On the number 47 of rue Raynouard where numerous modern buildings have risen hides a little porch and large blue doors behind which stairs lead to a little house lower down. This lovely home in contrast with the surrounding residences distinguishes itself thanks to its blooming garden and green shutters. This building used to be the home of Balzac. There are personal memories from the author, paintings, engravings as well as a large number of original editions of manuscripts and illustrations. Exhibitions are set up on a regular basis in order to show Balzac under new light. This summer, you will have the pleasantly surprise of being able to wader around a beautifully sunny garden in the heart of Paris with an uninterrupted view on the Eiffel Tower as a bonus. A chance to stroll around the park of Passy along the way.

Open from Tuesday to Sunday from 10 am to 6 pm.
Free entrance for permanent exhibitions, from 2 to 4 euros for temporary exhibitions.

The House of Balzac
47, rue Raynouard
75016 Paris
France

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Right next to the Gavarni Hotel is a lovely designer boutique really worth the detour. This boutique is owned by Clara Collins and is the designer’s first and unique store in Paris. This Chinese designer fell in love with France during a trip in the country and never left! Her collections are inspired by films, travels, exhibitions, the streets, cafés and of course, women. Her ambition? Offer her female customers clothes in which they will feel beautiful and confident. The cuts are adapted to the different body types and the fabrics are of high quality. Imported from Italy or Japan, natural fabrics are shown to their best advantage in the work of Clara Collins. Linen and cashmere are the basics of her designs to which more humble fabrics as well as bright colors are added to satisfy her obsession for detail. As a result, her designs are original, creative, modern and comfortable. What more would we ask for?

Open from Tuesday to Saturday from 11 am to 7 pm.

Clara Collins Boutique
3, rue Gavarni
75116 Paris
France
T. : +33.(0)1.45.24.26.28
claracollins_passygavarni@yahoo.fr

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]La Gare, or the “train station”… Strange place for a romantic dinner in Passy, isn’t it? An yet, this “Gare” is worth the detour! True atypical venue, this restaurant is in fact the former Gare de Passy – La Muette, located on the Petite Ceinture railway, now disused and turned into a gourmet venue. The designer François Lamazerolles took over the decoration. In the end, La Gare enjoys an impressive surface – 500 square meters dedicated to gastronomy, which makes it one of the largest restaurants in Paris – ravishing golden columns, high ceilings, a beautiful terrace, always full when the sunny days arrive, and a perfectly cozy bar. On the menu, it’s fresh seasonal products only – melon, watermelon and basil on top of the summer salads – all sorts of carpaccios, free-range chicken and home-made mashed potatoes to die for, delicious bass a la plancha, not to mention the melty chocolate cake… Classics, yes, but safe bets! Plus we can relax and enjoy the moment with the soothing lounge music background! Every Sunday, a giant brunch is served from noon to 3 pm. Allow €35 to enjoy this gourmet and friendly buffet.

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Restaurant La Gare
19, Chaussée de la Muette
75016 Paris
France
T. : +33.(0)1.42.15.15.31

In the 1st arrondissement of Paris, two steps away from the Opera Garnier is a charming Bobo and organic restaurant. The concept? Gather five uprising chefs of French gastronomy, an organic and tasteful cuisine based on fresh products for an affordable price! Anne-Sophie Pic, Christophe Michalak, Emmanuel Renault, Frédéric Bau and Gilles Goujon answered to the call of Vincent Ferniot and invented new recipes adapted to the concept of Boco: fresh pineapple ratatouille, “farm-like” blanquette of chicken or creamy mango-passion fruit cheesecake, the result is the same, we want more! Boco combines the guarantee of quality recipes and cuisine with healthy and organic products – the restaurant commits to only using organically-grown ingredients. A delivery service, take-away and a delicatessen add up to the numerous assets of this genuine organic restaurant in Paris. Why not discover it for a lunch break during your shopping trip?

Open from Monday to Saturday from 9 am to 8.30 pm.
About €20 for a complete meal.

Boco
3, rue Danielle-Casanova
75001 Paris
France
T. : +33.(0)1.42.61.17.67

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Bioboa is a little restaurant on rue Montmartre where, as the name indicates, essentially organically-grown products are served. With a chic and refined design, the dinning room is fitted with comfortable armchairs and beautiful original chandeliers in contrast with the walls. In our plates, almost everything is organic! From fruit juice to hamburgers, gaspacho and even beer! Will you fall for the Creamy Gambas Risotto or the Vegetarian Burger? The “Bioba” herb beef salad maybe?
The Petit Bioboa, annexe to the restaurant, sells take-away and delicatessen products. On the menu, vegetable sandwiches, fresh fruit juice and quinoa-based dishes. An original and natural cuisine, quality products: a true bobo dinner in the heart of one of the most beautiful areas in Paris… What else?

Open from Monday to Saturday from 9 am to 2 am.
Allow between 15 and 20 Euros for lunch.

