Thank you for the metro info. I don't know how I missed that #7 line. Sometimes I look at the map for so long, I miss the most obvious routes!

I will be keeping in touch.

-RobertaL

Robertal,

Stop in a tabac and pick up one of the Le Petit Parisiens by L'Indispensable...I like the 3 Plans per Arrondissement..has the map, the metro and the bus pages for each arr.They are dark blue, in color.They are great...

Joan

A great find today!!

Le Clarisse, 29, rue Surcouf, just off St. Dominique. Only been there for a year.

Absolutely lovely in every way.

I am going to make dinner reservations there when I know for sure when my out of town French friends are coming in to join me.

Joan

Joan:

Keep up the good work! You should be an investigative reporter. I am taking notes.

Weekender

http://www.leclarisse.fr/presentation.htm

The website pictures really do not do it justice. It is really very, very pretty. I'm sure at night with the lighting that it is lovely.

Joan

Greetings Joan,

Love all your posts. We will be arriving in Paris with our family on September 29th, staying in a ParisPerfect apartment in the 7th. My sister, her husband and daughter will arrive on October 3rd. They will be staying in the 7th, as well. I am looking for a restaurant that would accommodate nine people on Friday, October 3rd., do you have a suggestion?

Many thanks,

DianeBee

DianeBee,

How old is the "daughter"? Are you looking for a simple brasserie type or what did you have in mind? Give me an idea and it would help...

Joan

DianeBee,

I think Le Florimond could handle your group. You can google and read a lot about it. Also, I will be there for lunch on Thursday and could ask about 9 people and could even make your reservation. You would need to call after arriving in Paris to re-confirm, so they know that you did arrive. If you want me to do that for you, I will need something better than DianeBee and a time that you were thinking of. I would then get back to you Thursday.

Joan

I am soaking up all your comments gracejoan and making notes for my next trip!
If DianeBee cannot be accommodated by Le Florimond ( which was our Fodorite GTG venue in 2006 but only 3 of us) may I suggest a great family style restaurant which needs little advanced notice, namely Le Batifol, 1 Boulevard St.Germain or at 78 Champs Elysees.
Bon Apetit!

Tod, I was thinking that she might want to be in the 7th..if not, there are certainly many choices...will see what she is looking for.....

Joan

I am sorry I wasn't more specific about my group. We are all adults; my husband and I are traveling with our two sons and their wives. My sister is traveling with her husband and grown daughter. I originally thought we might want to stay in the 7th that evening because my sister and her family will arrive on Friday morning. However, I am sure they would be open to a good suggestion wherever it is.

Everyone on this board is so helpful. Thank you,

DianeBee

DianeBee,

You know what I think I would do... "La Fontaine de Mars". It is nearby, as your apt. must be in the St. Dominique/Bourdonnais/Rapp area. Your other 3 must be in the area. With it being their arrival day, they might appreciate it being nearby.

You can just e-mail ParisPerfect and ask them to make the reservation for you. They have your name, telephone # etc.They will be glad to do it for you.

Font. de Mars is a fine restaurant. I think you all will enjoy it.

Enjoy.....Joan

Joan,

Thank you, La Fontaine de Mars was on my list. I will e-mail Phillipe and see if he can make the reservation for us. How is the weather in Paris today? We arrive on Sunday.

DianeBee

DianeBee,

Hi,

Philippe will pass it on from London to local gals.

I am having lunch with Madelyn today. She came over yesterday and will leave late today. Eurostar is a mess because of the fire. She is finishing new apt. that she wants me to move into and give it a try!!

The weather has been absolutely great! Should continue that way at least til I leave on the 10th..or so it looks like...we may pass in the streets....

Have a good flight....

Joan

Yesterday I went to l'Agassin. I was not impressed!

Perfect weather!!

Busy day today..will go to Flirt'The for breakfast. Meeting group for lunch at Le Florimond and getting together with some other Fodorites, Stu and Ellen Dudley, for dinner at Fables de la Fontaine. I will join them for kirs at their www.parisperfect.com "Champagne" apt. before dinner. They are settled in and very happy there!

Tomorrow will be the GTG for lunch with the Fodorites!

a bientot,

Joan

A beautiful day in Paris!! The sun was slow coming out and was partially cloudy, but warm..no coat!

