Great flight on Air France from USA. The plane was quite comfortable, with little TV's on the back of the seat ahead, with both French and American films. Lourdes was beautiful, and Normandy so memorable for its old churches and cobblestone streets and timbered houses, and the beaches and the Military Cemetery. But nothing can compare to the beauty of Paris. Also got to Versaille and Chartres, and loved them both. Some of you spoke of the crowds, but we didn't experience that as October is quieter. We rode the TGV train from Paris to Lourdes, which has a speed of almost 200 miles per hour. Quite different from our Amtrak. Also went to the Lido in Paris and saw the most fantastic show. Thanks to all of you who gave me advice. We were careful and weren't bothered with pickpockets.

Sounds like you had a really great trip alliebaby2. If you have the time some more details would be wecomed I'm sure by others doing research to the same places.

what's the lido?

Where did you eat?

Can you tell me anything about Chartres?

I am going in 2 weeks!

Hi K,

The Lido is a nightclub.

The Lido is an option but we went to the Moulin Rouge dinner show recently and thought it was terrific. The costumes, routines, and dinner were worth the expense, but it is certainly not cheap. Try 140 to 170E for the top priced meal and show! We wanted to try this just once since they have been doing this show since 1889.

Richard--if you are going to Chartres and will be there for dinner I recommend Buisson Ardent on Rue Lait in the old town area. We had a wonderful meal there a few years ago. In fact, it may have been one of the best meals ever in France. Enjoy!

Author: italy06
Date: 11/04/2005, 05:21 pm
I could write a book about our wonderful week in Paris but here are highlights:
?Best Cathedral - Ste. Chappelle - it was like being inside a diamond. You will stand ther in awe as the sun passes from one stained glass window to another. It has the most stained glass of any church in Europe.
?If you happen to be there on a Sunday, go to Mass at Notre Dame. As a non-Catholic, we were there for Palm Sunday and it was like some fantastic French Opera. There are lots of people but it's so huge, it doesn't seem crowded.
?As touristy as it might seem, the Bateaux Pariesiens was a great way to see the city at night. The food was pretty good for a tour boat and we went with our French friends who actually like it.
?Best Cafe near Musee D'Orsay - Le Pochtran - 25, rue de Bellechasse
?Pricey meals - we did the Jules Verne at the Eiffel Tower and though it was really good, once the once the sun sets, it just seems like you're at the top of some hotel.
?Best pricey meal - Le Bristol?Best bread - Poilane - ask them to take you in the basement where they make it.?Best chocolate - Maison du Chocolate
?AND best for last, for you romantics out there, my husband arranged in advance with our hotel concierge to have a wonderful message placed in Le Figaro in French on my birthday!

Richardab,

If you really mean it:

Chartres is a medieval town with a magnificent Gothic cathedral, known for its stained glass. The "Chartres blue" glass has never been duplicated. You will find the cathedral to be rather dark, but a pair of binoculars will help you see the exquisite detail of the windows and the wood carvings in and along the choir.

If you want, you can see the vast crypt beneath the cathedral; signs will tell you where to purchase tickets. For the cathedral itself, hope that Englishman Malcolm Miller will be present to lead a tour. He has spent his life studying the cathedral and knows every nook and cranny and conveys his enthusiasm to anyone listening.

Around the cathedral is the area of the medieval town, interesting to wander in.

Yes, while in Chartres Malcom Miller gave us the tour--he made it very interesting. It was a little disappointing that all the windows around the alter were taken out for cleaning, and only one rose window was extremely beautiful--the other was dirty and dark, but the church was fantastic. We ate a delicious lunch at Le Cafe Serpente. We didn't get to walk through the Old Town. We rode through in a trolly, but enjoyed seeing the very old and beautiful town.

Richard : A hearty second for Le Buisson Ardent. We ate there on a Sunday (not the day to go if you're in a hurry) and it was exceptional. If you need a hotel, we thoroughly enjoyed Le Grand Monarque (a Best Western Affiiliate). Great location and exceptional dining in their formal dining room or their smaller brasserie. If you get a chance, do go out to Pic Assiette, the house and gardens built out of ceramic shards...simply fascinating!

Sorry, allliebaby2, didn't mean to hijack your thread. Really enjoying your report. Thanks!

The Pic Assiette is worth a visit. I've seen pots and walkways in
P-Town but nothing like this place.