kass's guide to Paris

paris

Be forewarned, Paris is an expensive city, particularly in the current economic climate when the dollar is so weak.

Lodgement: For those who don't know, Paris is divided into twenty section, which are called an arrondissement, and they spiral outwards, with the first right in the centre and the twentieth lining the péripherie. The general consensus is that the closer one is to the centre, the more desirable the property. However, there are exceptions to the rule: the eleventh is extremely up and coming, particularly around Rue Oberkampf and the Bastille area. The sixth arrondissement is also a favourite with students, since the Sorbonne is situated there.

Pour manger: Like most other European cities, the best places to eat are often found by accident or word of mouth... and there's no yelp.com to consult. One of these such places is Chez Gladines a tiny Basque restaurant set in the 13th arrondissement. It's very popular and they don't take reservations, so if you ever do go, be prepared to wait for at least an hour. Another is the Relais de Bretagne on Ave Victor Hugo in Boulogne, which has the best couscous in Paris for cheap. And there's of course the Rue Roisier in the Marais, which is dotted with shops selling the best falafel I've ever tasted.

En boites: Personally, I'm not that big a fan of clubs in Paris, which often have the reputation of being terribly snobby. However, the most popular ones are Le Cab (of the aforementioned variety) and Mix, which often has Erasmus parties, which means international students get free entry before midnight. Another alternative is Barrio Latino, which is technically a salsa club, but doesn't necessarily mean that people are always dancing salsa. Being five stories high, it also incorporates a restaurant and a bar.

Which brings me to my next alternatives: bars. Because universities here are state-run, they're often built with only the bare minimum and often lack the common areas for hanging out that are so crucial to American collegiate life. Instead, especially because of the lower drinking age, most students hang out in bars. Of the thousands that populate the city, the most popular ones among NYU students are Chez George (very cool and chill), Popin (cute and dinky), Hideout (two locations, both with absurdly cheap beer).