Paris, famed as the city of lights and of fashion, is also a gastronomic Mecca. Recently declared part of the world’s heritage, French haute cuisine is a nice story that deserves to be told and retold. At Astrance, a three-Michelin-star restaurant overlooking the capital, you will understand the true meaning of “bliss”. The food overseen by Chef Pascal Barbot and the customised waiting service led by Christophe Rohat will definity take you to total Nirvana! Expect nothing less than a pure delight for the palate, with rich flavours exploding in the mouth, as well as for the eyes, with views over the capital. Coming out only with the desire to return soon – it can become almost like an addiction. A success thanks to the close cooperation between Pascal Barbot and Christophe Rohat, two artists of a kind who met at Alain Passard, no less!

Closed Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays.
Lunch set menus: 70€ and 120€, 310€ with matching wine.

Photo credit: François-Régis Gaudry

L’Astrance
4, rue Beethoven
75016 Paris
France
T. : +33.(0)1.40.50.84.40

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What would France be without cheese! An undisputed gem of our culinary heritage, cheese is an inseparable part of the French way of life. When it comes to taste, the House of Androuet, a cheese shop founded in 1909 by Henri Androuet, is the place to go! Androuet now has branches not only all over Paris, but also in London and even Stockholm! There you will find some high quality cheeses, all hand-selected and matured by the master cheesemonger. You can either compose your own cheese platter and have it delivered to your home address, or try out one of the themed platters (Savoie blue cheese, goat cheese) of the shop. Though the most curious of customers will want to organise, with the help of a maturing expert, a cheese-tasting session at home to discover all about cheese. A gastronomic world at will!

Open Tuesday to Saturday from 8:30 am to 1 pm and from 3:30 pm to 7:30 pm, Sunday from 8:30 am to 1 pm.

Fromagerie Androuet Marché de Passy
1, rue Bois le Vent
75016 Paris
France
T. : +33.(0)1.42.24.17.52

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Have you ever dreamt of discovering the professional kitchen of a Michelin-starred chef, like the one of Alain Ducasse, while you’re in Paris? And now this dream can become reality, for a few hours! At the Ecole de Cuisine Alain Ducasse, you will learn the secrets of great chefs while taking part in the cooking classes in a relaxed and friendly environment. Here, cooking enthusiasts will learn how to make pastries, how to enhance the natural flavours of vegetables, and how to prepare meat. The classes are organised around an airy central patio, thus giving them a slight holiday feel. Beginners are also welcome. Time to unlock the secrets of cooking once and for all!

Wine-tasting courses: Thursdays from 7 pm to 9 pm – 80€ for two hours
Cooking classes: from 165€ to 205€ per half day. Possible to arrange evening classes or classes for children.

Photo credit:Vincent Lappartient

Photo credit:Vincent Lappartient

L’Ecole de Cuisine Alain Ducasse
64, rue du Ranelagh
75016 Paris
France
T. : +33.(0)1.44.90.91.00
ecole@alain-ducasse.com

More information on the neighbourhood of Passy from the Hotel Gavarni.

Having seen knitted garments on the catwalk, the fashionistas have decided it’s time to put some knitted items back on. Eco-friendly, knitting makes you focus on creating only what you really need. The tiny shop Elle Tricote in the street of rue Duban is a world entirely dedicated to the art of knitting, cross-stitching and crocheting. The shop assistant will guide you through your first attempt at knitting, helping you pick the right wool, and the most suitable kit. We especially love the wooden needles with their hand-painted dotty ends. Now, the incomprehensible knitting jargons used by your grandmother will be no secrets for you!

Open Monday from 2 pm to 6:30 pm, and Tuesday to Saturday from 10 am to 6:30 pm.
V

Elle Tricote
7, rue Duban
75016 Paris
France
T. : +33.(0)1.45.20.11.80
elletricote@wanadoo.fr

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When a Parisian is looking for designer pumps, she always ends up at Ann Tuil on rue de Passy to find the must-have by Marc Jacobs, Michael Kors, Maloles or Ash. This multi-brand store is one of the favorite boutiques of Parisian fashion-addicts, always on the look-out for great style. Plus this boutique is glamorous, chic and sophisticated. A setting totally appropriate for luxury shoes. Besides, the Ann Tuil store in Passy specializes in trendy leather goods. You will therefore find the answer to your every desire, the desire to leave with new shoes on your feet and a bag on your shoulder!