BIOBOA
Organic Food Café
93, rue Montmartre
75002 Paris
France
T. : +33.(0)1.40.28.02.83
contact@bioboa.fr

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Zuzu’s Petals… strange name for a restaurant. For the record, Zuzu is the name of a character from the forties movie “It’s a wonderful life”. And life is indeed wonderful in this little restaurant of the 10th arrondissement. The concept: one soup and one tartine each day, served with organic green salad and “zuzu secret” dressing. Gratin, sandwiches, burgers, fruit juice, wine… an exclusive selection of dishes and organic products, each one tastier than the next await you. Juice bar, soup bar, you’ll also find creativity in your plate! A restaurant committed to sustainable development, delicious and artless products, a nice dining room and music… Just one question: when are we going?

A little extra: The restaurant also offers an organic catering service.

Open everyday from 12 to 3 pm, until 4 pm on weekends.

Zuzu’s Petals
8, rue Marie & Louise
75010 Paris
France
T. : +33.(0)9.51.79.00.31
contact@zuzuspetals.fr

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Paris isn’t really a place we associate with nature and greenery. As with all the great cities of the world, pollution and buildings rather come to mind. The topical issue of nature in the city is tacked through the exhibition “La Ville Fertile” at the Palais de Chaillot. Social, cultural, historical, botanical and ecological aspects… the vegetable and urban world is being studied from every angle.

The first part of the exhibition, “l’Objet du Désir” was entrusted to the architect Nicolas Gilsoul, who chose to show the creative and technological diversity related to the presence of nature in the city. You will be taken along a journey to New York, Paris, Beirut and Munich to discover how nature appears in cities around the world.

The second part, “la Fabrique de la Ville Fertile” was entrusted to the landscape gardener Michel Péna and proposes an stroll around seven themes with reference to the four elements, which are essential when talking about nature. Culture and ecology, two good reasons to visit the Palais de Chaillot soon!

Exhibition “La Ville Fertile”, until July 24th 2011.
Open on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 11 am to 7 pm and on Thursdays from 11 am to 9 pm.

Full price: €8 / Reduced price: €5.

Palais de Chaillot
Galerie basse des expositions temporaires
1, place du Trocadéro et du 11 novembre
75016 Paris
France
T. : +33.(0)1.58.51.52.00

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First online organic wine seller, the meilleursvinsbios.com website now has a boutique! Located in the 17th arrondissement of Paris, it gathers all the wines available online, but with the advantage of no shipping costs. The wines are selected by Antoine Pétrus, youngest best Sommelier in France. Today, the store holds over 50 references of the best organic vintages. Wine from France, Israel, Chili, Spain… Chablis, Saint-Emilion, Riesling… you’ll discover a large selection resulting from traditional agriculture, respectful of ecological criteria (certified properties, organic grapes, hand grape-harvesting, animal-free wine-making…). Novice enthusiast or experienced connoisseur, you will be welcomed in a eco-responsible atmosphere where you’ll be given personalized and useful advice.

Open from Tuesday to Saturday from 9 am to 10 pm and on Sundays until 1 pm.

Meilleurs Vins Bios
183, rue Legendre
75017 Paris
France
T. : +33.(0)1.80.89.80.20
contact@meilleursvinsbio.com

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“Tasty dishes, nice products and exalting of French producers’ know-how”, this is how Maud Zilnyk describes her brand new boutique on rue de Verneuil. After a career in communication and fashion, she decided to dedicate herself to one of her passions: good food. Inspired by Scandinavian delicatessens, she offers great genuine products, both organic and local, in a sophisticated design boutique. A gourmet corner intended for lovers of good things who wish to consume eco-friendly. Ham by the slice, raw meat, vegetables, cheese, wine, oils but also rice from Camargue, organic spread… An exclusive selection chosen from the best organic producers in different regions, who all have a great sense of ethic.

A little extra: One cosy armchair and here you have an improvised tasting space for gourmets!
Open from Tuesday to Saturday from 10 am to 9 pm and on Sundays from 10 am to 2 pm.

Epicerie Générale
43, rue de Verneuil
75007 Paris
France
T. : +33.(0)1.42.60.51.78

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In the world of kebab restaurants, an indomitable vegetarian one with an inconspicuous front is still standing in the area of Clichy. This warm, welcoming and familial place is Joy in Food, a delicious vegetarian restaurant located two steps away from rue Truffaut. The owner, Naema (everyone calls her “Joy”) takes good care of her guests and offers a 90% organic cuisine composed of fresh products. Home-made bulgur, tarts, lasagnas, quinoa, all of it served with vegetables. The restaurant also serves an apple-cinammon-grape-fig cake (to die for!) and spice coffee. Servings are generous and the cuisine healthy. An address to keep to yourself because seats are limited!

Menu between 11 and 14 euros.
Open from Monday to Friday from 12 to 2.30 pm.

Joy In Food
2, rue Truffaut
75017 Paris
France
T. : +33.(0)1.43.87.96.79

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