I had my usual with Flirt'The early.

Today was lunch with some nice old friends and Madelyn of Paris Perfect was in town (actually hosted the lunch) and a couple gals who she new joined in. We had a catch up and good time. A great lunch by the way..Le Florimond. Madelyn received a call that the plumber was at the new Moulin a Vent and had to leave..we had finished eating by this time. Yes, I will be moving into the new Moulin a Vent next week!! That's exciting!! Friends joined me back at my Meursault PP apt. We had a nice visit.

Tonight I will be joining Stu and Ellen Dudley for dinner. I will tell all about that later or in the morning........

a bientot............Joan

Good morning Joan!
Wishing you and the fellow Fodorites a very happy and jovial lunch! Please tell Gina I say Hi and hopes she located Glenda.
Looking forward to hearing all about it!

Hi Tod,

I didn't receive your post before leaving for the GTG.

I have just returned home from it. I sat next to Gina and Joy. We visited a lot and I have Gina's e-mail address to write to her and we can do a bit of communicating that way, too.

There were 10 of us. It was a bright, sunny day in Paris. We were out on the terrace. We wined and dined till after 3:30, I would say.

Too bad that you could not join us. Another time. I do a month spring and a month fall, so perhaps.....

I ate so much yesterday that I only had a salad and that is also what Gina and Joy had.

Tonight I am going down the street to Chez Anges.

a bientot.....

Joan

Dear *Amazing Grace*

Yes, you are! I've read your posts/adventures and am totally impressed with you!!!

I was in Paris ONCE 10 years ago (2days/1 night).

---> I'm leaving Los Angeles and ARRIVE in PARIS AF 6:30pm *Sept 29* this MONDAY* for *THREE NIGHTS*!

MY PROBLEM: I *NEED* a place to stay for *THREE NIGHTS* that is relatively INEXPENSIVE!!! (close to main tourist sights: louvre, Notre Dame, ET, bustour?, at least one fantastic meal,etc) near public transportation/walking distance/?rail station.

I'd like a clean, safe, bed to sleep. I plan to be out of my room at least 12 hours day.

parisperfect.com is very lovely,... but, out of my price range : (((

I am young-50ish, single, female and want to see as much as I possibly can. (Yes, I'l buy a "Foder's Paris" to read on the plane.) 'Need to study areas of city I ought to focus on.

Amazing Grace, pls, pls, pls,...give me your best wisdom and advice!

Sincerely,
Jan

Jan:

Gracejoan has stayed in apartments for many years.

Why don't you look at the the Hotel Clement? Rates are reasonable and the location is very good.

www.hotelclementparis

Good luck.

Letsdance..

Here is a hotel website that you contact them. It is a 2 star hotel, in a very good, safe location with metro/bus etc.

http://www.paris-hotel-muguet.com/English/TheHotel1.htm

Good luck........

Jan: Take a look at Hotel Langlois. We really loved that place. Enormous rooms, empty fridge (very handy for beverages, cream for your coffee). I have a one-cup coffee maker (picked up at La Carpe on rue Tronchet). It's right around the corner from the Grands Magasins, less than a ten minute walk from one of our favorite spots any time of the day or night Au General Lafayette, and there's wonderful dining nearby, notably Chez Jean.

I told you that you were amazing,...

I fell in love,... Hotel Muguet looks perfect! However,... a single if available is 103 ero,... does that mean about =$200???

$600 ??? for 3 nights is a little steep for me,... do you have any other suggestions???

Weekender--

Thanks for the info on Hotel Clement,... apparently there are several and the site asks for a zip code,... can you clarify name of hotel/zip???? Thanks! --jan

Sorry-try www.hotelclementparis.com

I think you can use an exchange rate of abouy 150 and be about right,,,so the 103 wuld be aout 152...

I may be wrong, but think that is a good price for a decent place in a decent area with all the things you want....

Try the Hotel du Lys; single is 100 euro and includes breakfast. No elevator, though.

www.hoteldulys.com

Thanks for so much information Joan! We are leaving in less than 2 weeks for Paris and I'm very excited (and very jealous that you get to stay for a month). One question for you - is there outdoor dining anymore at this time of year or is it too cold?

