Help me with Paris!
#21
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Sharon, I don't know if this film is available on video or not, but you might be interested in the comedy/drama Venus Beauty Institute (released last year), starring Nathalie Baye, which looks at the lives of three women who work at a small but successful beauty salon in Paris.
#22
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I switched handbags this morning and in the inside pocket I found my carte musees monuments list from last November, the last time I used that handbag. We only bought the three-day pass and managed to see the Louvre on two of the days, the Musee d'Orsay and the Musee Rodin, which was more than enough for three days. But there are so many other intersting ones I'd like to see next time: the Cluny, the Orangerie (which was closed for renovation), the Pompidou. And then I'd still have to go back again to see others: the museum of cinema, the museum of decorative arts, the museum of costume and textiles. And those are just the ones on the monuments list.
Next time, I will definitely go on a shopping trip: for kitchen things and linens, for prints and etchings from the stalls along the seine, for who knows what at the flea market. Those are things I missed last time. And the fall seems to be the perfect time of year to be in Paris. Who cares if it rains?
Next time, I will definitely go on a shopping trip: for kitchen things and linens, for prints and etchings from the stalls along the seine, for who knows what at the flea market. Those are things I missed last time. And the fall seems to be the perfect time of year to be in Paris. Who cares if it rains?
#25
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I stayed near the Place des Vosges two years ago, one of the most beautiful squares in Paris. Also strolled through the Parc Monceau, can't remember which arr. it's in, but really lovely little park in beautiful (and very affluent) neighborhood. I found a great, unpretentious little restaurant in the Marais called the Equinox, 31138 (not sure about the number) Rue des Rosiers, where I had an excellent meal (and I too was traveling solo).
I've always wanted to do a day trip to Chartres, never found the time. I remember the Musee Marmottan which lots have cited from a trip 20+ years ago, really lovely as I recall. Bon voyage. And let us know what you find - I'm taking my daughter there next April as a bat mitzvah gift.
I've always wanted to do a day trip to Chartres, never found the time. I remember the Musee Marmottan which lots have cited from a trip 20+ years ago, really lovely as I recall. Bon voyage. And let us know what you find - I'm taking my daughter there next April as a bat mitzvah gift.
#26
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Since I have been fortunate enough to be in Paris many,many times, I don't really have any places I'm dying to go to but haven't made it to, but I do have some I'd love to revisit. First, the mosque - not only is the building itself beautiful, but the tea garden is a fabulous replica of a Moroccan courtyard, with fountain and birds and mint tea in little glass cups. And since you're traveling alone, why not spend a morning taking the baths and having a massage - it's wonderful! Call ahead, because they are open on alternate days for men and women (01-45-35-97-33). While in the neighborhood you could stroll through the Jardin des Plantes and take a look at the Arènes de Lutèce.
I'd love to go back to the Musée de Cluny, especially now that they have planted the medieval garden.
Another fun outing is to take the RER to the Isle des Impressionistes (stop at Chatou), visit the museum and have lunch at La Maison Fournaise, where Manet painted "Luncheon of the Boating Party."
I love parks, and three I'd like to go back to are the Parc de St-Cloud, the Parc des Buttes-Chaumont, and the Parc Montsouris. I had an exquisite lunch at a café in the Parc St-Cloud once.
For shopping, two areas with small shops I like are the area around the rue Buci and that around the rue Ste-Dominique.
Lately, I've begun to take buses in Paris instead of the métro - I love being above ground and watching the different neighborhoods go by. I've even been known just to hop on a bus and take it to the end of the line and see what's there.
When I'm dining alone, places I feel comfortable in are La Fontaine de Mars and its next-door neighbor Le Croque au Sel, Restaurant Florimond, and any busy bistro or brasserie. I almost always have a lunch at the café on the top of La Samaritaine (or the restaurant a floor down if I'm there in off-season), because the view just doesn't get much better than that. For a bit of a splurge, I like to go to La Ghuirlande de Julie, on the Place des Vosges, because not only is the food wonderful, but the Place des Vosges is such a harmonious and beautiful place.
