Paris 101
Jun 16th, 2015, 12:25 PM
#1
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Paris 101
Three months in Paris --- Oct Nov Dec or possibly 2.5 months (Oct 15 onward).
Searching for an apartment with some views under 4K euros a month with
Washer/Dryer and Full kitchen, No smoking
Near a market, boulangerie, anywhere lively where I can step out and have a selection of cafes.
Please include any advice on upcoming exhibits and shows --- music and art during these months? I've never been to Europe in the winter and I'm a little intimidated.
Any French immersion courses you could recommend --- I am French 101!
Very much appreciate any advice and words of wisdom and any great places to keep warm while it's freezing outside --- museums, eateries.
Not everyone can stay in Paris this long and I am feeling very lucky so if any one has anything you want me to check out for you (that could be interesting to me) --- I'd be happy to do it while I'm there and get back to you --- could be a lot of fun!
Searching for an apartment with some views under 4K euros a month with
Washer/Dryer and Full kitchen, No smoking
Near a market, boulangerie, anywhere lively where I can step out and have a selection of cafes.
Please include any advice on upcoming exhibits and shows --- music and art during these months? I've never been to Europe in the winter and I'm a little intimidated.
Any French immersion courses you could recommend --- I am French 101!
Very much appreciate any advice and words of wisdom and any great places to keep warm while it's freezing outside --- museums, eateries.
Not everyone can stay in Paris this long and I am feeling very lucky so if any one has anything you want me to check out for you (that could be interesting to me) --- I'd be happy to do it while I'm there and get back to you --- could be a lot of fun!
Jun 16th, 2015, 12:41 PM
#2
Not wanting to be critical, but reminding, many of the answers to your broadest questions (museums, etc.) are found easily online and in guidebooks. Do you have one? Have your gone through it thoroughly?
If you're cold and want to go inside, you'll go into any cafe that look good where you stand, not across town to one a stranger has recommended.
Also, so many have asked about apartments (and all the rest) - search the forums, above right. Then ask for distinctions among those you like, after you've narrowed things down yourself.
More knowledgeable questions will always get you answers that will be more useful to you.
If you're cold and want to go inside, you'll go into any cafe that look good where you stand, not across town to one a stranger has recommended.
Also, so many have asked about apartments (and all the rest) - search the forums, above right. Then ask for distinctions among those you like, after you've narrowed things down yourself.
More knowledgeable questions will always get you answers that will be more useful to you.
Jun 16th, 2015, 01:17 PM
#3
A long-ish term rental is different and you'll have to search . . . BUT my question is if you are spending 3 months in Paris how are you going to be able to visit the other European countries (other than the UK) from your other thread/(VERY) ambitious plan?
(Real Estate 1010, Paris 101, French 101 . . . a theme here
You need to get to a graduate level to do some of the things you want)
(Real Estate 1010, Paris 101, French 101 . . . a theme here
You need to get to a graduate level to do some of the things you want)
Jun 16th, 2015, 01:24 PM
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YOu can find out about exhibits on the venue's websites, as to what is coming up -- like the Louvre, Orsay, Grand Palais.
As for immersion course, I'm not sure what you mean by that. DO you just mean French classes you can go to in Paris while you are living there? Or do you mean before you go and then where would you need them to be?
Some people consider "immersion" doing language 24/7 and having to live in a residence with people in the program or perhaps a homestay. I've never heard of immersion just meaning going to class during the day while you have your own apt. There are various language schools in Paris where you can attend for maybe 15-20 hours a week. Alliance Francaise is an obvious one. I've been to l'Institut Parisien and it's a good one, lots of people needing French for business, expats, etc. YOu can decide how many classes you want to take.
If you mean before you go, where? I have heard of some programs in summer in the US somewhere. Middlebury College in VT, for example (where I coincidentally went skiing last winter, that's a nice tranquil location).
http://www.middlebury.edu/academics/french/frenchschool
There are also some in Canadian universities like that (summer immersion for adults). Probably too late for all that unless you can find one for the month of August.
As for immersion course, I'm not sure what you mean by that. DO you just mean French classes you can go to in Paris while you are living there? Or do you mean before you go and then where would you need them to be?
Some people consider "immersion" doing language 24/7 and having to live in a residence with people in the program or perhaps a homestay. I've never heard of immersion just meaning going to class during the day while you have your own apt. There are various language schools in Paris where you can attend for maybe 15-20 hours a week. Alliance Francaise is an obvious one. I've been to l'Institut Parisien and it's a good one, lots of people needing French for business, expats, etc. YOu can decide how many classes you want to take.
