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.

Great place to have a drink at night, take a coffee or eat. The dishes are very well prepared and very qualitative, reasonable prices.

On the outskirts of Paris, great place to enjoy the summer with drinks, finger food and special events such as concerts, workshops and pop-up markets

Great bookshop and gallery in the North Marais.

A wonderful and spacious bookshop in Le Marais. I love to spend hours looking at beautiful books.