A Taste of the South in Paris

If you’re missing the lazy days spent in the south of France, sipping pastis and listening to the crickets; never fear- Paris has its share of restaurants and cafés infused with the ambiance and flavours of France’s southern regions. Here is our pick of the best of the South in Paris – shorts and sunglasses strictly optional. Au Petit Sud Ouest Just around the corner from the Eiffel Tower is this cosy neighbourhood restaurant serving typical dishes from the South West of France. The restaurant specialises in foie gras which is served in various different styles – in a salt crust, with figs or truffles. One of the other regional specialities is duck, and the classic confit de canard comes highly recommended. On sunny days there is outside seating on the tree-lined Avenue de la Bourdonnais and the waiters are as relaxed as the people in the South West – they won’t hurry you over lunch or dinner. The restaurant also operates as a boutique, selling foie gras, fine wines and even ready-to-heat meals to take away. If you have been tempted by the dessert menu and wish you hadn’t, the Champ de Mars is perfect for a post-prandial stroll. 46, Avenue de la Bourdonnais; 75007 Paris 01 45 55 59 59 Metro: Ecole Militaire La Table des Oliviers A little corner of Provence in the seventeenth arrondissement, La Table des Oliviers has a special rustic charm and is reputed to serve the best bouillabaisse in Paris. The restaurant is decorated in the rich, sunny colours of the south and there is an aroma of fresh herbs – if you close your eyes you might even be able to hear the crickets! The chef, Thierry Olivier, uses really fresh ingredients and his famous pain aux olives is homemade everyday. 38, Rue Laugier, 75017 Paris 01 47 63 85 51 Metro: Ternes Le Balbuzard Café In the trendy tenth arrondissement is the Balbuzard Café. From the outside, it doesn’t seem very promising, but the interior and the staff are typically Corsican – warm, welcoming and unpretentious. The charcuterie and cheese from the region are excellent, washed down with a glass of ‘myrte’ – a liqueur made with berries, or a glass of wine from the extensive list. For those with a sweet tooth, the chestnut cream and the ‘canestrelli’ – Corsican biscuits – are a must. For a real taste of the ‘ile de la Beauté’, come at the weekend, when there is live music provided by guitar-toting, castanet-clicking Corsicans. You have been warned! 54, Rue René Boulanger, 75010 Paris 01 42 08 60 20 Metro: République Au Bascou One of the best and most reasonably priced Basque restaurants in Paris, this is simple, honest cuisine from the deep South West of France. The menu features regional specialities such as the ‘ttoro du labourd’, a rich fish soup, or dishes using Basque staples such as hot peppers or duck. The Basque wine ‘Irouléguy’ will delight any wine lover, but if you need advice the staff are very friendly and will happily make recommendations. 38, Rue Réaumur, 75003 Paris 01 42 72 69 25 Metro: Arts & Métiers Chez Janou Sitting on the terrace outside Chez Janou, its easy to forget that you’re in Paris. Situated in a quiet street behind the Place des Vosges, this Bistrot Provençal is a busy, cheerful place to have a drink or eat with friends. The deco is inspired by the colours of the south and has a distinctly 1950s style. The menu offers typical Provençale fare and the prawns cooked in pastis are definitely worth trying. For those who enjoy the aniseed liqueur, the restaurant offers over 80 varieties to try, including a blue version! 2, Rue Roger Verlomme 75003 – Paris 01 42 72 28 41 Metro: Chemin Vert/Saint Paul