back from paris

we had a woderfull 10 days in paris. weather was fine, overcast but good for walking around. It is amazing to see that in 10 years of going to paris, almost all major monuments and bridges finally cleaned and repaired. It was really the first time i saw most without scaffolding on them

we did some things we have not previously done like the catacombs - baccarac museum - chartres - sewers

we got the museum pass for 3 days and just %26quot;walked in%26quot; to musems the ohter days as my partner is a student so very good discounts at musuems.

went to the Branly and while i like the architecture the inside was far to dark to see where i was going.

thank you all for your help and advise

lpw

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Glad you had a great visit!

It sure does make a difference without scaffolding!

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Hi lpwnyc, I%26#39;m glad you enjoyed your trip to Paris. There are endless opportunities to see and do things. And it seems like this recent trip you got to experience quite alot that you missed on past trips. Now it%26#39;s time to plan another visit!

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Wow - 10 days in Paris! Lucky you! I%26#39;m glad you had a wonderful time.

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Welcome back ! I also have the Baccarat museum on my list - could you tell a little more about your experience there ??

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And, I think that a lot of people would agree with you about the dark Branly if they weren%26#39;t afraid the Museum Police would get all over them. It%26#39;s such a shame that, with all the beautiful pieces there, you either can%26#39;t view it properly or you can%26#39;t read the plate.

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How did you like Chartres? I am thinking of doing a day-trip there on my next visit (I leave 2 weeks from today!). How much time did you spend there? Do anything besides visit the cathedral?

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%26lt;%26lt;And, I think that a lot of people would agree with you about the dark Branly if they weren%26#39;t afraid the Museum Police would get all over them%26gt;%26gt; HappyGoin, you%26#39;ll be even happier to know that both Irish and myself panned the place in this very forum. The place stinks.

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Nice to know I%26#39;m in good company, Phread :)

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%26gt;%26gt;%26gt;the first time i saw most without scaffolding on them%26lt;%26lt;%26lt;

You mean to say that steel scaffolding and bright blue and orange plastic aren%26#39;t original, medieval architectural detail and decoration ??? or the most recent CHRISTO art installations ???

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How did you get a 3 day musee%26#39;pass -thought they were 2,4,6 now. Tell us about Baccarat

What to see in a time crunch?

My husband and I will have some time in Paris on both ends of our trip to the Greek islands. On the way we have an 8 hour layove and on the way home we arrive 1ish and leave the following morning at 8 am. We have never left the Charles de Gaulle airport on other European trips and would like to see something on both stops if possible. Any suggestions?

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I was just in Paris (2weeks ago), I would suggest taking the Air France Bus from cdg, it%26#39;s 13 euro pp, it stops right in front of the Arc de Triomphe/Champs Elysees, from there I took Les Cars ROuges Bus, its a double decker bus, about a 2 hr tour around all the major attractions, museums, it stops at all the major places, you can get off and on at will, the 22euro ticket pp is valid all day for 2 consecutive days. So you get on at the Arc, get off at the Eiffel and when your done exploring, get back on, don%26#39;t lose your ticket.

In my opinion, it%26#39;s the fastest, easiest and most convinient way to see %26quot;everything%26quot; in the shortest amount of time without the worry of having to navigate the easy but endless Metro tunnels.

Have fun!

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I highly recommend staying in the Sheraton connected to the airport on your return. It%26#39;s not particularly cheap, but it%26#39;s wonderful to walk out of the hotel and be in the checkin line within 5 minutes.

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Thank you so much. The bus tour sounds perfect for us! I will also check into staying at the Sheraton at the airport.

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Removed on: 5:18 pm, August 26, 2009

ok

you are kidding Irish...

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I never kid Irish.

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it must have smiled his way out of the lourve then since last summer ;)

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There is no such place as the Lourve. You may think this is picky, but the name of the museum is the LouVRE. I just occasionally get tired when I see it mis-spelled (and as a result mispronounced) for the hundredth time in a week...

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Removed on: 8:17 am, August 27, 2009

Eiffel Tower light off?

Does anyone have more info on this? Is this a one time thing or are they talking about doing it forever? Please tell me no!

I ran across this on AOL news.

PARIS (Jan. 31) - The Eiffel Tower%26#39;s 20,000 flashing lights will go dark for five minutes Thursday evening, hours before scientists and officials unveil a long-awaited report on global warming .

The darkening of the landmark in the City of Light comes at the urging of environmental activists and is timed to coincide with Friday%26#39;s release of the major report warning that Earth will keep getting warmer and presenting new evidence of humanity%26#39;s role in climate change.

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I think the enswer is already in the article : %26quot;will go dark for FIVE minutes%26quot;.

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Oh Penny!!

That%26#39;s funny.

I think it%26#39;s great that they are doing that. A small but symbolic gesture.

Les

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Removed on: 9:36 pm, January 31, 2007


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When there is no ozone layer, those ultraviolet sun rays that come down unfiltered can be pretty darn hot wouldn%26#39;t you say?

Good thing there%26#39;s no projected famine in New England.

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It%26#39;s not only in Paris, it%26#39;s a global appeal, everybody in the whole world is asked to shut the power down for 5 minutes at home or at work tomorrow at the same time, to %26quot;give the Earth a break for five minutes%26quot;. Do it.

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Does anyone know what time (Paris time) this is to take place? I%26#39;d love to partipate but fear I may be sleeping.

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In Paris the lights out is from 19h55 to 20h. All the cool kids are doing it, at least that is what my daughter says. The scientists and officials will be reading the report in Paris, which is why the %26quot;protest%26quot; began here.

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I can now tell you that as an awareness event it worked very well, here in Portugal even the old trams, trains, elevators, state buildings, monuments, private companies and houses, all lights off for 5 minutes, over here it was from 18.55 to 19.00 GMT.

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I told my classes about this today. THey all looked at me, jaws on the ground, saying %26quot;Why don%26#39;t WE know about this stuff?%26quot;....so true...I%26#39;ve heard nothing about this in the States...

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Heard nothing in the UK either...

Versailles and Chartres same day?

My daughter and I are leaving for Paris in two weeks! Is it feasible to see Versailles and Chartres in the same day? Specifically, is there a train that runs from one to the other? And which should we see first? I guess maybe I am just trying to avoid two trips to Gare Montparnasse -- but I don%26#39;t want to overdo it.

Thank you.

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No way!

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It is just %26#39;...possible..%26#39;.......but would be a VERY bad idea.

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You could whiz by both in a day, but would not actually have the time to see anything, spending the vast majority of your day in transit.

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O.K. Scratch that idea. Thanks everybody.

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Both places are VERY worthwhile to visit on DIFFERENT days.

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Removed on: 5:21 am, August 27, 2009

Biarritz

Hi

I am heading to Biarritz for 3 nights on March 30th.

Staying in the Raddison and was wondering if anyone could recommend the best places to eat and the best value shopping

What MUST I see while I am there??

Thanks in advance

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Kayleen,

You may want to download a (free) copy of Maribel%26#39;s Guide to the Pays Basque. It should answer all of your questions, especially in regards to shopping and dining.

http://maribelsguides.com

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Hi Kayleen,

The best value shopping in Biarritz is in San Sebastian. Well worth a day trip - good shopping and great Tapas in the old part of town.

