10 Days in Paris in June
Jul 28th, 2012, 12:41 AM
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10 Days in Paris in June
So I went to Paris this past June. I'm well into double digits for my number of trips now. I go to Paris just to be in Paris. It's my thing. I don't care much what I do as long as I eat well. And catch up on my sleep. I've been to Paris in Dec, Jan, March, April, May, July, and August. This was my first June trip. I travel alone by choice, I don't want to be anyone's tour guide. I speak decent French (but can't spell or write in French to save my life). I usually try to do at least one thing I've never done before. My hood is St Germain de Pres. When I was a Paris newbie I stayed in other hoods, but I like the rue de Buci area the best. I like being close to the Louvre, and the Seine, and the good metro connections. I never ride the bus, they make me sick. I tend to do many of the same things over and over again. I'm sure it's a sign of mental illness, and I'm fine with that.
DAY 1
Arrived at CDG via United Econ Plus seat, uneventful flight, skipped baggage claim, went to taxi line, well there was no line. Arrived at Hotel Le Regent, 61 rue Dauphine, I think it was about 10 am or so, room not ready, drop bag off, head to Relais Odeon for un cafe creme. It's raining. I sit and drink my coffee, which comes with a cookie, I throw the cookie in my purse for later, order another coffee, repeat cookie action.
Back at the hotel my room is ready. I ALWAYS book a room with a courtyard view because I like to sleep. I'm on the 3rd floor, my room is the cheapest which of course means it is the size of a closet, but it has everything I need and the bed is comfortable.
I freshen up and then head to the Cafe Marly. I order a crab and avocado salad, and two glasses of Sancerre blanc. The food is good, the wine is better, and the waiters are spectacular. The view isn't too shabby either.
I give in to being tired and head back to the hotel. I can never sleep in coach, so this is to be expected. I wake up at 11 pm, freshen up, and walk to Au Pied du Cochon. It is very lively. I order a 1/2 bout of Champagne, 6 escagot, and lobster. All fabulous. Sitting next to me is a young couple from Australia. We chat quite a bit. At one point I look up and notice the resto is completely packed to the gills, standing room only. What did I miss, free champagne or something? I ask the waiter what is going on. He says Johnny Holliday is in the building. I think I spot him but I'm not sure. He has quite the entourage for realz. I ask the Australian couple if they are here for the Fete de la Musique, but they don't even know what it is.
I leave about 3 am. Walking back by the Louvre two young guys are speaking loudly in English about a drug deal gone bad. I mind my own business of course, head back to the hotel and crash.
DAY 1
Arrived at CDG via United Econ Plus seat, uneventful flight, skipped baggage claim, went to taxi line, well there was no line. Arrived at Hotel Le Regent, 61 rue Dauphine, I think it was about 10 am or so, room not ready, drop bag off, head to Relais Odeon for un cafe creme. It's raining. I sit and drink my coffee, which comes with a cookie, I throw the cookie in my purse for later, order another coffee, repeat cookie action.
Back at the hotel my room is ready. I ALWAYS book a room with a courtyard view because I like to sleep. I'm on the 3rd floor, my room is the cheapest which of course means it is the size of a closet, but it has everything I need and the bed is comfortable.
I freshen up and then head to the Cafe Marly. I order a crab and avocado salad, and two glasses of Sancerre blanc. The food is good, the wine is better, and the waiters are spectacular. The view isn't too shabby either.
I give in to being tired and head back to the hotel. I can never sleep in coach, so this is to be expected. I wake up at 11 pm, freshen up, and walk to Au Pied du Cochon. It is very lively. I order a 1/2 bout of Champagne, 6 escagot, and lobster. All fabulous. Sitting next to me is a young couple from Australia. We chat quite a bit. At one point I look up and notice the resto is completely packed to the gills, standing room only. What did I miss, free champagne or something? I ask the waiter what is going on. He says Johnny Holliday is in the building. I think I spot him but I'm not sure. He has quite the entourage for realz. I ask the Australian couple if they are here for the Fete de la Musique, but they don't even know what it is.
I leave about 3 am. Walking back by the Louvre two young guys are speaking loudly in English about a drug deal gone bad. I mind my own business of course, head back to the hotel and crash.
Jul 28th, 2012, 03:06 AM
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How much was your taxi fare from CDG to your hotel? I read it should be about 50E depending on traffic, etc. We leave tonight for Paris (our first trip). Debating between taking the AF shuttle bus or a taxi. Leaning toward the taxi. At our ages, I'm willing to spend a bit more money for comfort & convenience. Definitely not doing the RER. I'll check in again before we leave. I agree with Kerouac, your trip sounds interesting 
We'll stay away from the Louvre at 3AM! I like your writing style!
