Thank you very much Richard, it is great recent info! I leave in 23 days, but I'm not counting!

Very useful report, especially for anyone who is going to Paris (or Europe for that matter) for the first time. This is a real contribution to the site. Thanks for all your effort.

Richard, thanks so much for your great, detailed report. I'm leaving for Paris in 2 weeks, and this info will be quite helpful to me. If you can think of anything else, tell us!

I am working on my restaurant report but since it may be more detailed I may post it on my websight instead (with pics!). PREVIEW - Here is the restaurants I went to and how I rate them (one to four stars)--<BR><BR>Le Grizzli *<BR>Chez Maitre Paul ***<BR>Au Bon Accueil ****<BR>L'Epi Dupin * <BR>Ma Bourgogne ***<BR>Chez Denise (La Tour Monthery) *<BR>La Fountain de Mars **** and ** (I went here twice)<BR>La Taverne **<BR>La Cremaillere (the worst place I ever ate at)<BR>Seraphin ****<BR>La Maison Cleret **** (pastries, breakfast)<BR><BR>As far as a museum report, I am not the type to sit in front of paintings for hours. I did go to the Musee Carnavalet (in the Marais) which is the museum of the history of Paris and the French Revolution, the Musee Picasso (this man get all the body parts in the wrong places!) and the Hotel des Invalides which includes the Musee de Armee which features weapons and uniforms (sort of a military museum).<BR><BR>In case you are wondering my websight address is--<BR><BR>http://home.earthlink.net/~richardab<BR><BR>I leave a posting when I get the restaurant info on it.

Richard, what an informative report! Could you tell us about the hotels you stayed in or saw while in Paris and also how to get the guide books at the cheap price you mentioned?<BR><BR>Thanks so much for the great information.

Tulara - <BR><BR>I stayed at the Hotel Britannique in the 1st Arr. It was a great hotel. Very cozy, nicely decorated and in a great location near the Chatelet Metro station. Best of all it was inexpensive! Here is their websight - <BR><BR>http://www.hotel-britannic.com<BR><BR>Unfortunately they do not have air conditioning so I would only recommend them for a winter, spring or fall stay. It may be too hot for summer!<BR><BR>If you want "cheap book" info, send me an eMail and I will send you the info.<BR><BR>RichardAB

I really enjoyed it. Our first trip is coming up in two weeks, so it was very helpful. <BR><BR>I went to Zagat's to get an idea of restaurants, but it was a little overwhelming--78 in the 7th Arrondisment alone. I suppose I could buy the book....I thought we might wing it a little, haha. I copied your list here. <BR><BR>I have the Streetwise Paris map, you don't like it? not detailed enough? I have noticed it can take me a while to find a street on it. It's handy to have a plastic fold up map.<BR><BR>I love the idea of making your own book of sites to see, restaurants, etc., with your own notes. I wish I'd read this sooner, I think that's exactly what I would have done.<BR>

Richard, Great report! I have to say a good map of Paris is a must. I agree with you, The Paris Map Guide by Michael Middleditch is the best. It can be ordered on Amazon.com if your local book store does not carry it. It is my "bible" when I'm in Paris. We're leaving in a few weeks for Paris- 20th anniversary, I can't wait!

Thanks so much, I am leaving for my first trip to Paris in 2 days!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I printed out your info and will read it with my boyfriend on the plane ride over.

Well worth waiting for,Richard.<BR>One of the best ( if not THE best) trip report I ever read on fodors. <BR>I am so lucky to be able to use this information for my upcoming trip and anxiously await the restaurant posting.<BR>Thank you so much Richard!

TERRIFIC report!! thanks--A

THANK YOU!!!! 29 days and counting!! Can't wait for the restaurant report! It will be well worth the wait if it is anywhere near as good as this trip report!

As per Paris not being expensive, I beg to differ.I was recently there & couldn't see one sale rack in site.I know that sales are only held twice yearly but, to the average earner, especially a Canadian who pays lots more than you lucky Americans for the euro, shopping is unaffordable. Great posting , Richard. I do agree with your other comments however.

Thanks Richard...thanks to you when I'll be in Paris next month I will probably slice my nose off while the knife is unexpectedly in my left hand...loved the report also;-)

A great report Richard. Unfortunately as an Australian traveller, things were quite expensive for me there last week however!<BR><BR>I thoroughly enjoyed your report.<BR>Thank you.<BR><BR>Jade

I am surprised that a few people said that things seemed expensive in Paris. My average meal was around $35 and I bought a bunch of clothes ranging from about $35 for pants and $10 for fashion tees. This was not designer stuff, just simple good clothing. There were two mens stores I liked a lot. One was called Celio and the other called WE. Both have stores on the rue de Rivoli in the 1st arr. I also landed a nice simple balck jacket for $68 in Printemps. I guess I got lucky while I was in Paris because it was sale time. Everyone was having a big event. Did you know that the government regulates when a store can have a sale? Retailers are not permitted to undercut the competition or offer things below cost to lure people into the stores. <BR><BR>P.S. Sorry to the Canadian and Australian friends.... I wrote thsi from the US Dollar point of view. You are correct, the prices may be higher for you.

Richard, L'Epi Dupin was on my list of restaurants to try because of its generally good reviews (Zagat/22). What didn't you like about it?<BR>

I hate to say it but after I ate there I had a bit of a tummy ache and a serious case of the burps for two days. I wasn't really nuts about the food. I thought it was a bit too creative and mixed some strange flavours. I had a endive type tart that was bitter and sweet. Sort of like a tarte tartin made with endive. My dessert was a graham cracker like biscuit topped with grapefruit sections and ice cream sprinkled with cumin seeds. A bit weird. Sorry but I am an open minded eater but did not favor this place. It was sort of California Cuisine meets Paris.

Deb, I wrote directly to Richard asking about L’Epi Dupin because I want to return there. I enjoyed my meal very much back in October 2000 - - delicious calamari appetizer, which had roasted red peppers, onions, and saut&eacute;ed in a sweet sauce; shredded veal sausage in the shape of a burger and pasta with a cream sauce; chocolate cake with pistachios and chocolate sauce; red wine. I am thinking that the dishes Richard had were a little too creative (can’t imagine ice cream with cumin seeds). I have seen other postings on this restaurant (and quite recent too) with very good reviews. I’m sure I’ll still go there, if I can make reservations when I arrive in Paris next week! I’ll be glad to provide you with my comments, if interested. Email me directly (to remind me) after the 24th of May. Monica

Richard -- Sounds like you may have caught L'Epi Dupin on an off day, or perhaps happened upon the worst the kitchen had to offer that day? If my experience had been like yours, I wouldn't have liked it either. My meal last year was divine though -- no bizarre combinations of ingredients. Mackerel with julienned vegetables, and warm chocolate cake with a molten center -- mmm. I may try it again when I'm there next month & I'll let you know if my experience is like yours.