ParisPourri
Apr 2nd, 2007, 06:52 AM
#61
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NEW MUSEUMS: MUSEE DU QUAI BRANLY
Another new Parisian museum opened recently - The Musee du Quai Branly, whose spectacular design by Uber famous architect Jean Nouvel has won raves and kudos. Located by the Eiffel Tower, on the banks of the Seine, it showcases France's extraodrinary collection of art from Asia, the Americans, Oceania and Asia.
The museum's Les Ombres top-floor restaurant has been acclaimed both for its food and camera-clicking views.
www.quaibranly.fr
Another new Parisian museum opened recently - The Musee du Quai Branly, whose spectacular design by Uber famous architect Jean Nouvel has won raves and kudos. Located by the Eiffel Tower, on the banks of the Seine, it showcases France's extraodrinary collection of art from Asia, the Americans, Oceania and Asia.
The museum's Les Ombres top-floor restaurant has been acclaimed both for its food and camera-clicking views.
www.quaibranly.fr
Apr 2nd, 2007, 09:12 AM
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VERSAILLES: GALLERY OF MIRRORS TO REOPEN
After painstakingly undergoing much needed rehab for several years, one of the most famous rooms of the palace, the stunning Gallery of Mirrors, is slated to reopen this July. The reopening of the room is a reflection on the steady renovation of the palace that is ongoing.
www.chateauversailles.fr
After painstakingly undergoing much needed rehab for several years, one of the most famous rooms of the palace, the stunning Gallery of Mirrors, is slated to reopen this July. The reopening of the room is a reflection on the steady renovation of the palace that is ongoing.
www.chateauversailles.fr
Apr 3rd, 2007, 08:05 AM
#63
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PARIS FOR A BEACH VACATION - PARIS PLAGE
Again this summer, from about July 20 to about August 20, a 2-mile stretch of busy highway running along the Seine's Right Bank is shut down and covered with tons of white sand, replete with palm trees, outdoor cafes and the ubiquitous beach 'brumatiseurs'.
The beach has been a smash hit in the past few years even though a flap last year decreed that this perhaps would be the only beach or piscine in France where toplessness was made illegal.
During warm months this stretch of river bank is also a notorious gay mecca and some of the guys are practically nude.
So pack the suntan lotion, swim suit, and for ladies a top!
The beach is only of the pleasures of Paris in August - this obnoxiously busy road running by the Louvre area is shut and much of the city's normal traffic is down as locals often flock out of town to other, more regular beaches. Smog is way down in August and parking is actually possible and,i believe free to boot during August.
Again this summer, from about July 20 to about August 20, a 2-mile stretch of busy highway running along the Seine's Right Bank is shut down and covered with tons of white sand, replete with palm trees, outdoor cafes and the ubiquitous beach 'brumatiseurs'.
The beach has been a smash hit in the past few years even though a flap last year decreed that this perhaps would be the only beach or piscine in France where toplessness was made illegal.
During warm months this stretch of river bank is also a notorious gay mecca and some of the guys are practically nude.
So pack the suntan lotion, swim suit, and for ladies a top!
The beach is only of the pleasures of Paris in August - this obnoxiously busy road running by the Louvre area is shut and much of the city's normal traffic is down as locals often flock out of town to other, more regular beaches. Smog is way down in August and parking is actually possible and,i believe free to boot during August.
Apr 4th, 2007, 07:46 AM
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BASTILLE DAY IN PARIS
Every July 14, Bastille Day means a bombastic celebration of the storming of the infamous Bastille prison that sparked the French Revolution.
This is a fun day to be in Paris:
Though celebrations take place all over the city there are some formal ones:
Evening before folks gather at the site of the demolished Bastille to dance the night away and balls are held all over town.
Parties are held in Parisian firehouses are popular with locals from the district surrounding them.
On July 14 itself the famous military parade up the Champs Elysees starts at 10am, starting at the Arc de Triomphe - the parade is led by the President of France and is punctuated by flyovers of screaming fighter jets - the so-called 'force de frappe' i believe.