Also, a question for Roberta on the Montmartre festival which looks like fun (and thanks for the link to the website). Is it a very crowded festival? Like it would be a bad idea to go with our toddler daughter and try to get around with a stroller? Is it mostly winetasting? Looks like some music (and marriage proposals?) as well.

Yes, there is outdoor dining. You just take it one day at a time for the weather.

Yesterday was the Fodor's GTG and we were all outside...along with many other people.

Last night I went to dinner at Chez les Anges, 54 BD La Tour Maubourg. A nice place, I had the 25 euro menu, glass of wine,dessert and cafe creme for 44 euros.Enjoyed it all.

Passed another restaurant nearby and people were dining outside. Don't know if by choice or space as it was chilly..windy. They had some protective plastic shades and the upper heaters. I think I would opt for inside, at night!!

I think I will go down to the market at Vanves this morning..after Flirt'The, of course!! Then, I think I may drop in to Les cocottes for lunch or wait and go to Cafe Constant this evening....choices, choices!!

I am enjoying..can you tell?

a bientot.........

I think I forgot to post about dinner with Stu and Ellen Dudley on Thursday.

I went to their www.parisperfect.com apartment...the Champagne. It is soooo lovely. It has wrap around decks..ET right there. As they said, you don't want to leave...you would rather bring food in. Fortunately the Constants are nearby for them to do some excellent take out dinners!!

We had a Kir, visited about many places where we had been and then went donw to Les Fables des la Fontaine (a Constant) for dinner. It is a small place..absolutely great. We were all very pleased with everything! Christian stopped in and stopped by our table.

An enjoyable evening by all.....

I did just return fom Vanves. If I could have called Madelyn (ParisPerfect, I would have. I found two precious carousel horses..not the giant ones, but small ones..perhaps from a children's carousel. Muted colors. He had the tails. They were in good shape. I asked he price for one and for two. I really couldn't carry them..or one...I rushed back and have an e-mail off to Madelyn..maybe they are common, I don't know. I could easily see them in her apts....one in the B/R of the new Moulin a Vent, where I will be moving to. If she wants them, all I have to do is rush back down there and then find a way to get them here...if you hear about some old lady pulling a wagon of some sort with two carousel horses in it, you will know who it is!

I think I will give Les Cocottes the opportunity of feeding me ths noon!!

a bientot..........

Joan

Hello Joan-in-Paris,
Glad to hear all went well at the GTG - are you going to meet up again with Gina & Joy? Did Gina mention Glenda at all - or was she there?

I must correct something I posted earlier. I said we had a GTG at Le Florimond. Not so.
I got mixed up between that restaurant and PHARAMOND, 24 rue de la Grand Tuanderie, 1e.!! Very nice there too.

Joan, seeing you are so close to ET I was wondering if you ever take a walk up Rue de Montessuy? I saw some really nice looking places to eat.

Sally30
The Wine Festival is pretty full-on as one can imagine but is held over three days (when I went 2 years ago). The first days are when all the Pageantry is performed and officials are present & some people dress in costume. I only went on the Sunday. It was so hot we drank ice cold beer - not a drop of wine!

Tod,

Gina had not been in touch with Glenda. She was a bit concerned.

They had a lot to do for the last couple of days..Joy had some gift shopping to do..

Yes, familiar with Monttessuy for many years. Au Bon Accueil is there..it did change hands but still supposed to be good. I will be going there before I leave. An Italian restaurant too, if I remember correctly. Of cours, Le Clos de Gourmets is around the corner on Rapp.

I had lunch at Les Cocottes..I had a cocotte!!

Some marching thing going on..firecrackers many gendarmes..not sure what it is all about. Signs had CEF on them I think, whatever that is!

I have been here about 2 1/2 weeks now..beginning to feel a bit like a Parisian!!

Very warm this afternoon..........

a bientot....Joan

Hello everyone!

Joan, I'm glad to see the weather is warming up (just in time for my trip). Funny, back at home I always feel like a Parisian (in my mind anyway!)

Tod, Au Bon Accueil popped into my head as well when Rue de Montessuy was mentioned. We went there 2 years ago and it was good (portions a bit small). The restaurant is not that big so make reservations if you plan on going.

