Paris

Culture, Food, Museums and Monuments, Restaurants, Shopping, Travel, Travel with Kids, Where to stay

Even those who are on a budget, Paris is an unexpected pleasure

June 28, 2009

Of course, as I read this article in NY Times , I was reminded once again, the democratic pleasures of Paris... that the Proustian aspects of Paris need not be costly.... taste360.jpg IF YOU GO HOW TO GET AROUND The Vélib’ bicycle-rental system has become exceedingly popular. ... Le Bar à Soupes, 33, rue de Charonne; (33-1) 4357-5379; www.lebarasoupes.com, offers an excellent lunch deal: a fresh market soup, two types of cheese, bread and a glass of wine for 9.90 euros.

Apartment - 39 rue de Vaugirard - short term rental, Apartment neighborhood, Culture, For tourists only, Travel, Where to stay

If I could not stay at our place, this is where I would stay…

June 14, 2009
So many friends and others interested in traveling to Paris have been calling us to rent our place or to find other rentals and hotels for their summer holiday. Even though the economy is still in the doldrum and they say travel is definitely down, there are still many who are taking advantage of the recession and finding great values…read more
Culture, Tours and visites, Travel, Un peu différent, Where to stay

Paris Hotels are investing in their own bicycle fleet

June 4, 2009

Paris Hotels invest in their own branded bicycle fleet and picking models that reinforce the identity of the hotel. Le Meurice, the renowned hotel that occupies an 1835 palace across from the Tuileries, unveiled five retro-style bikes in the blue-green shade of the oxidized copper rooftops of the city, with matching helmets and front baskets emblazoned with the hotel’s gold logo. American and British guests in their 30s tend to be the most enthusiastic customers, according to the hotel; Le Meurice’s sister hotel, the Plaza Athénée, opted for zippy red bikes with panniers. lemeurice_bike.jpg

Apartment neighborhood, Food, In the News, Restaurants, Un peu différent

A new place to try out – Itinéraires Bistro in Paris

May 31, 2009

My husband and I always talk about being a month ahead of NY Times on finding and discovering new places in the neighborhood. ... A tiny, successful restaurant from the 11th Arr. decides to open Itinéraires, twice as large, in the Latin Quarter. ... What intrigued me was the blackboard menu: Jerusalem artichoke soup comes garnished with a granita of foie gras; roast cod is topped with layers of tempura vegetables; and pheasant breast is accompanied by dates, pistachios, fruit compote and the odd nugget of buckshot.

Economy and Exchange rates, Shopping, Tips and Tricks

Paris Goes on Sale

January 3, 2009

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.

Apartment - 39 rue de Vaugirard - short term rental, Apartment neighborhood, Books for Kids, Restaurants, Shopping, Travel with Kids

A Local Find

November 30, 2008
Our friend Laila is so rafinée, with such discriminating taste. We've become closer friends since she and her family moved to Paris from San Francisco. As she is a French local, she has found for us several places in the neighborhood which are definitely great finds. One is a terrific gathering place for families on Sunday brunch. She found for…read more
Apartment neighborhood, Culture, Restaurants, Where to stay

A city’s best-kept secret by Conde Nast Traveler

August 5, 2008
Means that it's no longer a best-kept secret. Oh well! This particular secret has already been found as it is right next to our place on Rue Vaugirard. Sadaharu Aoki, the pastry wizard. The French are passionate connoisseurs of patisseries. Really, only in Paris, do people line up around the corner for gateaus. So, it's a testament to Japanese-born Sadaharu…read more
Travel

Top Five things to do in Paris

July 29, 2008

Tops on my list used to be a climb to the top of La Samaritaine (sadly, no more) to the free observation deck where you could see all of Paris (like in that famous Willy Ronis photo), guided by a painted tile chart of the names of all the distinctive landmarks on view below. Now, I'd have to replace that with a climb to either the Arc de Triomphe, Notre Dame (almost always long lines), or the Eiffel Tower (also long lines). ... At least, you can say you saw them, though you'll spend more time jockeying for position among the tourists than in getting a good view (time that could have been spent seeing the other thousands of pieces that any other museum would build their entire collection around) 3.

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