Being in Paris alone is a real treat for me - hope it turns out to be for you too.
I'd love to go back to the Musée de Cluny, especially now that they have planted the medieval garden.
Another fun outing is to take the RER to the Isle des Impressionistes (stop at Chatou), visit the museum and have lunch at La Maison Fournaise, where Manet painted "Luncheon of the Boating Party."
I love parks, and three I'd like to go back to are the Parc de St-Cloud, the Parc des Buttes-Chaumont, and the Parc Montsouris. I had an exquisite lunch at a café in the Parc St-Cloud once.
For shopping, two areas with small shops I like are the area around the rue Buci and that around the rue Ste-Dominique.
Lately, I've begun to take buses in Paris instead of the métro - I love being above ground and watching the different neighborhoods go by. I've even been known just to hop on a bus and take it to the end of the line and see what's there.
When I'm dining alone, places I feel comfortable in are La Fontaine de Mars and its next-door neighbor Le Croque au Sel, Restaurant Florimond, and any busy bistro or brasserie. I almost always have a lunch at the café on the top of La Samaritaine (or the restaurant a floor down if I'm there in off-season), because the view just doesn't get much better than that. For a bit of a splurge, I like to go to La Ghuirlande de Julie, on the Place des Vosges, because not only is the food wonderful, but the Place des Vosges is such a harmonious and beautiful place.
Being in Paris alone is a real treat for me - hope it turns out to be for you too.
#28
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Thanks SOOO much. This is incredible. And is what this forum is about.
I found a page for Musee Nissim de Camondo: http://ambafrance.org/MUSEES/pages/63.htm - Looks interesting
And please help out my hubby on the London thread I just posted
I found a page for Musee Nissim de Camondo: http://ambafrance.org/MUSEES/pages/63.htm - Looks interesting
And please help out my hubby on the London thread I just posted
#29
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Great question, s fowler, and it's elicited some responses that I'll certainly add to my 'next time' list--along with Musee Jacquemart-Andre. It's a 19th century house containing a couple's private collection of furniture, objets d'art, paintings (Rembrandt, Van Dyck, Caneletto), enamels, and ceramics. Titian, Tintoretto, Botticelli, Donatello, and Della Robbia, too!
One place I have visited--that I think many folks overlook--is the Deportation Memorial. At the very tip of l'Ile de la Cite, beyond the tour busses parked behind Cathedrale Notre Dame, you might think it's a tiny park. Enter through the gate, descend the narrow, austere stairway to the underground, windowless stark space, and allow yourself to feel the sadness of the memory evoked by the funerary urns, the inscriptions, the thousands of tiny lights commemorating the lives lost, and the tomb of the Unknown Deportee.
One place I have visited--that I think many folks overlook--is the Deportation Memorial. At the very tip of l'Ile de la Cite, beyond the tour busses parked behind Cathedrale Notre Dame, you might think it's a tiny park. Enter through the gate, descend the narrow, austere stairway to the underground, windowless stark space, and allow yourself to feel the sadness of the memory evoked by the funerary urns, the inscriptions, the thousands of tiny lights commemorating the lives lost, and the tomb of the Unknown Deportee.
#30
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I've kept missing the deportation memorial -- I'm not going to this time. Another thing that fascinates me -- what about fountains in Paris? I'm interested in the smaller ones such as La Fontaine de Quatre Saisons in the 6eme. I know Paris isn't Rome in this regard -- but there must be some others tucked away on nice squares
#32
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Sally, the Deportation Memorial is extremely well done and very moving; I hope you get to see it this time. That was a great mention by kmarie.
As for fountains, you're familiar with the Medici Fountain in the Luxembourg Gardens, right? That's my favorite. (All the wonderful fountains were one of the things I loved about Rome, compared to Paris.)
