kk

ps. MEG, I forgot to wish you bon voyage! Have fun and write upon your return. Thanks also for the tip about those books on Josephine!

Tina

How funny, I too loved Schoenbrunn (sp?) and felt underwhelmed by Versailles, even though I knew Schoenbrunn was Vienna's attempt to recreate Versailles. They do a beautiful job with the gardens and the interior, and the palmhouse is lovely. Even though there were plenty of tour bus crowds there, I didn't feel sardined (as Al described) while touring it. The yellow color was lovely from the vantage point of the Gloriette, maybe a little garish up close! I also enjoyed the Hofburg in Vienna. Part of it serves as a museum now, but it was what I had imagined a grand palace would look like inside. <BR> <BR>P.S. If some of you read and enjoyed Sandra Gulland's books about Josephine Bonaparte, according to the PBS website she will be featured on the program about Napoleon. I've read the first two, plan to read the third soon.

janine

I second the Musee Nissim de Camondo. It's in a beautiful part of town, and gives the impression that the family has just stepped away for a minute. <BR> <BR>It's also incredibly touching as one considers their fate.

Caitlin

This is for Elvira: I have the *very* distinct impression that rue Boaparte (in the 6th arr.) *used* to be named rue Napoleon. I was in Paris last April, and had a few moments of confusion when I went looking for a restaurant on rue Napoleon; the address I had for it (from a 1998 guide) said rue Napoleon, and I had noted the street's location (near the Palais se la Monnaie) on a map. At some point in the walk along the quai, when I thought I really should have found the place, I finally pulled out my plan de Paris par arrondissement, 2000 edition, and found that it is now rue Bonaparte!

Bob Brown

My reaction to Schönbrunn is that it seemed more like real people might of have lived there. I could picture Franz Joseph living in those rooms, working at that table, and ultimately dying in that bed. <BR> <BR>Unfortunately, the day I was there it was crowded and hot. So Versailles-like conditions did unfortunately prevail. <BR>Whether or not one if more beautiful, more this or more that is a function of personal taste. And for that there are no standards.

Alma

Caitlin, Where did you get plan de Paris par arrondissement 2000? I live in West Palm Beach, Florida and I can't get a copy anywhere. I've tried Barnes & Noble, Waldens, amazon & Books a million. No one has a copy. They told me it's out of print. Please email me where and how you found it. Thanks.

elvira

Caitlin: as far back as I can remember (like 1980ish), it's been rue Bonaparte (sounds like your guidebook may have used literary license). <BR> <BR>Alma: if Caitlin can't help, the guides are available in Paris at pretty much every news store or stand and bookstore. If you need it to help plan your trip, there's a site http://www.pageszoom.com/pj.cgi? <BR>that can help.

Caitlin

Alma, I bought the plan de Paris after I got to Paris; as Elvira says, they are sold at every news satnd, and in fact there are a number of versions, all pocket-sized. I bought the one the proprietresx recommended as her favorite. <BR> <BR>Elvira, I'd assume the guidebook was just wrong--but the street was also marked as rue Napoleon on the Streetwise Paris map. But since you're a Napoleon aficionado and an old Paris hand, I'll take your word for it over theirs! I do wish I had a plan de Lower Manhattan as thorough and efficient as the plan de Paris...