2006 was a heady year for museums in Paris. Not only did Musée de l'Orangerie, Musée des Arts Décoratifs, and Musée National de la Légion d'Honneur all re-open after extensive renovations, but new venues also appeared:

CineAqua
2 Avenue des Nations Unies
Tel. +33.1.40.692323
www.cineaqua.com
An innovative aquarium in Jardin du Trocadero that combines marine life with multi-media installations. 

Musee des Art Decoratifs
107 Rue de Rivoli
Tel. 33.1.44.55.5750
www.lesartsdecoratifs.fr 
France's history of interior design is world-renowned and Musee des Arts Decoratifs' reopening will have the "decorators" of the world flocking. With ten period rooms including Louis XVI, a gothic chamber and an art deco one, decorative ideas run amok. Lalique crystal, Sevres porcelain and Christofle silver are also on display. One very interesting part of the museum is a gallery with more then 12,000 toys. You know where to send the kids while you redecorate.

Paris Museum
Musee du Quai Branly
15 rue Jean-Baptiste Berlier
Tel. 01.56.61.70.00
www.quaibranly.fr
In a city of museums, a new one opened in June and holds its own against the city’s best. A museum dedicated to civilizations of Africa, South America, Oceana and Asia, the Branly is hidden behind a wall of dense greenery – the "vertical garden" – is a nice break from the all the stone grandeur.

Chateau de Versailles
Tel. 01.30.84.74.00
www.chateauversailles.fr/en/
Originally a mere hunting lodge, Louis XIV transformed this castle into a spectacular palace. Just southwest of the city, it has been carefully restored to the magnificence of the days of Marie Antoinette.

Opera Bastille
Place de la Bastille, 12th Arrondissement
Tel. 01.44.73.13.99 (Information) / 01.44.73.13.00 (Reservations)
The 2700-seat auditorium makes for a cozier environment than other theaters but it also creates a high demand for tickets. Leave the walls of Opera Garnier and swing on over to the Bastille for more upbeat tastes.

Bateaux Parisiens (Sodexho Alliance)
Port de la Bourdonnais, 75007
Tel. 01.44.11.33.44
www.bateauxparisiens.com/english/main2.htm
Take a delightful cruise along the Seine ensconced in a comfortable glassed-in trimaran. A hostess adds commentary about what’s happening in town, including exhibits, festivals and special events. There are special programs for children, or for that special someone, a romantic dinner cruise.

Gustave-Moreau Museum
14, rue de La Rochefoucauld
Tel. 0033.1.48.74.38.50
www.musee-moreau.fr
Artist Gustave Moreau bequeathed his three-story house to the French state in 1898. Containing more than 1,200 paintings and 12,800 drawings, this otherworldly place has rooms teeming with curiosities like miniature sphinxes, alabaster camels and stuffed tortoises. Visitors will find mythological, literary and biblical themes in the forms and colors throughout the building. One of the intriguing features of this museum is a winding staircase that looks like a liquid coil of ribbon.

Where to dine in Paris can be and is often serious business for the "foodie".  No where else is the combination of dining and theatre so evident, especially at those establishments that are deemed "Haute Cuisine".  The best hotels usually have at least one restaurant of this calibre.  All are well known by any reputable concierge or your travel agent. 

While the following may not be "haute" they are all special and we have, of course,  posted their respective websites for you to peruse. 

Drouant
18, place Gaillon. 2nd
Tel. +33 (0)1 42.65.1516
www.drouant.com
While it's great to dine under the seascape ceiling by Emile Ruhlmann,  it's even better to sample the Alsace cuisine of Chef Antoine Westermann who took over in 2006.  Especially noted is the novel appetizer plate which is a combination of terrine of skate, scallop in creamy parsnip and lime juice and raw sardines marinated in citrus juice and honey.

Hiramatsu
Rue de Longchamp, 52
Tel. + 33 (0)1.56.81.0880
www.hiramatsu.co.jp/lang_french/
The French-Japanese fusion food here is sublime. In keeping with the best of  Paris restaurants, Hiramatsu is an exceptional example. There is only one seating so come prepared to enjoy an evening where every thing is beautifully presented and served. Advanced reservations are a must.

Goumard
9, rue Duphot, 1st
Tel. +33 (0) 1 42.60.3607
www.goumard.com
The aquariums are by Lalique, the bathrooms furnishings by Majorelle and the egraved mirrors by Labourer.  The private dining room for two, Prunier, is the ultimate romantic venue. This is a classic seafood restaurant and chef Olivier Guyon is amazing and, if all else fails, there is wine list comprising 170 varieties of Champagne.

Le Cafe Moderne
40, rue Notre-Dame-des-Victoires. 2nd
Tel. +33 (0) 1 53.40.8410
www.cafemoderne.fr
Although this is great for lunch it takes on a different character at night as it attracts more of a local crowd.  The modern and contemporary design features art work that is changed frequently.  Benoit Herault, the chef since 2005, has put together an elegant menu featuring fusion dishes such as pressed foie gras with leeks in hazelnut oil.

Maceo
15, rue des Petits-Champs. 1st
Tel. +33 (0) 1 42.97.5385
www.maceorestaurant.com
Named after Maceo Parker, a great jazz and funk saxophonist, this restaurant attracts an international crowd that prefers traditional French cuisine.  Vegetarians will be pleased as the menu offers inventive meatless choices.

La Mediterranee
2, place de l'Odeon. 6th
Tel. +33 (0) 1 43.26.0230
www.la-mediterranee.com
The location facing the Odeon Theatre is one that is preferred by many. At night it is one of those places that attracts showbiz people and similar types which makes for good people watching.  Happily the chef, Denis Rippa, trained at Taillevent has made sure that everything is fresh especially the seafood. The most famous dish is carpaccio of wild sea bass with Meux mustard and herb-spread bread.