At night huge crowds descend of the Champ-de-Mars by the Eiffel Tower, which will be decorated in special lights to watch the fireworks fired from the Trocadero across the Seine - fireworks begin about 10:30 but arrive early to stake out a piece of turf.
Every July 14, Bastille Day means a bombastic celebration of the storming of the infamous Bastille prison that sparked the French Revolution.
This is a fun day to be in Paris:
Though celebrations take place all over the city there are some formal ones:
Evening before folks gather at the site of the demolished Bastille to dance the night away and balls are held all over town.
Parties are held in Parisian firehouses are popular with locals from the district surrounding them.
On July 14 itself the famous military parade up the Champs Elysees starts at 10am, starting at the Arc de Triomphe - the parade is led by the President of France and is punctuated by flyovers of screaming fighter jets - the so-called 'force de frappe' i believe.
At night huge crowds descend of the Champ-de-Mars by the Eiffel Tower, which will be decorated in special lights to watch the fireworks fired from the Trocadero across the Seine - fireworks begin about 10:30 but arrive early to stake out a piece of turf.
Apr 4th, 2007, 11:58 AM
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FIVE MOST VISITED MONUMENTS IN PARIS
According to the Paris Visitors and Convention Bureau the five most visited attractions in Paris are (not clear from their listing if they are actually in order of number of visitors!)
1- Notre-Dame Cathedral
2- Sacre-Coeur Basilica
3- The Louvre (www.louvre.fr)
4- The Eiffel Tower (www.tour-eiffel.fr)
5- Pompidou Centre (www.centrepompidor.fr)
According to the Paris Visitors and Convention Bureau the five most visited attractions in Paris are (not clear from their listing if they are actually in order of number of visitors!)
1- Notre-Dame Cathedral
2- Sacre-Coeur Basilica
3- The Louvre (www.louvre.fr)
4- The Eiffel Tower (www.tour-eiffel.fr)
5- Pompidou Centre (www.centrepompidor.fr)
Apr 5th, 2007, 06:26 AM
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TU CABARET? TU CABARET? TU CABARET?
Paris is said to have invented the cabaret type show and has taken it to a modern bombastic level a la Las Vegas. For the typically sexy yet sophisticed European style spectacle. Some of the more venerable cabaret shows:
Le Lido www.lido.fr
Crazy Horse Saloon www.crazyhorse.fr
Le Paradis Latin www.paradis-latin.com
Moulin Rouge www.moulin-rouge.fr
More info on these and others: www.parisinfo.com/show_exhibition
Paris is said to have invented the cabaret type show and has taken it to a modern bombastic level a la Las Vegas. For the typically sexy yet sophisticed European style spectacle. Some of the more venerable cabaret shows:
Le Lido www.lido.fr
Crazy Horse Saloon www.crazyhorse.fr
Le Paradis Latin www.paradis-latin.com
Moulin Rouge www.moulin-rouge.fr
More info on these and others: www.parisinfo.com/show_exhibition
Apr 5th, 2007, 07:18 AM
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Coco Cheeerrrie!
There is an old song that repeats that phrase three times - but i don't know the name or if it were ever sung in Fance and it may pre-date your time
or maybe it was Tous cabaret?
There is an old song that repeats that phrase three times - but i don't know the name or if it were ever sung in Fance and it may pre-date your time
or maybe it was Tous cabaret?
Apr 5th, 2007, 10:24 AM
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EQUESTRIAN EXTRAVAGANZAS AT VERSAILLES
If tired of horsing around in Paris hoof it out on the RER to the Palace of Versailles' lavish royal stables.
The stables date from 1682 when Louis XIV, the Sun King, brought his stable of 600 or so horses to the palace with him - preminent architect Hardouin-Mansart was commissioned to design the new stables. And the elegant stables became a major venue of royal life at Versailles - lavish equestrian shows were staged to delight the fun-loving royals.
The stables today are the home of the
Academic Equestre or Equestrian Academy, which is run by a famous French horse showman, Bartabas.
