VOYAGE GOURMAND IN PARIS

Just when you would think that every conceivable type of vehicle to tour Paris had been exhausted, a new ingenious one has hit the streets aka the Bustronome a unique food tour on a restaurant style gourmet bus!!

 OVERVIEW

Ascent on-board an incredible large glass-roofed double-decker bus for an memorable food tour of the world’s most romantic city, and take the jump from Bistronomy to Bustronomy as you discover the highlights of Paris while indulging from a menu that offers multi course gourmet lunches and dinners created by master chef Vincent Thiessé.

THE EXPERIENCE

We chose the Lunch tour, which started at 11: 30 Am and arrived at Avenue Kleber right off the Place Etoile/Charles De Gaulle to board the bus. Looming high it looked like a gorgeous shiny black behemoth. We embarked the bus and were revealed to the stylish dining room on the second floor. The tables were set with fine china and in the middle of the table was a Lucite arrangement to hold the glassware so that the drinks didn’t tumble while the bus was moving, which put some of my qualms to rest. Once seated began our gastronomical journey literally as we enjoyed restaurant style service that united the ease and friendliness of a typical Parisian bistro with spectacular views of architectural treasures along the way with prudently selected music in the background.

We were instantly offered a glass of Champagne and made comfortable before the bus took off, taking in the view of the Arch de Triomphe from the 360 degree view from the panoramic glass enveloped terrace above and beside me. The bus left at 11: 45Am and unhurriedly dispersed the streets at a leisurely place so that it never felt bumpy, even though the glassware rattled somewhat on the cobblestone streets and my worry that the bus would make a short stop and a something would land on my lap was now a passing thought. An extremely considerate feature about the service was as an alternative of having the historical information about the sites shrieking through the speakers, on the back of the menu was a map of the various stops and we were given an electronic pointer so one could tap on each spot of the map and it would automatically dispense the history through a speaker in the pointer as we toured through the Opera Garnier, Grand Palais, Louvre Museum, Orsay Museum, Champs Elysées Avenues, Trocadero, Arch of Triumph, Eiffel Tower, Champ de Mars, and Notre Dame.

The meal was a perfect combination of traditional French culinary style with contemporary overtones. All in all, I think Bustronome is a comfortable and hassle-free way to see the city and I especially liked the Lunch tour because it was great to see the sights in broad day light with interesting hustle and bustle on the roads.

MUST KNOW

The routes are created on the famed sites in Paris, but can be altered to integrate key events in the ‘City of Lights’ calendar.

Tables are offered for up to 8 people.

Menus change seasonally.

The chef offers a specimen menu of his wisely selected products, a selection of 4 dishes for lunch or a series of 6 dishes for dinner, served with wines by the glass specially chosen for each meal.

This menu must be reserved at least 48 hours in advance of sitting.

Available seven days a week at 11:45 AM for lunch or 7:30 PM for dinner.

Children under 4: free of charge; Children (4-12 years old): reduced price only for the option with included beverage.

The good news is Bustronome can prepare a vegan menu and can also do private or customized tours. 

FAST FACTS

Bustronome, Place Charles De Gaulle - Étoile 75016 Paris

Phone:  + 33(0)954 444 555 

Website: http://www.bustronome.com 

How to get there:

Public transports

RER A: Charles De Gaulle-Etoile / Metro Lines 1, 2 and 6 / Bus lines 22, 30, 31, 52, 73, 92, 341

Car park: Kleber

My story first published in TLF Magazine