| Paris
I LOVE PARIS!
TRAVEL — PARIS, FRANCE
So you've just married, graduated from college, or you've just retired, or you've put your children through school. And now you want to travel. Why not start with Paris?
Book now for discount airfare!
Check your local travel agencies. Get there and have fun!
StreetWise Maps
Go to Amazon.com for Streetwise Paris Map. This is a great laminated City Center map of Paris.
Art Lovers
Musée du Louvre, Métro Louvre-Palais Royal Note: You will need more than one day to get through the Louvre Museum.
Transportation: The Métro stop for the Louvre (line #1) will give you the impression that the train has pulled into the Louvre itself. Marble walls are lined with exhibits and replicas of art works with glass cases containing various sculptures.
On line #13, Varenne offers exhibits from the nearby Rodin Museum (including a replica of The Thinker).
If visiting the Louvre and you do not want to wait in long lines for tickets, visit: www.louvre.fr and then click on English. On the next screen, click on Visit; this is where you can purchase tickets on line.
It might take more than a month to complete the Louvre, so see what you can, and take a guided tour.
There is a café at the Richelieu Wing, Café Richelieu.
There is superb African art at:
Musée Dapper
35, rue Paul Valéry
75116 Paris
Tel: 01.45.00.91.75
Metro: Victor Hugo, Argentine, Charles de Gaulle Etoile
Hours: Wed-Mon 11am-7pm, Closed Tues
http://www.dapper.com.fr
Musée du quai Branly
37, quai Branly
75007 Paris
Tel: 01.56.61.70.00
Metro: Pont de l'Alma (RER)
Hours: Tues-Sun 10am-6:30pm, Thurs until 9:30pm, Closed Mon
http://www.quaibranly.fr
Paris Métro
Paris is roughly 6 miles across, so wear good walking shoes (not sneakers/tennis shoes). You might want to take advantage of Paris Métro. Most of the attractions are in the center of the city, which is a good thing. Métro lines are identified by their final destinations. Simply select the appropriate line and take it in the direction you want. The Métro stations are well marked, and there are ticket booths at most entrances. A word of caution: though a single-fare ticket is valid for an entire continuous trip, including connections, be sure to keep your ticket until you leave the sytem at your destination; being caught without it means an instant fine, payable in cash on the spot.
For the latest in subway technology, try the express stations' computerized routefinders—at the touch of a button, you will be shown four alternative routes to your selected destination, on foot or by public transport.
Travel Tips: While Paris has a lower incidence of violent crime than most major cities, it is wise to keep your wits about you, particularly in the crowded setting of métro stations, and guard against pickpockets. Men carry your wallets in your inner jacket pocket, rather than in a rear pants pocket. Ladies should hold their purses in their hands, not slung over their shoulders (thieves commonly cut the strap of a dangling purse with a utility knife).
Shop 'til you drop!
LINGERIE
This is a once in a lifetime trip to Paris, right? So treat yourself, if affordable, to Gaultier's new high-end line of lingerie. There are 27 sassy selections to choose from, nearly all hand made, for you to wear for your one-and-only. Gautier, 44 ave George V, 8th jeanpaulgaultier.com; La Perla, 20 rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, 8th.
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Shopping at Galeries Lafayette
This store also has a policy of show casing more affordable items alongside upscale goods, and nowhere is this more apparent than in the 54,000 square foot children's concept store.
Ladies, there is a well-stocked lingerie department--more than 80 different brands, and additional two male staff members to reassure intimidated, gift-shopping men.
A Hermés Macaroons and Chocolates boutique are located on the premises. 40 blvd Haussmann, 9th, Métro: Chaussée d'Antin. www.galerieslafayette.com
Boutiques Stock
Rue D'Alésia from rue Didot
To Place Victor Basch, 15 arr.
*Sunday-Tuesday 10:00 a.m. — 6:00 p.m.
The French word for low-priced outlet is Stock. You will find the word with the store name or specialty. When original labels are removed on designer wear, and it is offered at a special price, you will see the word dégriffe.
H&M arrived October, 2010, on the famed Champs-Elysées. The women's affordable dress shop, found in larger American cities, is originally from Sweden. Ladies, if you have a shoe fetish and love to buy shoes, Lanvin opened their shoe collection. 88-90 ave des Champs-Elysées, 8th
*Check days opened and times
Food Shops
Paris food shops offer delicacies and delights. When you return to your hotel with tired feet, make sure you have some great snacks from one or more of the following:
Le Comptoir de la Gastronomie, 34 rue Montmartre, 1st arr.
La Grande Epicerie 38 rue de Sèvres, 7th arr.
Printemps Luxe and Gourmandise Food Hall. 64 blvd Haussman, 9th arr.
Galeries Lafayette, Lafayette Gourmet, 40 blvd. Haussman, 9th arr.
Fauchon, 24-26 pl de la Madeleine, 8th arr.
Hédiard, 21 pl de la Madeleine, 8th arr.
BISTROS and restaurants
La Tour d'Argent still owes much of its appeal to a strong personality. There is the terrific view across the Seine to the back of Notre Dame with the Sacré Coeur poking up in the distance. The food is wonderful and the price is not cheap, but you get three courses of an haute cuisine meal. Curiously, La Tour d'Argent offers no wines by the glass, even with a tasting menu, so prepare to buy a bottle. La Tour d'Argent: 15 Quai de la Tournelle, 5th arr.
Remember the cigarette commercial, "I'll walk a mile for a Camel?" Sometimes you have to go beyond the popular avenues to find affordably priced, good French food. Just off the rue Princesse, an area locally known for bars, pubs, and tourist traps, sits a wonderful bistro, Comme à Savonnières. It is popular with locals and serves a fine menu of traditional French foods and contemporary ones.
18 rue Guisarde, 6th arr.
Also
Two other comfort food restaurants are L'Office, in a quiet neighborhood, near the Drout Auction House, in the 9th arrondisement. The food is moderately priced and they have a great wine list. 3 rue Richter, 9th arr. Another restaurant is Le P'tit fernand, which looks like an old-fashioned bistro, with red-checkered tablecloths. This is a cheery establishment for a low-key dinner or lunch. 7 rue Lobineau, 6th arr., Métro: Mabillon
Bon appétit!
Urenna
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