bonjourparis.com
Jun 2nd, 2006, 11:55 AM
#21
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gracejoan3,
The little circa 1924, three car wooden train chugs up the mountain at only 8 km. per hr., takes 35 min., to go up the 905 meters. Once there you'll have a great panorama on a clear day. Since you'll be visiting in fall, you won't have to deal with the long waits/summer crowds (lucky duck!).
See www.rhune.com for pics.
Since you're French speaking, I highly recommend a trip to the Musée du Gateau Basque for demonstration/lecture/tasting. Chef Bixente Marichular gives his talk in French except by prior arrangement. This we didn't know, so we just struggled along with the French. Afterwards when we were purchasing our pans, he began to converse in very good English. But it's only open til Sept. 15, I think.
www.legateaubasque.com
We haven't visited Ortillopitz, the 1660 Basque Farm House Museum because we've toured the extensvie Musée Basque ethnological museum in Bayonne which gives an excellent presentation of the Basque way of life, their history and culture. We've also done the "touristy" tour of the Ecomusée attached to the large Jean Vier warehouse shop outside of Saint-Jean-de-Luz. A little hokey, but this Jean Vier store is a GREAT place to shop for linens!
We've done the grottes de Sare, 45,000 yr. old caves, but alas, no cave paintings to admire-you'll have glorious cave art in the Dordogne.
Another pleasure to enjoy in and around Sare is driving the country roads following the route du Fromage (brebis) signs. We go straight to the source, to the farms, for our Ossau-Iraty cheeses, Irouleguy wines (St.-Etienne-de- Baigorry and Irouleguy), jambon and confiture cerises noires, miel. The tourist office supplies a handy brochure: "Sur les Pas des Bergers" that lists them all, plus "La Route Gourmande des Basques". In that handy brochure, the only place we have yet to hit is the Cidrerie "Txopinondo" in Urrugne (we have so many cider houses across the border in Gipuzkoa).
www.txopinondo.com
And we make a stop at Maison Bipia in Larressore to stock up on little jars of the distinctive piment d'Espelette, Speaking of Laressore, you'd enjoy a stop at the Makhila makers (famed Basque walking sticks with hidden bayonnet) , "Ainciart Bergara", founded in 1789. Everytime we're there to watch them being made, we say we're going to have one fitted and then order and pick up next summer, and we never do.
There are also the home, "Arnaga" and formal gardens of Edmund Rostang of Cyrano de Bergerac fame, in the pretty spa town of Cambo-les-Bains.
You probably won't be going in late Oct. but just in case, or for a future visit, the famous fete du piment takes place in Espelette the last wkd of Oct.
Promise you-you'll want to return, just as we can hardly wait to get back to the Dordogne.
The little circa 1924, three car wooden train chugs up the mountain at only 8 km. per hr., takes 35 min., to go up the 905 meters. Once there you'll have a great panorama on a clear day. Since you'll be visiting in fall, you won't have to deal with the long waits/summer crowds (lucky duck!).
See www.rhune.com for pics.
Since you're French speaking, I highly recommend a trip to the Musée du Gateau Basque for demonstration/lecture/tasting. Chef Bixente Marichular gives his talk in French except by prior arrangement. This we didn't know, so we just struggled along with the French. Afterwards when we were purchasing our pans, he began to converse in very good English. But it's only open til Sept. 15, I think.
www.legateaubasque.com
We haven't visited Ortillopitz, the 1660 Basque Farm House Museum because we've toured the extensvie Musée Basque ethnological museum in Bayonne which gives an excellent presentation of the Basque way of life, their history and culture. We've also done the "touristy" tour of the Ecomusée attached to the large Jean Vier warehouse shop outside of Saint-Jean-de-Luz. A little hokey, but this Jean Vier store is a GREAT place to shop for linens!
We've done the grottes de Sare, 45,000 yr. old caves, but alas, no cave paintings to admire-you'll have glorious cave art in the Dordogne.
Another pleasure to enjoy in and around Sare is driving the country roads following the route du Fromage (brebis) signs. We go straight to the source, to the farms, for our Ossau-Iraty cheeses, Irouleguy wines (St.-Etienne-de- Baigorry and Irouleguy), jambon and confiture cerises noires, miel. The tourist office supplies a handy brochure: "Sur les Pas des Bergers" that lists them all, plus "La Route Gourmande des Basques". In that handy brochure, the only place we have yet to hit is the Cidrerie "Txopinondo" in Urrugne (we have so many cider houses across the border in Gipuzkoa).
www.txopinondo.com
And we make a stop at Maison Bipia in Larressore to stock up on little jars of the distinctive piment d'Espelette, Speaking of Laressore, you'd enjoy a stop at the Makhila makers (famed Basque walking sticks with hidden bayonnet) , "Ainciart Bergara", founded in 1789. Everytime we're there to watch them being made, we say we're going to have one fitted and then order and pick up next summer, and we never do.
