Kitchen Shops

Can anyone recommend some kitchen shops to visit for gadgets, dishes and linens? I don%26#39;t need anything upscale but also am not likely to visit a commercial scale shop. We%26#39;re staying in the 9th but will be all over Paris, hopefully. Thanks in advance!

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%26quot;Resonances%26quot; in the Carousel de Louvre is always good for browsing round.

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I like E. Dihillevin store for cookware - great prices and variety. It is past the Cathedral St. Eustache near the restaruant %26quot;Au Pied de Cochon%26quot;.

For linens I suggest Bouchar. There are at least two stores that I know. One is near Galleries Lafayette and Primtemps near Haussman. The other is on rue de Republic near St. Denis Basilique.

Also the all major Department stores have a good selection of household kitchen items!

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I think that you mean: http://www.e-dehillerin.fr/

The BHV is another great place for shopping.

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Thanks I looked at my notes too fast and mispelled the store. I like that one cause it seemed cheaper and had so many things I wanted.

%26quot;The BHV is another great place for shopping.%26quot; I like that store also! We bought our camp stove there.

Hotel Richmond Opera Paris

We are thinking of staying at the Richmond Opera and were wondering how close it is to the nearest Metro? Also, is this Hotel within walking distance of some good sights.Thanks

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Here is a map of your hotel location, situated between two metro stops:

http://makeashorterlink.com/?W25D1690C

The stops are Opera and Chausee d%26#39;Antin/Lafayette (lines 3,7,8,9) - the 2nd one is closest, at about 200 meters; Opera is about 300 meters (5 mins).

You are in a walkable distance to Opera Garnier, le Madeleine, the passages on blvd Montmartre, Place Vendome, and even the Louvre if you really like to walk (3/4 mile). The metro system will take you anywhere you want to go.

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%26gt;%26gt;%26gt;We are thinking of staying at the Richmond Opera and were wondering how close it is to the nearest Metro? %26lt;%26lt;%26lt;

It%26#39;s about as easy as--

http://www.pagesjaunes.fr/pj.cgi?lang=en

and then entering the name and/or address of your hotel into the the Search form fields...et voila !!

Gauchos

Do women wear gauchos in Paris?

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Well I only recently found out what Gauchos were from reading a US forum. However I%26#39;d say that I haven%26#39;t actually ever felt the need to point and laugh at someone becauise of what they were wearing. Window shopping I%26#39;d say the gucho length trousers/pants do seem to be available here. Do a search for Capri pants to see what people on this site feel about questions on what to wear in Paris.

All I can say is that Yes, you are a visitor not a local, there are many things which wil for lack of a better phrase %26#39;give you away%26#39; so if you are comfortable and happy in your Gauchos ... wear them.

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dear lord will ugly fashions from the 70%26#39;s never cease???? I haven%26#39;t worn gauchos since about 4th grade.

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If they are in Vogue magazine, you can safely say they are fashion....

Les

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Sorry but what are gauchos? For me a gaucho is the equivalent of a cow boy in Argentina!!

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They are a wide legged pant that hits your leg below the knee. Use to wear them in the late 70%26#39;s.

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They are in the magazines and the store wondows, but I have yet to see them on a living, breathing human being over the age of 10.

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They are great if you are tall and wear a lovely leather boot with them and a nice silk blouse.

I like them in a winter or fall color( brown, twead, or beige) in lined wool.

I thought I saw them in Designer mags.

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Thank you for the input everyone! I was born in the 70%26#39;s! I guess it is my turn to wear Gauchos.. :0) They are actually cute, worn with leather boots as someone mentioned here. They are in season for fall and in the stores all over in the U.S and in magazines too.

Disneyland Paris - On or Off Site Hotels?

We are planning a trip to Disneyland Paris later this year and are looking at the on-site/off-site options.

We plan to stay three nights but arrive late on the day of arrival and depart early on our day of departure leaving two full days in between.

Is it possible to book on site hotels without the inclusive passes - we would be paying for days we wouldn%26#39;t use.

Alternatively has anyone any views on staying off site - particularly at the Disneyland Paris Holiday Inn?

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I have stayed at a couple of places around Disney Paris, I strongly advise that the Disneyland Paris Holiday Inn is the place to stay, they seem to have some amazing advance rates at the moment. It not that this hotel is perfect, but it was a relief to stay somewehere pleasant. I am not a fussy person but some of the hotels in the area Including so called on site, are not up to it. This one is great. Two double beds just great.

If you have not been to the area before, it will surprise you, its really in the country side, the park itself is just like Disney in Los Angeles, with a french touch, Take that as you will, but the park is a little more French rather than a little more Disney.

I advise the breakfast at the hotel, park food is expensive and not the best.

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Pino , let Goofy tell you : Stay in Paris %26amp; get the RER out there. YOu%26#39;ll save money...

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Yes, stay in Paris... I cannot think of why you would spend 3 days in or near DisneyLand Paris..... even if you stay in Paris and go by RER every day to Disney... you will enjoy it more.

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pinnochio: Depending on what you are looking for in experience. I go to Disneyworld several times a year, and have always stayed with the exception of once at a Disney owned resort. There is a difference! Hotels can be clean, wonderful staff- however there is something that Disney does that allows you to emerse yourself in fantasy the moment you walk in the door. I can not imagine the food not being well prepared given Disney%26#39;s repetation of excellence, especially in a land which is noted for its cusine. What an experience to be within walking distance to the theme parks rather than relying on transportation. Spending more time getting to and from rather than enjoying the flexibility of being that close. However I am quite biased as a true Disneyanna fan.

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Just a follow up, remember this is Disneyland Paris, which, while owned PARTIALLY by the Disney corporation, is Nothing like Disneyworld. The quality you find at a disneyworld resort in Florida is NOTHING like you find in France, so onsite properties have limited value in France, except perhaps early entry to park, but crowds will not be an issue In the winter.

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Thank you all for your comments.

In 2000 we were lucky enough to go to Florida and stayed on site - it really did make for a magical stay.

However this time - taking into account some reports from fellow travellers - the option of staying off-site but still close to Disney appealed. The Disneyland Paris Holiday Inn therefore seemed a good bet.

For those who suggested staying in Paris and travelling on the RER, do you have any suggestions of reasonable quality hotels close to the train link?

Thank you once again for your replies. It is exciting to note that a message posted in Glasgow has met with replies from USA, Luxembourg and Cairo!

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Pino : the train goes through Paris ! Look at the map. I can%26#39;t understand someone telling me that the disney fodd is excellent. It%26#39;s mass fooding with Pizza %26amp; Hamburgers .Nothing to do with french cuisine. Have dinner in Paris ...

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The RER line A would be direct to Disney (Marne La Vallee station), hence a hotel near an RER A station will facilitate direct connections. Within Paris, these RER stations would be Chatelet Les Halles (or anywhere close to Notre Dame), the Opera (conveniently located near the famous Department Stores and walking distance to the Louvre and the Champs Elysees), or Charles De Gaulle/Etoile.

You can also include the areas around Nation and Gare De Lyon, but these are not my favourite areas to stay.

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Thanks Guguk and Sherif - your advice is appreciated.

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Not sure why you would stay in Paris unless you want to spend time in the city. That%26#39;s really a long commute twice a day after a long day on your feet in the park. The onsite hotels are fine and nicely themed but are sorely in need of renovation and pricey. The Holiday Inn is a solid choice, new and a better value with shuttle service to and from the park.

If you arent going to be spending all the time you have at Disney and do plan on spending at least one full day in Paris then staying in Paris might be worth it.

Three robbery attempts in 10 days

If you are going to France be prepared as never before. The subways are full of pickpockets ready to rob you getting on and off the subway as well as reaching in your pocket while you are riding. I caught one in my pocket and yelled out which caused him to jump off on the next stop.

The second and successful attempt was full on robbery in stopped traffic in Marseille. Motorcycle bandits opened the back door and grabbed a bag with camera, money, and travel documents.

The third was two juviniles in Paris pretending to play tag. One stopped in front of me and grinned to distract me while the other came in from behind. I knew what was happening, turned around causing them to run.

Where are the police? Certainly not where they should be.

I was warned by four people to be careful in France. I had no idea how bad it is. I suggest try another Country.

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All that you mentioned are listed on the US Consular Travel page of what to be aware of as well as new crime actions toward those traveling in motor homes, as well as ATM crimes. It is good to be informed before one goes to a foreign country of the current types of scam and crime activities that are being reported.

I would think it is unusual for one person to be targeted three times in 10 days. I am so sorry for your experiences. I can see how it would color your whole view of France.

You will find these activites in other countries also.

I was mugged and injured one in Paris during the winter on one of my trips there. The police were very helpful. I identified one of the two persons from photos. They showed me at least 90 pictures of criminals that work the area I was mugged in. I think most tourist don%26#39;t make reports because it takes time out of ones trip and they are not around long enough to go to court over it.

In the fall and winter there are less tourists, so the criminal element has fewer prey.

The only concilation is that you were not injured.