Here's a website called Les Fontaines de Paris...
http://www.pariswater.com/fontaines/fontaine.htm
Are you familiar with the Roman arena, the Arenes de Lutece, in the 5th? Here's a website...
http://www.paris.org/Monuments/Arenes/info.html
As for fountains, you're familiar with the Medici Fountain in the Luxembourg Gardens, right? That's my favorite. (All the wonderful fountains were one of the things I loved about Rome, compared to Paris.)
Here's a website called Les Fontaines de Paris...
http://www.pariswater.com/fontaines/fontaine.htm
Are you familiar with the Roman arena, the Arenes de Lutece, in the 5th? Here's a website...
http://www.paris.org/Monuments/Arenes/info.html
#33
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St.Cirq,
Did you mean the "Institute de le Monde Arabe", in the 5eme?
S.Fowler,
Did you ever stroll from Rive Droite, say la Place des Vosges to the Rive Gauche, crossing the Seine and let yourself to get lost in the "Ille de Saint Louis" before getting there? ( getting lost is a bit of an exaggeration, since Ille de St. Louis is so small..).
Did you ever bring your cup of coffee to the rooftop of La Samaritaine, and watched the sunset from there? Both will cost you nothing, unless for the cup of coffee, of course..;-)
I've done this already, but I'd do it again (and I'm already looking forward to do it) for a thousand times more...
Surlok
Did you mean the "Institute de le Monde Arabe", in the 5eme?
S.Fowler,
Did you ever stroll from Rive Droite, say la Place des Vosges to the Rive Gauche, crossing the Seine and let yourself to get lost in the "Ille de Saint Louis" before getting there? ( getting lost is a bit of an exaggeration, since Ille de St. Louis is so small..).
Did you ever bring your cup of coffee to the rooftop of La Samaritaine, and watched the sunset from there? Both will cost you nothing, unless for the cup of coffee, of course..;-)
I've done this already, but I'd do it again (and I'm already looking forward to do it) for a thousand times more...
Surlok
#35
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S.Fowler,
Would you like some suggestions of places where yu can go on your own, have fun, and feel perfectly comfortable?
There's a night club in the 5eme, called Caveau de la Huchette, 5, rue de la Huchette , where people dance at the sound of a live band, playing the jazz of the fifties. It's a funny place, with an informal, casual atmosphere, age ranging from 20ies to 60ies. I went there twice, and enjoyed a lot. Metro stop is St. Michel.
Also, if you like modern jazz, there's a Jazz club at Hotel La Villa, Rue Jacob, I believe, at the corner of Rue Bonaparte, in the 6eme. It's not so casual, but still. I felt very comfortable there, too.
For dinner, try the le Petit Bofinger, just accross the street of the Brasserie Bofinger, 5 Rue de la Bastille. It's on the border of Bastille/Marais.
Have fun.
Surlok
Would you like some suggestions of places where yu can go on your own, have fun, and feel perfectly comfortable?
There's a night club in the 5eme, called Caveau de la Huchette, 5, rue de la Huchette , where people dance at the sound of a live band, playing the jazz of the fifties. It's a funny place, with an informal, casual atmosphere, age ranging from 20ies to 60ies. I went there twice, and enjoyed a lot. Metro stop is St. Michel.
Also, if you like modern jazz, there's a Jazz club at Hotel La Villa, Rue Jacob, I believe, at the corner of Rue Bonaparte, in the 6eme. It's not so casual, but still. I felt very comfortable there, too.
For dinner, try the le Petit Bofinger, just accross the street of the Brasserie Bofinger, 5 Rue de la Bastille. It's on the border of Bastille/Marais.
Have fun.
Surlok
#37
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Surlok,
No. St-Cirq was correctly refering to Paris mosque, which is situated in the 5th arrondissement (rue Daubenton), very close to the "Jardins des plantes" and which is indeed a very pleasant place to drink a minted tea and eat some pastries (though the place is quite well-known, now, and sometimes crowded : make sure that if it appears so, you also checked the second room).