There are also the home, "Arnaga" and formal gardens of Edmund Rostang of Cyrano de Bergerac fame, in the pretty spa town of Cambo-les-Bains.
You probably won't be going in late Oct. but just in case, or for a future visit, the famous fete du piment takes place in Espelette the last wkd of Oct.
Promise you-you'll want to return, just as we can hardly wait to get back to the Dordogne.
Jun 2nd, 2006, 12:18 PM
#22
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Hey fellows.....your talk about projected and past trips is encroaching on the subject matter bonjourparis. In fact I would venture to say it has taken more space than the entitlesdsubject. This problem also happens on BP.It would be best to start a new catagory for the subject.;-)
Jun 2nd, 2006, 12:19 PM
#23
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Maribel,
What great information!!
I will be returning home Oct. 5th.
I have rented a place near Sarlat for a month next fall (2007) mid Sept. - mid Oct.
Sounds like I will be looking for a spot in Basque country too!!
OK Mimi, want to go to Basque country???
What great information!!
I will be returning home Oct. 5th.
I have rented a place near Sarlat for a month next fall (2007) mid Sept. - mid Oct.
Sounds like I will be looking for a spot in Basque country too!!
OK Mimi, want to go to Basque country???
Jun 2nd, 2006, 02:55 PM
#25
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I pay to be a member of the www.BonjourParis.com site. It gives me access to many premium articles plus there are discounts for premium members.
I saved substantially more than $34.95 (the annual fee) with the reduction (not to mention room upgrade) we received when we stayed at the Hotel D'Aubusson.
Karen Fawcett is gracious and always answers personal emails. She invites premium members to her Paris apartment for a glass of champagne.
Bonjour Paris isn't for everyone. It's targeted to the sophisticated and independent traveler. There is <b>a lot</b> of free content on the site including the discussion board.
What many people don't understand is there is Bonjour Paris has zero corporate sponsorship as is the case with many other sites including Fodor's.
I saved substantially more than $34.95 (the annual fee) with the reduction (not to mention room upgrade) we received when we stayed at the Hotel D'Aubusson.
Karen Fawcett is gracious and always answers personal emails. She invites premium members to her Paris apartment for a glass of champagne.
Bonjour Paris isn't for everyone. It's targeted to the sophisticated and independent traveler. There is <b>a lot</b> of free content on the site including the discussion board.
What many people don't understand is there is Bonjour Paris has zero corporate sponsorship as is the case with many other sites including Fodor's.
Jun 3rd, 2006, 05:54 AM
#26
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oh, well, I guess that's the issue then, I'm not sophisticated enough for all those bonjourparis insider members.
I don't know about others, but it's pretty obvious if you visit the site what the deal is. People aren't really that stupid that they don't understand what it is and what the fee covers, and what you can see for free. Perhaps many, like me, just don't care and refuse to pay anyone a fee for routine travel information. As for zero corporate sponsorship, that isn't true -- there are ads on that website and companies that pay them fees for mentions on the website.
I just tend to avoid website with "insiders" who think they are so sophisticated, as the resulting conversations tend to be a few people who end up talking to themselves. I just think it's boring. I don't care about being invited to someone's apartment for champagne in Paris because I've paid her a fee.
I don't know about others, but it's pretty obvious if you visit the site what the deal is. People aren't really that stupid that they don't understand what it is and what the fee covers, and what you can see for free. Perhaps many, like me, just don't care and refuse to pay anyone a fee for routine travel information. As for zero corporate sponsorship, that isn't true -- there are ads on that website and companies that pay them fees for mentions on the website.
I just tend to avoid website with "insiders" who think they are so sophisticated, as the resulting conversations tend to be a few people who end up talking to themselves. I just think it's boring. I don't care about being invited to someone's apartment for champagne in Paris because I've paid her a fee.
Jun 3rd, 2006, 06:26 AM
#27
I disagree with Jeanne, it's nor for the sophisticated traveler only, there are several of us who do not go to the big time restaurants and chateaus. Some rarely eat out. Most of my French friends don't, just as here. They are not rich. I'm not a premium member but I enjoy several of the posters who are not sophisticated. I've been to Karen's Provence home but still did not buy a premium. Let's not make assumptions.
Someone's life style may not be yours, i think Character and decency come first.
Someone's life style may not be yours, i think Character and decency come first.
Jun 3rd, 2006, 07:38 AM
#28
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BP is as simple as any of the others. I was involved with it for many years.Believe me they are far from being the most sophisticated travelers!
I am a good friend of Karen Fawcett. We have dined and dined together in Paris. She has cooked for me in her apartment.She e-mails me regularly to see what I am up to. We keep in touch. I post on the site occasionally, as on this site.
It is only recently that I did not renew my premium membership. I just did not need it.
Yes, BP does receive from at least some of their advertisers. That is OK with me.
E-gullet is probably the most sophisticated, or at least for the more sophisticated diner.
Joan
I am a good friend of Karen Fawcett. We have dined and dined together in Paris. She has cooked for me in her apartment.She e-mails me regularly to see what I am up to. We keep in touch. I post on the site occasionally, as on this site.