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We were recently in Paris for five nights (September 20-25). Since we are a family of six (mom, dad and four daughters ages 15, 13, 10 and 2) we were on heightened alert for any pickpockets. We never once had a problem the entire time we were there and we used the Metro and walked everywhere. I would have thought we would have been easy prey since were generally distracted by one or more of our children.

Perhaps it is just that we live in Los Angeles and travel extensively that we were somehow seen as not a target. We know how to carry ourselves, and we take every precaution to keep our valuables safe.

I just cannot figure out why in all our years of travel (mostly with at least one child in tow) that we have not been victims. I guess I just need to be thankful to God and carry on!

Barbes

We are considering an apartment in rue Poulet, Barbes thru Homelidays. It looks yummy and good value for two bedrooms but on checking previous posts on this site it seems Barbes its not the greatest of areas even though it is apparently 10 minutes from Montmartre. Any feedback from local experts and others would be greatly appreciated!

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Well....I wouldn%26#39;t stay there. It%26#39;s not central or relaxing. It%26#39;s not the nicest part of Montmartre. Blvd. Barbes is thick with people selling their wares, hustling you to come into their restaurant, and a pickpocket or two (or three or four or five).

I have great friends who used to live on Rue D%26#39;Orsel, right around the corner, and I stayed w/ them once for a month....just coming and going on the metro was a long, sometimes stressful event. Their place and their street were fabulous, but the Blvd. Barbes and the metro stop Barbes Rochechouart were both very tiresome...

Any other options?

Les

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Patz, do not stay there !!Keep away from Barbes.

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Cheers for your prompt reply.

We really fancied staying in the %26quot;suburbs%26quot; so to speak to live like locals as it were and Montmarte appealed to us but perhaps its not central enough given we are only in Paris for 6 days. Any other suggestions for a central location with atmosphere, local shops etc. would be appreciated. In the meantime I will continue to trawl through all of the accomodation sites for other possibilitiies.

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You might like the area around Alesia in the 14th. Strictly locals there and a pleasant place in my opinion. We visit that area weekly (to check in with our favorite Depot Vente) and still love it. Before we bought in the 4th, we placed it high on our well-researched list of favorite neighborhoods.

The 12th is probably the most under-rated Arrondissement in Paris. Many of our friends live there and they love it. It%26#39;s non-touristy and very much a family-oriented. It gets a bad rep strictly because there are more modern buildings sprinkled among the old than in other parts of the city. It was also high on our list.

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Oh dear Guguk please elaborate!!!

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Barbes seemed always to me as the place where north africans are in the majority. Drugs, girls, cheap etc.. It%26#39;s the imigrant place par excellence . I do know from friends ( doctors ) having worked in the nearby hospitals that it%26#39;s heavy stufff.Knives etc ...

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Yikes a close call me thinks - thanks Guguk and others for your thoughts. At the risk of sending this thread off on a whole different tanget and being from the Antipodes, is there a problem with a neighbourhood full of North Africans???

This will be our first trip to the Northern Hemisphere and we are so excited we are ready to burst - just want to soak it all up like a sponge but am realistic enough to know that forums such as this will be our lifeline to a well planned trip so relish your input. Cheers!

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I go to shop in that area regularly and it%26#39;s no more a haven of knife-wielding thugs and pushers than is Bastille or Nation. It%26#39;s decidedly poorer than other areas in Paris and that fact attracts immigrants who aren%26#39;t well-off. It%26#39;s North African residents are pretty much like the other people in Paris. Lots of families, mothers and babies out shopping, etc. There%26#39;s a lot more street commerce than other parts of town and sometimes that gives it a more third-world vibe but the people are just regular people.

I wouldn%26#39;t pick it as my first choice to stay in Paris but certainly not because of the ethnic mix there.

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Well answered Metromole. So you%26#39;re saying your first choice would be the 14th or 12th? The only problem is the apartments that I keep seeing and falling in love with have all been in Montmarte!

Really appreciate the feedback and will as I say keep looking for one that grabs me. I have this picture of shuttered windows, wrought iron balconies and romantic interiors (or have I been watching too many old movies????) Just want something abit special but without the high pricetag.

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I was basically responding to your comment about wanting to %26quot;stay in the suburbs%26quot;. I like those areas because they are true Parisian neighborhoods with no tourist draw. however, I am very much a HUGE fan of Montmartre. It%26#39;s really one of only two quarters that Haussmann didn%26#39;t destroy. It%26#39;s old Paris. The Marais would be the other but Montmartre is still my favorite. I wouldn%26#39;t hold out too much hope to get EVERYTHING on your wish list but there are charming neighborhoods on the west and north side of the butte.

Because of the movie Amelie, Montmartre is no longer the cheapest place to rent but we%26#39;ve found a few jewels for our family and friends in the recent past. email me if you see something promising and I%26#39;ll scope it out if I can. progressyve@yahoo.com. I%26#39;ll be in that area on Monday and Thursday.

Where can I find good air fare prices from Seattle to Paris...

I have been trying to research for the past two months good airfares from Seattle to Paris for this coming( one for May) May and (one for the last week of June) June.

If anyone else is researching also and comes across good fares could you let me know? Thank you.

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I know I must sound like a broken record but you might sign up for Yahoo travel alerts. I%26#39;ve gotten two email alerts from them this past week for tickets, Denver to CDG for $306 and $331 plus taxes.

It%26#39;s not a guarantee you%26#39;ll find a good fare at the time you need but it can%26#39;t hurt.

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In my searching for fares for our trip the best I got was through Orbitz (and cheapflights or cheaptickets or something like that, but found out they%26#39;re the same as Orbitz). This was for fares of multi-city flights, and when I tried them broken down into the various legs, the fares weren%26#39;t nearly so good, so I don%26#39;t know - may be the same for you with just one leg to work with (Seattle - CDG). Good luck!

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Thanks Justgrace I will try to sign up for Yahoo. Do you have to have an account or be signed up for them?

I have been checking Hotwire which is very hard to get to with my server. I also am on Travel advisor hot mail but have not gotten much.

Both Travelocity and Orbitz has not gotten me any thing at all.

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http://www.travelzoo.com/Newsflash.asp?211890

Offers e=mail alerts

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And here is another http://www.shermanstravel.com/

This is hooked into expedia

Eurostar Paris to London

I need to buy 2 tickets from Paris to London (Wed Nov 23 to Friday Nov 25). The cheapest fare I can get is at eurostar.com, 2 tickets for 374 (leaving Paris around noon, which is the cheapest fare). If we fly, I find tickets for 269 direct flight for the 2 of us. I really want to avoid getting to an airport, because that will take a lot of time. Are this price ok? Please, can anyone advice me where I can find the best eurostar fares.

Thanks

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Forget the planes. It takes hours to get out there, and takes one hour from Heathrow to the West End. Standsted is even more far away. I dontthink that you get cheap Eurostars.Curious to know

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Well this past June I purchased two return tickets for 80 U.S each. for travel in August. Tues to following Thurs.

I have to agree that the Eurostar is way easier then flying. And no lost luggage !

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I found the tickets for two for a total of 140 euros round trip on eurostar.com. Departure is at 10:19 am and there were several choices earlier and later. Return is 6:34 am and that was the only choice. Look for the 2 for 100 euros promo.

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You guys have convince me that train is better ..

MorganB: Where did you see the 2 for 1 promo. Did you find that fare for the days I%26#39;m traveling (Nov 23 -25)?

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That%26#39;s odd. I just checked both SNCF and EUROSTAR a moment ago and came up with 100 €uro per person, 2nd class, round-trip fare for a Nov. 23rd departures from Paris around noon and an afternoon return from London on Nov. 25th

SNCF--

www.voyages-sncf.com/dynamic/_SvHomePage…

EUROSTAR--

http://www.eurostar.com/

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Michigan to Paris, I am looking at the french version of eurostar.com. There is a promotion called Londre a 2 pour 100 euros. I clicked that and then put in your exact dates. Thats how I got the 140 euros return total for two people.

You need to set the country to france on the website to see the promo. If you have set it to another country, delete the cookies related to eurostar.com and then you should be able to get back to the page where you can set the country. If you dont go via the 2 for 100 link it wont give you the 140 euro price and instead will give the 200 euro price that KDK is getting.

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Go Eurostar!!!!

We took the train from Paris to London, and it was so nice to take a break from flying(I hate flying) We spent a little extra on first class tickets. It really wasn%26#39;t much extra. WE love Eurostar!! You only have to be there 30 minutes before your train leaves.

FYI, we got a bit confused at Gare du Nord station. There is a lot going on there! Eurostar ticket counter is upstairs over the normal train ticket counter.

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If you purchase the tickets thru the frensh version, where can I pick up the tickets?

ANa

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You can pick them up at any SNCF train station or boutique in Paris or anywhere in France.

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MorganB.. I already set up my browser to franch and of course now I don%26#39;t understand anything!! Can you help me with the terms and conditions..

Is theres a way that I can set the language to English?

