Paris Trip Tips

Advanced Purchase Tickets to the Eiffel Tower

Lesley Chapman — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 17:45:32 +0000

This is a GREAT idea, it’s amazing it took so long to implement. Through November 22, 2010, the ET web site is selling 250 tickets per day online. What’s in it for you? You don’t have to wait in the sometimes excruciatingly long lines for a ticket up the tower. Buy the ticket online (you need to know the time you will be coming), bring it to the ET and go straight to the elevator. The one caveat is that you can only buy a ticket to the second level, but trust me, that’s pretty far up there.

This is a test program right now, but if it works out it should become permanent.

Je pique-nique, tu pique-niques, il pique-nique….Some Paris Restaurants Prepare Carryout Picnics for Customers

Lesley Chapman — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 13:30:23 +0000

There’s nothing quite like a picnic in Paris. On the banks of the Seine, on the Pont des Arts (which I don’t really recommend because everyone else in the free world is there too), in the Luxembourg Garden, there are so many places to enjoy a picnic. Top top it off, there’s something so very sophisticated about French picnic food: crudités, paté, baguette, wine…this is no “tuna sandwich with a bag of chips” picnic.
A few restaurants in Paris have gotten in on the picnic act, preparing rather elaborate picnics for guests to order in advance, pick up, and enjoy in their Parisian park of choice. Here are a few to recommend:

La Cave de l’Os a Moelle: Here, the chef offers you patés, soup, crudités, a main dish, cheese, bread and dessert. It’s all very beautifully packaged in small metal canisters fit with lids, and they even give you glasses, plates, everything you need to enjoy your picnic. Right down to a picnic blanket (which they do expect back)! It is best to call the day before your picnic to reserve it.

181 rue de Lourmel, 75015
Tel: 01 45 57 28 28
Closed on Monday
Around 22.50 euros per person, drinks not included

Chez Michel
Their “panier piquenique” includes two entrees, two main courses, fruit, cheese, dessert and a bottle of wine or cider. You have to bring your own forks, knives, plates, napkins, etc.

10, rue de Belzunce
75010
Tel: 01 44 53 06 20
Closed Saturday, Sunday and Monday lunch
43 euros for two people

L’Avant Gout Coté Cellier
Soups, entreés, plats, desserts. Here you choose your picnic from the choices in the shop (this is an épicerie). It will be wrapped up for you in metal canisters. They include napkins, forks, knives, etc.

37 rue Bobillot, 75013
Tel: 01 45 81 14 06
Closed Sunday and Monday
Prices depend on what you choose

It’s Eclair Weekend at Fauchon! Sep. 4 – 5, 2009

Lesley Chapman — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 13:16:16 +0000

The weekend of September 4-5, Fauchon will be selling éclairs and only éclairs! Check out their windows and pastry cases, they are stuffed full of their famous éclairs. They have a huge number of designs — from Mona Lisa to a comouflage éclair — there are 45 in all (sweet and savory). Don’t be afraid that they are too pretty to eat, they are too good NOT to eat! Bon appétit!

Week-end Éclair,
les 4 et 5 septembre,
Pâtisserie Fauchon,
24-26, place de la Madeleine,
75008 Paris.
Tél. : 01 70 39 38 00
5 € l’éclair.

Paris Plage is burning up!

Lesley Chapman — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 21:36:51 +0000

There’s a heat wave going on in Paris, sending a record number of visitors to the banks of the Seine, aka “Paris Plage”…sand, beach chairs and umbrellas make you forget you’re in a major capital and might make you feel like you’re in the Mediterranean…for a minute or two at least. Another factor driving the Plage’s popularity this year is surely the economic downturn, leading to many Parisians staying put for their summer holidays. It’s been 36 degrees celsius in Paris this week, which is HOT for Paris. If you’re there, get your suit and head to the plage!

Which Paris Restaurants Are Open in August?

Lesley Chapman — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 21:35:32 +0000

August in Paris…for some it’s a dream with fewer crowds, no traffic jams and warm weather. For others who are searching for a good place to eat, it can be a nightmare.

Many of Paris’s restaurants and small shops close for at least two weeks in August, some for the entire month. Parisians flock to the coasts for vacation, leaving the city to the tourists and to those Parisians who choose to take their vacation at another time of the year.

There are, however, some restaurants that will remain open during the month of August. Here is a list of some of them. It is always best to call or fax the restaurant before you show up, to be sure it is open and to make a reservation.

Au Pied de Cochon 1st arr.

