If you're looking for somewhere that has an an excellent selection of artist books then Yvon Lambert is the place to go. Not only that but they sell incredible tote bags, with great straps and nice minimal design that will last you a life time. Out the back is a small gallery space, often showcasing the work of featured artist who's book is for sale in the shop. One of my favourite things about this shop is how friendly and welcomign they are! Not only that but they do cool collaborations, such as the one with David Horvitz, where he emails them a new photograph of the sky every day, the bookshop prints it out and you can only buy that one image on the day.

This bookstore only opened recently in my neighbourhood. I spend a lot of time there looking at the many exhibitions organized in its gallery.

Opened in 2011 by the people at Magnum Photo Agency (their Paris bureau is a few streets away), Le Bal is an institutional exhibition space dedicated to the documentary image. For the most part that means lots of photography exhibits but they like to mix up the shows with videos and especially books. They hold conferences with a great line-up of guest speakers and screen documentaries and other films at the nearby Cinéma de Cinéastes. Be sure to check out the bookshop where you can browse through their connoisseur’s collection of high-end photo books and limited edition zines. Le Bal Café is a great place to meet friends for a quick drink or sit down and taste Anna and Alice’s Anglo-French cuisine. And if you’re wondering why it’s called Le Bal, the space was once a dance hall cum brothel in the roaring ‘20s.

Not far from the center of Paris lies this fantastic art gallery. It is an astonishing building and has an amazing collection of works. The ticket you buy for the museum usually allows you free entry into the neighbouring theme park!

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.