La Pétanque

As you come out of Menilmontant metro, you feel overwhelmed by the cars and the proliferation of fast food chains; but don’t despair, two minutes away there’s a charming pedestrianised square planted with trees, which hosts several good bars and restaurants. One of these, La Pétanque, has a sunny spot and a bunch of tables at the foot of the grand staircase leading up to the Church of Notre-Dame de la Croix – you almost feel like you’re in a village in the south of France. The old couple who own La Pétanque are delightful, offering lots of draught beer at low prices, and do everything to accommodate as many groups as possible as they fill up the chairs.