Friday, September 4th, 2009
France Miniature
Our friend Patrick Mikla always surprises us with ‘inside’ discoveries of Paris and France. From the time we met him some 15 year ago, I can remember each and every one of our adventures. The latest is France Miniature. He took the day off and took us Élancourt, a town about an hour drive outside [...]
No Comments » - Posted in Culture,For tourists only,Museums and Monuments,Travel,Travel with Kids,Understand France and the French by Jasmine
Friday, September 4th, 2009
Marie Antoinette et Hameau de Reine
Finally visited the Hameau de Reine. Expected a small garden and of course, it’s fit for a Queen. It even has a little farm and a zoo. Lovely for kids to visit and the houses on the property are actually for normal people.
No Comments » - Posted in Culture,General,Museums and Monuments,Travel with Kids by Jasmine
Tuesday, September 1st, 2009
Une femme/une fille d’un certain age
This dressing your age thing is tricky, for myself and for my daughter. My daughter, who is nine, has grown too old for the ‘kids’ clothes at Du Pareil au Meme, Jacadi, or BonPoint, but still too young to wear truly teen age fashion. One thing is for sure, her feet has grown so much [...]
No Comments » - Posted in Apartment neighborhood,Culture,Shopping by Jasmine
Tuesday, July 14th, 2009
Merci Concept Store Opens
This three-floor, 16,000-square-foot general store near the Marais offers shopping with a conscience; all of the profits are donated to children’s charities in Madagascar. The couple behind Bonpoint children’s clothing fame have put together an irresistible array of cutting-edge design, in-house collections, vintage furniture and kitchen and tableware finds, plus fashion, lowers, a perfume bar, [...]
No Comments » - Posted in Apartment neighborhood,Books for Kids,Culture,Restaurants,Shopping,Travel,Travel with Kids by Jasmine
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
Friday, March 13th, 2009
ParisGreeter takes you on free tours of Paris with local guides
A Paris Greeter will make sure you discover the true Paris, the way Parisians live it and love it! … All our volunteers are Paris lovers who like to share the art, tradition and culture of this fascinating city. At the end of the walk, we really want you to have the feeling that you have not only discovered the city but also had an insight into what we call the “Parisian way of life.”
1 Comment » - Posted in Apartment neighborhood,Budget and cheap,Tours and visites,Travel,Travel with Kids,Un peu différent,Understand France and the French by Paul
Tuesday, December 30th, 2008
Paris with kids from Terra.com
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.
No Comments » - Posted in Travel with Kids by Paul
Sunday, November 30th, 2008
A Local Find
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 [...]
No Comments » - Posted in Apartment - 39 rue de Vaugirard - short term rental,Apartment neighborhood,Books for Kids,Restaurants,Shopping,Travel with Kids by Jasmine
Sunday, November 30th, 2008
Paris is a Feast for Families
Paris is lovely for children…. We had three families (twelve people) at Sunday brunch at Le Pain Quotidien where we sat at a grand communal table and enjoyed the all natural menu in a lovely, even joyful ambiance, if you can believe it. It’s decorated like a grand épicerie à l’ancienne with an incredibly organic [...]
No Comments » - Posted in Apartment - 39 rue de Vaugirard - short term rental,Apartment neighborhood,Food,Markets,Restaurants,Travel with Kids by Jasmine
Sunday, November 30th, 2008
Handmade Puppets Weaving Stories
What a delight to come upon a whimsical wall of handmade finger puppets? Little Red Riding Hood, Three Little Bears, Pinocchio… one wall of the shop was covered with these little handmade toys which absolutely delighted my two kids. They had dreams of a MAJOR puppet theatre. As we entered the shop, we saw the [...]
