April in Paris--The whole month!
Dec 22nd, 2005 | 01:40 PM
#1
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April in Paris--The whole month!
t started with my search for a vacation rental in Paris. I fell in love with the Charles Nodier 1 rented by www.parisvacationapartments.com. They had the first two weeks in April available, so I rented it. It is a penthouse flat in Montmartre, has a terrace with a view of Sacre Coeur, and looks charming and liveable, with good reviews from SlowTravel as well.
Then I thought two weeks wasn't enough time for a visit to Paris (my first, though I'm a long-time Francophile), and found a splendid flat (Montrachet) listed by Paris Perfect, with terraces having an amazing view of the Eiffel Tower. Of course, I needed more than one week...So now we are booked for the month of April!
I look forward to leisurely exploring this fascinating city with my dear husband, but would appreciate some suggestions, too.
I have a reading knowledge of French, and have attended some classes at the Alliance Francaise, but my husband knows no French. I would love to meet other people while in Paris, certainly Parisians, but other tourists, too. We do not really like guided tours, per se, but perhaps could do a wine tasting group where we could meet others.
We have had such a good time renting flats in Europe in 2004 and 2005. We spent an exciting 2 1/2 weeks in Barcelona during the Merce festival, staying at a great flat in El Borne in the midst of the fun. This year we went to Venice for 2 1/2 weeks in April/May, it was a magical experience. Our flat was in Dorsoduro midway between the Zattere and the Accedemia Bridge, we bought a pass for the vaporetto, hopped on and off, walked all over the place, except for San Marco, which is such a mob scene.
So, we do know how to amuse ourselves, although our Venice visit was enlivened when another couple joined us for a week.
Looking forward to getting suggestions. By the way, we're not kids, but are adventurous and keep fit. We love the serendipitous moments of travel, seeing the amazing street art on the Barri Gotico alleys in Barcelona (so different from the spray paint vandalism elsewhere), parading with the dragons, drummers and devils in the correfoc, observing how people get their dog across the Grand Canal while standing with us and others in a traghetto (the quick-trip, cheap gondola which crosses from one side of the Grand Canal to the other), doing the night time "Ghost Tour" in a thunderstorm...And in both cities we went to the famous art and cultural sites, and thoroughly enjoyed them. But a plus was going out and shopping for food in our neighborhood, getting familiar with local shopkeepers, learning first hand about local customs, like putting on a plastic glove before touching produce in the Venice supermarket (of course, at the Rialto and other outdoor markets, hands off!)
Then I thought two weeks wasn't enough time for a visit to Paris (my first, though I'm a long-time Francophile), and found a splendid flat (Montrachet) listed by Paris Perfect, with terraces having an amazing view of the Eiffel Tower. Of course, I needed more than one week...So now we are booked for the month of April!
I look forward to leisurely exploring this fascinating city with my dear husband, but would appreciate some suggestions, too.
I have a reading knowledge of French, and have attended some classes at the Alliance Francaise, but my husband knows no French. I would love to meet other people while in Paris, certainly Parisians, but other tourists, too. We do not really like guided tours, per se, but perhaps could do a wine tasting group where we could meet others.
We have had such a good time renting flats in Europe in 2004 and 2005. We spent an exciting 2 1/2 weeks in Barcelona during the Merce festival, staying at a great flat in El Borne in the midst of the fun. This year we went to Venice for 2 1/2 weeks in April/May, it was a magical experience. Our flat was in Dorsoduro midway between the Zattere and the Accedemia Bridge, we bought a pass for the vaporetto, hopped on and off, walked all over the place, except for San Marco, which is such a mob scene.
So, we do know how to amuse ourselves, although our Venice visit was enlivened when another couple joined us for a week.
Looking forward to getting suggestions. By the way, we're not kids, but are adventurous and keep fit. We love the serendipitous moments of travel, seeing the amazing street art on the Barri Gotico alleys in Barcelona (so different from the spray paint vandalism elsewhere), parading with the dragons, drummers and devils in the correfoc, observing how people get their dog across the Grand Canal while standing with us and others in a traghetto (the quick-trip, cheap gondola which crosses from one side of the Grand Canal to the other), doing the night time "Ghost Tour" in a thunderstorm...And in both cities we went to the famous art and cultural sites, and thoroughly enjoyed them. But a plus was going out and shopping for food in our neighborhood, getting familiar with local shopkeepers, learning first hand about local customs, like putting on a plastic glove before touching produce in the Venice supermarket (of course, at the Rialto and other outdoor markets, hands off!)
