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November 2006
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Vol. 1 Issue 8
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 Our
trip to Paris in September
was completely flawless and
unforgettable! We were a
small group of four, and we
thoroughly enjoyed superb
weather, a gorgeous hotel,
incredibly delicious French
meals, beautiful museums and
unmatched shopping. Check
out the
Web site to take a look
at our photos. We had a
wonderful time, and hope you
can join us next time!
See Our Photos Here |
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 Don’t
forget that our
next trip to Paris is
scheduled for March 18 – 25,
2007. Deadline for
registering is December 31,
2005. Go to the
Web site for details and
to register.
Our September, 2007 tour
dates have been set: Join us
on a fabulous guided tour of
Paris from September 9-16,
2007. Registration deadline
is June 1, 2007.
Our trip is perfect for solo
travelers or for
mother-daughter groups,
groups of friends or
couples. Sit back, relax,
enjoy Paris and let me do
the work for you! |
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 La
Toussaint (All Saints Day)
is a day to honor those that
have died. People might head
out to the flower market to
buy a beautiful bouquet of
mums to be placed at the
gravesites of friends and
relatives that have passed.
And of course, many shops
and some restaurants will be
closed, as well as all
government offices and
banks. |
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 November 16 marks the annual Beaujolais
Nouveau Festival throughout France and the
world. The arrival of the Beaujolais wine is
celebrated every third Thursday of November.
As soon as the clock strikes midnight the
night of November 15–16, the celebration
marking the arrival of the new Beaujolais
wine begins. Wine shops are stocked up with
their new vintage of Beaujolais Nouveau
(which should always be consumed as a young
wine, never aged), Parisians head to their
local bistro, café or wine bar, and many
people celebrate with friends at home. There
are several events organized in Paris during
the day, and the atmosphere all over Paris
is that of a real festival. Wines are sold
by the glass or the bottle, and seem to go
extremely well with a variety of foods.
Granted, the Beaujolais Nouveau is not the
best vintage the French have to offer, but
it’s a fun and exciting tradition that
everyone likes to take part in.
If you will be in Paris for the Beaujolais
Nouveau Festival, do try to participate. If
you are in your own city,
check here and see if there is anything
going on…you might be surprised! |
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 This exhibition of
Walt Disney’s (1901-1966)
works is called “Once upon a time” or “Il était une fois”. It highlights original
drawings by Disney studio artists, never
before displayed on this scale, as well as
the original works of art which inspired
them, from
Gothic to
Surrealism. Disney’s
interests in European literature, cinema,
architecture, landscapes and music are
evident in the exhibition. Most importantly,
you can really get a good behind-the-scenes
look at the sources of your favorite Disney
stories.
GALERIES NATIONALES DU GRAND PALAIS
3, avenue du Général Eisenhower 75008
Metro: Champs Elysées Clémenceau
Dates:
From 9-16-2006 to 1-15-2007
Times:
10am to 8pm (ticket desks close at 7.15pm);
pre-booked admission 10am to 1pm; late
opening on Wednesday until 10pm. |
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 Twice a year Paris hosts this exciting photography
event. This time, over sixty exhibitions will take
place in galleries and museums all over Paris. There
will also be screenings and lectures that you can
attend if photography interests you.
This year’s theme is “Photography and the Printed
Page”. The event will take place throughout the
month of November. Here are some of the venues that
will be hosting:
Maison Européenne de la Photographie
- 4th Arr.
Fondation Henri Cartier-Bresson
- 14th Arr.
Passage de Retz -
3rd Arr.
Maison de l'Architecture en Ile de France
- 10th Arr.
For more information on exhibits, go to this
Web site.
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Déhillerin
18 – 20 Rue Coquillière
75001 Paris
Métro: Les Halles
Déhillerin Homepage
Open: Mon 9am–12:30pm, 2–6pm,
Tue–Sat 9am–6pm
Oftentimes I am asked where a person can go to buy
really good French cookware. I’m talking about that
wonderful copper cookware that seems to cook
everything to perfection. It’s the cookware that
makes you feel like a better cook than you really
are, it makes your food look better and therefore it
seems to taste better. This is the stuff that the
best cooks in the world use, and it’s all available
in one Parisian shop.
