 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15817
Take the lift up to the 7th floor and onto the roof terrace in the evening and watch the Tour Eiffel light up in the evening surrounded by stunning panoramic views of the Parisian skyline.

On a relaxed & warm summers evening, there's nothing better!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15817 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15814
Everyone will make you feel like the grand-standing person you are.

And it's not very romantic with all those bloody tourists around anyway.

Plus, you'll have to queue for ages just to get down.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15814 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15744
We stayed at the modes Hotel des GrandsHommes in the Latin Quarter, exploring my student-day haunts, well off the tourist-trail: the lovely Canal St Martin to the north, with its crazy foot-bridges, "turning-bridge" and the beautiful old Hotel St Louis nearby - eating out at the Degres de Notre-Dame (steak Charolais!), with a view of the great cathedral itself - kissing on the Pont des Arts!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15744 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15728
Climb the concrete steps from the bustling rue de Lyon, and stumble upon an enchanting winding path filled with an explosion of marigolds, pink roses and trailing vines.

Over the course of about 3km you will be able to gaze over the rooftops of Paris and discover a plethora of small gardens, ageing viaducts and strolling lovers, young and old, arm in arm.

The path finishes at the golden gate and the Vincennes park to the east of the city.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15728 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15727
This pedestrian bridge lies betweens the Louvre and the Academie Française. Go there at sunset with a bottle of wine and enjoy youselves!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15727 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15671 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15671 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15552
It is unique in that it still has private dining rooms in the rear of the building for clandestine dinner parties.

However, the best place to eat is in the main room for the view of the river. After a superb traditional French meal, I proposed to my fiancée on New Year’s Eve just as the fireworks were starting to explode all over the city – we are to be married next year!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15552 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15390
Any visitor must visit Le Marais which is a stones through away from the Lourve. It is a trendy district in Paris now celebrated for its nightlife.

Vins des Pyrenees is a little charming bistro nestled in a tiny street just off Saint Paul Village - A former wine warehouse with an authentic decor serving a classic but good French bistro cuisine –with very friendly casual staff and great wine.

I would recommend the Cotes de Rhone to drink. Bon appetite!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15390 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15024
You will enjoy a new outlook on the city; passing houseboats bedecked with flowers and a good choice of cafes, while keeping your distance from the traffic.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/15024 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11358
We decided to take 4 days off to celebrate Valentine's Day and Paul wanted to organise everything which was very romantic! He seemed so excited about it that I guessed it was something very special. After staying in so many charming places in Paris, we have both become very demanding.
After I insisted so much he gave me the following clues:
He said we would be in the very heart of Paris, with a view from the window of the Place de la Concorde, the Parliament Building and some of the most beautiful bridges on the seine, the Pont Alexandre III. I guessed what it might be but I did not say anything as I did not want to disappoint him.

In fact, during one of our previous stays, after a long walk we had actually stopped at the Hotel Crillon for a cup of tea and I mentioned that I would love to stay there at least once! On our arrival day after the Eurostar the taxi drove us to the Place de la Concorde where the Crillon is situated but instead of stopping in front of the Palace we continued on towards the quai where he stopped in the middle of nowhere as there were hardly any buildings let alone hotel.

When we walked down the steps to the river with our luggage, I suddenly realised that we were not going to stay in a palace but in a péniche which was situated exactly as Paul mentioned: our accommodation would be in between the Alexandre III bridge, the Parliament building and the Place de la Concorde and at my door the quais that I love so much to wonder along. We had a lovely stay at Alain and Rita’s home who live there all year. Paul found this fabulous place through www.paris-apartments-for-rent.com and we recommend you to experience it just for one day. Rate is 150 € per night including breakfast.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11358 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/8009 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/8009 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/7848 parisby.com, which has lots of beautiful properties (and pictures of them).

Finally, I found Hotel d'Aubusson, a cozy hotel in the right location. I asked the travel assistant of the website, Elena, to help me with some things (flowers and wine in the room) for our anniversary, and she suggested I write to the owner of the property, and everything went perfect.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/7848 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/4992 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/4992 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/2087 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/2087 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/924 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/924 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/3163 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/3163 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/2354
The Pont de Bir Hakeim, recognisable from all the major anglophone movies that epitomise Paris, gives you the perfect exit strategy with Passy metro on one side and Bir Hakeim tourist central at the other.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/2354