Paris pour la weekend?

One of the nice things about living in France is Paris! I think it has to be the most beautiful city in Europe (outside Scandanavia - I love Copenhagen and Stockholm too!). However it can be diffcult in Paris to find that unique place to stay or that special restaurant so thank you Alison Culliford (Time Out Paris) for the following recommendations:

Hôtel de Nesle, 6th
The Nesle isn't new but it is one of the best-kept secrets in Paris; near the Louvre, it is surprisingly affordable. Expect it to be wacky, from the Aladdin's cave-style reception to the 20 fresco-decorated rooms.
Details Singles from E41, doubles E56 (0033 1 43 54 62 41, hoteldenesleparis.com). Métro Odeon

Oops! Hostal, 7th
Yes, it's a hostel but it looks more like a smart design hotel. There is free internet inside and a Vélib bicycle station next door.
Details From E45 including breakfast (0033 1 47 07 47 00, oops-paris.com). Métro Gobelins

Source Hôtel, 17th
Within spitting distance of Montmartre, Sacré Coeur and the flea market, the decor is contemporary and functional without being cheerless.
Details Doubles from E75 (0033 1 46 27 73 67, sourcehotel.fr). Métro Porte de Saint-Ouen

Saint-Jacques, 5th
This little gem in the Latin Quarter is like staying in a gorgeous 19th-century boudoir. The rooms are sumptuous, and there's also an elegant lounge and bar area. It has great deals if you book for two nights or longer.
Details Doubles from E93 if you stay three nights (0033 1 44 07 45 45, paris-hotelstjacques.com). Métro Maubert-Mutualité


TEN PARIS RESTAURANTS THE LOCALS LOVE

L'AVANT-GOÛT, 13th
The "village" of Butte-aux-Cailles is home to many foodies and L'Avant-Goût remains top of their lists, with the convivial atmosphere that goes with its rustic food. Try the pot au feu de cochon aux épices - suckling pig hotpot - served with a separate glass of cooking juices.

Details 26 Rue Bobillot (0033 1 53 80 24 00, lavantgout.com). Lunch menu E11, dinner E24

LES FILS À MAMAN, 9th
A band of five "mothers' boys" has created a restaurant evoking their mama’s home cooking - even the mums get into the kitchen once a month to turn out blanquette de veau, chicken cordon bleu and Nutella-flavoured puddings.
Details 7 Bis Rue Geoffroy-Marie (0033 1 48 24 59 39, lesfilsamaman.com). Lunch menu E13, à la carte E26
HÔTEL DU NORD, 10th
The undisputed HQ of Paris's modern-day bohemians, this was the inspiration for a Thirties cult film long before it was a restaurant. The food is a long time coming, but worth the wait: try the salade croquante Chinoise, far tastier than it sounds.
Details 102 Quai de Jemmapes (0033 1 40 40 78 78, hoteldunord.org). Lunch menu E11, à la carte E26 - E34.

LE JARDIN DES PÂTES, 5th
If gastro-tourists are flocking to L'Agrume for its fame in the blogosphere, Latin Quarter locals who can't get a table consistently recommend Le Jardin des Pâtes. Five different pastas are home-made from organic ingredients - wheat, rye, rice, buckwheat and chestnut - and accompanied by sauces more Gallic than Italian, such as chicken liver with prunes.
Details 4 Rue LacépÈde (0033 1 43 31 50 71). Main courses E8-E11

AUX NÉGOCIANTS, 18th
A world away from the tourist traps of Sacré-Coeur, this little bistro-à-vins "behind the Butte" has not changed for decades - since the photographer Robert Doisneau used to come here. The menu features dishes that have disappeared from many Parisian menus, such as tête de veau gribiche (braised calf's head) and petit salé aux lentilles (salted pork with lentils).
Details 27 Rue Lambert (0033 1 46 06 15 11). Main courses E8-E11
PÂTISSERIE VIENNOISE, 6th
In the expensive Odéon quartier, shop assistants, students and medical faculty workers cram into this tiny Austrian café. You will probably have to share a table, but that's all part of the fun, as are the marvellous sweet treats such as poppyseed cake, cheesecake or sachertorte.
Details 8 Rue de l'École de Médicine (0033 1 43 26 60 48). Main courses E5-E8. Cakes E2.50

LE SELECT, 6th

Unlike some of its neighbours, Le Select has not sold its soul but rejoices in a cast of habitués that are as much a fixture as the Art-Deco lights. The brasserie food is predictable, but honest: steak Béarnaise, sole meuniÈre, and croque-monsieurs at any time of day.

Details 99 Boulevard du Montparnesse (0033 1 45 48 38 24). Lunch menu E11; dinner from E21.50

LE SQUARE TROUSSEAU, 12th

This one is recommended not only for the beauty of its zinc bar and La Victoria espresso machine that steams above the chatter of local designers, photographers and film-makers, but also for the warm welcome and wonderful food.
Details 1 Rue Antoine-Vollon (0033 1 43 43 06 00, square-trousseau. com). À la carte E30

LE TEMPLE, 3rd

Marilyn Monroe and fake leopard skin are the overwhelming theme of the décor, with the Corsican family that runs it also dressed to match. But the point of coming here is the succulent steaks - the pavé de boeuf (beef fillet) with onion confit is one of the best in Paris.

Details 87 Rue de Turbigo (0033 1 42 72 30 76). Lunch menu E11, à la carte E26-E30
LE TROQUET, 15th

"Troquet" means a small neighbourhood café, and the owners have succeeded in creating just that ambiance, with high-quality bistro fare where the emphasis is on hand-picked ingredients such as Mauléon lamb, Ibaïona ham, asparagus and truffles from the Vaucluse.

Details 21 Rue François-Bonvin (0033 1 45 66 89 00). Lunch menu E21, dinner E31

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