It is only recently that I did not renew my premium membership. I just did not need it.
Yes, BP does receive from at least some of their advertisers. That is OK with me.
E-gullet is probably the most sophisticated, or at least for the more sophisticated diner.
Joan
Jun 3rd, 2006, 09:17 AM
#30
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I have to thank OP. After a hiatus of a few years, I returned to the BP discussion boards. I have found everyone there to be warm and welcoming. There is nothing on any site that one couldn't find independently, but it's just easier to do it on a board (just as people do here).
I haven't subscribed to a premium membership, but who knows?
I haven't subscribed to a premium membership, but who knows?
Jun 3rd, 2006, 09:29 AM
#31
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Christina,
Please tell me who the BP "insiders" are. Do you mean the regular posters, a number of whom also post here and at tripadvisor.com? You seem to have a strong dislike for the BP site, and I'd be interested in knowing the reasons.
Please tell me who the BP "insiders" are. Do you mean the regular posters, a number of whom also post here and at tripadvisor.com? You seem to have a strong dislike for the BP site, and I'd be interested in knowing the reasons.
Jun 3rd, 2006, 01:14 PM
#33
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Ditto for me what Christina says. Mostly I would not pay a 'premium membership' for something that's easily available at other travel sites. Nor would I pay for membership just to have a glass of champagne at the founder's apartment.
Jun 3rd, 2006, 01:25 PM
#34
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I pay for the premium subscription and think it's well worth it. Karen saved us a bundle by helping us find good health insurance to cover us here in France. Her 18 or so years here in Paris certainly has served her readers well. And I second the comment that she is a nice person and that her message boards are very friendly and welcoming. I am more than happy to pay the fee, and did so before moving to Paris earlier this year.
Jun 3rd, 2006, 01:37 PM
#35
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I got it when it was free and then subscribed to the premium membership for 2 years, but I didn't re-subscribe this year. It seemed to me that most of the articles, towards the end of my subscription, weren't of interest to me. Articles used to be about reasonably priced hotels and restaurants, but I didn't find that to be the case anymore. I'm debating whether or not to re-subscribe, but as yet, I have not.
Sandy
Sandy
Jun 3rd, 2006, 01:47 PM
#37
Francophile there is no fee for the forum just as here. That money they refer to is for a weekly on line magazine that has articles by well-known(Suzy Gershon, Cara Black) and some not so well-known. It's silly to say some pay it for a glass of champagne. I see many of the same people there also at slow trav, egullet and other places.
I don't pay but do use the forum and any forum that is free.
I don't pay but do use the forum and any forum that is free.
Jun 3rd, 2006, 02:17 PM
#38
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It wasn't meant to be a silly comment. If one is a premium member then one is invited to Karen Fawcett's apt. for some champagne that's what I read above. Also I don't stay at hotels that charge an arm and a leg so I've no need for those so-called discounts anyway.
Jun 3rd, 2006, 02:34 PM
#39
I agree with that but that poster distorted the fact of the champagne, I wasn't directing that at you and to say they are sophisticated there, makes me chuckle. There are a few there who have money and can afford those expensive restaurants and hotels, but like here most can't but even that doesn't make them sophisticated. We shouldn't put down someone because they live higher than we do. We all do what we can or sacrifice other ways for what we want
I come here to learn or to jhelp with what I know and not to judge or be mean.
I come here to learn or to jhelp with what I know and not to judge or be mean.
Jun 3rd, 2006, 02:47 PM
#40
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It is NOT that Karen will invite you for a glass of champagne because you are a premium member. If Karen finds that you will be in Paris when she is there, she might invite you to her apartment for a pre dinner glass of champagne BECAUSE she is a very friendly person. She is often in DC because of an elderly mother or may be at her place in Provence.
You don't have to book a 4 star hotel, to perhaps get a discount, because you are a BP premium member. I think you might get hotel discounts just because you mention BP. You will find some restaurants will take "better" care of you if you mention BP.
BP has been around for a long time. Karen has lived in Paris a long time now. She can be, and is, very helpful to new people arriving in Paris.
The premium membership just has some extras that you may or may not wish to receive. I had it for years. I don't see any reason to make a big deal out of it.
BP is one of the many forums out there. They all have their peculiarities in one way or another.
We all receive a great deal of information from all the various forums. So, just enjoy it.........
You don't have to book a 4 star hotel, to perhaps get a discount, because you are a BP premium member. I think you might get hotel discounts just because you mention BP. You will find some restaurants will take "better" care of you if you mention BP.
BP has been around for a long time. Karen has lived in Paris a long time now. She can be, and is, very helpful to new people arriving in Paris.
The premium membership just has some extras that you may or may not wish to receive. I had it for years. I don't see any reason to make a big deal out of it.
BP is one of the many forums out there. They all have their peculiarities in one way or another.
We all receive a great deal of information from all the various forums. So, just enjoy it.........