Converter

Are the outlets in France the same as Italy or do you need different converters?

Thank you

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You need an -adaptor- with 2 round prongs to fit the socket.

You need a -converter/transformer- if your appliance is the US power (not dual voltage).

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Two-pins outlets are the same.

The grounding (third pin) is different. It is a pin sticking out of the outlet in France, or a third hole in the middle in Italy.

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I haven%26#39;t looked this topic up, but the converter that I bought must be the wrong kind. I really only needed it for my curling iron and battery charger. Well I plugged the curling iron in and about 30 minutes later I picked it up and it had MELTED!!!! Later I meet a woman who had the same thing happen to hers. I didn%26#39;t use it for my charger as I was worried that the same thing would happen. SO be warned!

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Be warned about convertors vs.transformers. Convertors actually convert the 220 volt to the 110 for the US appiances. I have no idea what the transformers do, but do know that they are very unreliable. It may be that their circuitry is not great since they generally are cheaper. Take my advice...get the converters and get them from a reliable source (travel stores, online, etc). I, too, became a part of the melted-curling-iron-club (MCIC) on my first trip to Paris!

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AndrewF,

There was an extensive thread recently on this subject -

at least 25 posts. You might find this helpful.

There is a search box in the upper left corner

of the page. Put in %26quot;adapter%26quot; %26quot;converter%26quot;

and %26quot;transformer%26quot; Give it a shot, it%26#39;s a good

way to bypass a lot of time spent.

Good Luck

Best Way from CDG?

What is the best (cheap) way to get to Central Paris from Charles De Gaulle? I don%26#39;t have a lot to carry and am going to Place Andre Malreaux.

Thank you!

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See the nice little box on the upper right hand, saying %26quot;Search%26quot;? Well, must be about 156 answers to your question posted in the last 2 weeks.

Plus:

www.ratp.fr

www.adp.fr

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RER to Chatelet then transfer to line 14 direction Biblioteque ( short walk to transfer). Get off at Pyramides. Or Transfer to the line 1 at chatelet and get off at Palais Royal. However, its a looooong walk underground from the RER to the line 1.

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Forgot, cost is 8 euros.

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Again AndrewF,

There is a very very long thread oin this one.

The search box %26quot;CDG to Paris%26quot; has at leat

150 posts. You can pick up a lot of opinions

for taxi, RER, Roissy Bus, etc. It%26#39;s all

there, check it out in one fell swoop.

La Mosquee de Paris - Hammam/ Turkish Baths

I%26#39;ll be in Paris for a week after Christmas - from 27.12.05. Does anyone know the opening hours for the hammam/ turkish baths - men and women? I know I can%26#39;t go in at the same time as hubby, so any suggestions as to what we can do as the other one relaxes?

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Tea and pastries in their tea room! Excellent!

Sorry, I don%26#39;t know the hours...

Les

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nytimes.com/2004/08/29/travel/29leftbank.html

Colorful mosaics decorate the Hammam, or Arab baths, at the Grande Mosquée de Paris, 39, rue Geoffroy St.-Hilaire, Fifth, (33-1) 43.31.18.14 or (33-1) 43.31.38.20; admission $18.75. A steam bath, massage, scrub package and cup of mint tea costs $47.50. Open for women Monday and Wednesday to Saturday; men, Tuesday and Sunday.

Booking Moet tour

Hi Was wondering if anyone could help me.

I%26#39;m visiting Epernay this weekend and want to book a tour round the Moet cellar. I%26#39;ve heard you need to make a reservation rather than just turning up, however I can%26#39;t find any details of how to do this.

Does anyone know how I can make a booking before I get there for a tour?

Many thanks!

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For more tour information, contact:

Champagne Moët %26amp; Chandon

Service des Visites

20, Avenue de Champagne

51 333 Epernay

Tel: 03-26-51-20-20

Fax: 03-26-51-20-21

e-mail : visites@moet.tm.fr

The above information (and more) can be found if you go to their site:

http://www.moet.com/prehome/prehome.htm

click on the GB link, this takes you to their site the you%26#39;ll need to navigate to the tours which has all the info you need!

We recently returned from Champagne and had a most enjoyable tour at Moet and were in the Napoleon room for our tastings! %26#39;tho very informative, the Laurent-Perrier tour was more comprehensive as we were taken through the bottling process as well. Enjoy the champagne!

Non-smoking rooms in Paris

Do any hotels have non-smoking rooms? We ask this question in the comments section of every hotel we check, and none of them ever respond. Is %26quot;non-smoking%26quot; an American thing?

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In my opinion, any hotel with 2-start or over will probably have non-smoking rooms. I visited 6 different hotels in different areas last month and all had non-smoking rooms?.

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I don%26#39;t know whether %26quot;non smoking%26quot; rooms are an American thing, but %26quot;smoking rooms%26quot; definitely are. Smokers are so ghettoised in America, that when you are stuck in a smoking room in the States, as it has happened to me - a non smoker - several times, it%26#39;s hell, as if the previous occupant had smoked the production of the whole state of Virginia! In Europe, smokers are not confined to any particular type of room, so statistically it%26#39;s evened out. But now of course international chains (Accor group, Hilton, Marriott, etc. ) have imported this American nicotine apartheid to Europe.

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They may have them but there would be little point. The French would simply ignore them!

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They do have them, and the French and others do ignore them sometimes. Often there are ashtrays!

Its worth booking that way in a large hotel because they will have no smoking floors, probably usually booked by US tour groups!

Oddly at the BW Latin Quartier Pantheon where I stayed in September the 5th flr was a no smoking floor, and the only one with walk around balconies!

The good thing in most hotels is that you can open the windows and air the place out!

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If you want to know exactly what amenities a Paris hotel offers, the Michelin red guide to Paris contains that information in the symbology describing each hotel. As said earlier, most major hotel chains have non smoking floors, even the inexpensive ones like Ibis. Good luck with your search.

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Not to be contrary, but what the book (any guide book) says, and what you get can be very different. And when you are there and do not speak French, with all of your luggage, and exhausuted from an overnite flight from the states...you sometimes take what you are offered....but stand firm!!!!ir you booked a certain type of room demand it..they tend to go with that!

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Non-smoking rooms in many Paris hotels are becoming common enough. But you should confirm directly with the hotel to make your preference clear.

But as others have noted, %26#39;..non-smoking..%26#39; is not strictly enforced. At a hotel that we%26#39;ve frequented, we pre-requested and were assigned the same room that we had occupied on previous visits. When we checked-in during one visit, there was a new %26#39;..Non-Smoking..%26#39; placard affixed to the room door. I%26#39;m a smoker so I went down to the front desk and asked if they had a %26#39;smoking%26#39; room available. I was told not to worry...then the desk clerk handed me an ashtray and a book of matches to take back up to the room with me.

La Mosquee de Paris - Hammam/ Turkish Baths

I%26#39;ll be in Paris for a week after Christmas - from 27.12.05. Does anyone know the opening hours for the hammam/ turkish baths - men and women? I know I can%26#39;t go in at the same time as hubby, so any suggestions as to what we can do as the other one relaxes?

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You can find all necesary info about the mosquee itself and the hammam on its web page (click English version), then click %26#39;hammam%26#39; for opening hours, prices, etc. I believe, the days for women/men are different ones.

http://www.la-mosquee.com/

Luberon first week in dec

Hi There!

I am thinking of going to the Luberon region for the first week in December. I am looking for a romanticplace that has a great buzz at night and during the day, I am taking a new romance with me so want it to be fun, red wine flowing and want to be able to interact with locals (incase we do not get on ha ha)

Please can someone tell me if this region will fit that bill and still be secenic and beautiful!

melissa

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Hi Melissa,

I am not sure the Luberon is the place to go for great night life in December!! If really you are looking for night life you have to be in a city ie Avignon , Aix en Provence or Marseille. The Luberon is known for its peace and quiet and yes it is romantic. The first week in December you will hit some of the Xmas markets which happen at night ie Avignon. I think this year they bedin on Dec 3rd or 4th.Red wine always flows if you want it to! I would say somewhere close to Avignon which then allows you to explore the Luberon villages as well. Better if you have a car.

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Agree 100% with Escargot (as I normally do). The Luberon is not really known for nightlife. You need to be in a bigger city/village. Avignon should fit the bill as there are several nightclubs of various types. It is also very romantic - depending upon where you stay. It is gorgeous with the Palais lit up at night.

Have fun.

January Sales

I would like to visit Paris for the January sales. Does anyone know when they start and finish? Also what sort of discount are we talking about, are there some real bargains to be had? I am into labels like Paul and Joe and Vanessa Bruno. Thanks

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They start later than they do over here. We were in Paris for my birthday this year and sales started 11 January in the big department stores and lots of smaller shops. Personally I found the crowds overwhelming that day, so much so that I gave up and went for coffee!

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This year they are from January 12th to Feb 12th.

