Archive for June, 2009
Monday, June 29th, 2009
Things to do in Paris on July 4 – The annual Paris Treasure Hunt
Sitting in my office in San Francisco, I feel smug that I already had Clue 1 (below) for the 6th figured out without leaving my chair. I wish we could be there for this.
On July 4th, the 4th annual Paris Treasure Hunt will take residents and visitors alike on a day-long quest through the streets of Paris. … Each district has its own quest and a variety of “enigmas” – the story that leads you along the path – to put people on different paths to the finish line.
No Comments » - Posted in In the News,Travel with Kids by Paul
Sunday, June 28th, 2009
Even those who are on a budget, Paris is an unexpected pleasure
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…. 
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.
No Comments » - Posted in Culture,Food,Museums and Monuments,Restaurants,Shopping,Travel,Travel with Kids,Where to stay by Jasmine
Sunday, June 14th, 2009
If I could not stay at our place, this is where I would stay…
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 [...]
No Comments » - Posted in Apartment - 39 rue de Vaugirard - short term rental,Apartment neighborhood,Culture,For tourists only,Travel,Where to stay by Jasmine
Sunday, June 14th, 2009
Reimagining Paris
Pei Pyramid, the La Defense Arche, the Ministere de la Finance, the Opéra de la Bastille, and the Bibliothèque Nationale, Sarkozy is looking even bigger, imagining an entirely new Paris. One of the first things Sarkozy did after he moved into the Elysée Palace was to convene a meeting of prominent architects and ask them to come up with a new blueprint for Paris…… A formidable list of architects — including Richard Rogers, Jean Nouvel, Djamel Klouche and Roland Castro — put forward proposals that address a range of urban problems: from housing the poor to fixing outdated transportation systems to renewing the immigrant suburbs.
…Many of the ideas, thankfully, take “green” to a new level, trading vertical space for more parks and “green belts” to provide the city with more air, produce, and outdoor space.
No Comments » - Posted in Architecture and Design,In the News,Understand France and the French by Paul
Monday, June 8th, 2009
France is still the #1 tourist destination
This may be due to a flight to value, with people looking to spend less than they would on a hotel, or perhaps just because we’ve marketed our apartment for a few years now and are starting to get good word-of-mouth exposure for it. … Some people may simply be passing through on the way to final destinations because of France’s central European location and airlines’ use of Paris as a hub. … In spite of the global economic downturn, there was only a .3 percent decrease in the number of people who came to France in 2008 than in 2007.
No Comments » - Posted in Economy and Exchange rates by Paul
Thursday, June 4th, 2009
Paris Hotels are investing in their own bicycle fleet
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. 