Biarritz doesn%26#39;t really do good value but there is a bif Gallerie Lafayette in the very centre of the town and some very nice smaller shops as well.

The Radisson is a very good hotel. Try the Serge Betsen spa while you%26#39;re there. Bar Jean is good fun and only a short distance away - try the rib of beef - and Le Galeon is a bit further and a bit more stylish. There%26#39;s a great Italian at the town end of Avenue Reine Victoria but, I forget the name - lovely lively atmosphere.

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For stylish gifts I like Jean Vier stores which sell Basque inspired linens, tablecloths, towels. Thee is one store in Biarritz, just down the street and across the street from the Barclay%26#39;s bank. Also, Henriett (spelling) chocolatiers is great, but not cheap. Buy some espadrills (spelling) at Gal. Lafayette to wear on the beach. Cazaux is famous for their ceramic tiles and bowls. They have a store on a small street in Biarrtiz. Their work is very famous. The grandfather started doing ceramics in the 1920s and the family tradition continues. Stop by the store and have a look. Best value shopping is in Bayonne, a charming half timbered town, really the economic center of the French Pays Basque near Biarritz. Best value dining is the pizza place right across the street from the Barclay%26#39;s bank. It%26#39;s always hopping, and the tarts for desert are just great. Have fun, but bring warm clothes for March.

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Removed on: 4:16 pm, August 17, 2009

Biarritz for golf and food in May

Can anyone recommend a relaxing resort type hotel close but not within central Biarritz for a golf and food holiday in May?

Hôtel du Palais is over the budget and wouldn%26#39;t mind avoiding the €25 breakfast at the Sofitel.

Ideally the charm and authenticity of the %26quot;Sud Ouest%26quot; is what we are looking for.

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The Radisson is a good modern hotel and has the Serge Betsen spa attached, as well as a swimming pool (and spectacular views) on the top floor.

Save money and have breafast in one of the many lovely pastry shops down town. Alternatively, go to the market just down the road - Les Halles - and eat there.

You can get a weekly golf pass for most of the courses in the area, which sounds very good - enquire from the local tourist office or from the good concierge in the Radisson.

By the way, you may not be aware that Geneva hosted its biggest ever rugby match last Sunday and one of the greatest ever rugby teams just about won. If you meet Serge Betsen, ask him about them.

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I was at the game. Thought Bourgoin deserved a draw.

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Removed on: 7:37 am, February 03, 2007


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Removed on: 3:17 pm, August 27, 2009

cote basque or cote vermeille?

hi all,

we were in collioure in summer 2005 and loved it. in 2007 we will be in the pyrenees-atlantiques for the tour de france, and afterwards we are thinking about a week at biarritz, st-jen de luz, or hendaye.

the one concern i have is the weather, and the water temperatures. at the end of july, what can one expect to water temperature to be at the cote basque beaches?

ans how reliable is the sunshine, in general?

if water temperature can be expceted to be considerably warmer, and sunshine considerably more reliable, we might revise our beach plan and head back to the cote vermeille instead of the cote basque.

thanks in advance for your time and advice,

-eric zwicky

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you would be so so sorry if you missed out on the basque coast biarritz the weather is quiet comfortable not to hot and certinly not cold there is a lovely breeze blowing from the atlantic that gives plenty of relief from any hot weather . why would you some of the best surf in europe. go down what a place

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you would be so so sorry if you missed out on the basque coast biarritz the weather is quiet comfortable not to hot and certinly not cold there is a lovely breeze blowing from the atlantic that gives plenty of relief from any hot weather . why would you some of the best surf in europe. go down what a place

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No need to worry about the weather in July. It has been rather warm the past three summers further inland, but Biarritz has been in the 80%26#39;s, warm enough, if not too warm for most Basque. The offshore breeze, which makes this one of the best surfing areas in the southwest, helps cool the place off, but the sun can be intense.

If you do decide to stay after the Tour, then you will need to book your accommodations by early spring. This is a very popular resort area with a limited number of hotel rooms available. I suggest you take a look at Maribel%26#39;s Guide to the Pays Basque (http://maribelsguides.com) for a little more information on what to expect and do while in the Pays Basque.

You can also check out ville-biarritz.fr/Website/…fra_accueil.php

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Hi Eric,

As already stated by other members, the weather is just fine. I went there end of September and I had between 22 and 28°c every day. The beach are quite long (7 km) and the see is just wonderfull but dangerous. This areas are well known by the surfers. If you are looking for accomodation, I found %26#39;the%26#39; place to be%26#39;. You can have a look at www.xixtaberri.com This is more a familly hotel (B%26amp;B) at about 30 kms from Biarritz, near Cambo-les-Bains. But to go there, there is only 1 way (difficult to pass with 2 cars). Up there, you can see the sea, The Pyrénées, and most of the pays basque. This charming hotel (I would rate as a ****) is hold by a very friendly couple. You will eat %26#39;bio%26#39; and if you want to cycle, you will have all the possibilities. The price are quite acceptable. Each room has it%26#39;s own %26#39;private balcony%26#39; and you can take the breakfast when ever you want. If you want to have some pictures, please let me know. Enjoy your stay. In addition, the wine is incredibly good and the owner will help you to make the appropriate choice. If you go there, please say them hello from the 2 belgian JD and Gigi.

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One of our favorite destinations is St-Jean-de-Luz. We stay on the beach at the Grand Hotel, take our meals at Le Portua.

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I%26#39;ve been to Collioure, it%26#39;s great but such a tiny beach. We own a house in Anglet just north of Biarritz. For me, in late July, the area of the French Pays Basque is God%26#39;s country. The surf, great expanses of beach, sunsets, the nearby mountains, Bordeaux, you can go to Spain for dinner it%26#39;s that close, the charming town of Bayonne, all the great restaurants on the French AND Spanish side, San Sebastain for tapas,

and the relatively new Chillida museum near San Sebastain (go on a sunny day, it%26#39;s largely an outdoor sculpture garden with his large overpowering sculptures). The local people are great, very friendly, unless of course, if you happen to be from Paris. We go back every year and love it.

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Removed on: 7:20 pm, August 20, 2009

Driving Map for France Trip

I will be driving from Paris to Normandy and then to Loire Valley during our 2-week trip. Can someone please suggest a good road map?

I know about mappy website, but I also want to have a map to take with me in case we are lost.

Thank you.

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Michelin 1:200 000 scale. You will probably need four. The numbers in the old series are 231, 232, 237 and 238 but the new series has different numbers. These are some of the best road maps made anywhere. You could buy the entire Michelin road atlas of France if you think you will be returning any time soon. A %26quot;real%26quot; map is essential IMO if you are going to do any real exploring and not just follow someone else%26#39;s route between major sights. Get OFF the Autoroutes and main roads! Make your own discoveries! And a good navigator is at least as important as a good driver...

mappy.com is OK but i like viamichelin.com better. Different strokes...

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Michelin do regional folding maps at 1:275000 scale, which are fine if you%26#39;re intending to use main roads. Michelin also do a road atlas which is 1:200000 ( I think the one I had was published by the AA in the UK). The one I%26#39;ve got at present is based on IGN mapping at 1:250000. They are all perfectly adequate for route-finding - I picked up whatever was remaindered in Booksale, but that may not be an option for you.

