MY PARIS, TRAVEL TIPS BY MATHILDE AHMED-SARROT

For a quick and affordable lunch, I love tucking into savory and sweet crepes, a specialty from Brittany – and Crepe Cannette (10, Rue des Canettes in the 6th District) is the ultimate place to enjoy them in Paris. The restaurant is tiny and often packed, but the crepes are deliciously soft and moist. Only two minutes walk away, you will find the bakery and boutique Pierre Hermé (72, Rue Bonaparte), where you can take your pick from some of the best cakes on offer in Paris. The sophisticated bakery boutique has become a bit of an institution in the city and they are best known for their excellent macaroons in original flavors. Expect to queue for up to 45 minutes at the weekend – I tend to go during the week when it’s quieter. For typical French food in the evening, I recommend L’Auberge Bressane in the 7th District (16 Avenue La Motte Picquet). It has an unpretentious and earthy feel, which is reflected in the food. The restaurant is in a quiet residential area of Paris, only 15-20 minutes walk from the Champs de Mars, at the foot of the Eiffel Tower, which makes a great after-dinner visit.

Mathilde Ahmed-Sarrot is a comedian and artist. She was born and raised in Paris, but she has been living in Dubai’s Jumeirah 2 for the last three years with her husband and daughter. She is pregnant with a second child. In this piece, she shares her favorite spots in Paris.

What I appreciate most about Paris is that you can walk everywhere. Everything is easy for pedestrians, even though the tube and bus system are very good. The area “Les Abbesses” in the 18^th District is like a village with quaint and narrow streets. It is a very nice place to walk to as the traffic is bad in this area. There’s a large choice of cafes, unique boutiques, and art galleries. It has a young, up-and-coming feel. I love strolling on Rue des Abbesses, all the way up to Avenue Junot, where the view over Paris is stunning. While you are there, you can also visit the very touristy “Sacre Coeur“.

For beauty treatments, there are two places I head. The first is “L’atelier du Courcils” (www.atelierdusourcil.com), which is dedicated to treatments for the eye area – eyelash extensions, perms, brow waxing and shaping, lash definition, and lots of new innovative treatments. For example, they have one great new treatment that bends back lashes to open up the eyes and lasts between 3-5 weeks. The second beauty destination is Christophe Robin (www.christophe-robin.com); a haircare brand that offers A-list natural dying treatments, specifically for damaged hair. The products are free of oxidants, amoniaque, parabens and silicone, so are very gentle. The brand has been getting more and more popular, exporting international – but I’m yet to come across it in Dubai.