Soccer (futbol) schedule for Paris St. Germain

My husband really wants to attend a soccer game while we are in Paris. We will be arriving on November 30th and departing on December 5th. Is it possible to find out if there is a game in Paris while we%26#39;re there? Also, if there is one, how would we go about buying tickets? Thanks in advance for any help you can give.

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Here%26#39;s the official website: http://www.psg.fr/fr/index.html

I saved the link because we%26#39;re hoping to attend a game in February. If you click on the logo and enter you will see %26quot;Billeterie%26quot; in the center of the menu on the main page. It has all the information (if you can read French or have a browser that can translate the page).

Maybe the experts can give you more information, but that should at least give you the schedule.

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en.parisinfo.com/show_exhibition/…

Here is the link to 2 soccer matches in St. Denis.

Not the dates you are there but you may be able to find

one when you are there by searching this site

http://en.parisinfo.com

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Arielle2006 and Parisbaby2 many many thanks!! I really appreciate your help! Have a great weekend.

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You can also purchase tickets at www.francebillet.com, they have information in English, and you can pick up tickets at any of the FNAC sales outlets etc.

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Coincidense?

I%26#39;m in Paris from 26th Nov to 4th Dec, and I also planned to visit some football game. Maybe we can go together if something is going on. Also I%26#39;m planning to go arround those days so it would be great to have a companion for that. If he%26#39;s interested it would be great!

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Bluepoint, Thanks for the website. Unfortunately, Tuckee, it appears that there aren%26#39;t any home games during the time we%26#39;re in Paris. Oh well!

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Well, yes, I checked, it%26#39;s true for PSG, and also for Lille, a stadium-less soccer team that plays its big European games at the Stade de France. But do you know that Paris has got another European class team? It%26#39;s Stade français, the local rugby team. How more European can you get than attending a rugby game in winter? And, guess what, they are playing the Irish team of Ulster at Stade Jean Bouin (next to the Parc des Princes) on Dec 4, 14h00. If you go to their website, at www.stade.fr, you%26#39;ll have all the details, plus pictures of the famous Stade français calendar, featuring all those muscular hunks wearing nothing more than a rugby ball!

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Thanks, Bob

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Strangly enough they also played Ulster in December of last year (and won easily). At half time one of the men behind us offered us a sip of whiskey from his hip flask. I of cousre returned the guesture by offering him some whisky from my hip flask :)

Remember...

%26quot;Soccer is a gentlemans game played by thugs and rugby is a thugs game played by gentleman.%26quot; :)

Hostel in Paris

Hi, I%26#39;m going to Paris this weekend, and will stay for 7 days, any recommendation on hostel where can be easily accessed ? Close to metro or mojor sightseeing places...hopefully a budgeted one..Thanks

Cheers

Yunyun

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I can recommend you the Hotel Paris Bercy, http://www.paris-bercy-hotel.com it is a nice 1 star hotel located near a metro station, nearby the Bastille area. It is a small and clean 1 star hotel.The man at the reception is really helpfull. It is a cheap hotel for Paris!!

Enjoy Paris

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Thanks meheu, btw, do you know of any hotels close to Gare de lyon or Montparnasse? Safe and clean ..As I%26#39;ll take Air France bus from CDG to center Paris ..Thanks lot !

Study Courses in Paris(not Language)

I will be staying in Paris for December %26amp; January %26amp; want to undertake a study course while there. Not necessarily language as I have just completed 3rd Year French at University level. I am hoping to study French Culture, history %26amp; contemporary issues. Any suggestions?

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Schools are closed from mid Dec. to the first week of Jan. for the x-mas holidays, so there are not many options available. You may want to check out the Alliance Francaise. The Sorbonne has a good French Civ program, but it runs a semester, as do the programs at the American University.

For a do-it-yourself program, get a place with a TV and start watching the local programs, buy two or three papers and one magazine a day and read them through (preferably on the terrace of some thriving cafe). Then hit as many museum conferences as you can, including some of the historic ones offered by the Ile de France. Et Voila, everything you wanted to know about France.

I%26#39;d also recommend reading 60 Million Frenchmen Can%26#39;t be Wrong to fill in the cultural backdrop and A Year in the Merde for a bit over-the-top feeling of life in Paris. These two books will give you an idea of what to look for once you are here.

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Phread:

did you read Bonjour Paresse ?

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No, How was it?

I like the 60M because it was written by two sociologists. The anecdotes are there, but minimal and you learn a lot about how things work over here from an analytical perspective.

A Yr in the M is funny, although a bit young. It really gives you an exagerated idea of how corrupt things can be over here, but does highlight the importance of getting around the system. I especially love the author%26#39;s little observations about daily life and work place ethics.

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A Year in the M seems funny.... I did not know of it untill you mentioned it... the Time magazine article about the book (link below) makes it interesting...

time.com/time/…00.html

kids in paris

We went in November the highlight for our 9 year old was the trampolines in the Jardin des Tuileries. Expensive but a worthwhile break!

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Same as my 9 year old son (at the time) + getting to the Toys Section at Galleries La Fayette

Paris 6th Nov - Boys night out

We%26#39;re staying at The Ritz at my expense.

The other three guys are on their 1st visit to Paris %26amp; as poor Irish chefs will be wanting the best of food %26amp; drink at the lowest of prices.

Any top tips for somewhere appallingly Parisian?

BTW, we are in our early 30%26#39;s %26amp; all single - so any suggestions for post dinner would be welcomed!

Thanks.

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Stopped in Paris on our return from Champagne and liked the cool lounge/bar of the Pershing Hall. They also do a nice Sunday brunch and no one seems to turn up until 2 pm (www.pershinghall.com). Have always liked 404 in the Marais, sister restaurant to Momo%26#39;s on Heddon St. The Buddha Bar might still be fun for post dinner (worldsbestbars.com/city/…buddha-bar-paris.htm)

If you do a search for Le P%26#39;tit Troquet, it gets so many high marks here – we just did not to have enough time to try it.

For dining insight, I%26#39;ve always enjoyed her blog, …typepad.com/blogs/eating_places_paris/. She is all about food and is very entertaining!

Should be a good time for you lot!

First night in Paris... my third report.

I made it! I%26#39;ve just stepped into my room. I%26#39;m very happy that it is clean. I%26#39;d been a little worried that the web sight would be nicer than real life. I decide to pull out my camera and take some pictures for TA.

After I unpack and take a lovely shower, I head out. My hotel is in the 9th and close to cafe%26#39;s and some shopping. I wander the area keeping an eye out for somewhere to eat. I realize that it%26#39;s only about 5:00pm much too early to eat. I stop at a cafe called the No stress cafe%26#39;. I%26#39;m thinking to myself %26quot;just what I need%26quot; It%26#39;s very nice to sit and have something cold to drink. I notice that the staff here is very punk trendy. One of the girls has on a pair of jeans that say %26quot;Punky Fish%26quot; This makes me laugh, and later when I am in London I find this shop called......%26quot;Punky Fish%26quot; And here I was thinking she was just being original!After people watching for awhile, I head a little farther away from the hotel and stop in a few shops. When I have to tell people that I%26#39;m just in Paris for about 10days, I feel like I%26#39;ve been marked tourist for sure. But, so far everyone is very nice. I spot a tabac shop and buy a phone card. I promised to call when I got in.

It%26#39;s close to eight and I%26#39;m starved to I stop in at Xavier St. George. It%26#39;s still early but oh well. They waiter is nice and helps me to order- something with beef I know. The meal was lovely. I don%26#39;t think that the French like to cook meat done or well done. I know that it%26#39;s suppose to better{ I guess I don%26#39;t see how bloody raw meat is good!} Now This is just in my MEAGER experience! I really should have looked up %26quot;well done, no blood%26quot; Oh well after my waiter makes a dash for some change, I decied to head to my hotel. It%26#39;s early here but, soo tired I turn in. the thoughts that are going thru my head are%26quot;I%26#39;m in Paris, I%26#39;m in Paris..%26quot;

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You ask for %26quot; bien cuit svp%26quot; which is well done, it will still come med!

If in doubt order chicken( poulet) it is always cooked.

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This is wonderful... I love the step by step detail of your days! Hope your enjoying them to the fullest! I can%26#39;t wait for your next installment!!!

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It%26#39;s taste, Moonswiper, taste. The more you cook things, the less tasty they are. An overcooked steak tastes the same, whereas the %26quot;raw material%26quot; was good or bad. I know that American tastebuds are accustomed to blandness, but you%26#39;re in Paris, take advantage of it, embrace life at its full! Well, you were in Paris, now you are back to sole-steack country anyways...

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%26lt;%26lt;American tastebuds are accustomed to blandness%26gt;%26gt;

The blandest food I know is French Cuisine! You want really bland, try steak tartare.... each bite is all the same flavor/texture combo.

I can%26#39;t even find a Thai restaurant with decent heat because the French are so spice adverse. Even at the markets/grocery stores I have a hard time finding chilies to make it at home. All most all of the ethnic restaurants in the city have blanded down their recipes to accommodate the French palate.