Dec 22nd, 2005 | 05:12 PM
#2
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 965
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Hi oaklandlady. Wow, the luxury of time and money- the entire month! One thing I would recommend is booking a day or two with Michael Osman. He is an excellent private guide who would give you a wonderful introduction to Paris. My husband and I used him this past May on our trip and our day with him was a highlight. Here is his website:http://www.geocities.com/parisfinder/
I am not sure of the weather in April, maybe rainy but we loved Luxembourg Gardens and if I had more time I would have gone to the Parc Monceau sp? It might be a nice time of year to day trip to Monet's Gardens in Giverny. There is a plethora of museums to see- but don't miss the Louvre. I thought I would be overwhelmed by it but we went there with Michael and I was so impressed. With a month you could make several short visits there. We also enjoyed the Musee D'Orsay particularly for the Impressionistic Art. I could go on, but you will not be at a loss of things to do. Paris is so magical, I hope you love it as much as I did.
I am not sure of the weather in April, maybe rainy but we loved Luxembourg Gardens and if I had more time I would have gone to the Parc Monceau sp? It might be a nice time of year to day trip to Monet's Gardens in Giverny. There is a plethora of museums to see- but don't miss the Louvre. I thought I would be overwhelmed by it but we went there with Michael and I was so impressed. With a month you could make several short visits there. We also enjoyed the Musee D'Orsay particularly for the Impressionistic Art. I could go on, but you will not be at a loss of things to do. Paris is so magical, I hope you love it as much as I did.
Dec 22nd, 2005 | 06:30 PM
#3
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,605
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Somone posted recently in their trip report that they did the "Dinner with Jim" event... which is a fellow named Jim (last name?) opens his apartment in the 14th every Sunday for an informal get-together of anyone who shows up.
I'm willing to bet if you google "dinner with jim" Paris, that you'll get to it.
I'm willing to bet if you google "dinner with jim" Paris, that you'll get to it.
Dec 23rd, 2005 | 04:27 AM
#6
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 3,654
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You will do yourselves a HUGE favour by going to the bookstore a.s.a.p and getting hold of the three books written by Thirza Vallois entitled
"Around & About Paris" Volume 1 (The 1st-7th Arrondissements, Volume Two (The 8th-12th) and the one I am reading at the moment Volume 3, (The 13th-20th).
You won't need a Michael Osman or anyone else to guide you through Paris if you read these three books! They have great "walks" all detailed and far more information than anything else I've read.
Thirza has lived in Paris for over 30 years. She knows Paris stone by stone and has read every book of note about its history and development and has guided friends & relatives around Paris for years!
Have a wonderful time!
"Around & About Paris" Volume 1 (The 1st-7th Arrondissements, Volume Two (The 8th-12th) and the one I am reading at the moment Volume 3, (The 13th-20th).
You won't need a Michael Osman or anyone else to guide you through Paris if you read these three books! They have great "walks" all detailed and far more information than anything else I've read.
Thirza has lived in Paris for over 30 years. She knows Paris stone by stone and has read every book of note about its history and development and has guided friends & relatives around Paris for years!
Have a wonderful time!
Dec 23rd, 2005 | 04:40 AM
#7
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 74,699
Likes: 0
Hi oak,
Lucky you.
You might enjoy the book "Almost French".
Use one of your Sundays for a visit to the Parc Monceau and brunch at the Jacquemart Andre' Museum.
You might find the Paris part of my trip report helpful for things to do in Paris after you've done the "must sees".
http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...p;tid=34676645
Lucky you.
You might enjoy the book "Almost French".
Use one of your Sundays for a visit to the Parc Monceau and brunch at the Jacquemart Andre' Museum.
You might find the Paris part of my trip report helpful for things to do in Paris after you've done the "must sees".
http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...p;tid=34676645
