“The Judgment of Paris” is a blind wine tasting which compares the finest wines from Napa valley with those from Bordeaux, a city whose wines are so famous you need only say its name and people reply with “ahhh, yes, a Bordeaux”.  “The Judgment” was first held on May 24, 1976, and it was once again held this past May 24 (2006).

Unfortunately for Bordeaux’s wines, they didn’t fare as well as the Californian wines this time around.  In a competition with ten wines and nine judges from both sides of the Atlantic, the top five wines went to Napa Valley.

It should be noted that these are the finest wines in the world and all of them considered superb.  But if you happen to find yourself at the wine store with a pocketful of cash and stumble across a 1971 Ridge Monte Bello Cabernet from Napa, you might want to pick it up.  This lucky vintage received the Judgement’s top honors! The highest ranked Bordeaux (6th place) was a 1970 Chateau Mouton Rothschild. 

Other notable contenders:

• Placing second was the 1973 Stag’s Leap Cellars Cabernet
• Heitz Martha’s Vineyard and Mayacamus Wineries tied for third place
• Clos du Val took fifth.
• Seventh place went to a 1970 Chateau Montrose
• Eighth place went to a 1970 Chateau Haut-Brion
• A 1971 Chateau Leoville-Las-Cases finished ninth  

Looking for something to do with your little ones in Paris?  Take them to one of the many parks in Paris where they can ride a pony or donkey around the grounds.  Children love it and it’s available all year for a small fee.

Participating parks include:  

• Ponies: Parc Monceau - 8th; Bois de Vincennes - 12th (near  the Saint-Mandé, Daumesnil and Minimes lakes); Parc Montsouris - 14th; Parc Georges-Brassens - 15th; Parc des Buttes Chaumont - 19th; Jardin du Luxembourg - 6th; Tuileries 1st.
• Donkeys: Champ de Mars - 7th; Jardins du Ranelagh - 16th.
• Carriages: Parc des Buttes Chaumont - 19th

May 17, 2006, marks the grand re-opening date of the Orangerie Museum (4 years behind schedule!). 

The former orange grove in the Tuileries Gardens has been housing Monet’s famous “Nympheas” (”Water Lilies”) since 1927.  The paintings are permanently fixed on the oval walls of the building, so any renovation or demolition had to occur around the paintings themselves.

Six years and $36 million after renovations started, the Orangerie is a new and improved home for the famous paintings:  the second story has been destroyed in order to allow natural light to bathe the Nympheas in the light they craved.  It is a brighter, more open space, but still is home to many Cezannes, Renoirs, Picassos, Modiglianis, Mattises and some of the best of Chaim Soutine.

Above all, this is the most beautiful shrine to the immense Monet paintings in the world.  It is definitely a “must-see” on any tourist’s itinerary!

Closed on Tuesdays.  Open 12:30 p.m. - 7 p.m. for individuals.

Cost:  6.50 euros

Photo:  Ed Alcook for the New York Times

At first, the Louvre was worried about selling out to a film about a movie with perceived artistic and historical inaccuracies.  But then they got an idea….$13 walking tours!  You can take a DaVinci Code walking tour right in the Louvre.  The audio tour accompanies you through the highlights of the book/movie, including lines from the movie (to premiere in Cannes on Wednesday, May 17).  With all the hype going on about this movie, something tells me the Louvre is going to see more than a few tourists with Da Vinci  Code books in hand, chomping at the bit to pay for their $13 walking tour!

According to the New York Times, the Louvre is planning to lease itself to more directors for future movie projects.  Fame is addictive!

If you’re lucky you already have your tickets to this sold out soccer game at the Stade de France.  Although I understand that you can still get tickets at a major increase in price through other means.  Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the game begins at 8:45 p.m.

If you are going to the game, to get to the Stade de France you can take any of these:

RER B from central Paris to La Plaine Stade de France

RER D from central Paris to Stade de France St. Denis

Metro line 13 to Saint Denis Porte de Paris

To see the RER and Metro map, go to the RATP Web site.

If you’re lucky you already have your tickets to this sold out soccer game at the Stade de France.  Although you can still get tickets at a major increase in price through other means, so I understand.  Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the game begins at 8:45 p.m.

If you are going to the game, to get to the Stade de France you can take any of these:

RER B from central Paris to La Plaine Stade de France

RER D from central Paris to Stade de France St. Denis

Metro line 13 to Saint Denis Porte de Paris

To see the RER and Metro map, go to the RATP Web site.

Paris is extremely child-friendly.  You may not want to spend hours in the Louvre or pricey bistros, but if you tweak your plans a bit you will find a huge amount of child-centered activities to do.

Today’s Washington Post has a great article that traces the author’s trips to Paris with her young son.  Among her recommendations for those traveling with children are:

• The carnival at the Tuileries Gardens.  This is open in the summer months, and offers carnival staples such as a ferris wheel, merry-go-round, cotton candy and carnival games.
• Parc Monceau’s playground in the 8th arrondissement.
• The Eiffel Tower, especially at night when it sparkles with lights.
• The Batobus, a bus that makes stops up and down the Seine river.  A lot of fun for kids and a great alternative to the metro.
• Marionette shows in the parks.
• Circuses:  At almost any time of year you can find at least one circus in town.
• Parc de la Villette and its child-friendly science museum.
• Canal St. Martin cruise
• Jardin des Plantes, a great zoo in the 5th arrondissement near the Seine.
• Jardin d’Acclimation, an unique and relaxed amusement park in the Bois de Boulogne

Worried about what to feed your child in Paris?  Along with the traditional steak-frites served in most bistros, the author suggests a croque monsieur, baguette sandwiches and the beloved pain au chocolat.

To read the entire article, go to this Washington Post article.

This is an annual parade to celebrate tolerance and an hope for an end to discrimination and homophobia.  It is a colorful, fun, warm and humorous event which includes floats, costumes, song and dance.  You can expect to see up to 500,000 people taking to the streets during this celebration.

Date:  June 24, 2006

More information:  www.inter-lgbt.org 

For four days, you can get a peek into the world of a Parisian artist.  Approximately 200 painters, photographers, sculptors and other visual artists will open their studios to visitors, displaying their creative process for all to see.  This is a rare opportunity for anyone interested in the contemporary art world.

Practical information:

Quartier de Belleville
75019 Paris
Metro:  Belleville
Web site:  http://www.ateliers-artistes-belleville.org 
Dates and Time: May 12 - 15, 3 - 9 p.m.

Writing on the Mona Lisa?  Accessing some of the worlds most recognizable churches and museums?  Pulling masterpieces off the wall and onto the floor?  How did Hollywood pull this movie off?

If you’ve asked yourself this question about The DaVinci Code, opening May 17 in France and May 19 in the U.S., you are not alone.  This excellent article from the New York Times explains how Hollywood did it this time.

Simon Mein/Sony Pictures Entertainment