If you mean before you go, where? I have heard of some programs in summer in the US somewhere. Middlebury College in VT, for example (where I coincidentally went skiing last winter, that's a nice tranquil location).
http://www.middlebury.edu/academics/french/frenchschool
There are also some in Canadian universities like that (summer immersion for adults). Probably too late for all that unless you can find one for the month of August.
Jun 16th, 2015, 01:41 PM
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Lol Just gonna collect a bunch of bachelors!
I would have to get out of the Schengen zone after Paris and was planning to head to Sydney (and maybe 1 or 2 other cities) while it's warm --- stay in Australia for a month or 6 weeks then to Asia for another 4-6 weeks. Then return to Europe and spend the next 3 months in some of the other cities. Then UK, Croatia and Russia then head back to Europe for another 3 months then home to US for Christmas. It does sound ambitious, doesn't it. I have the desire, money and time --- I want to do it --- it's now or never! Such an ambitious plan you're so right, but if I pull this off, I would really surprise the hell out of myself!!!
I have to read the links about the RTW ticket to check out the discount I can save.
Thank you --- MmePerdu.
I would have to get out of the Schengen zone after Paris and was planning to head to Sydney (and maybe 1 or 2 other cities) while it's warm --- stay in Australia for a month or 6 weeks then to Asia for another 4-6 weeks. Then return to Europe and spend the next 3 months in some of the other cities. Then UK, Croatia and Russia then head back to Europe for another 3 months then home to US for Christmas. It does sound ambitious, doesn't it. I have the desire, money and time --- I want to do it --- it's now or never! Such an ambitious plan you're so right, but if I pull this off, I would really surprise the hell out of myself!!!
I have to read the links about the RTW ticket to check out the discount I can save.
Thank you --- MmePerdu.
Jun 16th, 2015, 02:00 PM
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Christina --- I made an error. I don't want an immersion class. It would be a class I take there maybe 3 or 4 times a week, 15-20 hours a week. I'll look into Alliance Francaise and l'Institut Parisien. Thank you for that!
Jun 16th, 2015, 02:40 PM
#8
One way to simplify your life, all other things equal, find an apartment close to your classes. It's as good a way as any to narrow down the possibilities and you're more likely to stick to your routine if it's easy. I know, I had to go across town for my French classes at AF and I quit. Maybe you're more motivated than I was but still, decide on the class first, then find your apartment nearby, preferably walking distance.
Jun 16th, 2015, 03:04 PM
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We spent four months in Paris two years ago and enjoyed our stay from Feb-May. I live in California and the best thing I brought was a pair of black suede boots with a lining, I lived in them and they kept me very warm.
My husband took a class at Alliance Francais and enjoyed it. They have a lot of options most staring every week but it all seems to come down to whether you get a good teacher.
I blogged a lot about the trip, recommendations for restaurants, walks, galleries, museums, gardens etc.
http://www.somuchmoretosee.com/search/label/Paris
In terms of apartments we rented through vrbo and loved our place but he no longer rents it out. Lots of places in Paris had a washer/dryer combination so that's something to bear in mind and on a winter stay I prefer a place that has heat included. You need to work out what type of neighborhood you'd like. Most places are near a market.
For a winter stay I wanted an apartment with a lot of light and this was more important than the views. Essentially I was looking for a top floor apartment. Also you should be prepared to pay the rent in advance, no everyone will require this but it was what we did, good job it worked out!
Hope this helps, let me know if you have any specific questions after looking at the blog.
My husband took a class at Alliance Francais and enjoyed it. They have a lot of options most staring every week but it all seems to come down to whether you get a good teacher.
I blogged a lot about the trip, recommendations for restaurants, walks, galleries, museums, gardens etc.
http://www.somuchmoretosee.com/search/label/Paris
In terms of apartments we rented through vrbo and loved our place but he no longer rents it out. Lots of places in Paris had a washer/dryer combination so that's something to bear in mind and on a winter stay I prefer a place that has heat included. You need to work out what type of neighborhood you'd like. Most places are near a market.
For a winter stay I wanted an apartment with a lot of light and this was more important than the views. Essentially I was looking for a top floor apartment. Also you should be prepared to pay the rent in advance, no everyone will require this but it was what we did, good job it worked out!
Hope this helps, let me know if you have any specific questions after looking at the blog.
Jun 16th, 2015, 04:31 PM
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Winter doesn't start until Dec 21. Sure, there will be some cold weather and less sun but there is plenty to do indoors in Paris when the weather is bad. My favorite museums: D'Orsay, L'Orangerie, Musee Marmottan. I love Le Bon Marche and Galleries Lafayette for shopping and a glass of Champagne. Bad weather is a great excuse to sip a hot chocolate, mulled wine, etc....