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I%26#39;m with IrishRovr, we use www.viamichelin.com combined with a road atlas. My husband downloads the route from via michelin onto our laptop so we can view the pages offline whilst on the road.

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Removed on: 9:21 am, August 27, 2009

Paris

Can someone tell me the quickest way to get from the Orly Airport to the Charles De Gaul airport? Our flight arrives at Orly at noon and our flight home to the US departs at 3:55 pm. Are we going to make it in time???? Should I see if we can change our flight reservations now? Our travel date is July 8,2007.

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A cab will be faster than the train [RER]--somewhere around 50 minutes depending on traffic. There is also the possibility of a shuttle service. Allowing for the time it will take from the arrival time to when you actually leave the airport, then checkin at CDG, this is way too tight. Some on this board recommend being at CDG three hours before your flight.

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That is really tight If your flight is late, and they often are, then you will have serious problems making your connection.

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Removed on: 9:18 am, August 27, 2009

fFirst time in Paris with kids what to see?

Hi, we are a family of 5 and would like to go to see the Eiffel tower and go to Disneyland, what else is their?

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Um,,, there is lots. I hope you have at least looked at a guide book, you sound like you really need to read these boards!!

May I suggest you type the words %26quot;children or teens or babies%26quot; into the search box on this site, there are literally hundreds of great tips available for you from other reader/ posters.

How old are your children. When( time of year) are you going.?

My teen boy ( 14) loved climbing the stairs at the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame Bell towers and L%26#39;Arc D%26#39; Triomphe.

He loved going down undrground to see the Catacombs ( tunnels under Paris filled with human bones!!! )

He had fun when we rented bikes on the grounds at Versailles and rode around the huge canals... He loved a Chateau of the Loire Valley tour we took...

He even enjoyed the Louvre ( a museum) enough to want to go twice and he is NOT artsy... the Egyptian section did have Mummies, and the Crown Jewels are incredible, and seeing Napoleons Apartments where the chandilers were as large a cars blew him away.

He loved crepes from crepe stands, he loved the trains.... there is so much for a child to enjoy in Paris ... why bother with Disneyland...

we did go to Disneyland, bought a two day ticket , but son decided he didn%26#39;t want to go for second day, Paris was better !

Your group is large, ( seven in all? ) so there must be quite an age range, many posters here have taken younger and older kids then mine , so please ask as many direct questions as you can, there are many here who can help..

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The military museum (Musee de l%26#39;Armee) at Invalides was interesting to my kids--history of military in France from middle ages (knights/armour), thru the world wars with film clips. A section on Napoleon, lots of flags, uniforms down through the years etc. Attached is the basilica with Napoleons tomb which is quite impressive. You should try to get some books on Paris (if younger children, books geared to younger children--e.g., the Madeline books if you have young daughters, etc). If you can get them to read up on Paris and its history and attractions they will find it more interesting and be more involved when they get there.. Likewise, the more you yourself read in guidebooks and history books about France and the city the more you%26#39;ll appreciate it and understand it when you actually see it. Notre Dame and climbing up the bell tower to see the gargoyles and see the view over the city can be interesting to kids and spark their imagination.

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Buy a guide book on Paris with Children. I%26#39;ve seen them everywhere. You will find lots of good ideas.

(Case in point...)

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Hi.

I recommend the Louvre, walking along the banks of the Seine, Notre Dame, the Sacre Coeur and Galeries Lafayette.

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you can also do a cruise on the seine, go to the museum d%26#39;histoire naturelle, it has been recently renovated and even if you are not very found of animals it is really interesting and nice for kids, another place for kids is the city of science in La Villette,

mnhn.fr/museum/…

www.cite-sciences.fr/english/indexFLASH.htm

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tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g187147-i14-k98046…

In this threads there is a range of links to previous threads about how to keep kids happy in Paris.... (must feed the lions, right ?)

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Removed on: 7:23 am, August 27, 2009

Family room in Paris

Hi Folks, We are looking to take our 3 children to disneyland paris in August. Could someone recommend mea hotel that offers family rooms at a reasonable rate. Most I have found on the net only take 4. There are 5 of us and the klids are too young to stay in hotel themselves.

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Hi Lisil

This is the only hotel I have found that has rooms for 5 and it has extras (click on the tab) including use of a kitchen until 9.30pm and free washer and dryer that could be useful. Great central location too. Note there is no lift so go for a lower floor and most budget hotels do not have airconditioning.

http://www.hotel-marignan.com/

Depending on your budget in Euros per night, you might find a place with lift and airconditioning in two connecting rooms.

If you are staying for a week or say 5 days an apartment could be good value.

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Wherever you do reserve, be sure to make it clear there are 5 people and give the ages.

Hotel Montpensier - room for 5

…parishotels.com/Hotel_Montpensier_district_…

Hotel de France Invalides - adjoining rooms for 2 adults/3 children

…parishotels.com/Hotel_de_France_Invalides_d…

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You don%26#39;t mention how long you are planning to stay, but an apartment would be the ideal solution for you, I think. Often there is a DVD-player conncted to the TV, so the kids could watch some films in the evening - and then you can put them to bed and still have some quality time between spouses, talking over a glass of wine.

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Removed on: 8:17 pm, August 26, 2009

Getting Out of Nice - Where to Go?

Hello,

Me and my partner are looking at going to Nice in August. I am of the understanding that Nice will be packed in the Summer.

We are looking at hiring a car and perhaps getting out of Nice and finding somewhere a bit more remote? What areas do people suggest?

Also is driving around the area - is it easy enough for a first timer driving abroad?

Matt

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My wife and I stayed outside of Tourette Sur Loup in a lovely B%26amp;B (Le Mas Des Cigales) for six days last September. We had a rented car, and took day trips %26quot;down the hill%26quot; to Nice, Monaco, Cannes, Menton, and Antibes. %26quot;Up the hill%26quot; we saw St. Paul, Vence, and Gourdon. This was a much more relaxed spot then along the coast. Tourette is a lovely and ancient town, with cafes and restaurants.

Driving was crowded and a bit challenging. You%26#39;ll have to adjust to driving on the right, probably your biggest challenge. That said, a car gives you the freedom to control your itinerary, and was a must for us.

Bon Voyage

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Matt, from one suffolk boy to another, you%26#39;ll be ok driving, Nice gets congested but in general its not too bad, there are many places to visit along the coast, just a couple of miles away Villefrance is great, nice beach and restaurants/bars. I wouldn%26#39;t attempt to drive to any of the major places at weekends otherwise you get caught up in major traffic jams on the approach roads. The bus and train service is very good and reliable around Nice.

We will be there in August and although it will be busy it will be very good. If you need any other info we will try to help.

MA

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Thanks guys for your help. I have just had a look at Tourette and it looks lovely. Just the sort of thing we were looking for. I really we just want to get out of Nice airport in the hire car and away from the hussle and bussle which is Nice and out into the more peaceful and tranquil areas up in the mountains.

Its great that Tourette is sort of half way up, so like you said we can take trips up and take trips down!

Driving on the right does daunt me a little bit, and I havent exactly heard good reports on French driving either, but hey its all part of the experience right?

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Removed on: 9:18 pm, August 26, 2009

Wine Festival?