In fact, I have to go up to Amsterdam this weekend just to get a good solid flavor hit at one of their Indonesian places, to be followed by a gourmet Turkish meal and some excellent Spanish tapas.

One of the things I miss most about SF is the excellent, mix of flavorful cuisines (mexican, vietnamese, indian, burmese, cajun, ehtiopian, etc....) that could be found in most neighborhoods.

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You gave yourself up, phread! By definition, over spicing is used to cover... blandness (or bad quality of the food, the reason why spices were so sought after in the middle ages, before fridges could keep the food fresh). It%26#39;s like a not so pretty face smeared in make up.

I like spicy food too, but everything is drowned under it, and it%26#39;s a one dimensional, poor taste experience compared to the full flavored, intriguing, fresh ingredients of Italian or French cuisines.

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I%26#39;m afraid I%26#39;m almost completely with phread. Almost.... I prefer to use the word %26quot;subtile%26quot; to describe French cuisine. But my gawd! Does every restaurant have to be so.. %26quot;subtile%26quot;? I%26#39;d do almost anything to find a decent Thai, Indian or Mexican restaurant. I shouldn%26#39;t admit it but i have rationalized literally diverting a journey to the states through London so I could get a good Indian meal. More than once.

We finally did find two places that have great spicy and delicious food in Paris but not from the three basic food groups I mentioned.

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Joan, or anyone:

I love steak au poivre - is this a common menu item, and do I need to order it Bien Cuit to have it fairly dark pink in the middle? And, how do you pronounce %26quot;cuit?%26quot; One of the reasons I%26#39;m loving to be there is the food, so this will help!

Thanks.

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Steak goes from %26quot;bleu%26quot; (when it%26#39;s just been waved briefly over the flame!), through %26quot;saignant%26quot; (rare), a point (medium), and bien cuit (well done).

%26quot;cuit%26quot; is pronounced %26quot;kwee%26quot;.

St. Cyprien

Flying to Paris in June then on to St. Cyprien. Any suggestions?

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You%26#39;re headed for a really beautiful area! There are prehistoric caves near there. I would make reservations to see the Grotte de font de Gaume, as it%26#39;s one of only a few that allow you to see the originals still.

Also, if you%26#39;re there on a Saturday, don%26#39;t miss the morning market in Sarlat. The castles along the Dordogne (Castelnaud, Beynac, etc...) have great views of the valley from their ramparts. Take a cruise down the Dordogne on one of the flat bottomed boats (gabares). The gardens at Marqueyssac and Erignac are beautiful. If you have time, drive north to the Chateau de Hautefort, a beautiful caastle with spectacular gardens. It was the royal castle in the movie Ever After.

Rocamadour, and the Gouffre de Padirac are worth a visit too, if you have time.

As you can tell, this is one of my favorite parts of France.

Bon voyage.

Hotel for young couple

Hi,

My boyfriend and I are planning a visit to Paris in early December to celebrate a 21st bithday. Although young as we are, the trip is mainly to be sightseeing on a max budget of ������������������������������������������������������100 per night for the hotel. If anyone has any recommendations of areas/hotels to stay that have some nice restaurants nearby and would be slightly more suited to the younger age group, any advice would be appreciated! Thanks

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You might like the Marais.

I%26#39;ve seen good things about Hôtel Jeanne d%26#39;Arc www.hoteljeannedarc.com. Also Hotel Castex offers one night free (either the fourth or fifth night, I can%26#39;t remember) which would knock down the average price to around 100 euro per night for the double if you%26#39;re going to stay that long. Castex also has free breakfast if you have a Rick Steves guidebook.

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The Carofftel Gobelins looks interesting. It%26#39;s in a lively central area near the Latin Quartier, lots of cafes and sightseeing very close, has good trip reviews, and looks very affordable at 77 Euro (according to Trip Advisor).

tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g187147-d303032…

What a great wy to celebrate a birthday -- you two will have a fantastic time.

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You don%26#39;t say which airport you%26#39;re flying in to. If you%26#39;re going into CDG then I recommend Comfort Inn Andre Latin (rue Gay Lussac) just a couple of hundred metres from Luxembourg RER station (on direct line from airport). Hotel not plush but clean, comfortable and ensuite. Right in middle of Latin quarters, loads of bars and restaurants within stumbling distance!

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Have a look at Hotel Vendome Saint Germain in the Latin Quarter, in the 5th, a very clean hotel in a great area. Latin Quarter is very lively and nice fr first-timers and for younger as well.

It might be in your budget. The hotel is in a calm street so you can sleep very well. It is also comfortable, a thing I appreciated a lot when I came back from a long journey.

It is near Sorbonne, Pantheon and also at walking distance from Notre Dame.

http://www.paris-hotelvendome.com

Have a lovely trip in Paris!

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http://www.carondebeaumarchais.com is pretty close to your budget (I assume you mean Euros?), around Euro125. Its in the Marais, lots of fun to be had in the area.

Problem is its nearly impossible to get a room, but well worth a try.

Otherwise I gues The Esmeralda, but someone is bound to have suggested this!

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I%26#39;m 23 and staying at the Hotel Moderne St. Germain in the Latin Quarter with my boyfriend. We got a 3 night package deal that includes all taxes and breakfast for 2 each day for 84 Euros per night the first week of December. I don%26#39;t know the website, but search for the hotel in Yahoo and it will come up. I booked it off of their website and got a much better deal than other places online and my travel agent.

Endless PPossibilities of Musee Rodin

Via Tripadvisor we have been recommended to have our wedding ceremony in the gardens of Musee Rodin which sounds perfect to my fiance and I.

Has anyone done this before/recently or know if it is possible? This is a civil ceremony (non-legal, non-binding) so do I still need to get Musee Rodin%26#39;s permission or as it is a public park am I free to just %26#39;turn up%26#39;? Our weeding includes a very small group (about 20ppl) so aside from the white dress (no bridesmaids) will it be too obvious to get away with?

I%26#39;m scared to ask their permission in case they say no and then I%26#39;m stuck without a venue, but then if we turn up and they turn us away I will be standing in my wedding dress with no place to get married, which would be terrible.

Has anyone seen someone have wedding photos taken in the gardens as this may mean it is okay to visit without permission.

Lots of questions but would love as much help/advice as possible.

Thanks in advance,

Jenna

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You better ask! I do not think you can just pay to get into the garden and walk in and get married. They have had huge tents and catered functions in the garden but they were all planned events.

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%26gt;%26gt;%26gt;Has anyone done this before/recently or know if it is possible? This is a civil ceremony (non-legal, non-binding) so do I still need to get Musee Rodin%26#39;s permission or as it is a public park am I free to just %26#39;turn up%26#39;? Our weeding includes a very small group (about 20ppl) so aside from the white dress (no bridesmaids) will it be too obvious to get away with?%26lt;%26lt;%26lt;

You%26#39;re willing to gamble your special occasion on the chance that you can %26quot;..just turn up..%26quot; with 20 or so people and %26quot;..get away with it..%26quot;. With that attitude, why not just take the money you%26#39;re planning on spending on this trip down to the nearest race track, and bet the horse in the first race with the longest odds, then parlay your winnings on the longest odds in every other race for the day. With your winnings, you can then rent out and close Notre Dame for the ceremony and the Eiffel Tower for the reception afterwards. Contact the Musée Rodin and find out for sure.

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Jen%26amp;Brad -

I would ask and develop an alternate plan if need be.

As a wedding photographer for the past 36 years, I%26#39;ve

seen enough stress at weddings, you don%26#39;t need this.

Possibly when the garden closes, around

the small pool would be lovely with the sculptures

and house in the background.

My source for specific information is from raphy

(that%26#39;s her screen name). She lives in Paris and is

a lovely person. Post a request for her.

I was thinking that there might be a private home

or area that you can investigate, check it out

with her.

Another person that would be great to contact

would be anne_sfez@yahoo.fr

Best Wishes,

Randy

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You will need permission just about anywhere where you choose to have your ceremony, but especially the Rodin, which is a private area, that requires admission tickets (1euro). Museums regularly require reservations for groups of ten or more, and you are likely to arouse a bit of curiousity in that white dress of yours.

The park guardiens in Paris are pretty serious, rather annoying individuals who would much rather break up a wedding party than stop the teens on the next bench from shooting up. And permisison to gather as a group is required.

Two exceptions that I can think of would be the Champs de Mars at the foot of the Eiffel Tower, which is a large lawn area open at all times. If it is teaming with tourists, their are English style gardens connected to the lawns to either side which are infinitely more private.

The second place would be the area behind Les Invalides. Again, a large lawn area open at all times, but in a quiet neighborhood way, without all the tourists and the gleeming gold dome of the Invalides as back drop.

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I wouldn%26#39;t risk turning up without a written authorization (email or mail) from the museum authorities. I don%26#39;t think they would turn you away if you asked and this is the way you have to go, if you go there with no permission they may well turn you away or call the curator etc... I guess even if people have already seen wedding pictures taken in the gardens of the museum, they still had permission, and pictures may not take long, in your case you mention a ceremony, which is something that we do not do in France so you will attract attention even much more than if you were just taking a few pictures. Contact the museum otherwise it might spoil your day. Congratulations anyway!!

