Paris - Nov 3 - Dec 14
 

I need to get this set up so I am able to send the thread on to some who like to put it in their Favorites to just click on it!

I have packed and re-packed. I am ready to go. Cats are suspicious, but they will be enjoying their vacation at 'Just Cats' while I am enjoying Paris! No guilt feelings.

Some great plans. I did not do my usual advance reservations this time. I will take care of it after I arrive.

I have been taking many echinacea in preparing for the trip. Swine flu may be readily available in Paris. If so, and easy to get, I may be vaccinated for swine flu in Paris.

You all know by now that I enjoy staying in the 7th, specifically the 7th near St. Dominique and Bourdonnais. You also know that I always stay in the www.parisperfect.com apartments. Saves a lot of looking time when you have made these decisions! I think/hope it works out that I may be able to arrange to stay in several of the apartments..Kir, Cabernet, Champagne, St. Julien and Chateau LaTour. Will see how it works out for me. Will not be disappointed for sure.

I will preview the Cote de Provence for Fodor's poster CityofLight. I would be happy to make some reservations or some other requests.

I will take pictures of places/meals and other interesting things, along with a nice planned get together for some fellow travelers and local Parisiens.

For those who have enjoyed these escapades and contributed to the fun of it..we are about to begin again!

a bientot...

Joan

The next best thing to being in Paris myself is reading your reports! ;^)

Rob

ParisAmsterdam

Aren't you nice!! Many of us have had fun with these in the past. You all are what makes it so much fun to do...looking forward to it...

a bientot...

Joan

Hi Grace! Yes indeed, I will be amongst many checking in daily to see how Paris is treating you.
Today my DH and I came to a final decision about our 2010 holiday and I couldn't be more delighted when he announced he would prefer to spend our 5 weeks between France ( meaning Paris of course!) and Canada! We were planning a cruise to Alaska but have decided it's all a bit too much.
Yay more Paris next year!

Definitely will be watching for your posts, living in Paris with you.

I know what you mean about echinacea. I took 2 at night for several years from October until March and never had a cold or got sick. Last year I didn't take it and was sick all the time. People say it doesn't work, that it's all in your head. I don't care if it is, it worked for me.

Stay healthy and have a great trip.

bookmarking. Have a great trip!

tpayt,

I know that it has worked for me. A bad cold one time, and got on it and it stoppped. I then stopped taking it too soon and the cold came back. I immediately got back on it and it took care of it, again. I think it is timing with it. But you do have to take a lot of it..every time you think of it, take 2. I probably am taking 6-8 a day right now. They say it can't hurt you.

a bientot...

Joan

I was thinking of you today! (Pretty funny to think of someone you don't know!) On NPR this morning they were interviewing the Constants and I know how much you love their restaurants and that you are friendly with them.
Happy and safe travels and I will be reading.

309pbg
A friend sent me an email this morning about this on NPR this morning. I had an early opthalmologist appointment this morning and it was too late to catch it. I did pull up the website and sent it on to a number of friends along with Catherine Constant. I told Catherine that my arrival flight is later this trip(due to the many cancelled flights)and I will miss my usual Les Cocottes arrival day lunch. I said that I might try for dinner and wondered if I would have a problem, after this!!

I have found and told others, that you should get to Cafe Constant or Les Cocottes by 7:30, or you might not get a table!!

Yes, all the Constant restaurants are good buys for the food that you receive. All different and dependable...Christian is wandering through them all, regularly, too.

a bientot....

Joan

Joan,
I can't believe your trip is finally here! I am sooooo looking forward to reading your entries, especially since I couldn't go to Paris this fall. Don't forget the descriptions & pictures of the delicious food (always a highlight).

I will be living vicariously through you for the next several weeks. Say hi to Florent & Max!

-Roberta

Ooops, not "Max" but "Valdo" at Cafe Max.
(see? I've been away too long)

-Roberta

DH & I are doing Paris in 2010, so I can't wait to read your reports!

Dear Joan,

I, too, will be looking for your reports every day. This past month, a local (Phoenix) restaurant critic wrote an article about a recent visit to Guy Savoy. It literally brought tears to my eyes. If you happen to go there, I want to hear all about it! It is definitely on my list for my next visit.

Best wishes for a fun-filled, healthy and safe journey.

a bientot,

Diane

Dear Joan,
Have a wonderful time,I can't wait to hear of your adventures.We will be heading back for trip #6 in May,so I need some new ideas for dining.
Thanks
Elaine

CityofLight,

I have a name..Diane. I didn't know if a male or a female!

Re: Guy Savoy! It has been several years..maybe longer..that I had dinner at Guy Savoy. I have dined at many of the starred Paris restaurants..1, 2 and 3! I think I can say that I have enjoyed them all, maybe for different reasons..as some are quite different..l'Astrance, for instance!!

When my taxi arrived at Guy Savoy I thought they had mistaken me for the Prime Minister's party..it seemed like a dozen people almost carried me inside! The service and attention was better than superb!! The table spacing was pleasant, although I remember an American couple, middle aged, who were not too far from me. He evidently made some sort of faux pas that really annoyed her. She really chewed him out! I could hardly keep from laughing!

