Paris 20th???
Apr 5th, 2004, 06:56 PM
#2
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The 20th is a multicultural arrondissement in the process of gentrification - one of Paris' largest on the eastern side of the city. It's a lively mix of people and an area where a number of young artists have workshops.
The neighborhoods include Belleville - sometimes called the Brooklyn of Paris, Menilmontant, the childhood home of Edith Piaf, Gambetta, and several areas with hidden green spots that were once small villages - Charonne and Saint Blaise. A major attraction is Paris' largest and most famous cemetery, Pere Lachaise, a fascinating spot well worth visiting.
One organization that specializes in tours of the 20th (I've not taken any of them) is Belleville Insolite. Supposedly you can arrange for an English-language tour. The website is in French, but if you click on Contacts you'll find an email address and phone number.
http://www.belleville-insolite.org/
The neighborhoods include Belleville - sometimes called the Brooklyn of Paris, Menilmontant, the childhood home of Edith Piaf, Gambetta, and several areas with hidden green spots that were once small villages - Charonne and Saint Blaise. A major attraction is Paris' largest and most famous cemetery, Pere Lachaise, a fascinating spot well worth visiting.
One organization that specializes in tours of the 20th (I've not taken any of them) is Belleville Insolite. Supposedly you can arrange for an English-language tour. The website is in French, but if you click on Contacts you'll find an email address and phone number.
http://www.belleville-insolite.org/
Apr 6th, 2004, 07:47 AM
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A fun thing to do in the 20th is to go one of the cheese tastings offered by Harriet Welty Rochefort. She's an American married to a Frenchman and the author of some charming books exploring the cultural differences between the two. Her cheese tastings, accompanied by wine and a Q. and A. are hosted in her garden apartment in the 20th. A friend and I, tipped off by an artcle in www.parlerparis.com ,went and had a great time.Go to harrietwelty.com for more information.
Apr 6th, 2004, 04:44 PM
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Can anyone recommend a hotel in this arrondisement? You know for me, it has to be on the budget side! We lowly teachers can't afford to travel to Europe AND stay in posh hotels - LOL! And Underhill, thanks for mentioning this book. I had been meaning to read this author but had forgotten about it. I will buy it this weekend in Borders and save it to read on the plane in a couple of weeks.
Apr 7th, 2004, 12:51 AM
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The Rough Guides has 2 recommendations for cheap hotels in the 20th in its latest edition (June 2003):
Hôtel Pyrénées-Gambetta 12 av du Père-Lachaise, 20e tel 01.47.97.76.57, fax 01.47.97.17.61. On a quiet road and luxurious for this part of town, yet unpretentious and very pleasant. All rooms with cable TV. M? Gambetta. €40?55
And hotel Tamaris:
http://www.hotel-tamaris.fr/
(no online description for that one, but the book says it's simple and clean).
Hôtel Pyrénées-Gambetta 12 av du Père-Lachaise, 20e tel 01.47.97.76.57, fax 01.47.97.17.61. On a quiet road and luxurious for this part of town, yet unpretentious and very pleasant. All rooms with cable TV. M? Gambetta. €40?55
And hotel Tamaris:
http://www.hotel-tamaris.fr/
(no online description for that one, but the book says it's simple and clean).
Apr 8th, 2004, 01:32 AM
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Actually, there IS an online recommendation for Hotel Tamaris on Rough Guides (they've updated their Website), here it is:
Hôtel Tamaris 14 rue des Maraîchers, 20e tel 01.43.72.85.48 or toll free 0800.20.13.66, fax 01.43.56.81.75, www.hotel-tamaris.fr. An old-fashioned, well-maintained hotel run by nice people. Extremely good value and understandably popular. Only four metro stops from the Bastille and close to the terminus of bus route #26 from Gare du Nord. M? Porte-de-Vincennes. €30?40
Hôtel Tamaris 14 rue des Maraîchers, 20e tel 01.43.72.85.48 or toll free 0800.20.13.66, fax 01.43.56.81.75, www.hotel-tamaris.fr. An old-fashioned, well-maintained hotel run by nice people. Extremely good value and understandably popular. Only four metro stops from the Bastille and close to the terminus of bus route #26 from Gare du Nord. M? Porte-de-Vincennes. €30?40