 Déhillerin is a very well-known cook’s store located
in the heart of Paris. Here, you can find the best
in cooking implements, from the infamous French
copper cookware to the very useful
Silpat mats,
pastry molds and great utensils. The shop is located
very close to Les Halles and is very easy to locate.
The downside is that this is no “Williams-Sonoma”
with the eager-to-please employees. The service here
is not rude, but it could be called brisk.
Even if you’re not in the market for new cookware,
Déhillerin makes a great stop for your next trip to
Paris. |
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Mariage Frères
30 Rue du Bourg Tibourg
Paris 75004
Métro: Hotel de Ville
Open every day, 10:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Accepts Master Card and Visa
 Mariage Frères is a very special, cozy, small,
beautiful tea room in the Marais. Once you arrive on
the rue du Bourg Tibourg you can smell the fabulous
mix of teas they serve – over 500 in all—at this
special salon de thé. Fruity teas, green teas,
herbal teas, Chinese, Indian, you name it, they
serve it. Once you enter, you are seated at a linen
covered table and handed a menu of the 500 teas.
This can be daunting, but once you read it you will
become more comfortable with the process. A young
man dressed in white linen will usually be your
server, and he will usually invite you to take a
look at the day’s pastry cart, full of a variety of
cakes, scones and tarts. Once you have placed your
order, it is not long before your enormous pot of
tea arrives (count on at least 4 – 5 cups) and your
always luscious dessert. (They also serve lunch if
you are interested in more of a meal).
The tea is always incredible. Even people who claim
they don’t like tea are converted once they
experience Mariage Frères. On your way out, you can
purchase any one of their loose leaf teas at the
front of the shop. The employees take your order,
fetch the enormous tea canister that holds your
choice, allow you to smell the tea, and then package
it in a beautiful black “Mariage Frères” bag. They
also sell all sorts of tea-drinking implements,
including a beautiful variety of tea pots. |
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Le P’tit Troquet
28 rue de l’Exposition
75007 Paris
Metro: Ecole Militaire
Tel: 01 47 05 80 39
Fax: 01 47 05 80 39
Closed: Saturday lunch, Monday lunch and Sundays
Menu: 29 euros dinner
 Le P’tit Troquet is an extremely charming
neighborhood bistro in the
7th arrondissement, not
far from the Eiffel Tower. The place is tiny…super
small, but so cozy and so comfortable. The
owner/hostess greets every guest at the door with a
gracious smile. The food is delicious, not too fussy
but full of flavor. Count on having some traditional
French fare here, and know that the menu changes
constantly based on what is fresh at the market that
week. You will go away extremely satisfied with your
very reasonably priced meal, at only 29 euros for 3
courses. An excellent idea post-dinner would be a
nice walk to the Eiffel Tower. It’s the perfect
Parisian evening! |
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Hotel le Tourville
16, ave. de Tourville, 75007
Metro: Ecole Militaire
Tel: 01-47-05-62-62
Fax: 01-47-05-43-90
Rates:
1-2 people Standard 170 €
Superior 220 €
Superior with terrace 240 €
Junior Suite: 330 €
Breakfast: 12 €
Web site:
Hotel le Tourville Homepage
 The Hotel le Tourville is a small, quaint and lovely
hotel in the 7th arrondissement, not far from the
Eiffel Tower and the Rue Cler market street. What I
like about the Tourville is, among other things, its
location: directly between the Eiffel Tower and the
Invalides, right around the corner from the Ecole
Militaire metro stop and within walking distance of
some excellent restaurants. Also of note is that the
hotel staff is extremely friendly and professional,
always willing to help and always with a smile. The
rooms are brightly colored and full of light. The
windows are soundproof, and it really works. The
beds are extremely comfortable, the rooms are
spotless and the bathrooms are well appointed. In
the rooms, the mix of antique furniture adds a bit
of character to the rooms which you wouldn’t find in
some other hotels.
I would say the only downside to this hotel is the
breakfast. Unless it has changed since my last
visit, the breakfast is not as good as you would
hope for 12 €. Around the corner you can find some
great pastry shops where you can enjoy a fresh
croissant and coffee for a fraction of the price.
Other than that, the Tourville is a lovely place to
spend a holiday and has multiple return visitors,
including myself!
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