French Touch

Want to stretch your legs and enjoy a little fresh air? Pedal your way calm and collected with these green getaways.

For a few hours
La Coulée Verte, Paris’ elevated ‘green belt’ trail. Head to Paris’ 12th arrondissement for a ride along this repurposed railway line that links the city’s Bastille area and the Périphérique ring road. There, you’ll discover 4.5 kilometres of green tranquillity in the heart of the city and a real breath of fresh air.

For a half day 
Impressionists’ Island. This small island west of Paris owes its name to the impressionist painters Monet, Renoir, Sisley and Pissarro who headed to river Seine’s waterside to paint. With several famous reproductions dotting the 14 km bike route, there’s no better way to get your cultural fill as you go. Accessible from the Chatou-Croissy RER Station.

For the day
Les Bords de Marne, Marne riverside trail. Head out of the capital from Vincennes and follow the curve of the Marne river as it stretches from Saint-Maurice to Joinville-le-Pont. You’ll be greeted with peace and quiet, green countryside and a host of old-time outdoor ‘Guinguette’ cafés.

With our busy, noisy, constantly connected lives, who gets to enjoy any silence? Especially when it feels impossible to slow down, reflect on life and reconnect. So, when it is now known that chronic noise affects the health, any opportunity to slow down, listen to nature and be alone with yourself is sure to do you a world of good. For a dose of needed calm, look no further than these three wellness destinations, all designed to help you sideline stress for anything from several days to several weeks.

La Pensée Sauvage in France’s Vercors region. Go for a detox in the heart of the rugged French countryside, where daily hikes in silence are available to anyone who wants to join. www.lapenseesauvage.com

Le Mas Fontefiguière in Provence. As part of the “Relais du Silence” affiliated chain of hotels, Le Mas Fontefiguière makes for the ideal place to relax, eat healthy, meditate, rejuvenate and unwind in peace and quiet.

L’Abbaye de Lerins. Here, you can stay up to 15 days in a 100% silent environment, where you can both take the time to be with yourself and join the resident monks for daily chores and meals.

Rumour has it, since 1988 to be precise, that one day the Seine through Paris will be made swimmable. Before you slip on your swimsuit though, you’ll need stay patient as it is not expected to happen before 2024. Until then, why not head to the newly cleaned and refilled Canal Saint Martin or one of La Villette Basin’s three outdoor pools to show off your freestyle, breaststroke or butterfly? Not forgetting all the watersports you can try at La Villette, including kayak, windsurfing and rowing.

Elsewhere, why not head to New York or London where cross-city kayaking adventures are available on the Hudson and Thames?

New York: www.hudsonriverpark.org/explore-the-park/activities/kayaking
London www.londonkayakcompany.com

Paris: La Villette, 1pm – 8pm daily.

With unusual eateries and breathtaking views, our edit of Paris bars and restaurants has you covered for outside dining on summer nights. See inside our address book.

For the atmosphere: Ground Control. The third edition of this well-known pop-up has taken over the Halle Charolais. Find an open-air collection of small restaurants and food stands, alongside a kitchen garden, graffiti wall, deckchairs for chilling and exhibitions to take in. 81 and 87 rue du Charolais, 75012 Paris. www.groundcontrolparis.com

For the view: Moncoeur Belleville. Set up in the heights of the Parc de Belleville on a patio square, this restaurant terrace boasts an unbeatable view across Paris and freshly cooked, homemade dishes. 1 rue des Envierges, 75020 Paris.

For the cool: Dépôt Légal. Admire the heritage-protected antique façade of this restaurant right by the Palais Royal gardens, then slip behind the jasmine bush and onto the covered terrace for a great Moscow Mule, Bellota Bellota charcuterie or pastries by chef Christophe Adam. 6 rue des Petits Champs, 75002 Paris.

Designed for sharing and ideal for after-work drinks or a relaxed dinner, tapas and small plates mix foodie sensibilities with social dining. Five to try in the City of Lights, that blend flavour with ambiance.

The bistro option: Lucien la Chance. This former sweet shop features a retro interior and small plates based around products of the French terroir – think rustic pâtés, meats and cheeses. 8 rue des Dames, Paris 17th. +33 9 73 52 07 14.

The foodie option: La Rallonge. King prawn nems, truffle pasta and the perfect egg share menu space with chaperons (sardine conserves) and fine charcuterie. 16 rue Eugène Sue, Paris 18th. +33 1 42 59 43 24

The Spanish tapas option: Pessic. Generous portions and authentic products sourced in Spain. Wash down your ham croquettes and moletes pork rolls with a local beer or a cocktail with a decidedly Spanish flavour. 102, rue du Temple, Paris 3rd. +33 9 54 33 10 11.

The Corsican option: A la Main Le Comptoir. Meats and cheese from the Isle of Beauty, as the French island of Corsica is known, grace the menu alongside tinned sardines and homemade hotdogs. 31 rue Saint-Sauveur. Paris 2nd. 01 40 26 37 65.

The Italian option: Tappo. Come here for cicchetti, or Venetian tapas; Italian cured sausages and meats, burrata, grilled vegetables, smoked swordfish and crostini. And it’s delizioso. 19 rue Commines, Paris 3e. 01 42 76 06 35.

Gone is the time when burgers rhymed with junk food. Yep, they may be all-American, but those little patty-filled burger buns have never been so on-trend in the French capital. We’ve been taking a bite out of this latest foody fad at these gourmet Paris joints.

Organic burgers at Le Dépanneur
Catered by Paris’ very first food truck, Cantine California, this restaurant serves up deliciously soft bread, organic French meat, farmhouse cheddar, and, for the popular Cali’Classic, plenty of avocado. Now that’s what we call delicious.
27 Rue Pierre Fontaine, Paris 9th arrondissement. www.ledepanneurpigalle.com

Take-away burgers at the Marché des Enfants Rouges food market
With everything from brioche buns to Normandy and Picardy beef, farmhouse cheeses to beech-smoked bacon and spicy chilli mustard, everything here comes homemade and from small producers. Think slow food, not junk food!
39 Rue de Bretagne, Paris 3rd arrondissement.

Inventive burgers at Big Fernand
On the menu? Classic cheeseburgers, but also chicken, veal and lamb options – all made with French meat, French raw-milk cheese and topped off with fresh herbs and vegetables prepared on site.
55 Rue du Faubourg Poissonnière, Paris 9th arrondissement. To find other locations: www.bigfernand.com

Vegetarian burgers at Le Ruisseau
Forget meat, this restaurant serves up its burgers with a yummy chickpea, carrot and cumin patty topped with cucumber, onion and white sauce. All tucked inside a yummy homemade bun of course.
65 Rue du Ruisseau, Paris 18th Arrondissement. www.leruisseauburger.com