Adding to the list of wonderful things a hop, skip, and jump from our apartment is the second Pierrew Hermé, located at 185 rue de Vaugirard. ... The front of his pastry shop on rue Bonaparte looks like a jewelry store, the inside like a casket of very precious highly talked about edible jewels.
... While I'm sure Suzy Orman would never "waste" the extra centimes to upgrade to the level of these chocolate specialties, serious chocolate lovers and patisserie dévotés will want to make the trip.
And when she was frustrated with that query and other "Frenchy" searches, she decided to create a site where Francophiles can get their French on wherever they are in the world. ... Our goal is to bring together people who have a passion for the French language and francophone cultures in the interest of promoting understanding and friendship. ... Francophilia's features include a personal blog, instant messaging with other online members, live discussion room for members, forum discussions, the ability to create and join special-interest groups, to publish and RSVP to events, to publish classified ads, to upload photos, videos and music, and more. The site is in BETA now with more to come.
People are always asking if we can recommend a hotel close to our apartment for other friends or family who are with them during their stay. ... If you fancy treating that special someone to a romantic break next year, I can strongly recommend the Hotel Aviatic, in Paris’s 6th arrondissement (Hotel Aviatic, 105 rue de Vaugirard, 75006 Paris; www.aviatic.fr; 0033 153632550). ... For the whole of February 2009 they are offering two nights in a superior room plus breakfast and a half-bottle of Champagne for 359 Euros instead of 579 Euros.
That marks opening day of this year’s winter “soldes” (sales), five weeks of frenzied bargain-hunting for the perfect Azzaro cocktail dress or the normally unaffordable monogrammed Noël bed linen — at between 30 and 70 percent off.
...Sales occur in Paris, of course, year around, but under French law, retail stores can only run public sales with big "SOLDES" banners only for several weeks in January and July.
...With charm and some good luck, you may be able to persuade the sales person to extend you the discount on the eve of the sales, or at least to set the longed-for item aside.
The views are great and you get a different perspective from that of the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe or Sacre Coeur. ... The last restaurant of this ilk I tried was the Jules Vernes at the Eiffel Tower and that was already fifteen years ago when it had a Michelin star. ... First let me say that we spent a wonderful evening last night at the 56th floor restaurant, Le Ciel de Paris - Tour Maine Montparnasse.
This is a good set of ideas for travel to Paris with kids, most of which I think is spot-on, especially advice to eat at big brasseries where noisy kids won't even be noticed. ... Another option is to take the métro from the Châtelet-Les-Halles station to the Porte de La Villette stop; in the whimsical park of the same name are an interactive science museum, a museum of musical instruments, an IMAX theater, and various innovative structures to play on and in. ... The chain Novotel (PHONE: 800/221-4542 for reservations; 08-25-88-44-44 in France) is a good bet as it allows two children under 16 to stay free in their parents'' room; kids are offered free breakfast and gifts.
This writer from the LA Times had a few unfortunate experiences with Parisians and therefore is writing off Paris, despite it being "one of the most spectacular cities in Europe." ... French waiters seem never to want to speak with me in English, even when it's clear they speak English as well as I.
... Other cities I happen to love that he thinks are "overrated" are Prague, Moscow, Athens, and Dubai (the only one I don't have data points on).