Is there a a wine festival in 2007? I would appreciate details of date and location if there is to be one as well as other travellers experiences. A search for the festival in the forum suprisingly drew a blank.

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Hi Chris,

you mean Vinexpo 2007 which is on from Sunday 17th for 4 or 5 days. I only know because we are going to Bordeaux for a long weekend on the Friday before and I cannot get accommodation anywhere!

Anneen

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sorry - forgot to mention it is in June!

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Vinexpo is indeed the wine event that is being referred to here, taking place from June 17 to 21. It is a biennial trade show, and for a week the entire wine world tilts on its axis and everybody comes sliding into Bordeaux.

It may seem like an ideal opportunity for someone interested in wine to come to Bordeaux and be able to taste wines from Australia, Argentina, Bulgaria, Italy, California, and every other wine-producing country on earth, all under one huge roof. And in the evenings, there are parties and dinners at the châteaux throughout the Bordeaux region.

However, the reality is a little different. Vinexpo is a trade-only show, and although it is really not that difficult to obtain a pass to get in, the name badge that you have to wear is color-coded, and if you are not a certified professional (importer, distributer, journalist) then most exhibitors do not want to spend the time pouring wine for your tasting pleasure.

The dinners in the evening are by invitation only, which rules out the idea of grabbing a list of parties and just dropping in at a couple of events each evening.

Perhaps the most difficult aspect of Vinexpo for visitors to Bordeaux who are not even interested in going to the trade show is that it becomes practically impossible to get a hotel room within a reasonable distance around the city. Attendees while checking out of their hotels will make reservations for the following show two years in the future. It is not unheard of for those unlucky exhibitors or attendees who have not taken such precautions to make the trip in every day from as far away as hotels in Cognac.

In short, as I always tell my clients, if at all possible, try to avoid planning on coming to Bordeaux during Vinexpo week—it%26#39;s the very definition of an excercise in frustration.

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Thanks to both for the replies - June is out for me as we are elsewhere in the world during that Month.

With that in mind are there any public events in the Bordeaux region during september that would be good for someone as myself who is just discovering the world of the best red wine region?

I was looking to do a driving holiday for 10 days and hoped to take in an event or events where producers came together in one place as well as of course buy some wine. I feel that a tour of individual Chateau%26#39;s will come later as my taste developes.

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September is the harvest season, and most winemakers are busy either getting ready to bring in the grapes or else deep into turning them into wine. Hence, there is not a lot of other activity that they have time to engage in.

However, there is one event at the beginning of the month that is very much worth seeing: the Médoc Marathon. This is a regulation-distance marathon that attracts thousands of runners from around the world, a number of them world-class recordholders.

The event bills itself as %26quot;the world%26#39;s longest marathon%26quot;, which is something of a joke that takes a moment to understand: as with all marathons, there are stands along the course where runners may get water bottles and refresh themselves. What sets this marathon apart is the fact that it winds among the vineyards, passing through some famous classed-growth châteaux. The properties set up stands with water, but they also offer runners glasses of their wines as well. If a runner were so inclined and partook of all the wine on offer, by the end of the race they may well begin running in zigzags instead of a straight line, thus covering more than the regulation 26.21875 miles--hence, %26quot;the longest marathon in the world%26quot;.

In addition to this particularity, many of the runners dress in costumes, everything from clowns and cartoon characters, to groups of two or three runners inside a papier mache replica of a venetian gondola. It%26#39;s amazing that the runners finish under such conditions, but most of them do. Between the wine on offer and the festive costumes (not to mention the wonderful countryside), this is one of the highlights of the marathon season, and for social life in the Médoc as well.

Châteaux will field teams of runners drawn from their workers, and it is a point of pride for a property to have their people finish high in the results. The night before the race, there is a big pasta dinner held at a château for the runners so they can stock up on the needed carbohydrates. This is called the %26quot;Diner de Mille Pâtes%26quot; (a play on words since %26quot;mille pâtes%26quot; means %26quot;a thousand pastas%26quot; and %26quot;a thousand feet%26quot;.

All in all, it is well worth the visit, and although you might feel like you are just beginning to get serious with wine, you can still visit some châteaux during your stay and get a great deal from the experience of seeing how and where the wine is actually made.

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Thanks djm

I have run a few half marathons in recent years but never done a whole one. Perhaps this should be incentive for me to go that extra distance.

Alas though tasting wine and running was a battle won by the wine a couple of years ago in our household.

I will seriously consider you comments about a vist to Chateaus though and plan our journey accordingly . Thank you once again.

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There is a Wine Festival as well in Bordeaux aimed at the general public,,, it is not a trade show.

It is on just after the Vinexpo for 4 days 29 June to 2 July. Unlike the Vinexpo, this is heald predominantly in the centre of town in the big quare, quinconces... much easier access than the Vinexpo.

Here is the link

http://bordeaux-fete-le-vin.com/

Cheers

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ISnt this only held every second year?

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Removed on: 1:18 am, August 17, 2009

Campsites in St Jean de Monts more questions

We are in the final stages of booking our week%26#39;s holiday to St Jean de Monts. There are two site we have looked at Le Dornier and Zagarella (can book this one through Keycamps also). Can anyone give any feedback. We have two children who will be 7 and 4 and want an adult relaxing holiday but with enough for the children to occupy their time. Any comments appreciated!

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Clarys Plage is better in my view. we are going back this year.

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Hi , Prob too late but stayed ar Le Dornier a few years back in a mobile home owned by an Irish couple - one of a small enclave of around 12 at back of site - we have a great time %26amp; a good community atmosphere : holiday-rentals.co.uk/France/…p1294.htm - they also arranged for a great deal on Brittany Ferries for us %26amp; the whole lot worked out chearper than a tent with Keycamps!!

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I have been looking at Keycamp, but have found a website called www.charlesalexander.co.uk. They have La Clarys Plage as mentioned below. Take a look - looks nice, and a bit cheaper too. I am currently enquiring as to availability. We too have 3 boys, 8, 11 and 13 who need to be kept busy!

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You might find some ideas for off-site entertainment at www.the-vendee.co.uk

Angela

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Thanks very much - I will take a look

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Removed on: 8:21 am, August 23, 2009

left luggage in paris.

were going to disneyland paris in a few weeks. on the last day there our flight is not until late so i want to go into paris early and show the kids some of the amazing sights. instead of taking our luggage around is there anywhere we can leave our luggage for the day?

thanks in advance of any replies.

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Hi Eiresgirl

There are probably other locations for left luggage but the one I have used is at Gare du Nord, downstairs near the exit to the taxis near the Eurostar arrivals area. You can take the train to either CDG or Orly by RER line B from there when you return. The RER line A to Disneyland goes from Chatelet which is also on RER line B so you can get there from Gare du Nord.

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Removed on: 10:18 am, August 27, 2009

car parking at or near Le royal and best car hire

I have just booked a 3 night stay at Le Royal in April, can anyone advise where to park?

what the parking costs might be?

who is best to hire a car from?

reviews i have read re the time delay obtaining the car at the airport make me wonder whether it is easier to use public transport to the hotel %26amp; hire a car at the hotel?

any advice would be appreciated,

Thank you

The Mush.