We'll stay away from the Louvre at 3AM! I like your writing style!
Jul 28th, 2012, 04:11 AM
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Hi Ruedebuci, really love that name. Looking forward to reading more about your solo jaunt to Paris.
I recently returned from a few days there myself. Stayed at the Hotel Dauphine nearby – so convenient. Haven’t we crossed paths on this forum before?
Continue to enjoy – I will be checking back…
I recently returned from a few days there myself. Stayed at the Hotel Dauphine nearby – so convenient. Haven’t we crossed paths on this forum before?
Continue to enjoy – I will be checking back…
Jul 28th, 2012, 11:52 AM
#9
The G7 taxi fare calculator is a useful tool, even if it generally underestimates.
http://www.taxisg7.fr/estimation-tarif-duree-course
http://www.taxisg7.fr/estimation-tarif-duree-course
Jul 28th, 2012, 02:49 PM
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Thanks for reading and commenting all. latedaytraveler I'm not sure if we've crossed paths before?
DAY 2
I'm up by 9 am and hoping to get to Notre Dame by 10. I take a quick shower and rush out the door. I go directly across the street to Cafe Buci, and order a cafe creme at the bar. A Frenchman drinking a pint starts chatting me up. He looks to be about 25. He is quite attractive. I'm no where near 25 but I don't let that bother me. He offers to buy me a shot of vodka. I politely decline. I'm barely awake yet, haven't had breakfast, vodka probably is not a good idea. I'm going to call this guy Jean, but that is not his name. He persists, I try to explain that vodka before breakfast might make me barf, and I rub my stomach. Jean doesn't seem to understand my fractured French, so he lifts up his shirt, pats his bare stomach, and says "I'm fat too, lets drink!" At this point the bartenders are laughing at our exchange. I give up, oh what the hell, if I barf on Jean it's not my fault. The shot of vodka hits my empty stomach like a brick, but I somehow manage to keep it down. There is no way I can down another shot, so I bid my new friend good-bye, and head out to the street.
I arrive at Notre Dame about a quarter past 10. Mass has already started, so I stand in the aisle. Btw, the only time I attend church is when I'm in Paris. It's just a thing I do, in honor of my deceased grandmothers all of whom were devout Catholics. My favorite part of the service is smelling the incense.
DAY 2
I'm up by 9 am and hoping to get to Notre Dame by 10. I take a quick shower and rush out the door. I go directly across the street to Cafe Buci, and order a cafe creme at the bar. A Frenchman drinking a pint starts chatting me up. He looks to be about 25. He is quite attractive. I'm no where near 25 but I don't let that bother me. He offers to buy me a shot of vodka. I politely decline. I'm barely awake yet, haven't had breakfast, vodka probably is not a good idea. I'm going to call this guy Jean, but that is not his name. He persists, I try to explain that vodka before breakfast might make me barf, and I rub my stomach. Jean doesn't seem to understand my fractured French, so he lifts up his shirt, pats his bare stomach, and says "I'm fat too, lets drink!" At this point the bartenders are laughing at our exchange. I give up, oh what the hell, if I barf on Jean it's not my fault. The shot of vodka hits my empty stomach like a brick, but I somehow manage to keep it down. There is no way I can down another shot, so I bid my new friend good-bye, and head out to the street.
I arrive at Notre Dame about a quarter past 10. Mass has already started, so I stand in the aisle. Btw, the only time I attend church is when I'm in Paris. It's just a thing I do, in honor of my deceased grandmothers all of whom were devout Catholics. My favorite part of the service is smelling the incense.
Jul 28th, 2012, 04:18 PM
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DAY 2 - continued
After the service I wander around the back of Notre Dame, it is a lovely day, no rain. There is some sort of artistic exhibition going on which I enjoy. I notice there are only 2 people standing in line at the Deportation memorial, so I figure why not? I've been before, but that was years ago. After paying my respects, I realize that I'm hungry.
I stop for a good long while on the Pont St Louis and listen to a jazz band. With my stomach rumbling I finally go searching for food. I cross the Pont Philippe, walk up a small pedestrian street and notice a cafe offering brunch. I ponder ordering brunch, but determine that is too much food for me to eat, and settle on a crepe with jambon, fromage, and tomatoes. I enjoy my crepe while listening to the church bells of St Gervais.
After my "brunch" I'm tired. I had many months of work related stress, and coming to Paris was my chance to breathe, sleep, and recharge. So I go back to the hotel to sleep.