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dining near Saint Germain (6th arr)

do u know any bistro, brasserie or restaurant where to go?

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In St Germain on rue st Benoit near the church i love the Petit Zinc, nice decoration from 1900, great service and food.

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thank you very much, do u think it could be better to book in advance if I wanna be there next Sunday night?

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Try any of these in the 6eme--

RESTAURANT ALLARD-41 rue Saint André des Arts

RESTAURANT Le CHRISTINE--1 rue Christin

ROTISSERIE d%26#39;EN FACE-2 rue Christine

BISTROT MAZARINE-42 rue Mazarine

La PALETTE-43 rue de Seine

FISH-69 rue de Seine

RESTAURANT VAGENENDE--142 Blvd. Saint Germain

La MEDITÉRANÉE--2 Place de l%26#39;Odeon

For lunches and light suppers--

CAFÉ les EDITEURS--4 Carrefour de l%26#39;Odeon

CAFÉ MONDRIAN--148 Blvd. Saint Germain

CRÉPERIE SAINT ANDRÉ des ARTS--57 rue St.André des Arts

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If you want to go on a Sunday, you should make reservations to ensure the place will be open, as many restaurants close on Sundays.

There are plenty of brasseries and such open, however.

CAFÉ les EDITEURS--Place de l%26#39;Odeon

http://www.lesediteurs.fr/index.htm

4, carrefour de l%26#39;Odéon - 75006 Tél. : 01.43.26.67.76

Fish la Boissonnerie -

69, rue de Seine - Paris 75006

Tel : 01 43 54 34 69 Subway : Odéon ou Mabillon

La Méditerranée -http://www.la-mediterranee.com

2 place de l’Odéon, 75006 Paris

Tel: 01 43 26 02 30. Metro: Odéon

Open: daily; midday - 2.30pm, 7.30pm - 11.00pm

LE PETIT COUR - http://www.la-petitecour.com/

Tél.: 01 43 26 52 26 Open daily

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In the 5th (not that far away from the 6th) is

Le Coupe Chou. Put it in the search box at

the top left and you will read page after page

of praise heapeed upon them.

Great service and ambiance, reasonable

prices and WONDERFUL FOOD !

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I have eaten at both Le Petit Cour and Le petit Zinc- you can%26#39;t go wrong with either one. Le Petit Cour is wonderful on a warm evening as you can sit outside- I don%26#39;t know if that is available all yr. Petit Zinc is simply beautiful!! Both have wonderful food and ambiance!

Which Amboise/Tours area chateau hotel is more charming...

I%26#39;ll be traveling to Loire in June. Which hotel is the better call?

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I think the chateau hotel Le Choiseul in Amboise is better than le chateau de Noizay. Indeed, the parc is splendid, it%26#39;s a %26quot;table d%26#39;hôtes%26quot; (it means that you eat regional and very good food). I suggest you to spend nights in this chateau hotel. the Chteau de Noizay is also good, but, in my opinion it is less comfortable.

Romantic Things to do in Paris

We will be in Paris for our first month anniversary and I was looking for suggestions on romantic things to do. I want to surprise my husband with something cool!

|||

hello

a dinner on the Seine river cruise is very romantic.

Ask a table near the window

2 exemples of companies doing that

http://www.bateaux-mouches.fr/

http://www.bateauxparisiens.com/main2.htm

axel

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Pack picnic fixin%26#39; from local shops ...or Hediard%26#39;s or Fauchon%26#39;s on Place de la Madeleine or Le Grand Epicure at Le Bon Marché along with a good bottle of champagne and dine al fresco out in the middle of Pont des Arts.

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KDKSail, it depends on the month they are coming or they might freeze to their death picnicing outside in November or December ;)

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Buy a bag of rose petals at SIA (Blvd Malherbes), get a full picnic at Hediard (Place de la Madeleine), get some lingerie from Aubade (department stores), a good bottle of wine at Nicolas (Place de le Madeleine and other locations in Paris), flowers at the local market and throw it all in your starred hotel room.

Other than that, a meal with a view at Jules Verne is nice too!

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%26gt;%26gt;%26gt;KDKSail, it depends on the month they are coming or they might freeze to their death picnicing outside in November or December ;)%26lt;%26lt;%26lt;

NAH !!! They should still be in the %26#39;..full bloom..%26#39; of post-nuptial bliss (dirty laundry on the bathroom floor, pantyhose hanging in the shower, snoring, who %26#39;controls%26#39; the TV remote, etc shouldn%26#39;t have take measureable effect)...and have their love to keep them warm.

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check out this palce i have also booked as it so our 20th wedding annniversary !!!!!!!!!!

good luck in all u do.............

www.reservethebest.com/_en_/restaurant.php…

http://www.latruffiere.com/us/index.html

its got cellars u sit in downstairs and has got good reviews.....

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My most romantic memory in Paris is the eiffel tower at night. It was quiet, beautiful, and romantic. We went up to the first level at about 10pm and it was only us looking over the city.

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The top of the Arc de Triomphe at night is great!. Go out on the roof top and just enjoy being together in such a romantic city. You will see why it is the City of Light.

|||

MMAXBEY.....Just looked at your post again and saw that you%26#39;re celebrating your one-MONTH anniversary. Wow, if you%26#39;re going to Paris for that, I%26#39;d sure like to see how you commemorate the first YEAR!! LOL

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Thank you to everyone for your suggestions!

Apartment in Dijon

Hi,

I will move to Dijon in December. So far, no apartment settled down yet. Can some one here introduce the situation there? Such as, how much is the average price for renting a studio, one-bedroom apartment? How to install internet, telephone? how much is the cell phone rate there?

Many thanks in advance.

Carolyn

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Hi Carolyn,

If you can read French, write %26quot;location dijon%26quot; into google and you%26#39;ll see many websites (agencies or not) that will give you a good idea about those rentals.

average rate seems to be 300-450euros/month.

As for telephone and internet, maybe you should ask FT (France télécom) for a line and then ask a provider for a free access so you can leave whenever you want (FT will make you pay the line for a whole year) It is quite difficult to explain so as soon as you move into your flat go to a FT agency and ask them what the best solution would be for you (if you intend to stay for a year or more)

cell phone rates are high in France, if you just want to use it to call home I would suggest to have a look at telerabais.com. the rates are much cheaper, you just need a normal phone.

If you need help for a translation (for an agency for ex) you can email me.

have you considered flat sharing? it could be a very useful alternative. (colocation in french)

good luck !

corinne

Paris This Weekend

My boyfriend and I are taking our first trip this weekend!!! Which should say a lot if i share we have been together for over 2 years!! Anyway enough of my poor life, we are going to Paris! We are staying in Monmartre and i wondered if anyone knew where i might find local events or attractions taking place this weekend. We arrive on Thursday morning and leave Sunday lunchtime. Also any restaurants in the monmartre area that are cheap but definately cheerful, with perhaps a smattering of romance or fun - don%26#39;t ask for much do I!

By the way if it makes a difference I am scots and he%26#39;s canadian (which means keep the cost down)and we are in our 30%26#39;s (which means keep the noise to a medium level!!)

Thanks,

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Monmartre is full of romance and fun; here are a few restaurant suggestions: La Mascotte, 52, rue des Abbesses, - especially great oysters, A La Pomponette, 42, rue Lepic, - excellent bistro, charming atmosphere, Chez Ginette, 101, rue Caulaincourt--more of a bar/bistro, nice ambience, good specials; check blackboard, Le Petit Caboulot, 6 place Jacques-Fromet--superbe duck confit %26amp; tarte Tatin of apple or pear, and also perhaps even less expensive, Au Rendez-Vous des Chauffeurs at 11, re des Portes Blanches. Bon Appetit!

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Your best bet for finding out what%26#39;s happenning in Paris for this week-end will simply be to pick up a copy of PARISCOIPE and or ZURBAN--http://www.zurban.com/ at almost any news stand when you arrive (they may also be available at newsstands at your UK departure airport).

For concerts and other events you can also check the FNAC web site-- www.fnacspectacles.com/… (the site is in French...but with a little patience and perserverance you can figure it out).

Also check--

TIME OUT-Paris-- http://www.timeout.com/paris/

PARIS INFO-- http://www.parisinfo.com/

Since the EUROSTAR, an active week-end, cross-channel %26#39;..club hopper..%26#39; scene has developped between the two cities, so you might also find a fair amount of %26#39;..What%26#39;s Hot %26amp; What%26#39;s Not..%26#39; in your London newspapers and magazines.

Working/Studying in Paris or Nice..I need some advice..

Hello All,

I have been reading most of the posts regarding finding employment in Paris and it seems like it%26#39;s going to be a tough one for me. I expected that!!!

I was aware that rent is especailly expensive in Paris but that%26#39;s big city life.

