The Parisians were feeling pretty miserable and depressed… its been raining cats & dogs for weeks, apparently the most rainfall they have had, at this time of year, since they started to record in 1846(?). Having been born in Ireland, where three consecutive days of sunshine is considered an environmental phenomenon and grounds for a national holiday, I have little sympathy! <BR> <BR>Today, however, the sun appeared and it was hot. Paris shows herself off in all her glory. The Seine is still high and some of the walkways are still flooded, but receding. The parks and side-walk cafes are packed. <BR> <BR>For those in search of a bit of (respectable) decadence: Last night a colleague and I visited the champagne bar in Le Dokhan hotel in the 16th (found it on the Fodor's site) that serves NOTHING but champagne (where else, but in Paris!). Apparently, every week there is a different champagne by the glass featured. We were celebrating a successful (business) year in 2001, so we went straight for the Dom Perignon (don't even ask how much it cost, I tore up the receipt after I signed it and now wait, with trepidation, for my VISA bill - a moment of complete insanity but, what the hell, you only live once!). The room is tiny and beautiful and was full. Definitely NOT recommend for those sensitive to cigarette smoke. A nice treat before you dine in the 16th or around Trocedero (nearest Metro). The hotel itself is a Sofitel and looks "tres chic". Rooms cost from about 2,000FF to 4,000FF (suite). <BR> <BR>I was in meetings the past two days so I only had a few hours free this afternoon. I visited my favorite shirt shop in Montparnasse center - Nature Blanc- and made a purchase (note: to my great relief, my VISA card WAS accepted so I won't have to sell the car to meet the cost of the bottle of Dom). Then I walked from Montparnasse (I LOVE this area, particularly the historic restaurants in and around the corner of Raspail & Montparnasse - Le Dome, La Coupole) up Raspail, through the Luxembourg Gardens (absolutely packed with Parisians soaking up the sun), up Blvd. St. Michele, through the Isle de la Cite and to the Marais. Had a glass of wine in the Place de Voges (another favourite place) before returning to the hotel. <BR> <BR>I'm staying at the Hotel Lotti, (Rue Castiglione (off the Rivoli, close to Concorde), two blocks from the Intercontental and down the street from the Ritz (far cheaper than either). I stay here often, when on business, and rates vary. "Faded glory" is the term that comes to mind. It is an Italian chain and, from what I have observed, predominantly caters for Italians and business people. It has been going through extensive renovations over the past year. The rooms are relatively large (for Paris) and the rates vary - I have paid anywhere from 900FF to 1600FF depending on time of year; rack rates are far more - the best room I have been given had a rack rate of 3,900FF and I was lucky enough to get it for 900FF and it was HUGE by any standards). <BR> <BR>I was tempted today to extend my trip by one more day but I am missing the hubby and the doggies at this point. <BR> <BR>For those of you that are off to Paris soon - it is looking SOOOOO good - enjoy! <BR> <BR>Regards … Ger <BR>

Hi ger, you are my heroine....sigh... <BR>great trip report! Judy

Ger, Thanks for the great post from Paris. There is hope for us yet!!

Judy: <BR> <BR>The SIGH is a clear indication that you should be either planning or anticipating a return visit to Paris!

It's hot here in Brussels, too. Nice at night, but rather draining during the day. I have to go down to Paris for two days on Monday and the weather will be back to its usual self, cool and cloudy, possibly showery. Today is supposed to be the last day of the mini heat wave. <BR>BTilke

Ger...20 days and counting! Thank you so much for the weather report, and for the detailed walking tour. I used to hang out at La Coupole as a young undergrad in Paris studying French in the 70's, while I lived briefly at Cité Université. Although I have returned to Paris several times since then, I have not made it back to the mecca of La Coupole, but this time, yes. I think we'll follow your walking tour. Again, thanks for the weather report. I was debating whether or not to pack sandals.

Nothing is better than Paris when the sun has recently come out! I remember being there in April a few years ago, when the weather was okay, but overcast a lot. One day after a brief shower it was bright and sunny, and IMMEDIATELY the streets were filled with pedstrians, kids, dogs, street performers, ice cream... you name it! It's a lovely memory.

topping for Sally! ;-)

Was looking for info on Le Dokhan, the champagne bar in Paris, and came across Ger's lovely post of her trip in 2001 (she, incidentally, was the one who initially told about this decadent place)!

Topping to share with others!

OMG …

Dear Beatchick, I can’t believe you found this!

We actually had TWO bottles of the venerable DOM. By the end of the first bottle, we had sorted out all the company’s problems and half-way through the second bottle, we had sorted out the world’s problems. Don’t you just love how the DOM exponentially increases your intelligence?

If you visit Le Dokhan, please report back! I have thought of staying there, but room rates are a bit beyond my budget.

Best wishes Ger

The champagne bar is chic yet romantic and intimate. We usually have a drink there when we are in Paris staying around the corner at the Sofitel LeParc.

Did I hear champagne?
Bookmarking this thread. Thank you.

Don't forget that during December, the various champagne houses host free tastings in the wine bar at Fauchon. And these are very generous samples...a friend and I drank the better part of a bottle of Taittinger on the house. (It was the first day of my friend's first visit to Paris...needless to say, he became a huge fan of the City of Lights!)

Wow, talk about pulling up Oldies!

Le Dokhan, exclusive, high style and <b>very expensive</b>..the perfect atmosphere for a champange Tasting .. <b>if</b> one can afford it.
Imagine how much more expensive it is today!

Ger, our friend who owns a boutique in NYC does her annual Paris ordering during Fashion week and stays at the Lotti..they take very good care of her.

Scarlett, we've been offered rooms at Le Dokhan for the same rate as we pay at Le Parc, usually around 200 euros per night (either Accor Favourite Guest rate or Internet specials on the Accor or Sofitel web sites). Those aren't high season rates, of course, and the champagne bar isn't THAT expensive, just slightly more than other nice wine bars in Paris.

oh, for the days when prices were in francs!

BTilke, is that all??
That would make it less than what we pay on the Left Bank for the Angleterre! Cool

Well, the rack rates for both hotels are over 400 euros per night (double), excluding breakfast. And during the busiest times (like Fashion Week), you will be quoted rates around that unless you have an Accor/Sofitel favorite guest card. On our last stay at Le Parc, we paid 220 per night, including breakfast for a large double. Plus about 20 for valet parking (we love just pulling up to the hotel, handing the car keys to the valet and the luggage to the bellmen). The previous trip, we paid 175 euro (plus 20 for parking), including breakfast. On both of those last two trips, we considered Dokhan's and were quoted rates about the same (maybe 10 euros more), but we felt Le Parc was more dog friendly and more casual (Dokhans is definitely more chic) and we opted to go with the tried and true. We may try Dokhan's on the next trip.

Ger, I definitely cannot afford to STAY there BUT it would lovely to sip the goods at the champagne bar. I usually like to include one or two small splurges like that on my trips to Paris.

LOL - I stay at cheapie hotels so I CAN afford those splurges!!

BTILKE, thanks for telling us of the wine tastings at Fauchon. I am considering going to Paris in November or December since those great early-bird $300 airfares from Air France caught my eye! With this Fauchon intelligence I am now leaning towards December ~ thank you!!

Elaine, I need to update my 2001 Fodor's Paris because it's still listed IN Francs!!

Hi Beatchick
I know you're a fan of the Grand Hotel Jeanne d'Arc. What are the other budget hotels you recommend?