Archive for December, 2009
Monday, December 21st, 2009
A few good etiquette tips for tourists in France – Chris Pirillo
While to some the French may seem snooty, the world would be a nicer place if people followed a lot of these simple suggestions. with some of their etiquette rules Face it, no one wants to unknowingly embarrass themselves by being the ugly American. Here’s our short list of etiquette tips that function well throughout France and actually translate fairly well to your microcosm back home. Thanks to Renee from Travel Geeks, who also contributed a conversation that influenced this list – and to Imei for editing an compiling it: 1. A profuse use of “please” and “thank you” goes a long way. You will hear people constantly saying “merci beaucoup” or just “merci” even more than you hear “you’re welcome”.
No Comments » - Posted in For tourists only by Paul
Wednesday, December 9th, 2009
UPDATE: Most Paris Museums Reopen After Strike
As reported in NYT, PARIS | Nearly all of France’s main museums and monuments were open to the public on Wednesday, including the Louvre, after a museum workers’ strike had shut their doors. The Musée d’Orsay was also open, with protesters blocking access to ticket booths. At Versailles, the royal apartments and temporary exhibitions were open at full price, though some rooms, like the Dauphin apartments, were closed. The Pompidou Center, the Arc de Triomphe and the Château de Compiègne remain closed.
… I hope the strike at gave some tourists motivation to see some of the “second tier” museums in Paris, many of which we would build a temple around if they were in the U.S.
No Comments » - Posted in In the News, Museums and Monuments by Paul
Sunday, December 6th, 2009
Check another off my bucket list – I’ve lived on Paris’ longest street – the rue de Vaugirard
And here are a few other topographical and geographical high and lowlights: The longest street: Rue de Vaugirard (6th and 15th arrondissements): 4.36 km. … The narrowest street: Rue du Chat-qui-Pêche (5th arrondissement): 1.80 m. … Lowest point on a public street: 30.5 m (corner of the Rue Leblanc and Rue Saint-Charles, 15th arrondissement). Highest point: 148.45 m (40, Rue du Télégraphe, 20th arrondissement).
… The only other one I’ve seen, at least knowingly, is the rue Chat-qui-Peche.
No Comments » - Posted in Apartment neighborhood by Paul
Friday, December 4th, 2009
5 Best nightclubs in Paris, France
There was a time when I actually stayed out ’til 4AM at Chez Castel (now very passé) and the Buddha Bar, but now midnight is late to get the kids to sleep. … The drinks at this club are reasonably priced, and visitors will be able to order any drink or cocktail at this club on account of the variety of drinks served here. … Le Galway – This is one of the best Irish pubs in all of Paris; it boasts a live Irish band that plays here every night. … The best drink in the house is a pint of beer, however, the bartenders are fairly skilled and will be able to mix you any drink of your choice, should you require a cocktail. Le Galway has a good ambience, great drinks and incredible music and is a great place to visit to have a night on the town.
No Comments » - Posted in Nightlife by Paul
Wednesday, December 2nd, 2009
Alert 12/2/09: Many Paris museums closed due to strike
PARIS — On a gray, drizzly day just made for a Paris museum visit, workers at the city’s premier art institutions went on strike Wednesday, leaving tourists out in the cold and some residents worried about the image that France projects. The Pompidou Center modern art museum and the Musee d’Orsay, with its famed paintings by the Impressionists, were closed Wednesday after workers angry over a government cost-cutting measure voted to strike. Workers at the Louvre, the crown jewel of Paris museums, also voted to strike, but by midmorning parts of the sprawling complex had been opened to visitors. The museum reduced its euro9 ($13.50) to euro6 ($9.00) for the day. [From The Associated Press: Many Paris museums closed due to strike ]
