5 reasons to go to Beirut

By Marie-Christine Deprund published on 06/05/2009 3:09 p.m. - updated 10:47 07/05/2009
The capital of Lebanon is reborn! The ancient Mediterranean city rebuilds with overwhelming energy. Get there fast, to discover its new quarters
creative, art of fine living. And his incredible sense of celebration.
It is the meeting place for true lovers of the Middle East
T. Hage / Tourism Lebanon
You stroll between Christian churches and mosques ...
In the cacophony of horn and the heavy air, thus appears Beirut, the beautiful, bruised, which lives after three decades of tragic history. It tames walk to acclimatize
his gaze to the East and West blend that had made her famous and enduring. Visit Martyrs' Square, the heart of the former Old Beirut, today reconstructed
stone by stone. Squares, the Maronite Church (Catholic) alongside the Orthodox and the mosque. And there is talk of reopening the synagogue soon! If the policy had not caused so much
Smash, Lebanon would be a model of integration communautaire.En walking, slip what was the Muslim side in the Catholic party almost without noticing. Okay
on, the city has changed. In place of the old souks, shops open everywhere. In the eastern part of the city, markets stand alongside boutiques, bazaars
grow at the foot of the big hotels. And Beirut - which count nearly 2 million - is repopulated. It stirs, it vibrates, it sings - both melodious accents - Arabic
English (learned in kindergarten) and in 1 out of 2 French. No eastern city gives such an impression of being both elsewhere and home.
Piel / Alpaca / Andia.fr
Walk on the shores of Byblos.
Sit at the table is an art
For a meal, a real, provide three or four hours, the Lebanese! In early 2009, the must is the restaurant kitchen Diwan Al-Sultan Brahim. With terraces dangling over the water, just behind the docks between long tours that reflect the modern revival of the country, this is the new design here. On command, you can sample it is recommended, laugh, drink,
we talk a lot, just to enjoy the air. After the appetizer, the conversation never ends compare falafel (dumplings decorated crab vegetables here)
small fried mullet and grilled loup, refreshing mint leaves, crisp salad and radish. For dessert, Achta (cream) to rosewater or layal loubnan (nights Lebanon
), A semolina cake with cinnamon, pistachio and raisin. Some Turkish delight later, an exquisite "white coffee" (a tablespoon of orange blossom water in a large cup
hot water).
T. Hage / Tourism Lebanon
Nothing like a glass on the beach, like here at the Sky Bar beach.
Even warm, and mezze, the best in town is said to Abdel Wahab, located close to the hotel Albergo. The other two very good restaurants of the moment
located on the Corniche, overlooking the sea. Casablanca reinvents a bio crossbred fusion food trend "East-West", and the beautiful terrace of the Beach serves memorable fish. A
namely: Lebanon is a country where you can smoke everywhere. And people do not hesitate to do!
Diwan Al-Sultan Brahim, Omar Daouk Street, 961 (1) 98-99-89. Abdel Wahab, Abdel-Wahab street el Inglizi, 961 (1) 20-05-50. Casablanca Avenue Dar el M'reisa, 961 (1) 36-93-34. The Beach,
Ain el M'reisa, 961 (1) 36-62-22.
Even on a volcano, Beirut dance
T. Hage / Tourism Lebanon
At night, we push the tables Element, which then turns into cl ub trendy.
In terms of party, the Lebanese remain professional. Bars and nightclubs are multiplying. Trend ultradesign ... Berlin and New York have nothing to teach
Beirut nightlife. They drink or not, according to his religion, but is fun madly. Start the trip 21 to 30 pm with a drink in the trendy Gemmayzeh at
heart of the former East Beirut (at Godot, the Dragon Fly, or 961 [telephone country code]). Keep the Element when the chic restaurant brought its tables and becomes
hyperbondée trendy box. Looking for peace? Join the Central on Mar Maroun Street, an old Lebanese house enclosed in a mesh of iron designed by architect Bernard
Khoury. Its terrace bar, the retractable roof tubular, worth a look. And if you feel like it, go wait for dawn at Behind the Green Door, the new glamorous and sexy box.
Godot, Gouraud Street, 961 (1) 57-57-70. 961 Rue Gouraud, 961 (01) 56-05-46. The Element Street Damascus, 961 (3) 08-00-99. Central Street Mar Maroun, 961 (1) 57-58-58. Behind the
Green Door, Gouraud Street, 961 (1) 56-56-56.
