I need to meet a friend on the Champs-Elysees. She'll be coming from Bavaria and I from Charles de Gaule. Can someone suggest a good cafe to meet at? One with good croissants and is easy to find? <BR> <BR>Thanks <BR> <BR>Michael

Michael: <BR> <BR>This may not be the best in terms of croissants, but I opted to suggest something paratical. If you take the Air France bus from the airport (CDG) ne of the places it stops is the Palais de Congres at the Porte Maillot. That is just "up the street" from the Etoile. Just next door (a bit kitty corner from the bus stop is the Hotel Meridien Etoille) They serve cafe and croissants in the lobby of this 4 star hotel and it is easy to sit there with your luggage and act like you belong <BR> <BR>It is also practical when you are jetlagged and it is right at the metro and RER for your friend-plus you will not mistake it for someplace else. I also like it because it has a bathroom and phone handy and you can buy the phone card there etc. If you are shocked at the prices-you can just sit quietly and wait for your friend. I know I had a late flight in from Germany once and I asked my French mother-in-law to pick me up there and I had a drink while I was waiting and the price was expensive...but the truth is that the Champs Elysees is just about as high and this is closer and more comfy when you have luggage. <BR> <BR>Anyway, here is the info for it: <BR> <BR>MERIDIEN ETOILE <BR>81, Boulevard Gouvion Saint Cyr; <BR>75017 PARIS <BR>Porte Maillot <BR>RER Porte Maillot <BR>tel: (0)1 40.68.34.34 <BR> <BR> <BR>Hope this helps-have a great trip!

Michael: <BR> <BR>This may not be the best in terms of croissants, but I opted to suggest something paratical. If you take the Air France bus from the airport (CDG) ne of the places it stops is the Palais de Congres at the Porte Maillot. That is just "up the street" from the Etoile. Just next door (a bit kitty corner from the bus stop is the Hotel Meridien Etoille) They serve cafe and croissants in the lobby of this 4 star hotel and it is easy to sit there with your luggage and act like you belong <BR> <BR>It is also practical when you are jetlagged and it is right at the metro and RER for your friend-plus you will not mistake it for someplace else. I also like it because it has a bathroom and phone handy and you can buy the phone card there etc. If you are shocked at the prices-you can just sit quietly and wait for your friend. I know I had a late flight in from Germany once and I asked my French mother-in-law to pick me up there and I had a drink while I was waiting and the price was expensive...but the truth is that the Champs Elysees is just about as high and this is closer and more comfy when you have luggage. <BR> <BR>Anyway, here is the info for it: <BR> <BR>MERIDIEN ETOILE <BR>81, Boulevard Gouvion Saint Cyr; <BR>75017 PARIS <BR>Porte Maillot <BR>RER Porte Maillot <BR>tel: (0)1 40.68.34.34 <BR> <BR> <BR>Hope this helps-have a great trip!

I am not a big Champs Elysees fan, but I like the Cafe Madrigal on the Rond Point end (ie, not on the Arc de Triomphe end) It's quite near Franklin D. Roosevelt metro. Neither pretentious nor overpriced.

Francesca-I was thinking you would have a good suggestion! I thought you would be the right person to ask! Like you I don't hang much in that part of the 8th, but I am glad to know of another place since it is a popular area when friends come to visit-so it is nice to have another suggestion-thanks!