French Love, aka Christine's

37 rue de Ponthieu, 8th
M° Franklin D. Roosevelt
No telephone.

The 8th arrondissement used to be full of "hostesse" bars where the ladies would fleece the gentlemen of their money in return for a bit of French love. These were all pretty much closed down last year by authorities, and in many cases repurchased and turned into kitsch-but-cool little bars and clubs (Le Baron, Le Paris-Paris, Tania, etc).

Le Christines is one of the few which remained in the same hands, now transformed into a sexy little bar called the French Love. The decor is over the top eclectic with fiber optic stars in the ceiling, crystal chandeliers, pink futuristic bar shelves, tropical beach mural, Klimt paintings, and gold mosaic tiles on the same wall, boudoir lamps, and even a red London phone booth which has been transformed into a smoking booth. I kid you not.

Downstairs (of course there's a downstairs) it's all retro-futuristic, with an old video game machine, and a padded Clockwork Orange style lounge with an illuminated replica of the famous Courbet painting "Origine du Monde".

Christine's new partner in the venture is an ex-Costes barman, so the clientele are very chic yet friendly, a mix of ages. Champagne is €15/glass. The French Lovehouse cocktail (with strawberries, vodka, and Champagne, among other things) is €19. No wine. Wednesday night at 1am had a small number of people, but we were assured that it's "more of a 3am bar".

You have to ring the buzzer to get in the door, but don't let that intimidate you. This is a fun, adorable little bar worth a visit with friends or your amant. Open daily 8pm-6am.

Read Adrian Moore's review too.

Comments

[columbine]

is this place still open? tried to go there on a Saturday evening recently (around 9.30 pm) and it seemed closed. no one answered the bell and the lights under the porch were off.

[Heather]

I don't think night clubs open that early, but will check it out when I'm back in Paris next week!