In the imposing site of Baalbek, the preparations for the International Festival this summer in full swing.
Its creators are building the future
There is no life in Elie Saab a fashionista! Young designers exhibit in nice big houses Lebanese pampered in sublime showr ooms. they make
tour is a wonderful way to explore the city and its streets. Our favorite among the creators are those who maintain their effect on the future of Lebanon. The inner-city,
rebuilt by the Lebanese Company for the Development and Reconstruction (Solidere) of Rafiq Hariri, the former prime minister assassinated in 2005, is the spot for all new and young designers (Milia M for clothes, Johnny Farah for leather). Rabih Kayrouz there designs dresses like flower petals (and exposes students stylists in Saifi Village). but
Above all, do not miss Sarah's Bag, the bags are made for the most demanding fashionistas. Sarah, after a career as a sociologist, provides training and employment to former prostitutes rebuild their lives after serving their sentences ... A good example of ethical business!
Rabih Kayrouz, 81, of Lebanon Street, 961 (1) 56-60-79.
Milia M, 1051, rue Saifi, 961 (1) 99-03-36. Johnny Farah, 89, rue Sursock, 961 (1) 33-23-25​​. Sarah's Bag, 100, rue Lebanon, 961 (1) 57-55-85.
T. Hage / Tourism Lebanon
Crack is for bags of Sarah's Bag ...
Baalbek and Byblos are breathtaking
Beirut, Damascus road crosses the narrow Bekaa Valley and its vineyards. The incredible variety of landscapes Lebanon scrolls. You left the sea, and the immense plain,
you can see the snowy mountains. An hour and a half later, here are the ruins of Baalbek. The site is breathtaking. The clouds hang on the six pillars of the temple
Jupiter, which seems to waver. The temple of Bacchus blurs the scales and pins: huge, he said that Baalbek is the colossal Roman temples ever built. the
evening, climb the 950 meters to the Chouf mountain Mir Amin Palace terrace to enjoy the view of the valley.
T. Hage / Tourism Lebanon
At Byblos, the Crusader fortress.
40 kilometers to the north of Beirut, another must pilgrimage Byblos. The route follows the beaches where Lebanese come shisha with friends or family
watching the waves, to the archaeological site. The pink ruins of Byblos plunge to the sea where the Phoenician schooners we can easily imagine that imported papyrus
Egypt to distribute all around the Mediterranean. From July 4 to August 13 will take place there the International Festival. Push to the pretty little port of Batroun, to the tunes of St.
Tropez before the yachts and onlookers. Appointments Maguy, the hut at the edge of the Mediterranean, at sunset. Large striped shrimp wriggle in crates
before moving to the grill. No menu, the kitchen boss catch of the day potluck. Spruced up, you are ready to return to the wild nights in Beirut.
T. Hage / Tourism Lebanon
The Corniche, Beirut's famous promenade, overlooking the Mediterranean.
How to get there? Direct Flights A / R Paris-Beirut via Air France or Middle East Airlines (3 daily flights) from 542 €. Package 5 days / 4 nights in Beirut from Paris, € 1,450 per person including flights A / R, 3 nights at Albergo, one night at the Hotel Kadri Zahle, 3 lunches and
excursions. Aya Desires East, www.ayavoyages.fr Tourism Lebanon, 01-43-59-10-36, www.lebanon tourism.gov.lb-Where to stay? Albergo In Achrafieh lively, a Relais & Châteaux ultraraffiné nestled in a late nineteenth-house. We love all the lounge terrace and magical view of Beirut, summer living and
his mini-pool, delicious table ... From € 250 a night in one of the 33 suites. 961 (1) 33-97-97, www.albergobeirut.com
In a room of HOTELA best way to understand Lebanon by meeting its people. Nights from 95 € for two, with breakfast. www.hotelibanais.com
What to report? Crafts: jewelry, linens, glassware, chèches, a selection of the finest handicrafts of the region. A Lebanese Artisan, Ain el M'reisa, Beirut, 961 (1) 36-26-10. Wine: the Coteaux de Botrys among Neila el Bitar, a small vineyard and delicious raw cared for the old. On the road from Beirut to Batroun, 961 (6) 72-13-00. Do not miss the International Festival of Baalbek: dance, music and theater, from July 4 to August 13. www.baalbeck.org.lb