Sally30, we went to Sacre Couer two years ago, not realizing it was the festival (surprise!). It was alot more than wine. There were dozens of vendors surrounding Sacre Couer, selling so many things (sandwiches, mussels, potatoes gratin, foie gras, & things we didn't try). Go with an empty stomach & don't pass up items you are tempted to try (you'll regret it later).
If you plan on sampling wine alot, be smart and just buy the bottle. It's cheaper. They'll open it for you, give you plastic glasses, you grab something to eat & enjoy it all on the church steps (sounds odd, but everyone does it).

I think you'll be fine with a stroller (lots of uphill walking, but you can do it). We are going Saturday, October 11th - hope it is the same. The area is surrounded by art galleries. I bargained for two paintings which I cherish to this day! Enjoy!

-RobertaL
P.S. Joan, did Madelyn pass on the horses?

Robertal

Have not heard from Madely re the horses...I have probably lost them!

I did go the Cafe de l'Esplanade at 52 r. Faubert..it is right on the Invalides Explanade. Breakfast was same as Flirt'The for twice the price, 16 euros..you pay the extra 8 euros for the atmosphere..all depends what you want. E-gullet has said the place was a bit pricey! I almost made a reservation for later today..but decided to wander a bit.

In my wandering I came across La Cuisine 14, bd de la Tour Maubourg. This is between Universite and Quai d'Orsay. I made a reservation for later today. I already know that I am going to like it!!

Beautiful day today!! Some rain later in the week and a bit cooler is predicted..that can easily change.

a bientot.....Joan

I think I have previously passed on the great private airport transportation servie that I use:
http://www.shuttle-inter.com/

I e-mailed them this morning that my return pickup would need to be changed as I was moving this week to the new PP apt. I thanked them for all the great service to the many people that I told about their great service.

I just received confirmation of the pickup address change..and a note that my return trip would be only 40 euros!! What a deal for this great service. Waiting for you with name on a sign as you exit, take your luggage to nearby car and you are off. They also check for flight delays and make whatever necessary changes...no calls to make, no walking anyplace to wait for anything. Repeat customers can certainly do well with them. I thought the regular price of 55 euros was great!!

You may want to give them a try....

Joan

Thanks Joan for the update on Gina et al.

We ( DH & I) strolled down Rue de Monttesuy very late one night this past May after waiting until 11pm for Lady Eiffel to start sparkling. I looked at the menus and was surprised to find the prices weren't outrageous given the fact the area is very upmarket.
In particular I fancied the little Chinese/Thai restaurant in Monttesuy.

Many years ago we stayed at 35 Blvd.La Tour Marbourg which was a Best Western Hotel back then. Top floor, 2 bedrooms with TV, 2 bathrooms - 1,000Francs a day. It's still a hotel I guess.
The restaurant down on the corner at 58 La Tour Marbourg( all yellow framework) was our first experience with the French way of grilled steak. Rare , to rare, too too rare!

Tod.

The Best Western is still there. I happened to notice it.

Steaks are usually not the best to order in Paris.

I did have lunch at La Cuisine, 14 bd la tour Maubourg..another place I would say is a very good addition to any list of good Paris restaurants.

I then jumped on the metro at Invalides and off to Opera..nice, very nice...I then thought I owed it to myself to walk down the Le Meurice and into their lovely bar and sit down and relax for a bit...that I did!!

I then got on the metro at Concorde and home in minutes!

Very warm out..people were enjoying every bit of it....

a bientot.Joan

Grace,
I've enjoyed reading your posts, making some notes for our upcoming trip. We'll be in Paris Oct. 24-29, after Netherlands and Belgium. We're hoping for good weather, but are prepared for anything.
We'll be in Marriott Rive Gauche, so if you have any particular restaurants, shops, anything we might find useful, please advise.
This is our second trip to Paris, a longer trip in 2006, so we know some basics, but welcome helpful hints. Thanks a lot.

You are in the Marriott Rive Gauche in the 14th, correct?

If so, I would highly, highly recommend that you call La Regalade, 49, ave Jean Moulin, tel 01 45 45 68 58 for a reservation. It is not that far from you. I call about 6:00 am EST using the 1010 dialing..costs about .65.

I will be there next Monday evening. You definitely will enjoy it.

I'm sure others will jump in with some suggestions for you.

I was here last year the latter part of Oct. and it was cold. It might be warm this year..hard to tell..layered is the name of the game!

Enjoy your planning and your tripp....call La Regalade...you will be glad you did!!

Joan