Travel

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, Budget and cheap, Tours and visites, Travel, Travel with Kids, Un peu différent, Understand France and the French

ParisGreeter takes you on free tours of Paris with local guides

March 13, 2009

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.”

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.

Computers and WIFI, Travel, Where to stay

Internet and WIFI in Paris – tips for tourists and travelers

July 22, 2008

If only the US were advanced as Europe: great subway systems, Velib bikes , the latest mobile phones, satellite TV that is truly global, and surprisingly more and more free flowing WIFI (or "wee-fee" as it's pronounced in France). While in the US, Starbucks is just announcing a few hours of WIFI with purchase after years of that T-Mobile racket, and hotels are still gouging us for $10 plus for a few radio waves, many cafes and hotels in Paris let the WIFI run wild, run free. ... The iPhone, especially, uses up enormous amounts of data as it provides up to the minute weather, pedestrian google maps, or web searches while you stand waiting for your spouse at another shoe store.

Books, Books on France, Travel

Bastille Day is Monday – Remember the Blue, White and Red!

July 11, 2008

If you happen to be in France this year for the 14th, or just have an interest in revolutions, here's a good "revolutionary" walking tour that starts in our favorite neighborhood and ends at the Madeleine. ... Start your tour in Rue St André-des-Arts, which remains as narrow and dense as it was at the time of the Revolution This year, as you will have noticed, is the 40th anniversary of 1968. ... So let us ignore 1968 and turn instead to the real French Revolution, the one of 1789: the one that overthrew an absolute monarchy, turned France upside down and set the template for revolutions (and totalitarianism) to come.

General

Cheap Pleasures, now that the Euro is 1.5 USD

May 19, 2008
Chez Germaine Tucked away in the chic seventh arrondisement, this busy, often crowded bistro serves French comfort food such as steak with potatoes dauphinois to locals who wouldn' dream of defiling their Boffi kitchens by cooking in them. Have the three course lunch or the two course lunch (30 rue Pierre Leroux, 33.1.42.83.28.34) L'As du Falafel Because I love falafel, and the Marais.... The huge, delicious, and dripping 5 Euros sandwich is not only one of the cheapest lunches in Paris but also on of the tastiest (34 rue des Rosiers, 33.1.48.87.63.60) Laduree Not only is this tearoom a splurge, when you can afford it but, if you're feeling more frugal, just go buy the counter and get the world's best macaroons.
WordPress Theme Designed & Developed by WPExplorer