Paris Trip Report - Part 2
May 4th, 2011 | 04:58 PM
#1
Original Poster
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 168
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Paris Trip Report - Part 2
Greetings Fodorites--
At last, I named and tagged 650 photos and documented notes from my recent trip to Paris. I posted Part Two of my trip report on my blog:
www.juliesparis.wordpress.com
Meanwhile, here are some offbeat tidbits that might be of interest to Paris-bound travelers.
With the Euro trading at $1.42 US, we economized but it didn't put a dent in our delight. Since wine is cheaper than diet Coke, fiscal responsibility isn't a hardship. As many Fodorites point out, it's cost-effective and pleasant to enjoy a sandwich in the Luxembourg Gardens. And instead of settling at cafes near major sights, we walked a little further and found less expensive cafes with comfortable tables and fine people-watching. Not rocket science, but useful to remember.
We made a macaron tour of Paris, with stops and samples from Laduree, Pierre Herme, Christoph Roussel on the rue de Champs de Mars, the Bon Marche, Stoher, Maison Georges Larnicol on the Blvd. St Germain and Carette at Trocodero. I am not a macaron fan, but my travel companion willingly taste-tested every one. (I will post the results on my blog at a later date and share it here.)
I finally got to the Le Marché des Enfants Rouges on the rue de Bretagne in the Marais. Granted it was late morning – in between shopping hours - but I didn’t find it that interesting. What a disappointment, since it’s the oldest market in Paris. There is a very nice store featuring provençal products and several stalls selling fish, wine and meats. Paris experts - what did I miss here – wrong time of day?
And at last, I cracked the “Montmartre” code. Visiting on a sunny day means hordes of people, which makes it hard to enjoy this lovely area. This time, we went in the early evening. There were crowds when we arrived, but they quickly dwindled and we got to appreciate the side-streets in peace and had a late meal.
The crowning glory came when my airline cancelled my flight home, and I had to stay an extra day. Best of all, I found out before wasting time going back and forth to the airport.
The warm weather held, the sun shone and we made the most of 24 more hours in my favourite city.
Part 1 of my trip report can be found here:
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...s-in-paris.cfm
Julie
www.juliesparis.wordpress.com
At last, I named and tagged 650 photos and documented notes from my recent trip to Paris. I posted Part Two of my trip report on my blog:
www.juliesparis.wordpress.com
Meanwhile, here are some offbeat tidbits that might be of interest to Paris-bound travelers.
With the Euro trading at $1.42 US, we economized but it didn't put a dent in our delight. Since wine is cheaper than diet Coke, fiscal responsibility isn't a hardship. As many Fodorites point out, it's cost-effective and pleasant to enjoy a sandwich in the Luxembourg Gardens. And instead of settling at cafes near major sights, we walked a little further and found less expensive cafes with comfortable tables and fine people-watching. Not rocket science, but useful to remember.
We made a macaron tour of Paris, with stops and samples from Laduree, Pierre Herme, Christoph Roussel on the rue de Champs de Mars, the Bon Marche, Stoher, Maison Georges Larnicol on the Blvd. St Germain and Carette at Trocodero. I am not a macaron fan, but my travel companion willingly taste-tested every one. (I will post the results on my blog at a later date and share it here.)
I finally got to the Le Marché des Enfants Rouges on the rue de Bretagne in the Marais. Granted it was late morning – in between shopping hours - but I didn’t find it that interesting. What a disappointment, since it’s the oldest market in Paris. There is a very nice store featuring provençal products and several stalls selling fish, wine and meats. Paris experts - what did I miss here – wrong time of day?
And at last, I cracked the “Montmartre” code. Visiting on a sunny day means hordes of people, which makes it hard to enjoy this lovely area. This time, we went in the early evening. There were crowds when we arrived, but they quickly dwindled and we got to appreciate the side-streets in peace and had a late meal.
The crowning glory came when my airline cancelled my flight home, and I had to stay an extra day. Best of all, I found out before wasting time going back and forth to the airport.
The warm weather held, the sun shone and we made the most of 24 more hours in my favourite city.
