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Old Apr 24th, 2008, 02:39 AM
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Ronda - thanks for the link to youtube!
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Old Apr 24th, 2008, 06:09 AM
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fig 514

Chexk our Abadache 89 rue Lemercier.

also Cottage Mercadet 151 bis rue mercadet.

These are both up your way.

I will be spending
saturday in Montmartre

Enjoy your trip........
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Old Apr 24th, 2008, 06:18 AM
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sorry for the previous typing mess..guess you understood it
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Old Apr 24th, 2008, 09:02 AM
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Joan,

On your return you will have to rent "Mr. Bean's Holiday" for a different take on Le Train Bleu. Hysterical!
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Old Apr 24th, 2008, 11:03 AM
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Gracejoan3 and all others for this post:

Goodness, I am so glad I read this post. I dutifully copied and pasted all the restaurant reviews in a word doc for our August trip. Our family of 4 (2 boys, ages 7 & 9) are visiting London/Paris this August for 12 nights, first time visit for both cities. Our plan is to split the 12 nights in each city. I got our London accomodation well under way, but no clue on Paris. I was advised to rent in London. It seems like a good idea to do the same in Paris.

What are some good websites for apt. renting in Paris? We may be staying only 5 nights in Paris, in that case, is it worthwhile to rent? If not, recommendations on hotels?

Which areas are preferable? We want to stay VERY close to attractions, and in areas with good restaurants and metro stations within walking distance. Shopping is not important to us (can't drag 3 boys - hubby + kids to any store, which is fine with me). From my research, there are a few desirable areas: Rue Cler neighbourhood (7th arrondissement - from Rick Steve's -- is that the "7th" some of you mentioned in this post? What does that mean anyway?) Marais neighborhood (4th arrondissement); Luxebbourg Garden area (5th and 6th arrondissements). Which area would you recommend for us first timers? From the map, rue Cler seems great, simply because it is so close to Eiffel Tower. Our budget is up to £230/night.

Thanks for the help. Keep restaurant reviews coming. Maybe, this post is all I need to visit Paris.

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Old Apr 24th, 2008, 11:36 AM
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Hi,
Thanks so much for your suggestions.
I had already heard of Cottage Mercadet, but am glad to hear you approve.
We also had a GREAT first meal at Doudingue, on rue Durantin, just off des Abesses. Caramelized foie gras on pear tart, gambas on vanilla risotto and red fruit panacotta for 38euro !
Lovely atmosphere, but be warned, reservations a must,even midweek.
What are your "must dos" in Montmartre. We do love the neighborhood.
We got our place through A la carte Paris, great service.
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Old Apr 24th, 2008, 12:01 PM
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Gracejoan, did you do the 32 E dinner at Ferrandaise? It sounds very good.
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Old Apr 24th, 2008, 09:07 PM
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Plambers..Yes re the 32euro menu

TravelerGreenBay...
www.vrbo.com is a very good spot for you to look for rentals. You can look by arrondissements, I think the 7th would be a good area for your family. It also happens to be my favorite area. That is where I am now. A great selection of restaurants, Eiffel Tower visible fom all around..outside my window as I post.
Look at places, note whether an elevator, A/C, if you need it, etc. Come back to this board with ones that look good to you and ask what we think...the planning is fun..enjoy.....
My Fremch friends came into town last evening and we went to Au Gourmand for dinner..a first for them. We did enjoy..about midnight when we arrived home. They spent the night. My Paris Perfect apt. is lovely..so many nice touches...and this one all an upgrade for me!!

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Old Apr 24th, 2008, 09:12 PM
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I guess I didn't tell you about lunch at Fontaine Gaillon..this is owned by the movie star Georges ?...never can remember his name..oh well, he missed seeing us yesterday! Attractive place with its wood panelling. They have several different size private dining rooms upstairs that can be reserved..for a fee.

I am off to "Spring" for lunch today with Madely Willems, owner of Paris Perfect. I think what she did was to swap places with me.

a bientot...........
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Old Apr 24th, 2008, 10:19 PM
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Fig 514,

Try ths:
http://tinyurl.com/5ml4q2

Go to the 18th and check out some. This is all from the e-gullet site..probably the top website for food from extremely knowledgeable food people. You will enjoy. All others who take a look will also enjoy....

a bientot...........
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Old Apr 25th, 2008, 07:52 AM
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fig514

Here is one for you. Friends were there today..they have been before and they enjoy good food...

