Schnauzer reporting live from Paris May09
May 12th, 2009, 05:33 AM
#61
I just looked at the RATP site and it doesn't say which stations still have human beings selling tickets. It just says that tickets are available in all stations -- from a machine.
My advice for people who are using carnets is to stay stocked up on change. Keep six 2-euro coins on hand at all times.
My advice for people who are using carnets is to stay stocked up on change. Keep six 2-euro coins on hand at all times.
May 12th, 2009, 06:19 AM
#62
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On May 1 we got both of our Navigo Découverts charged for the month with our dumb U.S. credit cards at the window of the Notre Dame de Lorette metro station which is pretty close to your Rochefoucauld apartment.
May 12th, 2009, 09:48 PM
#64
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Gwendolynn, we certainly did!! What a lovely atmosphere. I am posting my report for the last couple of days in a short while. Because of the time changes the posts seem to sink as it is the middle of the night over your way.
The weather is very grey this morning, we hope it is like yesterday and comes good later. We are desperate to get to Giverny but I don't want to go if it is raining. We have the luxury of waiting for the "right" day but I don't want all the iris to have finished before I get there.
Till later,
Schnauzer
The weather is very grey this morning, we hope it is like yesterday and comes good later. We are desperate to get to Giverny but I don't want to go if it is raining. We have the luxury of waiting for the "right" day but I don't want all the iris to have finished before I get there.
Till later,
Schnauzer
May 13th, 2009, 07:06 AM
#66
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Monday 11th May.
DH wanted to do some work in the morning for a while so I headed out by myself. I wandered around just enjoying taking my time looking at things. I discovered another area called Lamark Caulaincourt, which looked quite nice. It is northern Montmartre and had quite a nice buzzy feel to it. I then headed back down towards the centre of town and looked at an exhibition of Petit Nicolas at the town hall. Petit Nicholas is a French institution, it is a series of books based on a little boy’s adventures and exploits. They are beautifully illustrated and this was what was mainly on display, the author’s sketches and pen and drink drawings with coloured washes.
I hit BHV again for the “bag” search, nearly got there but just not quite. I am driving myself insane. So to make up for the disappointment I headed off to the Maris in search of the Rayure shop. I love these tops and as my old ones are looking somewhat tired decided I needed to upgrade. I had a lovely time trying so many on. They only had my size in two of them but Printemps boutique had the others in my size so off I went back to the Grand Magasins. Topped up the stock pile with a couple more as well as having the most expensive cup of weak tea ever. $12 for a pot of water and a t bag. However the beautiful stained glass dome I guess made up for it. (at least that is obviously what Printemps believe) I walked back home and had a feet up for a little while until we went out to dinner at Villa Victoria on Rue Lamartine. The ravioli with pig cheek meat was very flavoursome but luke warm which was a shame. However my lamb cooked slowly with prunes and couscous was absolutely yummy. DH had duck fillets and a fabulous salad of radish, mangoes, baby peas and carrots in a mango vinaigrette. We passed on dessert again but had a weak coffee which I think I will pass on in the future. I have to say Australia has certainly cornered the market with coffee, there is no where that makes a coffee like we do!!!
Tuesday 12th May
Another rotten night coughing. Gosh I wish this thing would go. As soon as it gets cold I start coughing. I even tried wearing my anti swine flu mask but it didn’t help. I slept in a bit to try and make up for lost zzzzzzs. It rained heavily during the night and was still drizzly early on today.
We went off to the Musee Jacquemart Andre. It is a glorious mansion built specifically to house the Andre’s painting collection full of Van Dyke’s, Rembrandts and lots of other famous artists. There was also a temporary exhibition of Primative Italian Art dating back from the 12th Century, amazing stuff, the colours and gold leaf were fantastic.
They have a beautiful café situated in a very pretty room with paintings on the ceiling. We both ordered the Van Dyke salad, which had dried duck pieces, fois gras, lettuce, cooked apples and almost glace figs. It was very good again I resisted the pastries as the jeans are feeling just a tad too snug at the moment. I am using the cough as a good excuse not to go walking/running. By the time I have walked for 6 – 8 hours a day I really don’t feel like donning the running shoes and heading out again. That’s my excuse and I am sticking to it for the moment.