Part 1 of my trip report can be found here:
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...s-in-paris.cfm
Julie
www.juliesparis.wordpress.com
May 4th, 2011 | 05:38 PM
#2
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,049
Likes: 0
The ET "Saga of Joy." Ah-ha-ha. How appropros, Ms. Julie, after your fabbie whirlwind eating, window-shopping & libations tour. Can I tag along next time, luv? You certainly know how to do Paris. I'm surprised you were still able to read all your notes. 
May 5th, 2011 | 12:13 AM
#6
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 10,169
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Many urban local markets are boring, specializing in the kinds of things you might find in a Dollar General Store at home, useful and cheap, not picturesque or wonderful.
However, I find these interesting, too, in the same way that a walk through Belleville or Place d'Itallie is just as interesting as a walk through St Germain. Just different.
However, I find these interesting, too, in the same way that a walk through Belleville or Place d'Itallie is just as interesting as a walk through St Germain. Just different.
May 5th, 2011 | 07:44 AM
#7
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 4,654
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I love the idea of a macaron tour! I can get behind that for sure.
And am also a die hard diet coke addict. We still laugh at the look I was given at out hotel on Christmas day when I asked for one at breakfast (it was a lot like I had asked for a crack pipe or a shot of tequila). I have not yet substituted wine for diet coke yet, hmmmm, maybe I should.
And am also a die hard diet coke addict. We still laugh at the look I was given at out hotel on Christmas day when I asked for one at breakfast (it was a lot like I had asked for a crack pipe or a shot of tequila). I have not yet substituted wine for diet coke yet, hmmmm, maybe I should.
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May 5th, 2011 | 09:00 AM
#8
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,049
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Oops, grandmere. You're right of course! How embarrassing.
Well, if you've had a mimosa in the morning, denisea, then I guess you've technically had wine at breakfast. Hmmm. I'm thinking mimosas would be lovely for Mother's Day this weekend.
Well, if you've had a mimosa in the morning, denisea, then I guess you've technically had wine at breakfast. Hmmm. I'm thinking mimosas would be lovely for Mother's Day this weekend.
May 6th, 2011 | 05:05 AM
#10
Original Poster
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 168
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Thanks, everyone for your comments!
sap - it was truly a wonderful visit and I can just imagine yours will be too - particularly with your big boys along. Hope to see a trip report from you afterward. We'll run WhirlWind Tours for wine-drinking shoppers who like macarons. (I can spell "fitting", so I avoid "apropos" and any word that requires an accent that's not on my English keyboard : )
Kerouac and Ackislander, you both make me remember to adjust expectations accordingly. Truth be told, of all the markets in Paris, I like rue de Levis best, though rue Cler is an easier location for a short-term stay. But I notice food shops succombing to cafes/clothing stores in the rue Cler which is too bad.
Denisea, do do the macaron tour sometime. There are those who would agree that a macaron is not far removed from a crack pipe or tequila when the sugar rush hits. Melinda had a fine time and preferred the caramel variety. But even the ETs haven't done wine at breakfast, so I think sap is right - you're on the edge there!
I have blog posts to write on our meals and other adventures, and will drop a note here in the Forums when a post qualifies as a trip report or restaurant review. Thanks again!
Julie
www.juliesparis.wordpress.com
sap - it was truly a wonderful visit and I can just imagine yours will be too - particularly with your big boys along. Hope to see a trip report from you afterward. We'll run WhirlWind Tours for wine-drinking shoppers who like macarons. (I can spell "fitting", so I avoid "apropos" and any word that requires an accent that's not on my English keyboard : )
Kerouac and Ackislander, you both make me remember to adjust expectations accordingly. Truth be told, of all the markets in Paris, I like rue de Levis best, though rue Cler is an easier location for a short-term stay. But I notice food shops succombing to cafes/clothing stores in the rue Cler which is too bad.
Denisea, do do the macaron tour sometime. There are those who would agree that a macaron is not far removed from a crack pipe or tequila when the sugar rush hits. Melinda had a fine time and preferred the caramel variety. But even the ETs haven't done wine at breakfast, so I think sap is right - you're on the edge there!
I have blog posts to write on our meals and other adventures, and will drop a note here in the Forums when a post qualifies as a trip report or restaurant review. Thanks again!
Julie
www.juliesparis.wordpress.com
