ssander,

Nice trip report, I will read the rest after I finished making my lumpias. I love your pictures! Thanks.

I have a question, can I but the carte orange without the navigo?

jcamargo--I think not The C.O. used to be the "ticket" (for a week or a month, for sepcified zones of travel) used with a a gray folder and ID card; now it is only a figure of speech, as what used to be a C.O. ticket is now electronic info coded into the plastic Navigo Decouverte card. There is no physical C.O. any more.

Very nice report- thank you for sharing.

I have stayed at Hotel de Nice several times and enjoy the surrounding area and easy access to transportation. Next time you stay there, try the pizza at Caffe Vito (2 blocks from the hotel). Some of the best pizza I have ever eaten. And cheap too!

Caffe Vito-
12, Rue des Archives
75004 Paris, France
+33 1 42 74 08 84

Really enjoyed your report and pictures,We were in Paris May 8-15.and have plans to return next May.If you buy the Carte Orange ,which we did ,and used it for the metro all the time,is it also good to use on any bus>We usually walk or take the metro,but may try the bus next year.

Lainie...

Yes...good on the bus, too. And the buses have the Navigo "swipers," so it's really easy.

You can never get lost in Paris. Just hop on ANY BUS, and within a couple of stops, you'll be see a Metro sign -- from where it's easy to get wherever you want to go.

SS

Nice trip report...bookmarking for walking tour info among other great details!

We, too, visited the Belleville arts studios/galleries in May 2009. Most of them were small storefront spaces with a varied array of interesting art and, usually, the chance to talk with the artist. It was worthwhile.

Thank you. Our kind of trip report (we were there in May as well). We don't always use the same restaurants over and over again, but do opt for the local, smaller ones, and have never been disappointed. Seems the French can take anything and make it taste terrific.