Although we didn't know it, our first hotel ( http://www.hotelceramic.com/index.php ) was very close to the metro at champs elysee and the RER to Versailles. Perhaps that location would be slightly more convenient for you?

Stu, in last Paris trip this Sept, visited Marais on rainy Sunday so I could watch the shoppers shopping (still am without a purchase).

I am also always a sucker for the Russian musicians that hang out at the Place de Vosges--I come from a US area with a heavy Eastern European heritage, and die-hard capitalists that we all are, we managed to fall in love with the sheer wall of sound of the Red Army Chorus circa 1965ish when they toured the US. These guys at the Vosges number eight or less, yet they manage a really huge sound with the square's natural accoustics (they use the overhang to advantage more than any sound equipment).

Myer, happy planning. Loved Glacier National Park. We are hikers/bikers. Our first experience ever buying bear pepper spray. NEEDED it! I told husband to buy two medium cans for our family of four (kids were under 13). He scoffed about my alarmist personality, especially since that stuff costs $$$. Then he passed two grizzlies eating a cow or something in a ditch on way to store. Came home with two large economy size. As all wives like to say...
...Winning :)

Two hikers attacked on one trail mere hours after we left it. We had gone so far, observed a heck of a lot of eaten-up turf and thought, "You know..." We turned back that day. Good thing. I'd do it all again, though, for the sheer beauty. Have fun!

Alessandra,

On our last trip to Paris a little over 10 years ago we went to the Marais and wandered thru Place des Vosges. We stopped at an art gallery and the owner gave us a print that my wife framed and has hanging in the house. We want to go back and see if it's still their.

From there we decided to do some of the obligatories. The Eiffel Tower, Champs Elysees, etc. Since it's downhill to the Tower we figured we'd go in that direction.

The subway going was kind of smelly so we decided to take a cab. Just across the street a girl was about to get into one. I called out asking if she wanted to share it. We got in and within a couple of minutes were in front of the Louvre where another cab back-ended us. The two cab driver stood there yelling at each other and nobody asked if any of us was hurt.

We got out and before walking away to get into another cab I took a picture of the back of our cab. At that point both of the drivers ran over and started yelling at me. I still have that photo.

The girl we shared the cab with was from Seattle. She told us that she was in Paris for a day and then meeting up with some friends somewhere else.

Nobody from her family had ever been out of the U.S. so she promised them she'd go and seev the Eiffel Tower. That meant we'd have the cab take us there instead and work our way uphill.

While driving I pointed out Maxim's, Place de la Concorde and up the Champs. We then went thru a tunnel and shortly after got out at the Tower. Before parting I asked if she knew about the tunnel we had just gone thru. Diana had just been killed a few months earler. On our way to the Champs we crossed the Alma Bridge and there was a fountain there with many cards written by children.

The stories we remember.

= = = = =
Wrong board but who cares.

Bears are special. I've never come across a grizzly but have been nose to nose with black bears several times: Yellowstone (actually Grand Tetons), Yosemite and Banff.

You can see photos of them at:

www.travelwalks.com

Wait, are there Russian bears in Paris?

I'm so confused....

What wonderful Paris memories, Myer. Hope the shop is still there.

Love your black bears.

tuscan,

That's called digressing.

tuscan: I was wondering the same thing, since the Place des Vosges is nowhere near the 6th nor the 7th.

That's called confusing.

Do many posters here actually READ what they comment upon?

From Myers' post:

"On our last trip to Paris a little over 10 years ago we went to the Marais and wandered thru Place des Vosges. We stopped at an art gallery and the owner gave us a print that my wife framed and has hanging in the house. We want to go back and see if it's still their.

From there we decided to do some of the obligatories. The Eiffel Tower, Champs Elysees, etc. Since it's downhill to the Tower we figured we'd go in that direction."

I foolishly assumed that the "From there we decided to do some . . ." meant they left PldV for ET area.

apersuader65: Do some posters have no sense of humor?

Never mind...

Guess we have to overuse the smiley face :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :)

:)