A February Paris Trip Report
Feb 3rd, 2008, 09:00 AM
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A February Paris Trip Report
I arrived in Paris yesterday (Saturday). Cold but clear blue skies.
I'm staying in Paris Perfect's Kir. It's a tiny studio, just like the photos. Can't imagine two people staying here (because you'd keep running into each other) but it's perfect for one. Certainly a better place than the airless single I had at the Regent last year (and at 110 Euro a night it costs less). The daybed is perfect for reading, tv and being on my laptop. And it makes into a surprisingly comfortable bed at night. The two large windows make it a good space. I love looking out over the other 6-story apartment buildings and on a sunny afternoon the light streams in. And it's two short blocks to the Eiffel Tower. (I just walked over there to stand under it all lit up.)
I spent yesterday afternoon exploring the neighborhood and stocking up on food, wine and coffee. I'd never stayed in the 7th before and like it quite alot. Does have a neighborhood feel that the 5th and 6th don't.
Today I went to church at the American Cathedral, then the Rue Grenelle market. This afternoon I took a walking tour with Paris Walks about the French occupation, resistance and liberation. I'd seen the movie "Is Paris Burning?" not long ago and was intrigued to learn more. Quite a good tour (as have all the Paris Walks tours I've taken been.) Saw Sarko and his bride returning from their wedding night!
Tomorrow I'm starting a French-language course at E.L.F.E. It's supposed to start raining tonight, so I'll probably spend a few afternoons in museums. I'll post again while I'm here.
Thanks to everyone on this board who's posted about Paris. It makes these trips to fun to plan!
I'm staying in Paris Perfect's Kir. It's a tiny studio, just like the photos. Can't imagine two people staying here (because you'd keep running into each other) but it's perfect for one. Certainly a better place than the airless single I had at the Regent last year (and at 110 Euro a night it costs less). The daybed is perfect for reading, tv and being on my laptop. And it makes into a surprisingly comfortable bed at night. The two large windows make it a good space. I love looking out over the other 6-story apartment buildings and on a sunny afternoon the light streams in. And it's two short blocks to the Eiffel Tower. (I just walked over there to stand under it all lit up.)
I spent yesterday afternoon exploring the neighborhood and stocking up on food, wine and coffee. I'd never stayed in the 7th before and like it quite alot. Does have a neighborhood feel that the 5th and 6th don't.
Today I went to church at the American Cathedral, then the Rue Grenelle market. This afternoon I took a walking tour with Paris Walks about the French occupation, resistance and liberation. I'd seen the movie "Is Paris Burning?" not long ago and was intrigued to learn more. Quite a good tour (as have all the Paris Walks tours I've taken been.) Saw Sarko and his bride returning from their wedding night!
Tomorrow I'm starting a French-language course at E.L.F.E. It's supposed to start raining tonight, so I'll probably spend a few afternoons in museums. I'll post again while I'm here.
Thanks to everyone on this board who's posted about Paris. It makes these trips to fun to plan!
Feb 3rd, 2008, 09:18 AM
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Thanks for posting while you are there. We will be there in Apr/May and are staying in the 6th, and then the 7th for our last night. I'm looking forward to your most current info on that area.
Have a good time and please post when you can!
Have a good time and please post when you can!
Feb 3rd, 2008, 09:33 AM
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Glad you like the Kir. Yes, I agree that it is perfect for one. I previewed it last year with Carolyn when I was there. I will be staying in it in April after my granddaughter and husband leave. Have rented a Parisian-Flat on rue Dauphine as it is their first visit to Paris. I will be glad to get to the 7th. I stayed in the Grenache in Oct.
You will find many good restaurants..all the Constants, Clos de Gourmets is around the corner, on Rapp..very good. So very many great places in the area.
Paris Perfect people are great.
You will enjoy being in one of their apartments along with being able to enjoy the 7th....
a bientot...
You will find many good restaurants..all the Constants, Clos de Gourmets is around the corner, on Rapp..very good. So very many great places in the area.
Paris Perfect people are great.
You will enjoy being in one of their apartments along with being able to enjoy the 7th....
a bientot...
