Archive for February, 2010
Friday, February 26th, 2010
Worldtaximeter gives a pretty good shot at how much a taxi fare is going to run
I was skeptical, but this calculator is pretty dead on for a tax trip from CDG to our apartment. They even ask what time you’ll be traveling so they can factor in waiting in traffic time.
[From Taxi fare in Paris from Aeroport de Paris Orly France to hote mercure tour eiffel - worldtaximeter ]
Worth a look so you can prepare your Euros and your shocked face ahead of time.
No Comments » - Posted in Apartment how-to, Budget and cheap, Transports: Métro, Taxi, Trains and Planes by Paul
Monday, February 22nd, 2010
Heads up on air travel to France this week – air traffic strikes
Bad timing if you have reservations this week.
[From Strike to disrupt French air traffic this week | Business News | Reuters ]
No Comments » - Posted in In the News, Travel by Paul
Sunday, February 14th, 2010
The near-Paris village of Vaugirard
Does anyone know more about the village of Vaugirard, which must have been somewhere along our street, the rue de Vaugirard, perhaps at the end?
…To the south, quartier Saint-Lambert occupies the former site of the village of Vaugirard, built along an ancient Roman road of the same name. … The village, not yet being part of Paris, was considered by Parisians to be an agreeable suburb, pleasant for country walks or its cabarets and puppet shows. … Today, the only notable attractions in this area are the Parc des Expositions (an exhibition center which hosts the Foire de Paris, agricultural expositions, and car shows), and Parc Georges Brassens, a park built on the former site of a slaughterhouse.
…Origins of the name: “Vaugirard” came from an old French noun-and-genitive construction “val Girard” = “valley of Girard” (Latin vallis Girardi), after an Abbé Girard, who owned the land over which the road passes.
No Comments » - Posted in Apartment neighborhood by Paul
Thursday, February 11th, 2010
Best parks for Kids in Paris – Jardin du Luxembourg always tops the lists
But day in, day out, except when it rains, they want to go back to “Le Jardin,” as everyone, at least in the 6th and 7th, calls it. Aside from being classically beautiful, designed by architect Salomon de Brosse under Marie de Medici’s supervision (1615-1627), and a wonderful place for adult pursuits, like making out on the grass, playing tennis, or dozing by the bassin, this place is filled with stuff kids like. … Paris is a great place to take your children on holiday as there are many tourist attractions, museums and parks in the city that cater to children. … Jardins du Luxembourg (Rue de Médicis, Rue de Vaugirard) – This garden has a long history, it was established in the 17th century by Marie de Medicis from Italy.
… Take your pick from the attractions below made for the under 10 set: Pony carrousel with “grab the ring” feature Zipline ride Immense play structure and sandboxes (n.b. pay for entry, even for parents) Cotton candy Rental sailboats in the fountain Pony and donkey rides Famous marionette theatre Flying two person swings There is plenty to enjoy here without paying a cent, but go with kids, and expect to shell out plenty of 2 Euro coins to enjoy the full experience.
No Comments » - Posted in Apartment neighborhood, Architecture and Design, Travel with Kids, Understand France and the French by Paul
Saturday, February 6th, 2010
@Craigorama #macspeech – you’r…
@Craigorama #macspeech – you’re a stronger man than I! I still find it a challenge. Amazing at first, yes, but hard to stay with.
