acacia67

Ok today will be checking out some shoes, yes a bit late but what can I say. Thank goodness for malls and DSW. Still debating on picking up some of what I may wear then I get to paris from one of the malls or discount places.

acacia67

This afternoon I got my travel information from the tour group I am using and feel like a kid at Xmas..lol..ready to go. Ok a few more weeks, but just a few things to get and I am set.

acacia67

Getting closer and barely have a full bag packed. Making sure not to look to touristy or even ret miltary..lol..but I am comfy in jeans you know, but will try to put a lil style at least for dinner.

acacia67

Does any one know if there is a Carrefour in Paris. I use to go to one in Qatar. A co-worker just reminded me of it today. Thanks

Christina

Why do you want to go there? They don't have big box stores like that in urban areas where real estate is so expensive. They have some of the mini ones in Paris, but they aren't going to be like the big ones you find in suburbs in France. They have one on ave Emile Zola, actually, just about across from where you go out of the metro, as I recall (Charles Michels metro). I think they have a real big one out in the burbs in St Denis or Auteil (closer to you). No reason to go there, though, that I can think of, they have some cheap groceries and staples, but it wouldn't be worth the trip.

One of my favorite restaurants is Bistro Champetre on rue St Charles, just about two blocks south of the metro stop (on the east side). YOu don't usually need reservations there, although sometimes it may get crowded on a Sat night or something. Even on Sunday when lots of places are closed, they usually have free tables. I really like the manager of that place, he's been there several years now and he's real cute and nice (I've bene going there over a decade, I'm sure).

acacia67

Thank you for the reply, I spent most of the day looking for one and did look through google map at the Metro stop you were talking about and could not find it..lol. I just assumed all Carrefour's were like the one I use to go to in Qatar, they had everything, was like going to a super Walmart..lol
Mostly I was looking to buy things I needed instead of packing to much. Trust me I know how to pack lite (thanks to 25 years in the Army, just retired in Sept). Mostly a few clothes and personal stuff.

Bistro Champetre I will look into, I will be in Paris about 8 days and looking at places to eat that are not going to break the bank but still outstanding food.

Mostly this trip is a gift to myself for my birthday and retirment from the service. An this will be my longest stay in Paris, so just taking my time on this trip. Thank you for letting me know about the Carrefours.

acacia67

Ok so I am looking around on Google for places I have eaten in the past and found one of them that is across from N.D., Cafe le Petit Pont (yes I know touristy as hell, but nice for my first time).
Then I remembered another I went not to far away from there. We went as a tour group from Germany where we were stationed and had a dinner then night cruise. I sort of rememberd the location so I am going through street view down near the PAntheon, and bingo found it. But to my utter dismay it is the type of restaurant that does groups not individual...(throwing a kiddy fit now. Did not know it was that kind of place I just thought it was a place the tour group had a deal with. "Restaurant Groupe Paris 5e Bristrot la Montagne".
Was so nice that were we were set up was down in what seem to be a cave, food and staff were very good.

MelJ

I second the rec for Bistro Champetre--and the lovely family that runs it. They offer a great value for a set menu that includes wine. I do, however, make reservations (just stop in the day before) only because twice they have accommodated a Japanese tour bus that took up all but the small front room.

acacia67

Thanks MelJ adding to growing list.

Christina

I always go to Bistro Champetre at least once every visit to Paris and I guess I've been lucky as to no Japanese tour groups. I've never seen tour groups in there. That would be a problem. If you can make a reservation and know you want to go at a certain time, sure, can't hurt. Actually, if you get a table in the front (in the side room), you can see the Eiffel Tower when it twinkles. Prix fixe around 35 euro, but that includes everything (wine, dessert, etc.). THis is their website, it's a group that owns a couple places in Paris
http://www.bistrocie.fr/

I don't know what google maps shows or why or how. YOu cn always get a list of them on the Carrefour website, if you want. But really they are nothing special that you need to go there. Monoprix is probably better, and there is a big, nice one over on rue Langlois just a block or two west of metro Charles Michels. Here's the website of the Carrefour on ave Emile Zola
http://www.carrefour.fr/magasin/city-paris-emile-zola

acacia67

Christina..I was looking for that Carrefour but saw it no place on the street view of google so will check the Monoprix.
And thank for the link to Bistro Champetre, looking at it now.

Christina

If you're staying down near the river (which I think), the Monoprix is closer, anyway. I don't know what you are thinking you want, but it looks like that Carrefour is just a smaller grocery store. That's why they call it a "Carrefour city", their stores with that brand aren't the main big ones. I'm sure it has toiletries, etc., of course but I imagine no clothes (never been in it). I think the clothes at Carrefour are pretty trashy, anyway, Monoprix is better. I've bought batteries, suntan lotion and stuff like that in there.

acacia67

That is the thing I guess, the one an only Carrefour I had ever been in was the one in Doha, Qatar and that was like going to a Super Walmart..lol, so I just thought there would be a few like that in Paris. But I get what you are saying about the ones in the city from what I see. Thanks Christina.

acacia67

Has any one been to Le Sergent Recruteur on Il Saint-Louis?

ggreen

Yes definitely go to Monoprix for your stuff - it's been my go-to place every time I'm in Paris, ever since I was a student there. They have *everything* - I guess if you (correctly) compare Carrefour to Walmart, then Monoprix is like Target. Also, most of them have a very good supermarket in the <i>sous sol</i>!

...I was so shocked to see a Carrefour in China. Until that trip a few years ago, I had no idea they were an international presence.

acacia67

Funny what you find out traveling

ggreen

Agreed, one of the joys of it!

Christina

I don't think she'll need a supermarket since she's staying in a hotel, but that Monoprix on rue Linois is one of the bigger ones and I think it is actually open on SUndays, although most are not.

ggreen

Well I always pick up stuff in the supermarché, both to have in the hotel room during my stay and to bring home to "extend" my memories. Especially with a week's stay, having some yogurts and fruit around are always helpful! Even without a mini fridge in the room: one December stay in a cheap hotel, my friend and I kept our yogurts on the wide sill outside our window!

acacia67

I don't think my window open where I am staying at the Novotel..lol..but have done that before.