I am currently enrolled in a French program with Alliance Francais , Toronto and i wanted to spend 1 yr working/continuing my studies in Paris. The Canadian government has an exchange program for youths (16-35yr) which invloves working and studying in France up to 12mths.

Are there any Canadians/anyone who have used this program? Is the process fairly straightforward?

How%26#39;s life in Paris? Should i look at working somewhere else in France? Nice? Southern France?

I don%26#39;t want a career whilst working in France, i just want to earn a little pocket change. Are bartending jobs, reception jobs easy to find?

I am 26yrs old and i will be travelling by myself.My goal is to be living in France by May 2007 whilst having some intentions of working and attending a French langauge school. Any recommendations? Many posts stated that Alliance was a waste of time....Anymore advice.

I really appreciate all the real life expereinces and i look forward to hearing from you veterans soon.

Much Thanks, Toronto girl 11

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If you come on a student visa, then you will have an easier time of it. There are plenty of Maid%26#39;s Rooms throughout the city and a small room/apartment is not impossible. When I was here as a student I would live in those rooms rent-free in exchange for babysitting or language lessons a few hours a week.

As for working, you can check out FUSAC (a magazine with a website) or drop by the American Church upon your arrival. There is also a Canada house, but I don%26#39;t kow if they have postings.

The advantage of the Alliance is that it makes the Student Visa paperwork easier, but this would be true for any accredited education program. The Sorbonne has an excellent program, which I believe is considerably more affordable, but it runs on an academic calendar, so you%26#39;d be looking at a Sept. or July arrival. ANd there is the American University which has interesting classes.

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Hey ,

Thanks so much for the information.Which one of the language schools would you recommend and why. I am currently enrolled in a French program with Alliance - Toronto because i would like to obtain a working knowledge of the lanuguage before my trip to France in 2007.

If i am on a student visa, can i still work? When i say work i mean little odds and ends jobs. I really appreciated your comment with regards to giving language sessions and babysitting in exchange for rent.

Any other pointers that may help me with assessing this move?

Where should i stay in Paris? 14?15?

Much Thanks,

TG11

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If that is of any help, i know a friend from Ecuador who came and settled in Paris as a student enrolled at the Sorbonne classes for foreigners. I am quite sure the classes are good, from September to January or/and from January to May or June i think. Not cheap but affordable

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Hello Everyone,

Thanks again for all the feedback with regards to the different language schools in France. Much appreciated!

If you can think of any other pointers or advice you can give me please feel free to post.

Also, if anyone has moved from a different country to France i would love to chat with you regarding the %26quot;move.%26quot;

Best regards,

TG11

rue Dameront

Looking at an apartment at 27 rue Dameront. Have seen it described as Montmartre, Montmartre area and a %26quot;mixed%26quot; area.

Just wondered if you local experts can elaborate???

Cheers!

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I think you mean %26quot;rue Damrémont%26quot;, which is a nice, lively, relatively upscale Montmartre street. It%26#39;s non touristy, so you%26#39;ll really feel you are a local. Since it is at the beginning of the street, you wouldn%26#39;t feel too isolated. Métro place de Clichy is 10-15 mn away, and you have bus 95, which is quite frequent and goes all the way to the left bank.

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Awesome thanks again for your local advice Bob and I will definately have to brush up on my french b4 arriving in Paris!

1st trip to Paris

I am going with 2 teenagers over Easter break. Should I just book a hotel room and do day sightseeing trips or should we go on an organized tour? We do not speak french Is it safe to walk around and take public transportation? What hotels do you suggest. I would like to do a day trip to Normandy. Is that doable?

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Frankly, you can plan and book your tipalmost as easily on your own. Especially since what you appear to want is probably only a hotel/air package. The city of Paris (at least the parts that you%26#39;re coming to visit) is pretty compact Most touring in and about Paris can be easily figured out on your own--with the help of a good Paris Street map (STREETWISE PARIS).

Doing this isn%26#39;t at all complicated...but it does require investing a bit of time and effort on your part--as well as your children%26#39;s--to get the most out of it. FIRST--go out and purchase that good Paris street map and one or two of many good Paris guidebooks and begin to learn a little something about your destination. SECOND you need to begin to establish your own personal/family travel preferences, priorities, interests, special needs and BUDGET. Budget will often determine the %26#39;..category..%26#39; of hotel to look for. Orienting yourself to the city with the map and guidebooks will also begin to narrow down the area(s) of the city that you think you might like to stay. You can scroll back or SEARCH through the TOPIC %26#39;threads%26#39; on this (and other Paris Travel Forums) to begin to narrow down your focus and begin to discover places and things which %26#39;fit%26#39; with your preferences, etc. In the process you will also learn a great deal about Paris travel. You will also get better directed and more meaningful responses to better questions asked. As an example: %26quot;..Whats a good hotel in Paris for somewhere around $300 per night will get you responses scatter all over the place. But ask the question: %26quot;..What%26#39;s a good 3-star hotel, in the $150-200 range per night with %26#39;triple%26#39; rooms, close to great shopping for the kids and the Louvre and convenient transportation links?...%26quot; and those responses will tend to be better.

As an example, after checking some of the DAYTRIP topic %26#39;threads%26#39; you%26#39;ll have a pretty good idea of what is easily %26#39;..doable..%26#39;...from whom or DIY?...how?...when?... where?...how long?..for how much? You can arrive at informed decisions on at least which of the trips and options are NOT to your liking and which are. Then you can ask directed questions which will get you well directed and much more specific information to %26#39;fit%26#39; you general %26#39;plan%26#39; that you want and need much more quickly and efficiently.

As for walking around central Paris on your own at almost any time of day or night, you will pronbably feel safer and more secure than you might crossing the parking lot of your local mall to your car at closing time. Public transportation is relatively easy to figure out (especially the Metro which has MANY signs as well as color-coded, numbered maps and diagrams scattered about each station, train platform and train car. The system is also relatively inexpensive and %26#39;hop-on / hop--off%26#39; convenient with any of the several transportation pass options. As is getting to and from your Paris hotel from the airport.

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You can find answers to some of your questions in this compilation:

tripadvisor.com/…1921808

No need for an organized tour. Perfectly safe city (usual %26#39;big city precautions%26#39; should be observed); protect your belongings from pickpockets. Please learn basic %26#39;nice%26#39; words in French - it will vastly improve your experience and it%26#39;s fun. (ie. please, thank you, yes, no, sir, madame, hello, goodbye, do you speak English). Daytrip to Normandy is most likely offered by one of the tour groups I%26#39;ve listed in the above thread - but it%26#39;s a veeerrrry long day.

Too many hotels to mention. Please read the forum posts and learn about what hotels appealed to others - go from there. Also, the thread above lists good websites that show hotels with photos, and then you can read reviews of them here on TA.

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hello, i went to paris over the summer and it was a great break. everything over there is expensive and do avoid organized tour. travelling to paris is very easy once u get used to the transport. it was my first time and i got use to it in day two. however, i joiined the tour called %26quot;Paris excursions%26quot;. this was the worst tour i experienced. its expensive and a waste of money because they simply sit you in a coach and drive round paris. Dont expect to be dropped off and explore the place. So AVOID at all cost.

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Hi,

I%26#39;d echo the sentiments of the above posters, but since I visited Paris in July with two teenagers, I can say that safety was not an issue at any point in regards to bringing kids along. We did get lost a few times, but that%26#39;s kind of fun as long as you have a map. You%26#39;ll always be fairly close to a metro stop. Our experiences with the wonderful citizens of Paris were all great except for the metro lady, so make sure you know what you%26#39;re doing before hand since once you%26#39;re there it will be hard to figure out how the system works (even though it is simple). As suggested, speak French -- even if it%26#39;s just a little, and smile and you%26#39;ll be fine (except dealing with the %26quot;metro lady%26quot;).

As far as location to stay, I%26#39;d suggest St. Germain or the Latin Quarter -- arrondissements 5 or 6. We have stayed in other areas, but with kids I think this is your best bet... You%26#39;re absolutely within walking distance of some great attractions and there are plenty of shops, cafes, etc. open in the evenings. Without knowing your budget it%26#39;s hard to recommend a hotel, but there are dozens of good ones in those areas and enough to fit most budgets.

We didn%26#39;t take any organized tours on our last trip other than a day trip to Brugge, Belgium. I have taken a quick two hour bus tour of Paris in the past, and it%26#39;s not a bad idea for a first trip -- maybe the first morning. I wouldn%26#39;t recommend taking any organized tours to any of the major sites -- Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, Louvre, etc. -- I don%26#39;t think they%26#39;re necessary. Just read up a little before you go to know the history, bring a good guide book or two and you%26#39;ll have a wonderful time.

Regarding the day trip to Normandy.... On a previous trip we have taken a bus tour to Mt St. Michel (in the area) and while it%26#39;s a long day, we found it worthwhile.

You will no doubt have a wonderful time.