The "Institut du monde arabe", also in the 5th, but close to the Seine, has (amongst many other things) quite always very interesting temporary exhibitions about the arab civilisations.
No. St-Cirq was correctly refering to Paris mosque, which is situated in the 5th arrondissement (rue Daubenton), very close to the "Jardins des plantes" and which is indeed a very pleasant place to drink a minted tea and eat some pastries (though the place is quite well-known, now, and sometimes crowded : make sure that if it appears so, you also checked the second room).
The "Institut du monde arabe", also in the 5th, but close to the Seine, has (amongst many other things) quite always very interesting temporary exhibitions about the arab civilisations.
#38
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After 10 or more trips to Paris, I did the very thing you're talking of doing when we went again last Spring. I researched and tried to find everything we'd not done before and tried to do it. Many of the things I tried to do have already been mentioned but duplication may help you recognize that many others find them intriguing and worthy of going on the "to do" list. We did: Viaduc des Arts, great from both a shopping and architecture perspective. Also Gare de Lyon with its Le Train Bleu, a very worthy look/see. Parc de Villette in the 19th is very new and interesting. Shows how the French amuse and educate their children and what to do with an old slaughterhouse--make it into a trade show exhibition space. This is terrific from a new architecture perspective, as is the Institute du Monde Arab in the 5th. The walls are windows with aperatures like a camera that open wider or close depending upon the amount of light outside. See the Val du Grace church in a hospital area in the 5th or 6th. We could only see it from the outside (it's open only on certain days so check ahead) so it's still on my "yet to do" list for the interior. So is La Defense another modern architecture marvel and Arenes de Lutece and the Garden of the Paris mosque and the cheese specialty restaurant Androuet in the 8th that I've tried to get to for the last 4 times. Suggestions for places of "a woman of a certain age traveling alone" to eat--anywhere you like, baby!! A couple of my favorites from our last trip are Cafe Runtz, an alsatian place in the 2nd and La Saint Amour I think in the 20th, not far from the walls of Pere la Chaise cemetary. The former has backoeffe on Tuesdays--an alsation meat and potatoes stew served in an individual casserole--and the latter has aligote--a whipped potato, cheese and garlic concoction to die for. You can lift "strings" of potatoes for as long as a foot or more. Another good aligote place is the Ambassade de Auvergne in the 4th not far from the Pompideau. I saved the best for last--markets. Get yourself a copy of Paris in a Basket by Micolle Meyer and Amanda Smith and visit as many of the markets as you can. Your visits will take you to the whole of Paris and each market and its surrounding area will provide you a different flavor. The President Wilson market near the Place de Alma is very upscale and will show you how Paris' wealthy eat. The Barbes market in the 18th near Sacre Cour is very exotic. Not only do few of the vendors speak English, few even speak French. Instead you'll hear every tongue imaginable and see fruits and veggies you've probably never seen before. Be sure to walk on the street across from the market as well as through the market. It has butchershops sporting rotisseries with whole heads of goats on them, teeth, eyes and all. This is exotic stuff and a Paris you might not experience except in a nice, safe daytime market. The Aligre market is around the corner from Le Baron Rouge one of the most interesting wine bars in Paris (it's also in the area of many furniture and fabric shops that you might enjoy window shopping by)While we were at Le Baron Rouge we observed the movile wine truck pulling up outside and refilling the barrels inside with a hose. This is fun stuff--and all because we followed our nose and checked out the markets. Try it yourself and enjoy.
#40
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Oops. Just noted that I said Cafe Runtz has backoeffe on Tuesdays. That's wrong. They only have it on Thursdays. Wouldn't want you misled or to go on the wrong day. Also more on the Viaduc des arts--most of the shops are very upscale but make for beautiful window shopping. My favorite was a musical instrument shop with very modern and very beautiful stringed instruments, like a cello that appeared to be almost two triangles held together at their points, i.e. pointed rather than rounded edges. Nifty. There's also a shop with women ironing beautiful linens with old-fashioned flat irons.It's unique