SuzieC

I enjoy the simple "jambon et fromage" sandwiches on a piece of baguette that bakeries sell around lunchtime. I know I didn't spend 5'es on the sandwich including a drink (I think an Orangina). I remember I ate it on a park bench down on the little island at the far west of the Iles...watched the boats, fed a ungodly huge pigeon. I aas a very happy lady.

ahotpoet

Is Angelina's open? Last time I was there they were closed for a remodel. In any event the hot chocolate was divine.

ira

Hi J

It's Laduree.

You can look them up at www.pagesjaunes.fr

>We'll be staying near the Arc de Triomphe on a side street from the Champs Elysee.<

Are you sure you want to stay there?

What's your hotel budget?

luvparee

"read a comment about Luree (I don't know if I spelled it correctly) being a very good choice for breakfast and thought it might also give my wife her chocolate fix. Does anyone know where it is?"

I think what you're referring to is "Laduree" and it is, indeed, a fabulous patisserie! There is one the corner of Rue Jacob and Rue Bonaparte and there's also one off Rue de Rivoli on one of the streets going north. You can "google" and find an address. They have the most wonderful macarons (not like our coconut macaroons) and the selection of other patisserie is fabulous! I also second Angelina's "chocolat chaud" (hot chocolate) which is over the top divine! Your wife would certainly get her chocolate fix!

My suggestion to you for your six days would be to spend some time at Barnes & Noble or Border's, read everything you have time to read on Paris, decide what your priorities are to see, and just walk walk walk and stop often at various cafes!

I was in Paris in October 2002 and the weather was wonderful. Mornings started out as cool (light jacket) and warmed up as the day progressed. Take a small umbrella as you never know when showers may occur.

The Batobus was a fun way to get from place to place. It goes from the Eiffel Tower east to the Jardin du Plantes and is a hop on/hop off water taxi. You can buy various tickets that allow transportation for different numbers of days. It's a fun relaxing way to get from place to place and you are on the water so you can see all of Paris's beauty rather than being underground in the Metro (I'm not a fan of the Metro as I've always been intimidated - however, others wouldn't travel any other way).

Enjoy!!

Joy/Luvparee

kwren

<<Is Angelina's open?>>

Yes, it is and the hot chocolate IS divine!

tod

Welcome to this wonderful information highway joram!

Here's my 2 euros worth:

Get yourself a good guide book - personally I like The EyeWitness Guide To Paris.

There are some really good trip reports on the city but I'm not too sure how you access them unless you know the persons 'name'. I wrote one last year on my two weeks stint and so did ira.
Degas has some excellent walks programmed so maybe you could start here by clicking on the 'name' of a person. Robespierre has all the best information on transport.

I stayed in rue de Bassano off the Champs and loved it! Those wide sidewalks are just the thing to stroll after dinner or just sit at a cafe and people watch.

Keep the questions coming - I'm sure loads of people will try to help.

amwosu

Many can't stand Rick Steve's tour books but the parts I like are the walking tours outlined in his Paris book. Pst.... you can print lots of info from his book from his website.

I think it's hard for a guidebook to be current on restaurant recs. Many regulars on this board are more current on where to eat and where to skip.

Type keywords like "dining in Paris", "restaurants in Paris"' "casual dining Paris", you get the idea in the search box above.

Also, go to tripadvisor and type in Paris then read hotel and restaurant reviews for a fair amount of information.

Don't forget to click "destinations" above to get lots of info on Paris.


My 14 yr old and I lived on cheap food- crepes, paninis, pizza, ethnic food- for a week and loved it all.

BTW, another hint you hear often is to skip the restaurants that post their menu in English. That says "tourist trap" to many...

I second shopping in the 19th century passages more for their historical appeal than for the shops. Google Paris

amwosu

oops.... google Paris passages to locate them and get a description. Some have been renovated more recently.

You can't beat a trip to Galeries Lafayette for a head swimming shopping expedition.

tod

joram - this Paris Superthread posted by 111op should give you all you need to know:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34519182

joram

Very good information. Has anyone gone on a one-day side tour to the Loire Valley? We prepaid our vacation several months ago thru Expedia. I'm sure if I had known better, I would have been able to save money but, in any case, I have the air and hotels paid for. I haven't made any reservations for dinner (is that necessary?) or any tours. Keep the comments coming. thanks again.

JeanneB

Here is a day excursion to several Loire chateaux
http://tinyurl.com/ogvpb

Also do searches here on Fodor's for Amboise and/or Blois. You'll find many threads about day trips to the Loire.

Personally, I wouldn't take a day out of Paris to go to the Loire. You only have 5 full days there, right? You won't believe how fast it will fly by...you'll wish you had another week!

cigalechanta

At Angelina's order a Mont Blanc to go with your hot chocolat (yummy!)