Favorite places around the loft
Guide des Quartiers
The area around the Loft is known as Porte St Denis, named after the imposing stone arch that once was a gateway to central Paris.
It is a trendy up-and-coming sector, vibrant and arty.
You'll find many quirky restaurants, bars and cafés.
Most of the interesting restaurants and bars are south of the loft, between the loft and the boulevard Poissonnière artery.
No need to go much further north than the loft.
34 locals recommend
Porte-Saint-Denis
The area around the Loft is known as Porte St Denis, named after the imposing stone arch that once was a gateway to central Paris.
It is a trendy up-and-coming sector, vibrant and arty.
You'll find many quirky restaurants, bars and cafés.
Most of the interesting restaurants and bars are south of the loft, between the loft and the boulevard Poissonnière artery.
No need to go much further north than the loft.
South of boulevard Poisonnière, 3 mins walk from the loft, is the sector of Sentier.
Originally home to Paris' fabric merchants, the area is now very trendy and packed with fashionable restaurants, bars and cafés.
With little through-traffic, this sector has a unique pedestrian village-like feel.
Sprinkled among the often creative restaurants and bars, you'll find some higher-end places like Hoxton Hotel and Hotel des Grands Boulevards.
Paris doesn't get any more trendy !
10 locals recommend
Sentier
South of boulevard Poisonnière, 3 mins walk from the loft, is the sector of Sentier.
Originally home to Paris' fabric merchants, the area is now very trendy and packed with fashionable restaurants, bars and cafés.
With little through-traffic, this sector has a unique pedestrian village-like feel.
Sprinkled among the often creative restaurants and bars, you'll find some higher-end places like Hoxton Hotel and Hotel des Grands Boulevards.
Paris doesn't get any more trendy !
Heading further south accross rue Réaumur, you'll find the impossibly cute and picturesque area of rue Montorgueil.
Mostly pedestrian, this is a perfect district for wandering around on foot.
Continue to rue Etienne Marcel for sharp and stylish parisian fashion boutiques.
670 locals recommend
Rue Montorgueil
Rue MontorgueilHeading further south accross rue Réaumur, you'll find the impossibly cute and picturesque area of rue Montorgueil.
Mostly pedestrian, this is a perfect district for wandering around on foot.
Continue to rue Etienne Marcel for sharp and stylish parisian fashion boutiques.
This tiny little street is an impossibly perfect place to do fine grocery shopping (and stop for a coffee while so doing).
Baker, butcher, fishmonger, fresh fruit and veg', fine coffee, it's all here !
Rue du Nil
Rue du NilThis tiny little street is an impossibly perfect place to do fine grocery shopping (and stop for a coffee while so doing).
Baker, butcher, fishmonger, fresh fruit and veg', fine coffee, it's all here !
Groceries and food shopping
Local supermarket for most daily needs.
Open monday to saturday 8am to 9:30pm, plus sunday morning.
1040 locals recommend
Franprix
108 Av. Jean LoliveLocal supermarket for most daily needs.
Open monday to saturday 8am to 9:30pm, plus sunday morning.
Smaller supermarket that is handy for late-night needs.
Open 7am to 11pm.
Like a "Seven-Eleven" !
309 locals recommend
Carrefour City
1 Rue HaxoSmaller supermarket that is handy for late-night needs.
Open 7am to 11pm.
Like a "Seven-Eleven" !
Biocoop Dada Paradis
29 Rue de ParadisPrime quality health foods, just 2 mins from the loft
Les Halles Du Faubourg
146 Rue du Faubourg Saint-AntoineFresh fruit and veg' stalls, 2 mins from the loft
No not miss Julhès !
They offer the best trattoria take-away food in the area, fine breads and many other delicious treats.
170 locals recommend
Julhès Paris
56 Rue du Faubourg Saint-DenisNo not miss Julhès !
They offer the best trattoria take-away food in the area, fine breads and many other delicious treats.
If you're into cheese, this cheese artisan will delight you !
