I don’t know about you, but sometimes I tire of hearing about the same old neighborhoods in Paris: St. Germain des Pres, Latin Quarter, Rue Cler, you get what I mean. They are beautiful, but they are so well known it’s almost hard to find a surprise or something new and unusual about them.
This is why I so appreciated this morning’s Frugal Traveler report from Paris in the New York Times. He tells of his adventures renting a charming apartment in the very “unknown-by-tourists” (and even locals) 10th arrondissement, and of the possibilities that abound in that neighborhood. Dining, shopping, ethnic restaurants, clubs, markets, you can find it all in this area of Paris. I marked down some of his addresses for future reference.
Only problem, with this kind of attention it very well could become the newest, chicest, hippest place to go…. But until then, check out his article from today’s NYT.
If you’re a true tennis fan, you don’t want to miss this famous tennis tournament played every end of May/ beginning of June in the Bois de Boulogne. The French Open, as we call it, is one of the “Grand Schelem” tennis tournaments. “Grand Slam” that is. Around since 1891 and played on a clay court, it has become one of the most talked about sporting events of the year.
You can find information about tickets, how to get there, the players and more at the Roland Garros Web site
This exhibit is dedicated to France’s most famous queen, Marie Antoinette. It promises to offer incredible insight to what made Marie Antoinette such a strong and complex personality. The exhibit includes 300 works from all over Europe.
If you are a true M-A fanatic, I recommend reading both “Marie Antoinette” by Antonia Fraser, as well as “Abundance” by Sena Jeter Naslund. Each gives a great perspective of the myths and realities of Marie-Antoinette’s life. They are great reads before visiting Versailles and the Conciergerie, for instance, and they would probably help make great sense of this exhibit at the Grand Palais as well.
Grand Palais
Metro :
Champs Elysées Clemenceau
www.grandpalais.fr
