During your summer visit to the French capital, why not take the opportunity to snap up some bargains? July is the perfect time to enjoy the Paris summer sales, which this year take place from June 22nd to August 2nd. And if your shopping spree gives you a thirst, there are some unique places in the city where you can sip a cocktail or two.
The shops of Paris fling wide their doors
Need to spice up your wardrobe or find a fresh look for your home without busting the bank? Then the Paris summer sales, famed throughout the world, await you. Whether you prefer to visit the department stores on the Boulevard Haussmann, discover small independent shops or see what’s available from designers’ own outlets, you’ll find all the retail action you need in the capital. A veritable cornucopia of shops are easily accessible from your comfortable room at the Hotel Daunou Opera, near the Châtelet, so you certainly won’t be short of choice. From perfumes and clothing to accessories and décor items, you can please your loved ones or treat yourself to souvenirs brought back from the Champs-Élysées, a perfect designer dress or a lovely piece of jewellery… The shopping capital of the world awaits your pleasure.
A relaxing break in a cocktail bar
After a long day of shopping you’ll be ready for a refreshing drink. Where to go? Well, a new trend has emerged in Paris in recent years: the cocktail bars. These are wonderful places for a relaxing break with friends, offering marvellous mixology and some intriguing surroundings and fun themes. Like to travel? Mexico is on the map when you meet at Candelaria in the 3rd arrondissement. To get there you need to find the small door at the back of the restaurant. Then you’ll find yourself in a relaxed cocktail lounge with rough-hewn walls and a friendly ambience. Also tucked away behind a restaurant and bringing together a train carriage-inspired design with Indian-inspired cocktails, the Baranaanoffers a great range of artisanal beers.
Another out of the way spot is the Lavomatic in the 10th arrondissement, which is situated above a laundrette, would you believe? To access it, find the button that opens the door of the dryer and you can climb the stairs to a world apart; a cocktail bar with a laundry theme.
If you enjoy the cosy atmosphere of New York bars, then look for the Little Red Door in the Marais, and push. Amidst low lighting, exposed brickwork and a sparklingly attractive bar, you’ll find that here they really take their cocktails seriously and you can enjoy your drink of choice to the sound of live music. Off the beaten track, why not learn about molecular gastronomy?
The Lab is near the Bastille and offers cocktails ‘made to measure’. As the name implies, experimentation is the order of the day. All these places are unique, individual and a lot of fun. They are also all easily accessible from your room at our hotel, so you won’t have to go far to see a different side of Paris.
Our featured recipe, for you and your friends to enjoy!
The Agrum’ojito
Qualities: freshness, sweetness, acidity
Ingredients:
• 5 mint leaves
• 1 tablespoon of powdered sugar
• 4 cl of cane sugar syrup
• 10 cl of cold club soda or carbonated water
• 5 cl of Cuban rum
• 4 cl of orange juice (preferably freshly squeezed)
• 5 cl of lime juice
• 1/2 an orange, thinly sliced
• Ice cubes
Recipe:
Crush the mint and add it to the glass along with the cane sugar syrup and the powdered sugar. Add the remaining ingredients, except for the ice cubes, and mix well. Serve in a highball glass filled with ice and garnish with a slice of orange. Taste and enjoy!
You can also find a selection of exceptional cocktails on the Villa Schweppes website.
~oOo~
Hotel Daunou Opera, an elegant 3-star hotel in Paris, opera district
