Hi Just Back <BR> <BR>The message you are trying to post may be too lengthy to post all at once. Try breaking it up into smaller segments. Post the first small segment, then post replies to that original post. We want to read your raves and advice!

Got back yesterday after almost two full weeks in Paris - It was outstandingly beautiful - did the Louvre, the Marmottan, the Grand Arche, <BR>the Musee D'Orsay, the Eiffel, Notre Dame etc etc etc. <BR>We had an apartment so cant recommend hotels, but be careful of restaurants - <BR>most were OK to good,but tres cher... <BR>some were fabulous. <BR>Our vote goes to Bennelong (an Aussie <BR>place) with a cordial host and chef whose offerings (incl. vegetarian) <BR>deserve enormous praise. <BR>Bring an umbrella. Happy to answer any <BR>questions... if short. A bien tot. <BR> <BR>

How did you like the apartment? I'm interested in staying in an apt. next time we go to Paris, rather than a hotel, so I'd love to hear any (and all) details you'd care to share on that subject. Thanks, xxx!

Oops! I meant Carol, not xxx. Sorry!

I haven't been in Paris for a few months. Dear lord, the food's gotten that bad? Thank heavens Carol found the Aussie place; I'll be sure to put that on my itinerary for this fall.

You're joking aren't you Elvira?

Ess, <BR> <BR>My wife & stayed at an apt in 6th recently with another couple. We absolutely loved it. Subjectively, we felt more like we were living there (albeit for only a week) as opposed to merely visiting. We had privacy and the freedom to cook breakfasts and sit on the terrace sipping wine at night. <BR> <BR>More objectively, it was a two bedroom (no AC, but we kept the windows open and bought a small fan which worked well). The bath and toilet were separate, which was good. The standup shower was wonderful, the bathroom had been recently redone all in marble. Security in the building was fantastic--an electronic key at the front door, another at the interior door to the elevator, and then a deadbolt on the apartment door. Not really sure why all that is necessary--we always felt safe. Possibly because the owner is an ex-pat from NYC? <BR> <BR>I wish I could give you information about the rental service, but our friends took care of the arrangements. I know that it cost $1800 (US) for one week.

Thanks, Chuck! That sounds really nice. It's probably fun to shop and prepare a couple of your own meals, and I'm sure it's nice to have a place (other than a small hotel room) to relax during that time between afternoon activities and dinner or an evening out somewhere. I'm really liking this idea more and more.

Ess, I highly recommend the Parisian apartment experience. (heading for my fourth time in Sept). Stayed in a hotel once but probably won't ever again. To start your search, go to www.france-apartment.com. It's a website with a huge collection of agencies and individuals offering apartments for rent. Check it out! Peg

Do you mean to say I'm making the long trek from Sydney to Paris in just over 2 months & the only decent food I'll find is Australian!! Sacre Bleur, what is the world coming to????? ;-)

Can you give me directions to the restaurant? We will be in Paris in September and would love to find somewhere with good vegetarian food.

Hi Just Back - <BR> Next time in Paris we want to go to the Marmottan. Could you tell us something about the museum, including what the neighborhood is like? Any place to eat nearby? How far is it from the Boise de Boulogne? <BR> Thanks.

Hi Susan <BR>The Marmottan address is 2 rue Louis Boilly in the 16th Arrondisement- they have a website: www. marmottan.com for more info. <BR>If you love Monet, do not miss this place - it is small, elegant and the perfect place to enjoy this wonderful art. <BR>We used the Metro with just a few changes (we were situated near Notre Dame) and we found our way there fairly easily - it is marked but not well marked but you can always ask. I would guess it was about 3 lovely blocks or so from the Metro station. Hope this <BR>helps. Carol

The metro stop for the Marmottan is La Muette on line 9 - direction Port de Sevres. You walk through Jardin de Ranelagh. The previous poster is right -- it's marked, but not marked -- just head straight through the center of the park, find a street sign and you'll be okay

Thanks, Peg! I'll check that out.

Susan, <BR> <BR>I agree with Carol M-B about the Marmottan--it is great! When we were there a month ago, the bottom floor was devoted entirely to Monet, and the top floor consisted of other (mostly I think) impressionist painters. One of the best features is that it was not crowded at all. We lingered as much as we wanted. <BR> <BR>The neighborhood from Metro stop to the museum (a good 3 or 4 blocks as I recall) was one of the best we saw. You walk through a beautiful park to get to the museum. <BR> <BR>As to food, there were several cafes on the street from Metro stop to the park (sorry, can't recall the name). We ate at one and had a typically great lunch while watching people go by on the sidewalk.

Hi Danell <BR>This restaurant is extraordinary but be forewarned that it is not exclusively vegetarian. We ate there July 8 and they had an entirely veggie menu but <BR>the other times, not - nevertheless, we <BR>loved the food on the three occasions <BR>we ate there - the last four nights we spent in Paris. <BR>The menu has some unusual Australian <BR>dishes which we did not sample and am <BR>excellent Australian wine list, which we did. <BR>My daughter is a vegetarian and had a <BR>tough time making sure she got veggie <BR>only food (she speaks French fluently) <BR>so it was not a language problem. <BR>Let me know if I can help further. <BR>Best Carol <BR> <BR> <BR>

Re Apartments in Paris <BR>We rented one through a friend and if you can find one, I highly recommend the experience. <BR>Ours was three flights (spiral staircase) with very high ceilings but no AC <BR>We shopped at the local marche for some of the most beautiful produce I have ever seen; bought cheese, bread and pastries; unbelievably fresh eggs etc etc and cooked on a tiny 2 burner stove. <BR>Our apartment overlooked a courtyard - it was quiet. <BR>We ate out when we felt like it and cooked breakfast at home or walked to the corner for a cappucino and brioche. <BR>Our French is meager at best, but we <BR>found the people friendly and helpful <BR>if we but merely tried. <BR>In short, we loved it. We were sorry to leave. <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR>