La Tour d'Argent has a new and talented young chef, and owner André Terrail is doing some urban beekeeping with six beehives on the roof.

All of us want to find the perfect French bistro, restaurant, bar-café, etc., and I probably get more questions in this vein than any other. What do we all mean?

FAQ: So, I have three days in Paris (Saturday, Sunday and Monday) and I want to eat at bistros around my hotel at night that are reasonable and have no American tourists and serve locavore (substitute vegan or traditional or whatever) food. Oh, and I don’t speak any French and am not going to make a fool of myself by trying out my high school level words.

Restaurant Astier ticks all the bistro boxes for quality, price, welcome. The good news is that Jeanne A, a chic annexe, opens next door in September, an evolution of this marvellous maison that dates back to the '50s. Just off the Faubourg, handy for Hermes, Cafe Faubourg is the perfect spot to rest between boutiques, flash the new Birkin, or for a romantic dinner. And there's news from London where the culinary scene's buzzing.

I’m sure Simon and Garfunkel never meant “Old Friends” to refer to restaurants one once was familiar with and loved and have now returned to, but the lyrics came to mind after my recent trips to three old friends in Paris – The Tour d’Argent, Chez Georges & La Régalade.

The legendary Hotel Negresco is looking splendid after a major face-lift. This year Nice celebrates the 150th anniversary of the joining of the County of Nice to France, and there will be floats, flowers carnivals and fireworks. And HM Queen Elizabeth serves one a cappuccino at the Buckingham Palace café.

A former film producer launches Le Patio, a unique terrace, bar, lounge, gastro-resto, art gallery just steps from Garnier's Opera House. La Cantine des Tontons 2 is open. Fancy a night at the Opera? If you're in the South of France this is for you and Michelin's new themed Culinary Tours will give you lots of delicious travel ideas.

A carefully planned itinerary including the classic landmarks, such as the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe and Louvre Museum can help you get the most out of your holiday. However, no trip to France is complete without exploring French cuisine. Walking through the different neighbourhoods of Paris, you will spot inviting local bistros that serve authentic French cuisine at a fraction of the price charged by city restaurants.

August is either a blessed or cursed time in Paris, depending on your needs. For my wife Colette, it’s when we can park anywhere, in the most crowded part of town—an event to be celebrated. For me, it means trying to find places that are open to eat at, which can be dicey.