1728
8 rue d'Anjou
Tel. +33.1.4017.0477
www.restaurant-1728.com
This city of romance has another dining venue to celebrate an engagement or perhaps your current affaire!  A series of drawing rooms in an 18th century town house have been beautifully transformed into combination art gallery/restaurant.  There are fabulous paintings, Venetian chandeliers, satin drapes and had-painted silk wallpaper everywhere.  Lunch which is a bargain at 35Euro pre fixe is more about business persons dining but dinner is another story.  Then when all the candles are lit, and chef Geraldine Rumeau presents superb Japanese and French fusion, is the time you will want to be there with someone special. This is not a place to be seen but rather a repose with someone you want a private evening with.

Le Saut du Loup
107, rue de Rivoli
Tel. +33 (01) 42.25.49.55
www.lesautduloup.com
Kill two birds with one stone!  This marvelous restaurtant is inside the Museum of Decorative Arts.  It has an outdoor terrace with views of the Louvre. Perfect in the warmer months.

Didier Ludot
20-24 Galerie de Montpensier
Tel. 33.1.42.96.06.56
www.didierludot.com
This vintage couture boutique offers up the "little black dress" in all its Parisian glory. Vintage accessories, jewelry, and clothing are adorable. Be sure to check out Didiear Ludot’s own line of fragrance and jewelry.

Charvet
28 place Vendome
Tel. 33.1.42.60.30.70
This is the oldest and perhaps best known men’s boutique in Paris. Come for the excellent selection of silk ties and high quality pajamas and robes.

Colette
213 rue Saint-Honore
Tel. 33.1.55.35.33.90
www.colette.fr
Colette is all about what's next for your pets. With a little cafe for barking dogs, this miniature department store contains a carefully culled selection for pampered pups.

Louvre des Antiquaires
2 pl du Palais-Royal
Tel. 01.42.97.27.27
This upscale antique market sells its wares behind the facade of an old grand magasin houses, and has 250 vendors. Excellent for shoppers or browsers, Lourve des Antiquaires is the place for Louis XV furniture, tapestries, porcelain, jewelry, model ships and tin soldiers.

NewYorkIndustrie
19 rue Pavee
Tel. 01.33.1.42.72.34.86
The modern design and architecture of former Helmut Lang assistant, Kostas Murkudis, leads a team of young designers in creating their sleek and sophisticated line of women's and men's clothing and accessories.

Goumanyat & Son Royanume, 3
rue Charles-Frncois Dupuis, 75003
Tel. 011.33.1.4478.9674
www.goumanyat.com
Having a dinner part and fresh out of Safron?  Now, you can replenish your stock and other safron products as well. Pierre Gagnaire and Alan Ducasse are among the celebrity chefs who buy spices here.

Taxis Bleus
Tel. 01.49.36.1010
Put this number in your cell if you need to order a taxi in English.

My Secret Paris by Lisette
This wonderful blog by Lisette is a Francophile's dream but really useful for anyone going to Paris.
http://secret-paris.blogspot.com/

Museum Index
www.rmn.fr/index-gb.html
We put this website in for Paris but it actually is the site for all 32 French National museums. You will find a wealth of information such as current exhititions and dates, hours opened, and dates that are not.

Walking Tours of Paris
http://www.paris-walking-tours.com/index.html
Paris is one of the worlds great walking towns.  Turn a corner and see the most amazing architecture or all at once find yourself in an amazing garden. This site will help you not only find your own special Paris but also enable you to book a private guide. 

Cite de la Musique
221 av. Jean-Jaures, 19e
Tel. +011 33.1.44.84.45.00
Cite de la Musique is a $120 million glass and stone building that hosts not only music ranging from the Renaissance to 19th and 20th centuries, but also libraries and a research center.

Batofar
11 Quai FranÁois Mauriac
Tel. +011 33.1.53.60.17.30
www.batofar.org
Batofar is an interesting concept: a dance club embodied in a boat docked on the Seine. On warm summer nights, the DJs spin their tunes, ranging from rock to trance to rai, as the patrons dance and have fun.

Neo
23 rue du Ponthieu
Tel. +011 33.1.42.25.57.14
A scorcher of a club, the former Tanjia is where the expats and models gather. As a result, actors have also made this their favorite stomping ground. Galliano had his collection party here in mid-2005 and Christina Aguilera and Charlize Theron were among the guests.

Le Cab
2 Pl. du Palais Royal
Tel. +011 33.1.58.62.56.25
www.cabaret.fr
With cozy nooks to drink caipirinhas, guests can people watch all night in Le Cab a sleek, sexy club full of the beautiful people.

Rhubarb
18 rue Laplace, 5th
Tel. +011 33.1.43.25.35.03
A wonderful little spot with excellent cocktails that goes beyond the fine apple or chocolate martini, Rhubarb has a relaxed vibe and crowd that mingles happily at the bar. The cellar is all crumbling pale stone and high ceilings, and while a quiet corner is ideal seduction territory, the space works equally well for gaggles of friends on a big night out.

Danced all night and need some refreshment? Try these two all-night spots:

Au Pied de Cochon
6 rue Coquilliere (near Les Halles)
Tel. +011 33.1.40.13.77.00
Step into the atmosphere of old-fashioned Paris and sample onion soup, tripe or pig’s trotters from the authentic menu or try the excellent selection of oysters.

Cafe Charbon
109 rue Oberkampf (near the Bastille)
Tel. +011 33.1.43.57.55.13
Pump up your energy with caffeine and vin at this bar-cum-cafe-cum artist hangout. Food is delightfully French.