Le Fumoir, 6 Rue de l'Amiral de Coligny

One of my very favourite places to drink, particularly in the early evening. It's handy for the Louvre (just head east from le pavillion d'horologe) and the Louvre-Rivoli metro station.

The bar's quite dark inside which lends it a slightly subdued elegance, though photophiles would probably prefer somewhere brighter. I particularly like the tables next to the south-facing windows through which warm light flows if you're lucky with the time and weather.

One can dine here too, but I usually stick to their dry martinis.

For more details see their website,1 or Google Maps.2

Last visited November 2009.