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definately catch the bus from the airport and get off at Le Royal , if passport control not on tea break, i can be in my room in Le Royal within 50 minutes of hitting the runway. There is a parking lot about 100m from the hotel, the staff at the hotel will help with booking a rental car.

Maybe we%26#39;ll bump into you as we are at the royal for a couple of weeks in April;

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Thanks for the advice Nice Regular - i owe you a beer.

could you advise which bus is best %26amp; where to get it from?

i am flying into Nice Cote d Azur on 18.04.07 - if you are staying at the same ill gladly let you claim your beer.

Thanks again,

The Mush.

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Get bus 98(Nice Centre Ville) from stand no.5 at the airport, pay the driver 4 euros per person and get off at the stop almost opposite Le Royal, Le Royal is 4 hotels after the Negresco (the big green and pink hotel). Buses run every 20 mins up until about 10pm after that you%26#39;ll probably need to get a taxi (about 30e).

I%26#39;m at Le Royal April 10-15th. before that i am there in Feb, 18-22.

Enjoy your visit.

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Should have said 1st to 15th but will still miss ya,

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Nice - Regular,

thanks again for the info - shame that we will not meet -

the purpose of my short visit is to take my elderly mother to see where my deceased father grew up - cannes, nice %26amp; monaco,

hers %26amp; our 1st visit to the south of france,

I intend to do any or all the driving during the days %26amp; get back to nice for dinner + a few sherberts or more in the evening,

may even use the train for monaco %26amp; leave the car in Nice?

can you suggest any reasonable priced restaurents within easy walking distance of le royal?

reading the threads including yours for le royal someone stated that le royal was a good reasonable priced restaurent, is that true?

as before, any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks again,

The Mush.

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If your mother is elderly and you want to visit Monaco from Nice and it is your first time here then you really should drive so that she can appreciate the views from whichever Corniche you take because you can stop whenever you like to take in the views. Also, the bus drivers tend not to worry too much about whether you have taken a seat before they speed off!

We are staying at Le Royal tomorrow night so we%26#39;ll check out the parking costs there. Meanwhile, check out www.interparking-france.com for costs at LeRuhl over a 3-4 day period.

Sounds like it%26#39;s going to a very emotional journey.

Regards

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In all my visits to Le Royal i have only eaten there twice, both times extremely satisfied, but we do like to wander off and try different restaurants, there are many within a five to 10 minute walk, some just a couple of minutes down the prom, if your mother is able to walk you should eat in the flower market (cours de saleya)at least once, to be honest there are so many eateries that they cannot afford to be poor or they wouldn%26#39;t survive.

Le Royal has the cheapest drinks in town but the bar closes at 10.30pm cos most of the clientele are quite elderly, if you return after about 11.30 from enjoying your sherberts you just ring the bell and the night porter lets you in.

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Nice - Regular, Thanks again for the info - your advice has been very helpfull.

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ZebFrance, thank you for the advice, it would br most helpfull if you could advise of the parking costs near to Le Royal,

thanks again,

The Mush.

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Sorry, in the end we left the car at the Ruhl-Meridien car park just a couple of blocks away. It was 23 euros for 24 hours.

Paris for my birthday!

My sister and I are going to Paris for my 21st birthday (end of March), but as she is broke I am financing the trip! Im therefore looking for somewhere spectacular, but cheap (£50-80 per night)? Does anyone have any suggestions? I%26#39;ve never been to Paris before, and am just a bit nervous about booking an independent hotel and ending up somewhere really dodgy so any recommendations would be great!Many thanks

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You won%26#39;t get spectacular for £80, but that doesn%26#39;t mean you have to stay in a fleapit either. I stayed in the Grands Blvds area just before Christmas and loved it. Great restaurants, and great transport links within 5 minutes walk.

Try this link for starters.

paris-hotel-royalopera.com/english/the-hotel…

Is this the sort of thing you want?

Booking direct with the hotel is nothing to be nervous about and often the prices are better. Also no agents to mess things up!

Ther%26#39;s a wealth of info on this forum - try a search in the white box just below the green banner at the top of the page on any topic you%26#39;re interested in- you will get loads of hits and will probably end up with square eyes!

Have fun.

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We had some starving students visit recently and we put them into the Hotel Nivernais on the rue du Bac int he 7th. The hotel is okay, but the neighborhood is fantastic, lots of cafes, bars and restaurants. Walking distance to tons of stuff.

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tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g187147-d295185…

I can recommend this hotel in the 11th arrondissement - just round the corner from Place de la République - easy transport, metro within 200 meters.

Supermarket across the street. Lots of cafés and good restaurants close by and near both Canal Saint Martin and the Oberkampf area.

It is very cheap (67 euro for a twin room) - and very clean, it is really a bargain.

See if you can get a twin room on the top floor.

NB! With the windows open at night there will be some traffic noise, but as you come from London I guess you are used to it.

avenue-paris-hotel.com/english-France-Hotel-…

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Removed on: 8:19 pm, August 26, 2009

How long to drive from Calais-Bourdeaux?

Hi Does anyone know an approximate time it takes to drive from Calais to Bourdeaux?

Thanks

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About 8 hours, not counting meal breaks. Check out www.viamichelin.com for routes, journey times %26amp; costs. Also locations of speed cameras (always a handy tool).

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Removed on: 11:16 am, August 27, 2009

Geneva to Avoriaz

We are flying into Geneva and looking at options to get to Avoriaz in the winter, one thought is parking at the Prodains Chair-Lift and getting the cable car to Avoriaz (so I don%26#39;t have to drive up the mountain and park at the expensive Avoriaz car parks!). Does anyone know if you can park at the Prodains chair-lift for 3 nights? If so, what is approx cost.

Also, any other ideas on getting to Avoriaz?

Thanks

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Hi Andy H,

Sounds like u don%26#39;t want to be using your car for the duration of your stay anyway. We always fly to Geneva then get Powdercab.com to pick us up. Saves hassle of getting a car at the airport and parking in Avoriaz.

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There%26#39;s a bus from Geneva airport. The car park at Prodains is free (believe it or not).

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Removed on: 9:19 pm, August 19, 2009

cafe beaubourg vs cafe marly

HELLO all TAs:

I would like to try some trend cafes for my breakfast. Has anyone been to cafe beauboug or cafe marly? How is the quality of food? Could anyone recommand other chic or classy cafes for breakfast? Thank you so much for the help.

Love Cherry,

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I have been to Marly many times, but never for breakfast. I have gone for lunch after visiting the Louvre, sitting on the terrace which overlooks the Pyramide.

The big thing it has going for it is the view. It%26#39;s one of the best views in town. The food isn%26#39;t bad, it%26#39;s not the best. I%26#39;d say it%26#39;s good. The prices are high though. I don%26#39;t know what they charge for breakfast, but I%26#39;m sure it%26#39;s waaaaaay more than you should really pay.

I would not go for breakfast as it%26#39;s probably not worth the price you will pay. I would do lunch or possibly dinner, or just a drink on the terrace.

I%26#39;ve had breakfast at the Cafe de Flor and the Deux Magots, two %26quot;classy cafes%26quot; in the 6th. The breakfasts were outstanding, although very expensive.