Regularly scheduled shows are immensely popular.
www.acadequestre.fr
If tired of horsing around in Paris hoof it out on the RER to the Palace of Versailles' lavish royal stables.
The stables date from 1682 when Louis XIV, the Sun King, brought his stable of 600 or so horses to the palace with him - preminent architect Hardouin-Mansart was commissioned to design the new stables. And the elegant stables became a major venue of royal life at Versailles - lavish equestrian shows were staged to delight the fun-loving royals.
The stables today are the home of the
Academic Equestre or Equestrian Academy, which is run by a famous French horse showman, Bartabas.
Regularly scheduled shows are immensely popular.
www.acadequestre.fr
Apr 6th, 2007, 06:52 AM
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BIENNALE DES ANTIQUAIRES
Called by many the world's most famous antiqes show, Paris' Biennale des Antiquaires for the last six years was held in the Carrousel du Louvre whilst its permanent venue, the Grand Palais was renovated.
But this September the show returns to the recently reopened and renovated Grand Palais, which, featuring the world's largest glass-domed structure, makes a swell setting to spotlight the precious antiques on show.
www.biennaledesantiquaries
Called by many the world's most famous antiqes show, Paris' Biennale des Antiquaires for the last six years was held in the Carrousel du Louvre whilst its permanent venue, the Grand Palais was renovated.
But this September the show returns to the recently reopened and renovated Grand Palais, which, featuring the world's largest glass-domed structure, makes a swell setting to spotlight the precious antiques on show.
www.biennaledesantiquaries
Apr 9th, 2007, 06:43 AM
#72
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PARIS' ONLY MEDIEVAL GARDEN: The Medieval Garden at Cluny Museum
The 'only medieval garden' in Paris is on the grounds of the Cluny Museum, in the Latin Quarter. The inspiration for the garden originally was a study of the 13 trees and 59 plants that are depicted in the museum's ultra-famous tapestry: The Lady and the Unicorn.
www.musee-moyenage
The 'only medieval garden' in Paris is on the grounds of the Cluny Museum, in the Latin Quarter. The inspiration for the garden originally was a study of the 13 trees and 59 plants that are depicted in the museum's ultra-famous tapestry: The Lady and the Unicorn.
www.musee-moyenage
Apr 9th, 2007, 11:21 AM
#73
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AU OPERA - A NIGHT AT THE OPERA
Called one of the world's most eloquent venues for performing art, the Palais Garnier, a dazzling ornately decorated gem of a theatre, hosts the esteemed Paris Opera. The especially esteemed Ballet de l'Opera National de Paris needs to be booked well in advance to guarantee a seat.
And there is an underground lake under the Paris Opera!
www.opera-de-paris
There are also tours during the day of the lavish theatre.
Paris' other major opera venue is the Bastille Opera, dubbed the Peoples' Opera when it was constructed on the site of the demolished Gare de Bastille train station in a blue-collar district in poorer east Paris and has a more eclectic offering than the more traditional Opera de Paris at the Garnier Palace.
Called one of the world's most eloquent venues for performing art, the Palais Garnier, a dazzling ornately decorated gem of a theatre, hosts the esteemed Paris Opera. The especially esteemed Ballet de l'Opera National de Paris needs to be booked well in advance to guarantee a seat.
And there is an underground lake under the Paris Opera!
www.opera-de-paris
There are also tours during the day of the lavish theatre.
Paris' other major opera venue is the Bastille Opera, dubbed the Peoples' Opera when it was constructed on the site of the demolished Gare de Bastille train station in a blue-collar district in poorer east Paris and has a more eclectic offering than the more traditional Opera de Paris at the Garnier Palace.