Guy Savoy was very busy doing a lot of PR at the tables, along with giving quite a bit of attention to a private party group.

It was really a great evening. I think they gave me some kind of gift..plate or some such. You just don't look at the cost of the evening!

I place it very high on my list, if not the highest in some ways.

Roberta: You know I will give Valdo a big hug for you!

a bientot....

Joan

gracejoan3 -- i am very envious of your long visit to Paris. I would love to take u up on your generous offer to check into something for me. We will be in Paris beginning on Jan 8 and departing on Jan 17. One of the restaurants we hoped to eat at is Le Pamphlet on 38 rue Debelleym, 3e. phone 33142723924. They dont seem to have a website and I have read on a couple sites that they close the first 2 weeks of January. I hope that is not the case or if so they will be open on our last evening, January 16. So if it is at all possible if u could find out if they will be closed and for what dates. I would really appreciate it. Thank you!

yestravel

I will call them for you next week and get the information that you need. I will get back on here and post it. Watch for it!

Joan

Allons-y!

Thank you so much! I will follow your thread in any case...sounds like u do a fun trip and always looking for some tips for Paris.

Bon voyage! Sante! and God Bless!
I plan to revisit Paris in May 2010. This will be a wonderful "prequel."

Bon voyage gracejoan! Looking forward to reading your trip report. Let us know about the weather conditions there. ;-)

This is pretty good for those who will be going before Christmas:
http://goparis.about.com/od/shopping...masmarkets.htm

Joan

Thanks for the link, Joan! We'll be in Paris 12/5-12 and are looking forward to Christmas markets and displays.

Judy,

You will find them all over the place. If you have not seen Paris in all it's Christmas glory, you will find it is special!

Don't know where you are staying, but I like to take an evening walk across Pont Alma, from the 7th, and up Montaigne, past the high fashion shops, Plaza Athenee Hotel and on to Rond Point and look up Champs Elysees, in both directions..take your camera!

Joan

My husband and I are meeting our adult daughters in Paris and we're staying in an apartment on rue de Seine. We usually travel in May or Sept/October so have never seen the holiday decor.
We have planned a walk very similar to the one you describe.

Any idea how long they leave the Xmas decorations up? Are they still up after New Years? Sure would love to see them.

Joan, whilst you are in contact with Le Pamphlet for Yestravel, would you be so kind as to enquire if they close for the month of August? With so many smaller restaurants taking their annual holiday it would be nice to find one or two open for business when we are there next year.

tod

I will add to my list..

Joan

Joan, have an AWESOME time!! I'll be reading your daily posts for sure... I'm so jealous! This time last year I was in Paris and am dying to go back asap.

Enjoy!

hi, what is the weather like in Paris during christmas time? is it anywhere like London, damp and bone-chilling? i am from NY so I can handle winter no problem, but London in December was way cold!

Hi,

It can be chilly, for sure, but it can also be decent. I live in Asheville, NC and it does not bother me!! Dress accordingly! Scarf, gloves, cashmere sweater. Rarely snows in Paris, but this past winter more snow falls than usual.

Joan

thanks joan. please be sure to update us on the weather while you are out there. i know you are leaving in just a few more days. how exciting!

I will pass on daily weather while there. I have been watching it for my trip.

I leave on Monday....

Joan

Wishing you bon voyage, Joan. I'm looking forward to reading your exploits in our favorite city. Safe travels, EJ ((#))

joan

I have been following your trip reports for the last yr. I am going solo to paris on nov 11 to 17th. I would love to meet you for dinner some evening that is convenient for you. I have gone to paris for the last 4 yrs. just to enjoy the ambience and food and shops.
I would like your email address so i could get in contact with you. i will not be having a cell phone.
sue

Can't wait for your reports--I will be in Paris for a few days in early Dec, so the timing is perfect. I can not wait to see the City of Lights, all decked out in its Christmas decor!

sueb08,
My travel email address is: [email protected]

Email me and we can be talking about some plans. Let me know what area you will be staying in, etc.

Joan

sueb08,
Received your emails and we will certainly get together in Paris!

We have a few things in the works now and you can makes some decisions re Violon, l'Obe, Les Cocottes and Cafe Constant.

I would be delighted for you to come by my apartment first. Yes, after seeing a Paris Perfect, you probably will decide it is the way to go for your next trip. I think I may be in the Cabernet when you are there. Nice apartment.

You live so near Green Bay and will certainly be watching the football game with Minnesota and Brett Favre when I am flying to Paris. I will hear about if after arrival! Should be a good game..with mixed feelings re Brett!

a bientot...

Joan

I won't miss the football..thought it was the Monday night game!!

Hi Joan, hope you have a fabulous time. Do you mind if I ask a question? I'm curious to know why you change apartments rather than just stay in one for the entire time you are there?

I'm so envious, I don't think I'll get to Paris for ages, not that I'm complaining as we have a trip to Italy planned for next year. But..... I do love Paris (sigh).

I'll be looking forward to your posts, it's so good to read live posts.