Forest of Stone

The Frederic Marès Museum is known for the vast and eccentric collection of its founder, a man who maniacally collected oddities and treasures from around the world. In this exhibition, the more than 40 stone capitals on view form one of the best groups in the world. The capitals date from the 9th to the 14th-century and include the highly refined stone work of the Arabic world as well as masterly products of the Romanesque and Gothic.

Absinthe Night Bar

'Absinthe is the aphrodisiac of the soul. The green fairy inside the absinthe wants you. But ... you are safe with us,' says the sign beside the entrance to this cosy little grotto bar, the perfect place in which to experiment with the psychoactive liquor that defined the decadence of the last fin de siècle. They also serve regular beer, while DJs lay down a funky but casual groove.