Eating and Drinking in Paris and Beyond (for more, see our Paris Guide)
La Ferme Saint-Simon (Paris) http://www.fermestsimon.com	For more than 20 years, an elegant destination for great food and wine on the Left Bank.
La Maison Courtine (Paris) http://lamaisoncourtine.com	Can't get to the heart of France for snails or veal sweetbreads? Head to La Maison Courtine instead, including a terrific wine list from lesser-known regions.
Chez Papa (Paris) http://www.chezpapa.com	Fabulous duck dishes from the heart of France make this casual eatery, down the street from our usual hotel, a top destination on every visit to Paris.
La Durée (Paris) http://www.laduree.fr	Don't know where to get something light on a Sunday when most restaurants are closed? Try these two famous destinations for tea in the 8th District.
Mariage Frères (Paris) http://www.mariagefreres.com
Le Jules Verne (Paris) http://www.tour-eiffel.fr	Our first taste of veal liver and a dessert featuring wild strawberries, this restaurant in the Eiffel Tower is worth every Euro.
Lafayette Gourmet (Galéries Lafayette Department Store, Paris) http://galerieslafayette.com	This gourmet grocery store packs the best of France into Paris' most famous department store.
Boulangerie Eric Kayser (also in Galéries Lafayette) http://www.maison-kayser.com	We love the specialty pastries from Eric Kayser as well as sandwiches, croissants, etc.
Le Soleil (Saint-Ouen) http://www.restaurantlesoleil.com	Our favorite spot for a traditional French meal at the Antiques Market, complete with a bucket of butter to slather on the homemade bread!
Paul (Paris, London, etc.) http://www.paul.fr	Ubiquitous in Paris, don't miss the Paul at CDG Terminal 2 on arrival after a trans-Atlantic flight.  A great way to start the first morning of a memorable visit to Paris, Paul never disappoints while upholding the traditional standards of an artisan bakery.
Le Pain Quotidien (Paris, London, etc.)  http://www.lepainquotidien.com/	This chain of pastry and sandwich shops is without peer, especially for a taste of France at St. Pancras Station in London while waiting to board the Eurostar (or wishing you were).
Le Roi du Pot-au-Feu (Paris)  34, rue Vignon, 75009 Paris	So renowned and busy that it doesn't need a website, this restaurant is home cooking in the heart of Paris (to see our article about it, click here)
La Chaum' Yerres (Chaume-en-Brie) http://www.chaumyerre.fr	Chef Berton's jewel in the countryside, memorialized on The Flavors of France. For photos and details of our most recent visit, click here.
Restaurant Au Vieux Porche (Eguisheim) http://www.auxieuxporche.fr	Nestled in a small town among the vineyards of Alsace, this restaurant is a destination in itself for an elegant take on traditional Alsatian fare.
La Maison des Taneurs (Strasbourg) http://www.maison-des-tanneurs.com	Dating back to the 16th century, this eatery along the canal in Strasbourg serves traditional fare and is a great destination for lovers of venison, veal kidneys and spaetzle.  It even has a Houston connection as a favorite of the 2nd man-on-the-moon, Buzz Aldrin.
Patisserie Winter (Strasbourg) http://www.patisserie-winter.fr	Following an exhaustive, albeit unscientific survey, this wonderful pastry shop and restaurant/tea salon had the best plum tarte in Strasbourg.  The owner, Georges, is dedicated to preserving the traditions of the master pastry chef as the 3rd generation of his family to carry on this business.
Le Coté Jardin email: cote-jardin45@orange.fr	A tiny restaurant on a busy street away from the tourist center of Gien but superb food and worth the trip, but book ahead as tables are few..
Meril Markley's Articles on France for the Quarterly Newsletter of the Wine Society of Texas (Greater Houston Chapter)	Homage to a Big Cheese in Brie
	Out for the Count in Languedoc
	Getting an Ear-Full in Van Gogh's Town
	Quaffing the King's Tipple in a Paris Comfort Zone
Our Favorite Hotels in Paris
Hôtel Folkestone Opera http://www.hotelfolkestoneopera.com	Just a few steps from the Place de la Madeleine, the Opéra, and the Grand Department Stores as well as numerous Métro and train stations, the location is unbeatable as are the helpful staff, the quiet location, and the price.
Hôtel de Crillon http://www.crillon.com	For the big splurge, nothing could compare to this elegant former palace on the place de la Concorde.
Hôtel Alison http://www.hotelalison.com	Our first hotel in Paris, a terrific value on a quiet street in the 8th District.
Museums with Great Furniture Collections
Musée du Louvre http://www.louvre.fr	Go for the paintings but don't miss the furniture.
Musée National du Moyen-Age (Cluny) http://www.musee-moyenage.fr	Go for the furniture but don't miss the Lady with the Unicorn tapestries and other woven delights.
Musée National de la Renaissance (Ecouen) http://www.musee-renaissance.fr	A short drive from Paris, this museum has an outstanding furniture collection.
Musée des Arts Décoratifs (Palais du Louvre) http://www.ucad.fr	Right next door to the Louvre on rue de Rivoli for furniture from prehistoric to modern time.
Palais Rohan (Strasbourg) http://www.strasbourg.info	A great collection of imposing Alsatian armoires and other furniture.