Feb 3rd, 2008, 11:25 AM
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fbc, hope you enjoy your ELFE classes as much as I did. I'll be in Paris in two weeks so it will be fun to read any posting you can do while you are there.
Have fun with your studies
Wishing you sunny skies, Deborah
Have fun with your studies
Wishing you sunny skies, Deborah
Feb 4th, 2008, 11:14 AM
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Today was my first day of class. One of the things I love about Paris is how so few of the tourists are American. There are four other students in my class and none are American. They are from Germany, Portugal, Italy, and Ireland. A Swiss man I visited with while we were awaiting our test results told me he preferred ELFE because they have the fewest percentage of college students. All of the other students in my class are there because they need to learn French for a job, which indeed raises the level of seriousness.
The other thing I like is that they alternate teachers, so that we will have a different one tomorrow. Anyone who's studied anything knows that sometimes there's a good fit between teacher and student and sometimes there's not. This approach avoids that dilemma.
Got out of class at 1:00 p.m. and foolishly decided to go straight to the Louvre. Hadn't spent any time there in 20 years, and loved my meanderings through the French paintings, but it wore me out!
I'm dedicating tomorrow (which is supposed to be very rainy) to resting after class.
Had dinner tonight at Le P'tit Troquet, just a few blocks away and often recommended on this board. It's a sweet place, and my appetizer (pate of wild boar) and the cheese selection were excellent. The duck was just so-so, but I'll try this place again.
I've got about an hour's worth of homework so I'd better sign off.
Reporting from Paris. . .
The other thing I like is that they alternate teachers, so that we will have a different one tomorrow. Anyone who's studied anything knows that sometimes there's a good fit between teacher and student and sometimes there's not. This approach avoids that dilemma.
Got out of class at 1:00 p.m. and foolishly decided to go straight to the Louvre. Hadn't spent any time there in 20 years, and loved my meanderings through the French paintings, but it wore me out!
I'm dedicating tomorrow (which is supposed to be very rainy) to resting after class.
Had dinner tonight at Le P'tit Troquet, just a few blocks away and often recommended on this board. It's a sweet place, and my appetizer (pate of wild boar) and the cheese selection were excellent. The duck was just so-so, but I'll try this place again.
I've got about an hour's worth of homework so I'd better sign off.
Reporting from Paris. . .
Feb 4th, 2008, 06:59 PM
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Hello fbc,
What a delight to hear you are at the Kir and that you like it and the 7th. My husband and I will be there 23 Feb thru 2 Mar and if it's a bit small I'm sure we'll muddle through as it is our first trip to Paris and we are over the top excited. I love to cook and look forward to all the markets. Please let me know which you enjoyed the most. Thanks for taking the time to post.
Laurie
What a delight to hear you are at the Kir and that you like it and the 7th. My husband and I will be there 23 Feb thru 2 Mar and if it's a bit small I'm sure we'll muddle through as it is our first trip to Paris and we are over the top excited. I love to cook and look forward to all the markets. Please let me know which you enjoyed the most. Thanks for taking the time to post.
Laurie
Feb 5th, 2008, 07:59 AM
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Enjoyed my class today very much. The second instructor has a very diffrerent personality than the first, and the combination/contrast is helpful for learning. This teacher was keen on pronunciation. . .something I'm in dire need of help in! Her phonetic approach was invaluable.
I've traveled solo before and now firmly believe that having something scheduled that involves other people (this time it's the language course, a couple of years ago it was hunting for a house to rent) makes all the difference. This trip, I have all the benefits of solo travel with none of the loneliness. Plus I'll take my laptop from now on. I love coming home in the evening, catching up on email and fodors, and tonight (Super Tuesday) catching up on all the news with streaming video.
This afternoon I visited the Palais du Justice. Watched a short criminal trial. To me it was fascinating, since their judicial system is quite different from ours. The court staff were all very helpful.
Tonight I'm staying in, eating a light supper, and doing homework. I'm getting quite fond of this neighborhood (mon quartier, in French).
A bien tot.