We then caught the metro up to Basilique St. Denis. I had done a bit of a talk in French class about St. Denis so I wanted to see where he finally came to rest. The story/legend is that he was beheaded in Paris and then he picked up his head, washed it in the river and then continued to walk carrying his head the whole way for another 17 miles (or kilometers) up the rue des Martyrs and onto St. Denis where finally he dropped completely dead. They built his tomb on this spot and then built the Basilique St. Denis on this same spot. A lot of Kings are also buried in the Bascilica. The church looked in need of quite a bit of tender loving care. We walked around and then headed back home, the area St. Denis did not invite us to linger much longer.
We stocked up again for another in house dining experience. A sort of veal and ham pie with Morilles in it, some salad, ready cooked beetroots, baby radish and I roasted some baby vine tomatoes. No sweets either, yikes I am doing well. (I did have the world’s largest almond meringue yesterday though)
I am looking forward to going to the Musee Arts Decoratifs tomorrow with my American friend; they have an exhibition of Art Deco Jewelry. The rain has long stopped and it is sunny again.
Schnauzer
DH wanted to do some work in the morning for a while so I headed out by myself. I wandered around just enjoying taking my time looking at things. I discovered another area called Lamark Caulaincourt, which looked quite nice. It is northern Montmartre and had quite a nice buzzy feel to it. I then headed back down towards the centre of town and looked at an exhibition of Petit Nicolas at the town hall. Petit Nicholas is a French institution, it is a series of books based on a little boy’s adventures and exploits. They are beautifully illustrated and this was what was mainly on display, the author’s sketches and pen and drink drawings with coloured washes.
I hit BHV again for the “bag” search, nearly got there but just not quite. I am driving myself insane. So to make up for the disappointment I headed off to the Maris in search of the Rayure shop. I love these tops and as my old ones are looking somewhat tired decided I needed to upgrade. I had a lovely time trying so many on. They only had my size in two of them but Printemps boutique had the others in my size so off I went back to the Grand Magasins. Topped up the stock pile with a couple more as well as having the most expensive cup of weak tea ever. $12 for a pot of water and a t bag. However the beautiful stained glass dome I guess made up for it. (at least that is obviously what Printemps believe) I walked back home and had a feet up for a little while until we went out to dinner at Villa Victoria on Rue Lamartine. The ravioli with pig cheek meat was very flavoursome but luke warm which was a shame. However my lamb cooked slowly with prunes and couscous was absolutely yummy. DH had duck fillets and a fabulous salad of radish, mangoes, baby peas and carrots in a mango vinaigrette. We passed on dessert again but had a weak coffee which I think I will pass on in the future. I have to say Australia has certainly cornered the market with coffee, there is no where that makes a coffee like we do!!!
Tuesday 12th May
Another rotten night coughing. Gosh I wish this thing would go. As soon as it gets cold I start coughing. I even tried wearing my anti swine flu mask but it didn’t help. I slept in a bit to try and make up for lost zzzzzzs. It rained heavily during the night and was still drizzly early on today.
We went off to the Musee Jacquemart Andre. It is a glorious mansion built specifically to house the Andre’s painting collection full of Van Dyke’s, Rembrandts and lots of other famous artists. There was also a temporary exhibition of Primative Italian Art dating back from the 12th Century, amazing stuff, the colours and gold leaf were fantastic.
They have a beautiful café situated in a very pretty room with paintings on the ceiling. We both ordered the Van Dyke salad, which had dried duck pieces, fois gras, lettuce, cooked apples and almost glace figs. It was very good again I resisted the pastries as the jeans are feeling just a tad too snug at the moment. I am using the cough as a good excuse not to go walking/running. By the time I have walked for 6 – 8 hours a day I really don’t feel like donning the running shoes and heading out again. That’s my excuse and I am sticking to it for the moment.
We then caught the metro up to Basilique St. Denis. I had done a bit of a talk in French class about St. Denis so I wanted to see where he finally came to rest. The story/legend is that he was beheaded in Paris and then he picked up his head, washed it in the river and then continued to walk carrying his head the whole way for another 17 miles (or kilometers) up the rue des Martyrs and onto St. Denis where finally he dropped completely dead. They built his tomb on this spot and then built the Basilique St. Denis on this same spot. A lot of Kings are also buried in the Bascilica. The church looked in need of quite a bit of tender loving care. We walked around and then headed back home, the area St. Denis did not invite us to linger much longer.