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Though they are technically cafés, neither the Marly nor the Beaubourg are really appropriate for breakfast. They are much more fashionable at lunch or for late afternoon coffee. Of the two, Marly is decidedly more chic, while the Beaubourg is a bit more bobo.

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For a really good French breakfast, at about 11 euros, go to Cuisine de Bar, which is the cafe next door to Pain Poilane. They will serve you a HUGE basket of toasted Poilane, croissants, fresh juice and the biggest bowl of coffee you can imagine. (In homes, coffee is sipped from a large bowl).

Cuisine de Bar

8, rue Cherche-Midi (M: Sevres-Babylon), tel 01 45 48 45 69

Les

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The chic and trendy tend to enjoy breakfast in bed. For something a bit more public, try the chic, trendy hotels. I%26#39;d probably check out the Hotel Costes or Plaza Athenee. The Crillon breakfast is grand, but the crowd is not terndy, so much as int%26#39;l opulent.

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The Beaubourg has a multi-course brunch on the menu that is a bit pricey--I recall about €25--but worth it for the quality of the brunch and the scene. The brunch includes those wonderful, soft, soft, soft scrambled eggs!

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Thank you all for such invaluable recommandations. I will try these places during my three days in Paris. Btw, do I need to reserve a table for the breakfast at Plaza Athenee or Hotel Crillion? My french is not good enough though.

Love,

Cherry

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Removed on: 4:23 am, August 27, 2009

Honeymoon In Paris

We%26#39;re a young couple with a limited budget and are trying to figure out where to stay in Paris for our 2 week honeymoon in the beginning of June 2007. The question isn%26#39;t what part of the city to stay, but whether or not we should be considering a bed and breakfast, hotel, or apartment, and need some names of ones you recommend. We%26#39;re not all into being pampered or anything and would rather spend the money seeing the city and area, but at the same time dont want to be staying in a dump.

We%26#39;re easy going and for example did a 2 week United States roadtrip by tent camping.

I%26#39;ve never rented an an apartment in Paris and am wary of trying it out.

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I would recommend your first visit to be a hotel stay especially given the fact that you are on your honeymoon. When you return to Paris and find a neighborhood you prefer to stay then you should think of renting an apartment. You didn%26#39;t give a specific budget so here is a site that will give you some ideas of inexpensive hotel accomodations:

www.eurocheapo.com

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Thank you for the quick reply and link. Would you also not recommend bed and breakfasts for this first trip? I only ask because I%26#39;m finding many reasonable B%26amp;B%26#39;s that %26quot;appear%26quot; quaint.

Our ideal budget for room and board at this point is about $130/night...about 100euros/night. We%26#39;d rather go for a cheaper place and stay longer.

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Loui1, sorry, I%26#39;m not familiar with Parisian B%26amp;B%26#39;s. Do you mind sharing which ones you%26#39;ve researched so far? That way we will be able to advise you about their locations and so forth.

I still don%26#39;t recommend an apartment for a honeymoon and firsttime stay in Paris honestly. I mean you don%26#39;t want to start off married life feeling obligated to cook and clean up after yourselves, do you? :)

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http://www.bed-and-breakfast-in-paris.com has several B%26amp;B%26#39;s we%26#39;ve been looking at. We%26#39;ve stayed in a US B%26amp;B and had a good experience.

I completely agree with the not wanting to clean things up in an apartment idea....though we are young and on a basic budget, so if doing some dishes means we can afford a two week stay or not having to stay in an extremely small hotel, then we may consider it. :) She%26#39;s all about the going to the market and cooking idea.

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Forgot to mention that I%26#39;ve been to Paris back in 1994 during a summer student exchange trip. Stayed in a hotel for a 3 days in the Montparnasse neighborhood which has changed hands several times since then. So I%26#39;m not considered totally fresh to the city. Wouldnt mind staying in that area again, but am not totally set on any particular neighborhood as long as its safe, near a metro station, and not too loud.

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Loui1,

We rented this apartment directly from the owner this past June. It%26#39;s in the 4th within walking distance of The Bastille and right around the corner from the Place des Vosges. This was our first time renting an apartment and we loved it. I HIGHLY recommend the experience. The neighborhood was young and had a lot of similarities to Bardstown Rd.

The only drawback is that you can%26#39;t reserve the place with a credit card, so you have to wire transfer the deposit directly to the owner which is a little scary. I was initially wary also. However, I can report that this owner dealt with us honestly.

phileas-fogg.com/_apt/vosges/en_pictures.htm

One other item to note is that the apartment is on the fifth floor with no elevator. We didn%26#39;t have a problem with it, but an older person or someone not in shape may not deal well with the steps.

Good luck!

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Thanks for the info! That place looks awesome! We actually ended up renting an apartment in the montparnasse area through www.parisaddress.com who does accept credit card payments. I%26#39;ve stayed in that area before and liked it. Plus it%26#39;s a bit more within our budget...if the airline tickets weren%26#39;t as rediculous...oh well. :)

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Removed on: 3:24 am, August 27, 2009

more advice about Caen

thank you grosbill. I think we will settle on somewhere around Caen. Looking at cottages. Do you know of any websites for the areas you mention. Also we are based in Holland so would you advise on a train or a bus to Caen and then renting a car. Also because of the low New Zealand dollar we are on a budget so if there are any hints on making our dollar go further it would be appreciated

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If you will already have a car in the Netherlands and are returning there after your visit to Normandy I would suggest driving to Caen. It would probably take you about as long to travel by train from most of the Netherlands, especially as you would have to go through Paris — and change stations as well as trains there. There are many places worth seeing along the wauy if you have time — Antwerp, Ghent, Bruges, Lille, Amiens and Rouen among others. If there are three or more of you the car will probably be no more expensive than the cheapest train tickets. Rent a manual transmission (cheaper) diesel engined (better mileage. less expensive per litre) car. The only problem will be if you are not returning to the Netherlands with the car. In that case there will likely be a significant repatriation fee for the car. It still might be the better way to go however.

I recall that grosbill mentioned a number of places including Cabourg, Ouistreham and Honfleur I think. If you just google Cabourg tourism, Honfleur tourism and so on you will probably find what you are looking for. If you read French try googling the same but using the French tourisme instead of the English tourism.

For rental cottages you could look at www.gites-de-france.com/fr/gites_ruraux

Good luck!

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why not try holiday-rentals.com ... its a u.k website great places ..we%26#39;ve used it many times

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Another few tips...

Buy your petrol at the big supermarkets, not at the motorway stations. Petrol is about 10c a litre cheaper in the supermarkets

If you are not fussy, you might consider looking at mobile homes on camp sites. These mobile homes are very comfortable and have good facilities.

There are a number of operators including Keycamp and Canvas.

www.keycamp.ie There is a lovely site in Houlgate, which is about 20 minutes drive from Caen. There is another near Mont St. Michel.

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Removed on: 7:20 am, August 26, 2009

Restaurants at the Eiffel Tower.

I am looking for somewhere on the web that I can view sample menus and more importantly prices for both the restaurants at the Eiffel Tower.

Have tried emailing them but have yet to get a response.

Many Thanks in advance.

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Part of the problem may be that Alain Ducasse just took over the restaurants on the 1st of January. They might not have digital copies of the new menus available or might be reworking the menus.