18 locals recommend
TAKA & VERMO - Artisans Fromagers
61bis Rue du Faubourg Saint-DenisIf you're into cheese, this cheese artisan will delight you !
Maison Janois et fils
61 Rue du Faubourg Saint-DenisFine "boucherie" (meat shop)
Saint Denis Primeurs
33 Rue du Faubourg Saint-DenisThe best fruit and veg' stalls in the area
Amazing breat.
The best in the area !
Possibly the best in all of Paris...
33 locals recommend
Boulangerie-Pâtisserie Terroirs d'Avenir
3 Rue du NilAmazing breat.
The best in the area !
Possibly the best in all of Paris...
Poissonnerie Terroirs d'Avenir
8 Rue du NilFresh fish and oysters
Favorite restaurants
Charming and very affordable restaurant offering delicious Corsican specialities.
11 locals recommend
Chez Minnà
20 Rue d'HautevilleCharming and very affordable restaurant offering delicious Corsican specialities.
Neo-bistrot offering a higher-end interpretation of a parisian bistrot. Creative design and fine inventive French cuisine
34 locals recommend
Restaurant eels
27 Rue d'HautevilleNeo-bistrot offering a higher-end interpretation of a parisian bistrot. Creative design and fine inventive French cuisine
Very good Algerian cuisine with friendly service - great to try a couscous. The locals swear by it.
13 locals recommend
Le Martel
3 Rue MartelVery good Algerian cuisine with friendly service - great to try a couscous. The locals swear by it.
Chez Mme Gen
16 Rue des Petites ÉcuriesTypical Paris bistrot food, served with a smile
A fashionable italian restaurant from the Big Mama chain.
Best to dine early to avoid the lines ! (Not sure if they take reservations)
26 locals recommend
Libertino
44 Rue de ParadisA fashionable italian restaurant from the Big Mama chain.
Best to dine early to avoid the lines ! (Not sure if they take reservations)
Grand Café d'Athènes
74 Rue du Faubourg Saint-DenisFancy some greek specialities ? Look no further !
Good solid parisian bistrot with a large terrasse that is often sunny !
24 locals recommend
Le Napoléon
73 Rue du Faubourg Saint-DenisGood solid parisian bistrot with a large terrasse that is often sunny !
Lucky Luciano
1 Cr des Petites ÉcuriesFancy a REALLY good italian pizza ? Look no further !
52 Rue du Faubourg Saint-Denis
52 Rue du Faubourg Saint-DenisHigher-end parisian bistrot
Bistro Caminito
46 Rue de CléryArgentinian bistrot restaurant
Health food restaurant held by an ex-Miss France and her partner. Very cool and of course delicious. Just 2 mins from the loft.
vida restaurant
49 Rue de l'ÉchiquierHealth food restaurant held by an ex-Miss France and her partner. Very cool and of course delicious. Just 2 mins from the loft.
Fine mexican specialities for lunch or dinner, with a great terrasse for just having a drink and snack
9 locals recommend
Tigermilk Paris Sentier
77 Rue d'AboukirFine mexican specialities for lunch or dinner, with a great terrasse for just having a drink and snack
Favorite cafés & bars
Les Petites Ecuries
40 Rue des Petites ÉcuriesCool café bar, 1 min from the loft.
Go here for a wine aperitif with cheese platter.
Book in advance as it's usually packed from 7pm to late night.
17 locals recommend
La Boissonnière Sentier
17 Rue PoissonnièreGo here for a wine aperitif with cheese platter.
Book in advance as it's usually packed from 7pm to late night.
Traveler advice
Getting around
Transport / getting around
The two closest metro stations to the loft are Bonne Nouvelle (line going east / west) and Chateau d'Eau (line going north / south).
If you want it easy, Uber works really well.
If you're feeling more adventurous, try the Velib public bicycle system (you'll find a bicycle station opposite the Franprix store on rue des Petites Ecuries).
For restaurants, bars and cafés, you can of course just explore my recommendations on foot. None are more than 5 mins walk ! :-)