Apr 10th, 2007, 07:52 AM
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JAZZ CAPITAL OF EUROPE
Paris is the self-acclaimed Jazz Capital of Europe and apart from Jazz Festivals here are three legendary Jazz venues:
Lionel Hampton Jazz Club: very classy joint in the Meridien Hotel - popular venue for touring American jazzists
www.jazzclub-paris.com
New Morning: a longtime institution located in an old printing factory in the heart of town. www.newmorning.com
Le Petit Journal Montparnasse: for food with jazz this brasserie has jazz performances with evening dinners. www.petitjournal-montparnasse.com
Paris is the self-acclaimed Jazz Capital of Europe and apart from Jazz Festivals here are three legendary Jazz venues:
Lionel Hampton Jazz Club: very classy joint in the Meridien Hotel - popular venue for touring American jazzists
www.jazzclub-paris.com
New Morning: a longtime institution located in an old printing factory in the heart of town. www.newmorning.com
Le Petit Journal Montparnasse: for food with jazz this brasserie has jazz performances with evening dinners. www.petitjournal-montparnasse.com
Apr 11th, 2007, 07:00 AM
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MUSEUM GREVIN COMPLETELY RETOOLS
I like others perhaps have disdained the notion of going to a Wax Museum in Paris. But i'm rethinking that and will soon hopefully visit Europe's 2nd most famous Wax Museum, the Musee Grevin, next trip.
To mark its 100th anniversary of its Palais des Mirages (Hall of Mirrors) the Museum Grevin has gone thru a complete restoration and many new imaging technologies. Visitors are transported to a Hindu Temple with the aid of kaleidoscopic light displays and similarly to an awesome palace straight out of the Arabian Nights.
And then there's the traditional staple of the museum, its 300 or so wax figures of French historical figures, celebrities and movie stars. (I believe recently Noah the tennis star was the most popular figure)
Musee Grevin, 10 blvd. Montmartre; www.grevin.com
I like others perhaps have disdained the notion of going to a Wax Museum in Paris. But i'm rethinking that and will soon hopefully visit Europe's 2nd most famous Wax Museum, the Musee Grevin, next trip.
To mark its 100th anniversary of its Palais des Mirages (Hall of Mirrors) the Museum Grevin has gone thru a complete restoration and many new imaging technologies. Visitors are transported to a Hindu Temple with the aid of kaleidoscopic light displays and similarly to an awesome palace straight out of the Arabian Nights.
And then there's the traditional staple of the museum, its 300 or so wax figures of French historical figures, celebrities and movie stars. (I believe recently Noah the tennis star was the most popular figure)
Musee Grevin, 10 blvd. Montmartre; www.grevin.com
Apr 12th, 2007, 06:49 AM
#76
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Two good sources for info on Paris and its conurbation of the Ile de France:
The Paris Convention and Visitors Bureau
www.parisinfo.com - click on Press and Travel Trade Information Center to get a monthly e-newsletter, statistics and featured events, downloadable publications and online photo library with more than 2000 images
The Paris Ile-de-France Tourist Board - www.pidf.com - for Paris and the Ile-de-France region that cacoons it - again click on Press and Travel Trade Information center to receive a weekly and monthly e-newsletter and brochures you can order online and receive free of charge (technically for travel agents)
The Paris Convention and Visitors Bureau
www.parisinfo.com - click on Press and Travel Trade Information Center to get a monthly e-newsletter, statistics and featured events, downloadable publications and online photo library with more than 2000 images
The Paris Ile-de-France Tourist Board - www.pidf.com - for Paris and the Ile-de-France region that cacoons it - again click on Press and Travel Trade Information center to receive a weekly and monthly e-newsletter and brochures you can order online and receive free of charge (technically for travel agents)
Apr 12th, 2007, 09:34 AM
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CLASSIFIED-ADS PAPER
If you'll be in Paris for a long time check out FUSAC for classified-ads on everything for sale, events, etc.
www.fusac.com
If you'll be in Paris for a long time check out FUSAC for classified-ads on everything for sale, events, etc.
www.fusac.com
Apr 16th, 2007, 08:33 AM
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FREE BIKES START THIS SUMMER
In an effort to alleviate traffic congestion, Paris is planning to put in place a scheme to make new bicycles available around the city for both locals and tourists as early as this July.
About 14,000 velos will be made available for use this summer with the goal of 20,600 by the end of the year.