Astier 11th arr.
L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon 5, rue de Montalembert, 7th arr.
Phone: 01-42-22-56-56

La Table de Joel Robuchon 16, av. Bugeaud, 16th arr. Phone: 01 56 28 16 16

Wadja 10 rue de Grande Chaumiere, 6th arr.
Tel: 01 46 33 02 02

Les Bouquinistes 6th arr. (This may be closed part of the month. It is best to call or email first).

Ze Kitchen Galerie 4, rue des Grands Augustins 6th arr.
Tel: 01 44 32 00 32

The Brasserie “Flo” and all its branches (Balzar, etc.) Tel: 01 46 33 02 02

Le Dome 108 Blvd du Montparnasse, 14th arr. is only closed on Sundays and Mondays in August

Jules Verne

Mansouria (Moroccan) 11 rue Faidherbe 11th arr. Tel: 01 43 71 00 16

Aux Lyonnais 32 rue St. Marc, 2nd arr. Tel 01 42 96 65 04 is closed until August 22

Spoon, Food and Wine 14, rue Marignan, Paris, 8th arr. opens in mid-August
Mon Vieil Ami 69 rue Saint Louis en L’Ile, 4th arr. opens August 16

Atelier Maitre Albert 5th arr. is closed only the first two weeks of August

Allard 41 rue St. André des Arts, 6th arr. Tel: 01 43 26 48 23 is closed the first three weeks of August

It’s Sunday? Let’s shop! France to loosen Sunday shopping rules

Lesley Chapman — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 18:32:29 +0000

A law established in 1906 banned shopping outside of touristic areas in France. Sarkozy would like to change that with a new law that will allow stores to open on Sundays, which goes right along with his goal of getting the French to work more hours. Some French like the idea, most do not. To read more about the proposed law, check out the Telegraph.

Paris Vous Sourit (Paris Smiles for You)Photo Competition!

Lesley Chapman — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 01:16:17 +0000

Most summers, the Paris Tourism Office tries to come up with ways to lure tourists and reassure folks that, yes indeed the Parisians do smile. No they are not rude, and yes they value you as a tourist.

This summer is no different. This time the gimmick du jour is a photo competition. Simply send in your five most beautiful photos of Paris and you could win a fabulous prize: a camera, a Seine dinner cruise (if you’re in Paris!), a stay at a 3 star hotel or a trip to Disneyland Paris. Photos must be received by August 31, 2009.

Not a bad idea, but I have a feeling they will have a heck of a time going through all those photos…hard to take a bad picture of Pareee….

For more information and to register, visit their Web site.

Enjoy Versailles’ Fountain Display!

Lesley Chapman — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 17:00:47 +0000

Les Grandes Eaux Musicales de Versailles:

Through October 25, 2009, you can enjoy the gardens of Versailles and their fountains set to music. They are running this for an additional month now, it used to end in September, but it is so popular and the weather is still so great in the fall I’m sure that has something to do with the extension. All of Versailles’ fountains and pools are timed to produce a ballet accompanying beautiful music by French composer Jean-Baptist Lully. It’s truly a remarkable experience you don’t want to miss.

PARC DU CHATEAU DE VERSAILLES
78000 VERSAILLES
RER C: Versailles Rive Gauche

Dates and times

Through October 25, 2009
Every Saturday, Sunday and some public holidays:

Itinerary: 11am to 12 noon: la Grande Perspective;
11.15am to 11.30: le Bosquet des Trois Fontaines;
11.45am to 12 noon: le Bosquet des Rocailles;
3.30pm to 4:30 pm: la Grande Perspective and all the pools and groves;
5.20pm to 5.30pm: finale at the Bassin de Neptune (except days of the Fete des Nuits)

Outdoor event

San Pellegrino’s 50 Best Restaurants in the WORLD!!

Lesley Chapman — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 02:21:18 +0000

Every year that Italian sparkling water in the green bottle comes out with its 50 top restaurants in the world. First prize, once again, goes to El Bulli in Barcelona. I’ve never been, don’t get to Barcelona much, but I’ve heard so much praise about this restaurant that I would have to get a second job and try it out if I ever made it to Spain anytime soon.

There are quite a few restaurants in Paris and elsewhere in France. Check out the list on their Web site. Most of the ones they mention are pretty well known for being fabulous places to eat.

Paris Insiders’ Secrets

Lesley Chapman — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 19:10:11 +0000

I was perusing about David Lebovitz’s web site (which everyone should peruse to feel both happy and Parisian all at once) and I came across a recent post called “Paris Favorites: Eating, Drinking and Shoopping”. Just fabulous. He has collected a great list of addresses from people who live and work in Paris, everything from baguettes to kitchen gadgets is listed. Bring this list with you next time you make a trip to Paris, I don’t think you’ll regret it!