Tour Paris like a local with exclusive insider tips

Posted on Friday 22 June 2012 in France, Holidays, Paris

While gallivanting through France like a true tourist is fun for Aussies who have never visited before, sometimes, acting like a Parisian and blending in with the city dwellers can be the key to an exhilarating holiday. From hitting up the hippest new bars to finding hidden culinary treasures, travellers from the Land Down Under might even be mistaken by locals as fellow Parisians when they set up the ultimate insider's itinerary, with the help of Conde Nast Traveller and Michelin-star chef Helene Darroze.

The chef from four generations of culinary masters has shadowed the renowned Alain Ducasse in Monte Carlo and then became head chef of her family's restaurant before opening her own eponymous establishment in Paris at only 33 years old. Between this location and her other venture, The Connaught in London, Darroze is one of the most recognised and successful female chefs in the world. Born and raised in France, the master of the kitchen has an extensive list of favourite places to eat and relax in the diverse city of Paris. From marketplaces to fromageries, Darroze shared her top picks with the leading travel publication.

The markets of France abound the streets, but those in the capital city are some of the best, according to seasoned explorers like Darroze. Once Aussies have taken their flights to Paris, they can head straight for arguably the best market in the city, the Marche d'Aligre Market.

"It feels like a small village and is very lively," Darroze told the news source about the spot, situated between Rue du Faubourg Saint-Antoine and Rue de Charenton.

One of the only covered markets left in the city resides at this venue, the Marche Beauvau, and is one of the top reasons that hundreds of locals and tourists return to the Marche d'Aligre every week. Registered as an official historic site, the unique structure, made of metal, wood beams and glass windows, is brimming with the freshest produce, charcuterie, flowers and treasured flea market finds such as antique furniture or vintage jewelry.

After a long day perusing the Parisian stalls, Aussies can relax with an Oval cocktail - a blend of vodka, herbs and St. Germain liqueur - at the eerie, underground Silencio nightclub, one of the newest spots in the city that only the most in-the-know locals can fill you in about. With gold-plated walls and little lamps to set the mood, the lounge is members only during its early hours, according to Black Book Magazine. Australian travellers can leave their Paris hotels and start off at the adjoining Social Club and saunter over to the sophisticated bar as it reaches closer to midnight.

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