" Cafe Qui Parle on Caulaincourt----love the food there and the chef and wait staff are fun. On the weekends they have a brunch---don't go. ----not at all the same".
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Old Apr 25th, 2008, 11:09 AM
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Hi Gracejoan,
Thanks so much for your help. We actually snagged reservations at La Regalade tonight, but that is quite a treck ! Will let you know tomorrow if worth it.
Thought of you today as we spent our day in the 7e, and we saw so many great looking real estate. We kept thinking....maybe she's in this beautiful building !
I love how the French take out their grandmothers for walks on sunny afternoons, no matter how frail. And despite their bent backs, they look fab, with their polished canes and Hermes scarves
How was "spring"? We called and they're booked until July !!!!
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Old Apr 25th, 2008, 11:21 AM
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It may seem like La Regalade is far..it really isn't..metro is so speedy.

Spring was great for lunch..linch is only on Friday. Can you believe, there were 2 no-shows!! So many others would have liked the 2 spots!!

We were visiting with Daniel after and I asked how far out the booking was not..He siad July!! It cn be best to use the 1010 numbes from the US and call way in advance.

Our lunch was great. It was very light and interesting. The main was a red fish..fancy strawberries and wine for dessert.

A great spot..not at all fancy, in any way!!

Beautiful weather today..and tomorrow. Off to Montmartre tomorrow!

My apt. bldg is on the corner of Bourdannais and St. Dominique..Dome Rest. is at the bottom..I have the Eiffel Tower outside 3 windows! Not all bad!!

Enjoy................
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Old Apr 25th, 2008, 10:38 PM
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Good morning,
La Regalade.....wow, it was perfect. Another great find because of this forum,so thank you !
this was exactly what we wanted, a slice of Parisian life with all its flavors. This is not a fancy place, but the flavors of the dishes were as developed as one might hope. True terroir taste, right down to his grandmother's rice pudding.
Can't believe there were two empty seats at Spring yesterday...what a waste !
Thanks again for all you've added to our spring Paris escapade.
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Old Apr 26th, 2008, 12:58 AM
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If you liked La Regalade, you would also like La Ferrandaise, 8 rue Vaugiraud, 01 43 26 36 36 and l'Epigramme, 9 rue l'Eperon, 01 44 41 00 09..do call, reservaions a must do!!

I am glad you enjoyed La Regalade..I'm sure you did notice that if did fill usp. You find the magic hour for all to arrive is 8:30..you would do best to try for earlier reservations...

Do enjoy..super weather..

a bientot...
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Old Apr 26th, 2008, 01:41 PM
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gracejoan3 -

Looks like we were neighbors for a few days.
Our apartment from the Muguet was at 122, Rue St Dominque--across the street, about three doors down from you next to the rotisserie place.
This street was fabulous. My favorite in Paris so far. Glad to hear the weather has continued to improve. I think I brought the cool weather back to New Jersey.

Just got home about midnight.Will write a trip report soon.
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Old Apr 26th, 2008, 10:30 PM
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ladylyn,

Yes, you were nearby.
If this was your first stay in the 7th, I know you must have been pleased. All you could possibly want in the area. Easy access to everything you want to do or see

Will look for your trip report.

Going down to Cafe d'Alma..5 Rapp..for petite dejeuner..open at 9:30 on dimanche...
a bientot........
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Old Apr 27th, 2008, 09:32 AM
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Gracejoan 3,

I have looked at some agency run websites for aprt rentals in Paris. We need one with AC. The only one that is available for our dates (8/14 - 20) is on 8th, off rue de Ponthieu, near Champs Elysees. How convenient is this area, with lots of restaurants around? If that one is not good, I will look into vbro. I have not looked into this website, just because the search takes longer. Those commercial websites, I could just plug in some criteria, and out they spit my choices.

Also, just how necessary is AC in mid August in Paris? AC criteria has really limited my choices.

Your answer is appreciated.
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Old Apr 27th, 2008, 10:30 AM
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Travveller Green Bay

That is very near Rond Pt Champs Elysees. If the price is right, you like the place, and you have the A/C you need, sounds fine. Have you checked what floor and if elevator etc? You have Metros near you and can get to all the restaurants and sites easily from the location.

Are you aware of the closings of some restaurants etc. in August? Many take their holiday at that time.

Re your question of the necessity of A/C in August. I would definitely say yes!

Enjoy your planning......
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Old Apr 27th, 2008, 01:14 PM
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Hard to believe we are at the end of our escapade in Paris . What a glorious weekend. Gracejoan,thanks so much for your input. We spent the morning at Bastille market, bought a pile of great mushrooms, and tonight cooked in !
We loved l'Epigramme last night. Wandered the Marais today. Seems like all of Paris has a smile on their face, with the fantastic weather playing no small part.
Well, back to New England, husbands and kids tomorrow, but, boy, did we have a blast
Will live vicariously through you until AirFrance beckons again.
Thanks, and hope to chat again soon !
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