Just on the other side of Place de Clichy, heading into the north-east corner of Paris, you’ll come to the pictoresque and tranquil 17th arrondissement. Not quite as sleepy as the 8th but just as swanky, and not far from the Arc de Triomphe, it still has quite traditional Paris vibes, but is more residential than the 1st or the 2nd. It has to be said that it’s quite bougie, and there is quite a marked divide with some of the more deprived neighbourhoods not to far away, but it does have a lovely vibe, with lots of cafes and restaurants, delis, up-market food shops, and a decent amount of green space.
Banh Mila
Named after the bunh mi, a type of Vietnamese sandwich variety, this little lunch bar serves a variety of Asian lunch and snack options, from rolls, to soups, to sandwichs and salads. Great variety and price range, interesting dishes (even if I couldn’t quite work out what all of them were!) and veggie friendly.
Parc Monceau
In the running for my favourite Parisian park, it’s not as big as Luxembourg or Jardin des Plantes, it’s definitely as beautiful, in the same ordered, neat Parisian style. It’s very well landscaped, with beautiful flower beds and stone features, and is quite small but still feels like a bit of an escape. Not far from the Arc de Triomphe (which you can see as you exit from one of the gates), it’s in a very regal location, and it certainly feels fancy, but is a lovely place to relax or wander on a sunny afternoon.
L’Entithé
A beautiful salon de thé on one of the main Batignolles streets, this place is a perfect stop for afternoon coffee and cake. With a gorgeous range of black, white, green and fruity teas, plus freshly brewed coffee, iced varieties, and some stunning cakes, it’s delicate, pretty, and friendly. They have lots of vegan options and what looks like an amazing brunch menu.
Square des batignolles One of Paris’s classic ‘squares’ (not quite as big as a park, but a little chunk of green space on the street corner, often with a playpark and popular with families), this one is tucked away behind the Eglise Sainte-Marie des Batignolles, and is a really peaceful spot with a carousel and some lovely blossoming trees.
Biotiful
With restricted service because of COVID restrictions, this bar/bistrot has transformed into a quick lunch place, with a very reasonably priced midday salad and sandwich offer. But it definitely felt nicer than your standard sandwich place, with an emphasis on quality organic ingredients, and a good dose of creativity, resulting in a truly masterful sandwich creation. I’d say it’s a foodie’s choice, with a simple range of quality food, and friendly service to accompany it.
