FOOD SHOPPING

GETTING THERE

Promenades Gourmandes cost FFr1,200 (pounds 120) per person for one or two people for a four-hour walk, or FFr2,000 for a full-day's walk. Book at least a month ahead. Paule Caillat also organises fashion walks and antiques walks. Her cookery classes cost FFr750 per person for four hours' tuition plus lunch, or FFr1,300 for a full day of cooking, plus lunch and a food- related excursion in the afternoon. Contact Paule Caillat at 187 rue du Temple, 75003 Paris (tel: 00 33 1 48 04 56 84; fax: 00 33 1 42 78 59 77; e-mail: paule.caillat@wanadoo.fr).

WHERE TO STAY

Mike Gerrard stayed first at the Hotel Plessis, close to the Marais. A single room costs from pounds 41 per room, doubles from pounds 48 per room, booked through Room Service, 42 Riding House Street, London W1P 7PL (tel: 0171- 636 6888; fax: 0171-636 6002). He also stayed at the Libertel Argentine, 1 rue d'Argentine, Paris 75116 (tel: 00 33 1 45 02 76 76; bookings: 0990 300 200), a few hundred metres from the best restaurant in the city - Guy Savoy. Rooms cost FFr1,370.95 for a double from April to December.

WHERE TO EAT

Paule Caillat's recommendations, all diligently verified by the author, include: Au C'Amelot, 30 rue Amelot, Paris 75011 (tel: 43 55 54 04); Le Villaret, 13 rue Ternaux, Paris 75011 (tel: 43 57 89 76); L'Epi Dupin, 11 rue Dupin, Paris 75006 (tel: 42 22 64 56); Guy Savoy, 18 Rue Troyon, Paris 75017 (tel: 43 80 40 61).

FURTHER INFORMATION

Mike Gerrard is the author of Discover Paris, due to be published in May by W H Smith, pounds 8.99. Also out in May is The Time Out Guide to Eating and Drinking in Paris, pounds 5.50.

The French Tourist Office (tel: 0891 244 123, calls charged at premium rate).