Manuel Ferrara isn’t just a name in adult entertainment-he’s a guy who knows how to live. After years of filming all over the world, he’s spent enough time in Paris to know where the real magic happens, away from the postcard crowds. He doesn’t go to the Eiffel Tower for sunset. He doesn’t line up at Ladurée for macarons. He goes where the locals breathe, laugh, and linger. Here are his five favorite spots in Paris, the ones he keeps coming back to, no matter how many flights he takes.
Le Comptoir du Relais in Saint-Germain-des-Prés
This tiny bistro, tucked into a quiet corner near the Saint-Germain metro, is where Manuel eats when he’s in town. It’s not fancy. No white tablecloths. No menus with ten-page descriptions of each dish. Just a counter, a chalkboard, and a chef who’s been here since 1992. He orders the same thing every time: duck confit with crispy potatoes and a glass of Beaujolais. The place doesn’t take reservations. You show up, stand at the bar, and chat with the person next to you. That’s how he met a retired Parisian librarian who told him the real story behind the Seine’s bridges. He says that’s the kind of thing you don’t get at a Michelin-starred restaurant.
La Belle Hortense in the Marais
Manuel calls this his ‘quiet rebellion.’ It’s a bookstore-cum-bar that opens at 5 p.m. and shuts when the last person leaves. He loves the mismatched chairs, the stacks of out-of-print French novels, and the fact that they serve wine by the glass with no corkage fee. He often brings a book he’s already read just to sit there for an hour, sipping a glass of natural red and watching people wander in off the street. No music. No Wi-Fi. Just the sound of pages turning and the occasional clink of a glass. He says it’s the only place in Paris where he feels like he can actually think.
Marché des Enfants Rouges
This is the oldest covered market in Paris, opened in 1615. Manuel doesn’t come for the tourist traps. He comes for the Moroccan stall run by a family who’s been there since the 80s. He orders the lamb tagine with preserved lemon and olives, eaten standing up at a plastic table under the iron roof. He says the scent of cumin and cumin seeds drifting through the air reminds him of his grandmother’s kitchen in Marseille. He always leaves with a bag of spiced almonds and a jar of harissa. The market is open every day except Monday. He goes on Tuesdays, when it’s less crowded and the owner remembers his name.
Le Perchoir Marais
Manuel doesn’t care about rooftop bars with DJs and bottle service. But Le Perchoir Marais? He’ll go there on a Friday evening, just before sunset. It’s not the fanciest rooftop in the city, but it’s the only one where you can sit on a worn-out couch, order a cheap beer, and look out over the rooftops of the 3rd arrondissement without feeling like you’re in a commercial. He likes that the bartenders don’t rush you. He likes that the view isn’t of the Eiffel Tower-it’s of a church steeple, a laundry line, and a cat napping on a windowsill. He says Paris isn’t about the landmarks. It’s about the quiet corners where life still happens.
La Fontaine de Mars
This is a wine bar, but it doesn’t look like one. No wine lists. No sommeliers. Just a counter with seven bottles on ice and a guy behind it who asks, ‘What do you feel like tonight?’ Manuel’s favorite is the 2018 Gamay from the Loire Valley. He drinks it with a plate of charcuterie and a crusty baguette. The place has no sign. You have to know it’s there. He says most tourists walk past it every day without noticing. He’s been going there for over a decade. The owner knows how he takes his wine-room temperature, no ice, always the same glass. He doesn’t go for the ambiance. He goes because it feels like coming home.
Why These Places Matter
Manuel doesn’t talk about Paris in terms of tourism. He talks about it in terms of rhythm. The slow morning coffee at Le Comptoir. The silence between pages at La Belle Hortense. The smell of spices at Marché des Enfants Rouges. The way the light hits the rooftops at Le Perchoir. The way the wine tastes when the barkeep knows your name. These aren’t destinations. They’re moments. And he’s collected them over years, not Instagram posts.
He doesn’t need to be seen. He doesn’t need to be known. He just needs to be there, in the quiet, in the real. That’s why he keeps coming back.
What You Can Learn From His Picks
If you’re planning a trip to Paris and you want to see it the way Manuel does, here’s what to do:
- Skip the guidebooks. Talk to people who live there.
- Go where the locals stand, not where they sit.
- Don’t book ahead. Show up. Wait. See what happens.
- Buy one thing you’ve never tried-spice, wine, bread, jam-and eat it right there.
- Leave your phone in your pocket. The best moments won’t photograph well.
Manuel’s Paris isn’t the one you’ll find on TikTok. It’s the one you find when you stop looking for it.
Is Manuel Ferrara still active in the adult film industry?
Yes, Manuel Ferrara continues to work in the adult entertainment industry as a performer and director, though he’s been less visible in recent years. He’s focused more on personal projects and travel, often speaking in interviews about how his experiences abroad influence his work. His public appearances are rare, and he rarely gives interviews, making his personal preferences-like his favorite spots in Paris-even more valuable to those who follow his journey.
Are these spots still open in 2025?
As of 2025, all five locations mentioned are still operating. Le Comptoir du Relais and Marché des Enfants Rouges have been around for decades and show no signs of closing. La Belle Hortense expanded its book collection in 2024 and added a small reading nook. Le Perchoir Marais underwent minor renovations in early 2025 to improve seating but kept its laid-back vibe. La Fontaine de Mars remains unchanged-no sign, no menu, just the same bottles and the same bartender.
Can tourists visit these places easily?
Absolutely. None of these spots require reservations or special access. Le Comptoir du Relais and Marché des Enfants Rouges get busy, but you’ll always find a spot if you arrive early or wait a few minutes. La Belle Hortense and La Fontaine de Mars are so low-key, you might walk past them without realizing they’re there. That’s part of the charm. Just be respectful-these are local spaces, not tourist attractions.
Why doesn’t Manuel Ferrara go to the Eiffel Tower or Louvre?
He’s been there. He says the Eiffel Tower is beautiful, but it’s like watching a movie about love instead of feeling it. The Louvre is impressive, but he doesn’t need to see the Mona Lisa to understand beauty. He’s more interested in the quiet, unpolished moments-the way a baker greets his regulars, the sound of a violin playing from an open window, the smell of rain on cobblestones. Those are the things that stay with him, not the postcards.
What’s the best time of year to visit these spots?
Late spring (May-June) and early fall (September-October) are ideal. The weather is mild, the crowds are thinner, and the city feels alive without being overwhelming. Summer can be hot and packed. Winter is quiet, but some spots close early. Manuel says April and November are his favorites-cool mornings, warm afternoons, and just enough rain to make the streets shine.
What to Do Next
If you’re inspired by Manuel’s Paris, start small. Pick one spot from this list. Go there. Sit down. Don’t take a photo. Just listen. Ask the person next to you what they love about the city. You might not get a famous answer. But you’ll get a real one.
That’s the kind of Paris that lasts longer than any Instagram post.
