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Spicy Seychelles cuisine, such as octopus curry or smoked swordfish. Vegetarians should book ahead.

The Left Bank may be the traditional home of jazz clubs but this wood-panelled, velvet-seated club is firmly on the Right Bank, in the Les Halles district (see Beaubourg and Les Halles). The poster-covered walls illustrate some of the “greats” who have played here, and the club’s policy is still to bring in the best overseas jazz artists to play alongside home-grown talent.

The “Agile Rabbit” got its name in 1880 when a painter called Gill came up with the trademark leaping rabbit: lapin à Gill became Lapin Agile. Utrillo once painted the cabaret too (see Pierre-Auguste Renoir). If your French is up to it you’ll enjoy a mixture of songs, jokes and poetry in the heart of Montmartre.

This belle époque restaurant and cabaret was a popular hang-out for Picasso, Renoir, and poets Apollinaire and Paul Verlaine. It took its name from a humorous painting by André Gill of a rabbit (lapin ) leaping over a cooking pot, called the “Lapin à Gill”. In time it became known by its current name (“nimble rabbit”). It is still a popular and atmospheric evening venue.

Poets and artists not only drank in this cabaret club, some such as Renoir and Verlaine also laid tables. Picasso even paid his bill with one of his Harlequin paintings.

Exceptional baker producing traditional breads and pastries, and more unusual flavours such as a raisin rye bread.

One of the best bistros in Paris, with frogs’ legs, escargots and Châteaubriand.

One for game lovers, with lièvre à la royale (hare in a wine sauce) the house speciality. Boisterous atmosphere.

Steak with Roquefort, veal poached in port and tarte Tatin in this great bistro.