Open from 10 am to 7.30 pm.

Ann Tuil
63, rue de Passy
75016 Paris
France
T. : +33.(0)1.42.88.37.52

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Nestled in former limestone quarries from the Middle Ages used as storerooms in the 15th century, the Wine Museum testifies to the richness of THE French heritage. Under the watchful eye of wax figures such as Napoleon, Pasteur or Balzac, over 2,000 collection pieces are presented on wine producing tools and tasting of this precious nectar. In a quiet atmosphere, visitors discover wine in the cellar, cooperage, oenology and country traditions. At the foot of the butte of Passy, the Wine Museum offers a chance to spend fun and informative evenings thanks to multiple workshops focusing on the senses of smell and taste. For lovers of great wine.

Open from Tuesday to Sunday from 10 am to 6 pm.

The Wine Museum of Paris
5, Square Charles Dickens
75016 Paris
France
T. : +33.(0)1.45.25.63.26

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August is right around the corner and holidays are approaching. No worries, going on vacation in a heavenly setting without polluting or ruining your health is possible. The secrets for green holidays are still well kept, but here’s what you should know…
First of all, don’t go too far! We keep repeating it, but long commute is extremely polluting, especially by plane. You can use the Ademe comparator to compare the weight of your travel in CO2 depending on different means of transportation. For accommodation, rather settle for eco-friendly housing. You can find such accommodation by looking at the Guide du Routard du tourisme durable or the Petit Futé du tourisme solidaire. Prevent your skin from sunburn with organic sunscreen, always take eco-friendly bags with you and go on expeditions in isolated places. Be careful not to leave any waste behind you. Everybody knows that every gesture counts!

Want to discover preserved countries? Here are the 10 less polluted countries of the world:

1. Iceland
2. Switzerland
3. Costa Rica
4. Sweden
5. Norway
6. Mauritius Island
7. France
8. Austria
9. Cuba
10. Colombia

Now all you have to do is choose!

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Rewarded at the Green Fashion Awards on March 3rd 2011, the new Dutch brand OAT commits to preserving the environment with the designing of biodegradable sneakers. The OAT Shoes have style, nice lines but are essentially entirely made out of raw materials and therefore present no danger to the environment. Once your sneakers are worn out, you can even bury them in your garden with a clear conscience and see nature at work!

OAT Shoes are available online at www.oatshoes.com

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When the stars of Hollywood decide to show their take on the environment, they don’t do things by halves. More and more celebrities are taking over the web and posting on their own blogs. Surprise, a certain amount of them are eco-friendly oriented. Among the blogs up-to-date, there are the blogs of the top model Gisele Bündchen, the beautiful Gwyneth Paltrow and even of the star of “Midnight in Paris”: Rachel McAdams. As little windows open on their everyday life, their websites allow us to discover their beauty, fashion, makeup and gardening tips in an eco-friendly way. A good reason for the greatest fashionistas to learn a few green gestures.

Green alert! We found the perfect shoes for all the eco-friendly shoppers. All materials used by Coclico are natural (leather, wood, cork) and chemical-free, even the buckles are made out of recycled materials. The designer of these marvels, Sandra Canselier launched her brand in 2000 in the United States, with a combination of environmental commitment and fashion. Besides, the wedges and open-toes are to die for. Perfect to go crazy with our credit card without feeling guilty… After all, it is for a good cause: summer’s here!

The brand Coclico is available at the Galeries Lafayette.

Open every day from 10 am to 8 pm, on Thursdays until 9 pm.

Coclico
Galeries Lafayette
40, Boulevard Haussmann
75009 Paris
France
T . : +33.(0)1.42.82.34.56

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