I wake up at 10 pm. Totally refreshed, and hungry again. I have a good friend, who has only been to Paris once, who always talks about her favorite meal at Entrecote. Now I like steak frites so I figure why not go there? I knew ahead of time that is all that they serve. Not a problem.
With my mouth watering at the thought of steak with bearnaise sauce, I am seated right away. (Do you know where I am going with this?) Now I absolutely love bearnaise sauce, the steak is a mere afterthought. Sigh. What I did NOT know about Entrecote is that they have their own "special" sauce. I wrongly assumed, and I swear to Gucci that I read this somewhere, that I would have my choice of steak sauce. I don't mean to offend anyone who likes place, but their special sauce was disgusting. Barfola. Allright, so the fries are nice and crispy. On my fries I like either ketchup, garlic mayo, or even ranch dressing would be acceptable. Where's the ketchup? I inquire. Sorry, no ketchup. What the what? Entrecote has a "special" mustard they put on their fries. What sort of crackhead came up with that combination??? Mustard on fries? Again, what the what?? Sigh. Now I've had hundreds of meals in Paris over the years, and I must say Entrecote was the most disappointing meal EVAH. Hmmpft.
I leave, wander around enjoying the beautiful night. I end up at Cafe de Flore, where I order St Emillion. I watch the world go by. After another glass of wine for the road, I go back to the hotel and crash.
After the service I wander around the back of Notre Dame, it is a lovely day, no rain. There is some sort of artistic exhibition going on which I enjoy. I notice there are only 2 people standing in line at the Deportation memorial, so I figure why not? I've been before, but that was years ago. After paying my respects, I realize that I'm hungry.
I stop for a good long while on the Pont St Louis and listen to a jazz band. With my stomach rumbling I finally go searching for food. I cross the Pont Philippe, walk up a small pedestrian street and notice a cafe offering brunch. I ponder ordering brunch, but determine that is too much food for me to eat, and settle on a crepe with jambon, fromage, and tomatoes. I enjoy my crepe while listening to the church bells of St Gervais.
After my "brunch" I'm tired. I had many months of work related stress, and coming to Paris was my chance to breathe, sleep, and recharge. So I go back to the hotel to sleep.
I wake up at 10 pm. Totally refreshed, and hungry again. I have a good friend, who has only been to Paris once, who always talks about her favorite meal at Entrecote. Now I like steak frites so I figure why not go there? I knew ahead of time that is all that they serve. Not a problem.
With my mouth watering at the thought of steak with bearnaise sauce, I am seated right away. (Do you know where I am going with this?) Now I absolutely love bearnaise sauce, the steak is a mere afterthought. Sigh. What I did NOT know about Entrecote is that they have their own "special" sauce. I wrongly assumed, and I swear to Gucci that I read this somewhere, that I would have my choice of steak sauce. I don't mean to offend anyone who likes place, but their special sauce was disgusting. Barfola. Allright, so the fries are nice and crispy. On my fries I like either ketchup, garlic mayo, or even ranch dressing would be acceptable. Where's the ketchup? I inquire. Sorry, no ketchup. What the what? Entrecote has a "special" mustard they put on their fries. What sort of crackhead came up with that combination??? Mustard on fries? Again, what the what?? Sigh. Now I've had hundreds of meals in Paris over the years, and I must say Entrecote was the most disappointing meal EVAH. Hmmpft.
I leave, wander around enjoying the beautiful night. I end up at Cafe de Flore, where I order St Emillion. I watch the world go by. After another glass of wine for the road, I go back to the hotel and crash.
Jul 28th, 2012, 07:33 PM
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Hi RuedeBuci, love this report.
“and I must say Entrecote was the most disappointing meal EVAH. Hmmpft.”
I am not a foodie, but I did consider trying one of these places – glad I didn’t.
Also related to what you said about Notre Dame and the churches in France – I lit a candle at many during my recent trip – tradition, eh?
Look forward to more….
“and I must say Entrecote was the most disappointing meal EVAH. Hmmpft.”
I am not a foodie, but I did consider trying one of these places – glad I didn’t.
Also related to what you said about Notre Dame and the churches in France – I lit a candle at many during my recent trip – tradition, eh?
Look forward to more….
Jul 28th, 2012, 09:23 PM
#20
Mustard was the only condiment that the French used on their fries when I first arrived in France. Then they moved on to mayonnaise from Belgian/Dutch influence. Of course, the fast food places ended up making ketchup popular with children since they will put sugar on anything.