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As noted, the management and kitchens of the restaurats at the Eiffel Tower--Le JULES VERNE and ALTIDUDE 95--changed hands at the beginning of the new year....and things there are very much %26#39;..up in the air..%26#39; (in more ways than one) until the new format and menu are decided. Le JULES VERNE will come under the direction of Groupe Alain Ducasse The %26#39;plan%26#39; now is to close the restaurants sometime this summer to renovate, remodel and overhaul the entire operations.

I%26#39;m not sure what, if any, daily menu changes have already taken place but a sample menu for the %26#39;..old format..%26#39; at Le Jules Verne, may be found at--

bestrestaurantsparis.com/restaurant-paris/de…

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Just thought I would let you know that we called last week to book a lunch reservation at the Jules Verne for the 19th of April and there were no tables with a window view left. I then got many posts saying that the food was not very impressive and very high priced.

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My group and I had lunch at Jules Verne in early July 2006. The food was fantastic!!! Yes, the prices are high, but it was so worth it. I believe at that time, the prix fix for lunch was 57E. However, when you add a kir royale, a glass of wine, and coffee after dessert, the price does creep up. We were there for about 2 1/5 hours and were pretty much eating the entire time! However, now with Alain Ducasse taking over the Jules Verne, the prices may go up.

If you want to make a reservation, you need to fax them and also give them a telephone number in Paris where you will be.

I%26#39;d go for it!!!

Enjoy!

joy/luvparee

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I am putting together a last minute trip to Paris and my agent was told this week by the restaurant that Jules Verne is booked out to June already. I am going to work through my hotel concierge now to see if the restaurant is holding back tables for select clients...

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Removed on: 7:19 am, August 25, 2009

Does anyone know Crétail ?

Hi,

we will be going to Paris at the end of Feb. for a long weekend. We will be staying with a friend of my partner%26#39;s in Cretail, which is just outside of Paris. Does anyone have any idea what it%26#39;s like ? Are there frequent public transport means as we won%26#39;t be using the car? Thanks

Schnubbel

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Maybe is CRÉTEIL, not Crétail. It%26#39;s south-east Paris. Here it%26#39;s a map : http://tinyurl.com/yqumyw and the city webpage: http://www.ville-creteil.fr/index2.htm . Metro ligne 8 goes from Central Paris to Créteil

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Removed on: 11:18 am, August 27, 2009

best time to go

Which would be the best times of the year to get the best hotel rates in the best hotels in Paris?

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I would say that the summer promotions, around July 15-Aug 31, and post-holiday season (Feb/March) might get you the best deals. Those aren%26#39;t the nicest seasons to visit, though... sort of a %26#39;trade off%26#39;.

The promotional rates aren%26#39;t shown on their websites all year long - they usually put them out a couple months in advance.

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Removed on: 11:15 am, August 27, 2009

Budget paris

Hello All,

It%26#39;s my first visit to this forum, and I need your help.

Can anyone recommend a budget hotel (not a flea pit says he who must be obeyed) in Paris, near Gare Du Nord or the popular sights.

I would prefer if it wasn%26#39;t likely to cause claustrophobia, and have no preference either way about chain hotels.

We do have the luxury of time before we want to go, but we all know how time flies.

Any help appreciated,

Thanks a lot,

Jaycine

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It is hard to know what would be budget for you. But we stayed at Hotel Jeanne d arc. www.hoteljeannedarc.com We found our room to be comfortable. there is no ac for the summer.

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We stayed at Hotel Chaplain Rive Gauche and found it to be a fine budget hotel in a great location. Hotel des Mines may also work, or Hotel Innova (in the 15th/bordering the 6th, but close to metro so easy to get around everywhere.)

Good luck!

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If you really want to be near Gare du Nord then search for hotels in the 10th arondissement (area). It%26#39;s certainly not picture postcard Paris but has an amazing array of bars / restaurants - especially in Place de la Republique, about 10 -15 minutes walk from GDN, and great transport links to all parts of the city.

The begging question is.....do you want to stay there? or do you want to be closer to the Seine or Champs d%26#39;Elysees (the latter is not my choice incidentally) or the Eiffel Tower or what?

Sorry if I%26#39;m sounding a bit awkward, but with hundreds of hotels all over the city a few clues will help. Can you advise...

1. What is your maximum spend per night for the hotel?

2. What type of room do you need, and do you need a lift in the hotel?

3. Do you want to be within walking distance of most of the %26#39;sights%26#39;? or be within walking distance of Gare du Nord?

For starters you could look at Hotel Parisiana, Rue Chabrol, and decide if that%26#39;s about the right standard. I%26#39;ve stayed there and found it to be perfect for my needs. It%26#39;s an easy stroll to GDN.

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Hi Kebabs et al,

Really, close to station is what we want, we%26#39;re quite happy to bus/metro it to wherever we want to see.

Price: cheap as possible. As we%26#39;ve used Ibis chain hotels in other european countries we%26#39;re tempted to stick with what we know, but then again it can become %26#39;hotel anywhere%26#39;.

However, we%26#39;re not prepared to go %26#39;formula 1%26#39; basic. these are good for us when we%26#39;re overnighting en route - not for %26#39;that trip to paris%26#39; - en suite in a must.

Floor not important (one would be nice though), lift preferable

Now you%26#39;ve more idea what we%26#39;re looking for, any ideas???

Thanks for the suggestions already in,

Regards,

Jaycine

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Perhaps a dollar/pound range that you are looking for would help:??

Cheap as possible is most definitely going to put you in a %26quot;flea pit%26quot;. There are many affordable places, but it really depends on your desired price range....

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would you like to travel in paris

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I%26#39;ve not stayed in these but they might fit the bill.

Hotel De Maubeuge Gare du Nord - from EUR49 for double en suite room (through www.venere.com then a search in the 10th arondissement)

Est Hotel from EUR56 - also through venere.com

Hotel Du Brabant - EUR52 as above.

There are loads more too, so have a read and see how you get on.

Now I%26#39;m not one for using booking agents, but venere get good reports on this forum so shouldn%26#39;t be a problem.

All 3 of the above are decent looking places and are within close proximity of Gare du Nord from where you will have easy transport links to the entire city from there.

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tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g187147-d295185…

I can recommend this hotel in the 11th arrondissement - just round the corner from Place de la République - easy transport, metro within 200 meters.

Supermarket across the street. Lots of cafés and good restaurants close by and near both Canal Saint Martin and the Oberkampf area.

It is very cheap (53-60 euro for a single) - and very clean, it is really a bargain.

NB! With the windows open at night there will be some traffic noise.

avenue-paris-hotel.com/english-France-Hotel-…

-----------------------------

Also here is a list of other popular budget hotels: Hotel de la Porte Dorée, Hotel Chopin, Hotel de l%26#39;Avre, Hotel Monte Carlo:

tripadvisor.com/Hotels-g187147-Paris_Ile_de_…

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Thanks for your help everyone.

I%26#39;ll check out the hotels suggested, and reviews of them. I%26#39;ve certainly got lots to think on.

Again thanks,

Jaycine

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Removed on: 7:24 am, August 27, 2009

what shuttle will run from Bercy train station to CDG airpor

My daughter will be arriving from Italy into the Bercy train station with maximum luggage. I would like to have a shuttle meet her and transfer her either directly to the Radisson SAS airport hotel, or else to the Charles de Gaulle airport where her hotel runs a free shuttle service. What Paris shuttle service would you recommend?