Around the world flight

Not sure where to post this but has anyone ever bought one of those around the world tickets where you can land a limited number of times around the world? We were thinking of flying to Australia and it is so expensive, I was wondering about going around the world which you pretty much have to do to get there anyway. In doing a little research I found that American Airlines with their %26quot;One World Alliance%26quot; is just a little more than our quoted price for Australia and we can land in 4 continents and in each one fly within that area 6 times. Of course, this makes for a long length of time. I%26#39;m just wondering if anyone out there has done this and what you thought about the experience. Thanks. Linda

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Hi Linda.

Yes, I%26#39;ve done something like this. There are now a number of companies in the uk who will happily put packages together for you. Personally I feel that for a first time trip of this nature I would pay a little extra so that all my flights and accommodation were pre-booked. In 28 days I visited Hong Kong, Great Barrier Reef 3 day cruise, Alice Springs, Sydney, Fiji and San Francisco, and I wouln%26#39;t have changed a thing!

You have to carefully balance trips like this because you do not want to spend too much time on the plane.

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Just curious - what do you call %26#39;expensive%26#39; Linda?

To go to Paris from Sydney and return we pay up to AUD$2,700, or(very) roughly 1620 euros, in peak season. The lowest possible is around AUD$1700 or 1020 euros if you go in the dead of the Paris winter. Are the fares similar in price if bought in France or do you get better/worse deals?

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Well, out of curiosity I just checked on opodo.fr, and the CDG-Sydney Jan tickets go for about € 1,100 (Emirates), then for € 100 more you get Cathay, Thai, BA. For August, count on € 1,500 to 1,800 (but it%26#39;s very early days, I would suspect that you should add 30 % if you book only a few months ahead). These prices are all taxes included.

Which is kinda cheap, if you consider that flying to Brazil or Argentina, %26quot;only%26quot; 12 to 13 hours, will cost you at least as much.

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Bob, those prices are amazingly similar, however it is really odd that Europeans get the cheaper flights out here during OUR summer - ie, the better time to come. Peak/low seasons must be based on the northern hemisphere travel patterns rather than on the desirability of the season at your destination???

Linda, while I%26#39;ve never done the round world flight, I always promise myself on return that NEXT time I%26#39;ll arrange to have more time so that I can break up the flights and not do the whole Europe-Australia trip in one go. Taking only one 8 - 12 hour leg at a time with at least a few days break is so much more manageable.

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I flew with Cathay Paris-Melbourne and Cairns-Paris in november 2003 for 1000 euros!

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CK, come to think of it, the price pattern is logical: airlines don%26#39;t care whether the weather is going to be nice or not at your destination. What they see is that in January people are less willing to travel, because there are no school holidays, they have spent money for Xmas... and it%26#39;s also the height of the business year, so companies are reluctant to let their employees go, especially for a lengthy holiday. And don%26#39;t forget that kids get a two week holiday in Feb/March and that families whose income would enable them to fly to Australia are also likely to rent a place in the Alps to ski. So, all in all, I guess it%26#39;s pretty low season. That said, with the 35 hour week and an average actual retirement age of 57 in France, planes are always full whatever the month!

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Anything over 1000 Euros is expensive to me. A call to one airlines for the cost to Australia from Paris was 1600 Euros. It is almost 800 Euros more for an around the world fare. If I%26#39;m going to go all the way to Australia, why not see some of Malasia, stop over in Hawaii to break up that long flight, stop in the States to see family and then go back to Paris? It sounds like an interesting interprise. I%26#39;m just wondering how exhausting it will be. I%26#39;d love to do it but don%26#39;t want to be gone longer than 2 months or so. Linda

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Lots of Aussies do the round world thing, Linda. I think that as long as you pace yourself while sightseeing it will be fine.

And arriving home after a mere 8 hour plane flight is so much easier, with less time zone adjustment than a 24 hour stretch.

The young lad in our office just got back from his year off travelling the world. He flew in from as close as Fiji and hit the deck running at the the office within a day or two of arrival. I, however, was wrecked for a few weeks following my 12 day trip to Paris - as I didn%26#39;t have the time to stop overnight on the way and had to do the flights straight through.

If you do end up going with the fares to Australia only, then a night or two in Asia as a stop over en route each way makes for a much less exhausting homecoming (but then add some accommodatin $$ so here we are back at the round world option again!).

There%26#39;s a number of long haul travellers on the Australia forum if you want to post your question there also.

Raphy I%26#39;m jealous of that price!!

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Wow, two months, !!!! I would love a two month holiday! I would think that is more then enough time to see three or four countries via the round the world flight, and not be too exhausted.

Lots of planning to do!

Apartment or small hotel in Marais - gay-freindly

My partner and I are going to Paris in March %26#39;06 and would like to stay in Marais or Montmartre. We are a middle-aged gay couple and are looking for quiet accommodations for a week. We are way past the club/cruisy scene so would be looking for a more sedate street in either district (or any other central districts). We are fanatic urban walkers so proximity to Metro is not a big issue. Any other recommendations -- restaurants, shopping, etc.--that are gay-friendly are most welcome although I understand Pars is generally pretty tolerant. I am doing a web search but have learned to trust (and enjoy) the TA%26#39;er forum recommendations. Thanks!

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Hi Hilldeweller!

I would recommend Hotel du Caron de Beaumarchais or Hotel du BourgTibourg. Check them out and see what you think. Both are in the Marais. Most of the fourth is very gay friendly (have you checked gayot.com?)...

Le Petit Prince de Paris is considered a very gay friendly restaurant in the Latin Quarter....

Les

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Hilldweller, you may find most of the Marais a bit too lively for your taste. You must be careful to get a room not overlooking the street or there can be noise problems. Feel free to email me directly at dcgad@aol.com and I can give you some more specific suggestions about the %26quot;scene%26quot; in Paris.

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I agree with Truffaut that the Marias may be too boisterous for what you have in mind. I also wouldn%26#39;t recommend Montmarte just because it%26#39;s not the most convenient neighborhood.

The thing about Paris is that it%26#39;s an extremely gay-friendly city -- as much so as San Francisco -- and you and your beloved will feel comfortable and be accepted without a second thought anywhere. After all, this is a city with a gay Socialist mayor.

I would suggest Ile St. Louis, ot the 6th Arrondissement (St Germain). Or else the 7th These are elegant, well-located areas which are lively without being overwhelmingly so.

As for restaurants, no one will bat an eye at two men having dinner anywhere. My beloved and I were treated with the same courtesy as straight couples at restaurants ranging from L%26#39;Ambroisi and Taillevent to simple neighborhood bistros and Chinese restaurants.

The Time Out guidebook does have special sections dedicated to Gay Paris.

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I would recommend you the Hotel du Marais, in a little calm street. It is a 2 star hotel with moderate prices. Paris is generally gay-friendly, and the Marais is probably even more...This hotel is in the 3rd.

http://www.paris-hotel-marais.com

A friend of mine lived in Paris during 2 years and was used to go to %26quot;Le Tango%26quot;, a gay club(disco).It is in the 3rd too...check on pagesjaunes.fr to have the exact address.

Concerning shopping, aroung Chatelet Les Halles you must find some good and interesting shopping, walk around the streets and you will find!

Have a nice trip!

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Hilldweller,

Montmartre%26#39;s transportation options are not as good as other parts of the city, but it is a lovely area well worth an extra 3-block walk to the metro. You might also consider Batignolles in the 17th or the 9th around St-Georges. These areas have better transportation, but are still away from the touristy areas.

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I%26#39;m not sure that you%26#39;re going to find any G/L/B %26#39;un%26#39;-friendly hotels, restaurants, cafés, clubs, etc. up in 4eme or 3eme-Marais....so I%26#39;m not entirely sure you should have concerns. These are neighborhoods which tend to be pro-actively %26#39;..G/L/B-friendly..%26#39; as a rule (think West Village in NYC). And Paris, as a whole, tends to be much more G/L/B-friendly than most. The neighborhoods of the Marias will certainly suit well enough...but don%26#39;t overlook the other possibioities of Paris in the process.

There are some participants to this forum who have more specific/detailed insights into Paris%26#39; G/L/B community...and you should also probably check some of the more G/L/B directed internet travel sites to expand your information base....and these days, just about every good Paris travel guide offers some form of G/L/B information %26amp; recommendations.

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Many thanks to all the great advice. i will be sure to do a trip summary!

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Hi,

My wife and I found Hotel du Caron de Beaumarchais to be a charming small hotel in a lively, atmospheric area. It goes without saying the 4th is gay friendly. But the area did not have loud or boistrous clubs. The duck at a restaurant up the street from the hotel, Au Gamin (there is more to the name) was excellent and reasonable.

Enjoy

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We stayed in 2002 in a really great apartment in Square Maurice-Gardette (in Marais), I think the owner rents three apartments in the same building. The apartment was just renovated and it was spotless and nicely decorated. There was everything you could think of - the landlady (who was btw the nicest Parisian I met during my trip) had even filled the fridge with orange juice, eggs, a bottle of sparkling wine etc.! The street is really quiet at night and the building is facing a small park.

I don%26#39;t think any hotel in the same price category could offer such accommodation.