We stocked up again for another in house dining experience. A sort of veal and ham pie with Morilles in it, some salad, ready cooked beetroots, baby radish and I roasted some baby vine tomatoes. No sweets either, yikes I am doing well. (I did have the world’s largest almond meringue yesterday though)
I am looking forward to going to the Musee Arts Decoratifs tomorrow with my American friend; they have an exhibition of Art Deco Jewelry. The rain has long stopped and it is sunny again.
Schnauzer
May 13th, 2009, 07:38 AM
#67
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Kerouac, I am enjoying everything! showers et al. Mind you the sun is preferable.
Can you think of something we haven't done but is a must do as a "different thing". We have a quite a list to work through but I am trying to be spontaneous as well but can't stand the thought of missing out on something really special whilst I am here.
Thanks,
Schnauzer
Can you think of something we haven't done but is a must do as a "different thing". We have a quite a list to work through but I am trying to be spontaneous as well but can't stand the thought of missing out on something really special whilst I am here.
Thanks,
Schnauzer
May 13th, 2009, 08:51 AM
#68
Well, have you done Chinatown in the 13th? http://tinyurl.com/od8xtm
You said that the Canal Saint Martin was on your list...
http://tinyurl.com/cnxl5z
And have you ever wandered through Menilmontant?
http://tinyurl.com/d4c6qq
Little India, perhaps?
http://tinyurl.com/pfwp4b
Unfortunately, I have a lot more photo ideas for unusual things in Paris, but I won't have had time to create links before your time in Paris is up. But you'll be coming back, right?
You said that the Canal Saint Martin was on your list...
http://tinyurl.com/cnxl5z
And have you ever wandered through Menilmontant?
http://tinyurl.com/d4c6qq
Little India, perhaps?
http://tinyurl.com/pfwp4b
Unfortunately, I have a lot more photo ideas for unusual things in Paris, but I won't have had time to create links before your time in Paris is up. But you'll be coming back, right?
May 13th, 2009, 09:43 AM
#70
You might try "Catherine's" on Castiglione just outside of the Tuilleries(I think it's next to The Westin) for a bag. Expensive neighborhood, but she has very good prices. I found a lovely dark red "crocodile look" bag there at a quarter of the price elswhere.
Enjoying your reviews and looking forward to some photos. The Bois du Boulogne was nice to hear about as we haven't been there. I think we'll add it on during the next trip. Not to many people mention it.
Enjoying your reviews and looking forward to some photos. The Bois du Boulogne was nice to hear about as we haven't been there. I think we'll add it on during the next trip. Not to many people mention it.
May 13th, 2009, 11:43 AM
#71
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Wednesday 13th
I cannot believe how the time is flying. We have been here for nearly two weeks. Still so much to see and do. DH was waiting for a conference call at 1.00pm today so I decided I would go off to the Arts Decoratif Musee with Sue the American lady that I have met. There was a special exhibition of Art Deco jewelry from museums around the world and special private collections. Some of these jewellery pieces had been worn by the likes of Josephine Baker and I think you would need to have been outrageous as her to have worn them. Some were just plain fabulous and we each picked our favourite piece to “take away” if we could. It was a large exhibition and took over and hour and a half to get around.
We were in desperate need of lunch so headed off to a little café in Galleries Vivienne. Sue had the quiche of the day and salad which was a large enough piece for two people and I had the Shanghai Light which was a chicken roulade, beans, broccoli, courgettes and a lovely lemon dressing. The roulade was lovely and subtle but with zingy flavours at the same time, it was very good indeed. In fact all the food coming out looked interesting and appetizing, it is a limited menu so I think they do what they do and do it well!
We decided to try and find the SNCF boutique to buy some souvenirs, I had visions of the London Transport Museums shop and was excited to find some gifts for kids back home. It was in the Les Halles Chatelet forum so you can imagine the mess it was to try and find this place. After going in and out of several ticket machines, I am glad we had the Navigo pass, we finally found the shop – well a hole in the wall would describe it better. It was tiny with very limited stock and about 100o. We each bought a couple of metro mouse pads and that was it. Not worth the effort that was for sure. In fact I had seen some of the plates and T towels elsewhere for a bit cheaper!