Cyclists can pick up bikes 24 hours a day, 7 days a week just by dropping by any one of the 1,000 (!) plus dropoff centers around town.
So now the average visitor can simulate the final dash of the Tour de France up the Champs!
The JCDecaux publicity group will head this campaign after having successfully directed a similar scheme in Lyon - where they used microchip technology for tracking and maintenance. Bikes will be equipped with unique anti-theft devices to ensure bikes don't just disappear.
Just the same - a prediction that many of these bikes will be stolen despite the security effort.
I saw similar free bikes in Florence, Italy this January and Amsterdam and Copenhagen have tried it but in those two cases bikes went missing too much.
In Germany DB, German Railways, has lots of bikes stationed around towns but these are rather pricey it seems.
In an effort to alleviate traffic congestion, Paris is planning to put in place a scheme to make new bicycles available around the city for both locals and tourists as early as this July.
About 14,000 velos will be made available for use this summer with the goal of 20,600 by the end of the year.
Cyclists can pick up bikes 24 hours a day, 7 days a week just by dropping by any one of the 1,000 (!) plus dropoff centers around town.
So now the average visitor can simulate the final dash of the Tour de France up the Champs!
The JCDecaux publicity group will head this campaign after having successfully directed a similar scheme in Lyon - where they used microchip technology for tracking and maintenance. Bikes will be equipped with unique anti-theft devices to ensure bikes don't just disappear.
Just the same - a prediction that many of these bikes will be stolen despite the security effort.
I saw similar free bikes in Florence, Italy this January and Amsterdam and Copenhagen have tried it but in those two cases bikes went missing too much.
In Germany DB, German Railways, has lots of bikes stationed around towns but these are rather pricey it seems.
Apr 19th, 2007, 07:37 AM
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JARDIN DES PLANTES REINVIGORATED
In one of the lesser visited areas of Paris, the Jardin des Plantes has been thoroughly renovated. Not only are the formal French-style gardens lovely but the greenhouses have been reopened after a long period of renovation. Good for a rainy day: the Mexican Greenhouse, the Tropical Greenhouse and the Australian Greenhouse will delight lovers of hothouses.
The Jardin des Plantes also has a neat but small zoo (menagerie), replete with the usual exotic and not so exotic animaux. The zoo is a great place for young kids - there is a Jardin d'Enfants, Labyrinth, Vivarium, Reptile House.
And a special part of the gardens is the Ecole de Botanique (10,00 or so species - the remnants of the original gardens dating from 1628 when King Looie XIIIs doctors first planted here a royal medicinal garden; the de factor pharmacy of the day) or Botanical Gardens with a special Parc Ecolgique and an Alpine Garden.
Bordering the gardens are more delights for kids: Natural History Museum with several themed buildings (Paleotology, Botany, Geology, Entymology and Zoolology).
Near the gardens is La Mosquee, built in the 1920s - the Paris Mosque.
In one of the lesser visited areas of Paris, the Jardin des Plantes has been thoroughly renovated. Not only are the formal French-style gardens lovely but the greenhouses have been reopened after a long period of renovation. Good for a rainy day: the Mexican Greenhouse, the Tropical Greenhouse and the Australian Greenhouse will delight lovers of hothouses.
The Jardin des Plantes also has a neat but small zoo (menagerie), replete with the usual exotic and not so exotic animaux. The zoo is a great place for young kids - there is a Jardin d'Enfants, Labyrinth, Vivarium, Reptile House.
And a special part of the gardens is the Ecole de Botanique (10,00 or so species - the remnants of the original gardens dating from 1628 when King Looie XIIIs doctors first planted here a royal medicinal garden; the de factor pharmacy of the day) or Botanical Gardens with a special Parc Ecolgique and an Alpine Garden.
Bordering the gardens are more delights for kids: Natural History Museum with several themed buildings (Paleotology, Botany, Geology, Entymology and Zoolology).
Near the gardens is La Mosquee, built in the 1920s - the Paris Mosque.
