The best illustration gallery and bookstore in Paris

Art deco brasseries in the 1st near by the Comédie Française

After a long day exploring Paris, a huge plate of noodles is basically the dream. Le Chef Thai is small and cosy, although I think they have a downstairs too which we didn’t see. It’s really relaxed inside and filled with plants so there was a nice calming energy. The guy that served us was super-friendly and we all had an excellent feed for a reasonable price. Happy days.

The most fantastic selection of old toys and kid's memorabilia, better than a museum. Is there every version of every action figure ever made? I've received gifts of a 1950s Peter Pan penknife and an original ET ring from here, so now some lucky friends get presents from the huge range.

Paris, unlike London, Brooklyn and err Chester, isn’t famed for its zoo. That’s because there isn’t anything quite as big here, but if its quality as opposed to size you’re looking for then the zoo in the Jardin des Plantes won’t leave you disappointed. There are about 1800 animals here, a third of which are endangered species, like the Amur leopard, pictured. The reptile house has big snakes and snap-happy crocodiles. There are even kangaroos and some other animals you wouldn’t have thought hardy enough to adapt to the cold chill of the Paris winters. The only drawback is the monkey house, which is a rather forlorn place with depressed-looking chimpanzees and gorillas gazing through shit-stained glass cages.