We parted company and I head back up our way to the SNCF ticket boutique this time to buy tickets to go to Giverny. We just don’t know what the weather will do, the forecasts are gloomy but it is very warm and sunny, so we don’t know what to do. I have bought open tickets but we want to get an early start which means catching the 8.20am train. We did this last time and it certainly helped to beat the crowds. But often that early in the morning the weather looks very suspect. Oh decisions, decisions.
Still no desserts so far today, but I think I need to go for a power walk rather than a shopping walk. Maybe I could power walk up to the cake shop! Now that’s a good idea.
Till later,
Schnauzer
I cannot believe how the time is flying. We have been here for nearly two weeks. Still so much to see and do. DH was waiting for a conference call at 1.00pm today so I decided I would go off to the Arts Decoratif Musee with Sue the American lady that I have met. There was a special exhibition of Art Deco jewelry from museums around the world and special private collections. Some of these jewellery pieces had been worn by the likes of Josephine Baker and I think you would need to have been outrageous as her to have worn them. Some were just plain fabulous and we each picked our favourite piece to “take away” if we could. It was a large exhibition and took over and hour and a half to get around.
We were in desperate need of lunch so headed off to a little café in Galleries Vivienne. Sue had the quiche of the day and salad which was a large enough piece for two people and I had the Shanghai Light which was a chicken roulade, beans, broccoli, courgettes and a lovely lemon dressing. The roulade was lovely and subtle but with zingy flavours at the same time, it was very good indeed. In fact all the food coming out looked interesting and appetizing, it is a limited menu so I think they do what they do and do it well!
We decided to try and find the SNCF boutique to buy some souvenirs, I had visions of the London Transport Museums shop and was excited to find some gifts for kids back home. It was in the Les Halles Chatelet forum so you can imagine the mess it was to try and find this place. After going in and out of several ticket machines, I am glad we had the Navigo pass, we finally found the shop – well a hole in the wall would describe it better. It was tiny with very limited stock and about 100o. We each bought a couple of metro mouse pads and that was it. Not worth the effort that was for sure. In fact I had seen some of the plates and T towels elsewhere for a bit cheaper!
We parted company and I head back up our way to the SNCF ticket boutique this time to buy tickets to go to Giverny. We just don’t know what the weather will do, the forecasts are gloomy but it is very warm and sunny, so we don’t know what to do. I have bought open tickets but we want to get an early start which means catching the 8.20am train. We did this last time and it certainly helped to beat the crowds. But often that early in the morning the weather looks very suspect. Oh decisions, decisions.
Still no desserts so far today, but I think I need to go for a power walk rather than a shopping walk. Maybe I could power walk up to the cake shop! Now that’s a good idea.
Till later,
Schnauzer
May 13th, 2009, 11:54 AM
#72
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If you would like to see my photos please copy this link into your browser if you can't click on it straight away.
http://www.kodakgallery.co.uk/ShareL...localeid=en_GB
Schnauzer
http://www.kodakgallery.co.uk/ShareL...localeid=en_GB
Schnauzer
May 13th, 2009, 04:22 PM
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I wanted to recommend a restaurant in the 9th. It's called "Le Relais Beaujolais" at 3, rue Milton. I ate there with three friends when we visited Paris four years ago, and we had a marvelous meal. I think the owner's name was Alain, and he was very warm and welcoming. All of the other diners were French. They were nice and graciously put up with us taking a few photos. I hope the restaurant is still there. If so, have a kir royale and toast me!
May 13th, 2009, 10:18 PM
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Nikki, do you think so? I need to have a closer look obviously!!! ooops.
Thanks for the recommendation Elise I will check it out and let you know if it is still there.
We are giving Giverny a miss for today, too grey. We will try the Chateau de Vincennes instead, it is a little closer to home just in case it turns nasty.
Schnauzer
Thanks for the recommendation Elise I will check it out and let you know if it is still there.
We are giving Giverny a miss for today, too grey. We will try the Chateau de Vincennes instead, it is a little closer to home just in case it turns nasty.
Schnauzer
May 13th, 2009, 11:27 PM
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The Relais de Beaujolais on rue Milton has closed and had all sorts of soccer/rugby pennants in the windows when we walked by about a week ago as it is not far from where we are staying in the 9th.