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Hi GTO

I have never used a shuttle service but it might be simpler for your daughter just to take a taxi to the hotel - cost would be about 45 - 60 depending on traffic and what %26quot;maximum luggage%26quot; includes. Otherwise, try searching %26quot;shuttle%26quot; in the search box at the top of the list of questions on the paris forum page to the right and you will find that people who use this forum have differing opinions on their reliability and will also be able to check the likely cost.

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I dont recommend any of the shuttle services. Take a taxi as faux suggests. Otherwise she can take the metro 1 stop to Gare de Lyon and then take the Air France bus to the airport followed by the hotel shuttle.

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Removed on: 8:15 am, August 27, 2009

Berthillon--How to get there

We are staying at the Royal Magda near the Arc, and I have heard that Berthillon is not to be missed for the best ice cream ever. How does one get to the island that it is on?

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Well, one usually walks across one of the many bridges. You can take the metro to Hotel de Ville, Cite, Pont Marie, Sully Moreland, St Michel, etc and be a 5 minute walk away from one of the Berthillons.

May I politely suggest you invest in a map of Paris - Streetwise Paris is small, laminated and easy to read/stow in a pocket. It also includes a map of the metro.

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Thank you for the help. I do have a couple of Paris map, but they are so small, it is difficult to see. I didn%26#39;t know about the bridges, I am embarrassed to say!

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The Ile St. Louis, where Berthillon is located, is a lovely place to stroll, so you should find just being there quite pleasant. Enjoy your ice-cream, and don%26#39;t forget to report which flavor/flavors you fell in love with!!!

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Since you are staying at the Royal Magda, you will be glad to know that there is a Berthillon ice cream shop near you...in fact, it is on the Champs-Elysees. After you leave your hotel, go toward the Arc de Triomphe. Turn left onto the NORTH side of the Champs-Elysees Avenue. Walk down that avenue about 2/3 of the way toward Place de la Concorde. Look for the red awning that says Berthillon. My personal favorite is the rasberry sorbet. The visit to the island is fun too....and while on the Ile St. Louis, there is also a great Italian gellato shop which is near Berthillon%26#39;s. Yum!

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Shoesy - I KNEW I could find you here !!!

I must really make a stronger effort next time to taste a lot of Berthillon flavours, so we can get a mutual passion !

yes - yes - I know...... It%26#39;s back to the project management books for me......

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I agree with ton amie regarding the raspberry sorbet. I had never been wild about sorbet until I tasted that particular one. It was unbelievably refreshing on such a hot day. I had it together with a scoop of coffee ice-cream, which is my personal favorite.

And Gitte - we probably have very different taste since you like to drink booze, and as you know I don%26#39;t go near the stuff, not even wine.

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I do NOT %26quot;like to drink booze%26quot;, if you don%26#39;t mind !

In fact I usually dislike %26quot;booze%26quot; as it is too strong for me - the only %26quot;booze%26quot; I take is pastis with lots of water and icecubes plus an occasional glass of fine cognac or calvados together with coffee and fine chocolates after a good dinner.

%26quot;booze%26quot; - really !!!

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Well, you%26#39;ve just admitted to occasionally drinking booze.

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Maybe it is a languagebarrier thing - but in my world a person %26quot;who likes to drink booze%26quot; is more than half way to being an alcoholic.

Which I am not - not yet, anyway.....

Love you all the same - you icecreamaholic.......

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I certainly didn%26#39;t mean that, Gitte.

seeking villa for 6

Would welcome advice on how to find a home/villa in biarritz area, outside the city, for june...must be well-appointed, but needn%26#39;t be

luxurious.

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Removed on: 6:59 am, February 03, 2007


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What%26#39;s your budget and are you looking for a full-house rental?

By %26quot;outside of Biarritz%26quot; do you mean along the coast (the most expensive), or further inland?

Most full-house rentals in this area are generally booked from Saturday to Saturday, some require a two week minimum stay, others a full month.

There should still be some availability during the month of June, but you need to settle on something soon as all of the nicer properties get booked early.

I suggest you consider working with a professional who knows the area; otherwise you could end up wasting a lot of time doing research.

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Removed on: 12:22 pm, August 19, 2009

4 days in san sebastian

i%26#39;m flying to biarritz and then going to either to hire a car or take the train to san sebastian- will i want a car?

i would like to see Vitoria - how long is the drive from san sebastian, or should i wait until next time?

is parking difficult in San sebastian?

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You will have no need for a car in San Sebastian-Donostia, but if you do have one, then you%26#39;ll have to park it in a parking garage as most on-street parking is in the blue zone, paid parking with time limits during the day. Your hotel may have parking, but expect to pay up to 15€/day.

SS to Victoria is about a two-hour drive, depending on which route you take and the traffic. Both San Sebastian and Vitoria can be busy at times. If you go through Pamplona, it usually takes around 1h 30min, depending on the traffic, but it also helps to be familiar with the route.

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Removed on: 4:17 am, August 25, 2009

Which Etam has a "tammy" (kids/tween clothing)

Their website is terrible! Does anyone know the answer to the above question? Thanks!

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anyone???

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Bonjour Chekycheek,

At 73, rue de Rivoli, in the 4e arrondissement. I bought some Tammy clothes for a friend daughter last november. Bon shopping.

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Merci!!!

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Hello,

Luckyluc is right. The Etam store in Rue de Rivoli is huge and is the main Etam store in Paris and they call it %26quot;Cité de la femme%26quot; or %26quot;Women%26#39;s town%26quot; !!

You%26#39;ll find all you need there. Futhermore, it is right in the centre of Paris, near the town hall, Chatelet, Tuileries... Enjoy !

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Removed on: 1:25 am, August 26, 2009

Transport Options from Biarritz airport to San Sebastian

Hi there,

We are arriving at Biarritz airport on Sat 9th July approx 6pm.

We were wondering if anyone could recommend:

- the best way for us to travel to San Sebastian that night

- approx how long it will take

- whether we need to book this leg of travel in advance

- where we might find timetable info online

Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

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I drove. About 1 hour, but had a little trouble finding my way to my San Sebastian hotel. (I wanted a car to see the region with my family)

Also see tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g219215-i1017-k528…

Some of the trains are great, others make every local stop.

It%26#39;s a great area.

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Bus #6 runs from the airport into Biarritz every 20 minutes.

Biarritz – San Sebastian bus line, PESA company, phone: (+ 34) 902 101 210. Departure point is next to the Biarritz Tourist Office.

There is also the TOPO (EuskoTran), which is a small commuter rail that runs from the train station in Hendaye to San Sebastian. You can take the SNCF train from Biarritz to Hendaye and then take the TOPO train into Donostia – San Sebastian. It runs every 30 min.

EUSKO TREN company, phone: (+ 34) 902 54 32 10

You usually do not have to reserve a place on the bus, but understand that Biarritz and San Sebastian will be very busy on 9 July because of the fiesta in Pamplona.

6:00 pm (18:00) is considered afternoon as the sun does not set until well after 10:30 pm along the coast, so it will be bright and sunny when you arrive.

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Removed on: 7:18 am, August 18, 2009