I've traveled solo before and now firmly believe that having something scheduled that involves other people (this time it's the language course, a couple of years ago it was hunting for a house to rent) makes all the difference. This trip, I have all the benefits of solo travel with none of the loneliness. Plus I'll take my laptop from now on. I love coming home in the evening, catching up on email and fodors, and tonight (Super Tuesday) catching up on all the news with streaming video.
This afternoon I visited the Palais du Justice. Watched a short criminal trial. To me it was fascinating, since their judicial system is quite different from ours. The court staff were all very helpful.
Tonight I'm staying in, eating a light supper, and doing homework. I'm getting quite fond of this neighborhood (mon quartier, in French).
A bien tot.
Feb 5th, 2008, 08:27 AM
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Lauriebert,
Kir will be a little tight for two people but I think you'll find it a good spot. It's well laid-out and well organized. And the location is wonderful. You'll enjoy your visit here.
Kir will be a little tight for two people but I think you'll find it a good spot. It's well laid-out and well organized. And the location is wonderful. You'll enjoy your visit here.
Feb 5th, 2008, 08:42 AM
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Hi fbc34,
Nice read, please keep up the daily postings. I'm thinking of renting this year, so your impressions are timely.
Last trip I went to Bistrot du 7eme, which is right by the Latour Maubourg Metro stop. Good value and good food.
Amusez-vous bien!
Nice read, please keep up the daily postings. I'm thinking of renting this year, so your impressions are timely.
Last trip I went to Bistrot du 7eme, which is right by the Latour Maubourg Metro stop. Good value and good food.
Amusez-vous bien!
Feb 5th, 2008, 08:58 AM
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Hello fbc34,thanks so much for posting. there is nothing like Paris.
I'm curious about your language class. How adept were you in french already and what made you decide to do a class there as opposed to back in the states[assuming that is where you are from], how long will it last?
thanks, lynda
I'm curious about your language class. How adept were you in french already and what made you decide to do a class there as opposed to back in the states[assuming that is where you are from], how long will it last?
thanks, lynda
Feb 5th, 2008, 09:19 AM
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lyndash,
I've taken a few courses at L'Alliance Francaise back in Houston, as well as some time with a tutor and some self-study.
This course is just a week (which is as long as I can stay gone without husband and dog both going mopey on me). Decided to do it to have a more intensive experience. Nothing beats leaving class and being surrounded by the French language. Plus 3+ hours a day for five days straight sure beats a couple of hours a week!
I've taken a few courses at L'Alliance Francaise back in Houston, as well as some time with a tutor and some self-study.
This course is just a week (which is as long as I can stay gone without husband and dog both going mopey on me). Decided to do it to have a more intensive experience. Nothing beats leaving class and being surrounded by the French language. Plus 3+ hours a day for five days straight sure beats a couple of hours a week!
Feb 5th, 2008, 01:21 PM
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fbc34
could you please give the link to your school. we have booked a month next year in Paris and I am still tossing up about doing another language school. What level are you enrolled in?
Shame about Le P'tit Troquet, last time we were in Paris it was one of our favourite restaurants, the pork with lemon confit was just sensational.
Loving hearing your daily postings, what are the other students like? Are you all getting on with each other, is there any socialising after school? Keep lots of info coming.
schnauzer
could you please give the link to your school. we have booked a month next year in Paris and I am still tossing up about doing another language school. What level are you enrolled in?
Shame about Le P'tit Troquet, last time we were in Paris it was one of our favourite restaurants, the pork with lemon confit was just sensational.
Loving hearing your daily postings, what are the other students like? Are you all getting on with each other, is there any socialising after school? Keep lots of info coming.
schnauzer
Feb 5th, 2008, 01:45 PM
#18
I'm enjoying reading about your experience. Curious about sitting in on a trial, that had not occurred to me before. I remember being amused the first time I went to a concert at Sainte Chapelle that we had to walk through the courthouse and it had a similar feeling, despite its age, to the courthouses in which I have spent time. Did you just walk in and pick a courtroom? Did the court officers tell you where there was a trial in session?
