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Archive for the ‘Things to do in Paris’ Category

Some people think that France, or especially Paris, is a destination that isn’t too kid-friendly.  We even have a friend who passed on a trip to Paris as she didn’t know what she was going do with her young daughter.  Well, we’re here to tell you that Paris is just as much fun for children as for adults – especially if you know where to take them!

Here are 10 fun things to do with your kids while in Paris.  And these are just the tip of the iceberg.

1. Bateau Mouche

-       Boat tour of the Seine, catch boat in front of Notre Dame or the Eiffel Tower – the guided tours are offered in multiple languages, and are also available as lunch or dinner cruises

2. Eiffel Tower

-       Beat the lines by buying your tickets in advance online. The Eiffel Tower is open from 9 am until midnight in the summer – there’s also a restaurant on the first floor and a self-guided children’s tour

3. Notre Dame

-       Climb the 380 steps to the top of the bell tower to see the Emmanuel bell and then get an ice cream at Berthillon on the Ile St. Louis

4. Luxembourg Garden

-       Features an enclosed play area for kids ages 2-12 years old  (tickets are aprox. 2€) and a Guignol Theatre, which is a typical French marionette show – take the Metro to RER B Luxembourg

5. Jardins des Plantes

-       Includes not only beautiful gardens and recently renovated Art Décor greenhouses, and for the kids there’s a small zoo and the Natural History Museum

6. Discovery Museum

-       This science discovery museum regularily features hands-on exhibits with explanations in English  and also houses a planetarium

7. Cite de la Science et L’industrie

-       A wonderful kids science museum with a special kids’ discovery section  (must reserve in advance), plus an IMAX/Geode movie theatre

8. Parc d’acclimatation

-       Located in the Bois de Boulogne, the park features a small amusement park and a Guignol Theatre – every inch is filled with activities for kids including shows, farm animals and workshops

9. Bois de Boulogne

-       This lovely forest on the western edge of Paris with row boats, playgrounds and cafes is two and a half times larger than New York’s Central Park

10. Disneyland Paris

-       You may have visited Disney in the US but the Paris version is worth the trip – there’s something familiar yet uniquely French about DisneylandParis that makes it worth the trip

Not only can you enjoy these fun activities with your kids, but you can rent a ParisSharing apartment and feel at home in Paris while doing them.  What are your top things to do with kids in Paris? Let us know on our Facebook page.

Your long flight is over and you have finally arrived in Paris.  Wait a minute! Roissy/ Charles de Gaulle (CDG)Airport is not truly located in Paris, but is actually 25 km (16 miles) to the northeast of Paris.  So, what do you do now? How do you get to Paris? Here are alternative ways to get to central Paris once you’ve arrived at Roissy/CDG without taking a taxi:

Regional Train Line – RER B
The RER B links CDG to 3 stops in Paris (Denfert-Rochereau, Saint-Michel-Notre-Dame, Gare du Nord).

Train Station at Paris-Charles de Gaulle:

The Paris-Charles de Gaulle SNCF station is called “Aéroport Charles de Gaulle 2 – TGV” and is located between terminals 2C-2D and 2E-2F. Just follow the signs like the one to the left.

Station Access :
Terminals 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F are accessible via the moving walkways.
Terminal 2G :  linked to Terminal 2C (Entrance 4) by the free N2 shuttle bus. The N2 shuttle bus runs every 6 minutes and takes 15 minutes.
Terminals 1 and 3 : free CDGVAL shuttle

Journey time:

The RATP quotes 35 minutes to Paris-Châtelet les Halles, but allow at least 60 minutes for the entire journey.

Frequency: every 10 – 15 minutes (weekdays)
Fare : € 8.40 (Pass Navigo zone 1-5 accepted)

RoissyBus Connects CDG to Paris Opera

RoissyBus stops at Paris-Charles de Gaulle:

Terminal 1: Entrance 32, Arrivals level
Terminal 2A-2C : Entrance A9
Terminal 2D-2B : Entrance D11
Terminal 2G:  linked to Terminal 2C (Entrance 4) by the free N2 shuttle bus. The N2 shuttle bus runs every 6 minutes and takes 15 minutes.
Terminal 3: Arrivals hall

Journey time: Allow 60 minutes

Frequency: During the day until 20:45, every 15 mins; after 23:00, every 20 minutes

Fare : € 9.40 (Pass Navigo zones 1-5 accepted)

Bus 350 and 351

Two additional bus services are available between CDG and Paris’ eastern arrondisements.

Bus 350 runs to Paris Gare de l’Est.

Bus 351 runs to Nation.

Bus Stops for 350 and 351 buses at Paris-Charles de Gaulle :
Terminals 2A, 2C, 2E-2F, 2D, 2B and 1.
Terminal 2G:  linked to Terminal 2C (Entrance 4) by the free N2 shuttle bus. The N2 shuttle bus runs every 6 minutes and takes 15 minutes.
Journey time : 45 to 60 minutes

Fare: 5,70€ (3 t1 tickets @ 1,90 € each)

Les Cars Air France/Air France Bus Service

You don’t have to fly Air France to take advantage of this convenient bus service into Paris.  The Air France bus service has 3 lines, 2 of which service Paris.

Line 2:  CDG to Paris Étoile and Porte Maillot

Line 4: CDG to Gare de Lyon and Gare Montparnasse

Bus Stops for Les Cars Air France at Paris-Charles de Gaulle :
Terminals 2A-2C, 2E-2F, 2D-2B and 1.
Terminal 2G is linked to Terminal 2C (entrance 4) by the free N2 shuttle

Terminal 3 is linked to Terminal 1 by the free CDGVAL shuttle train
(average journey time: 5 minutes then 10 minutes on foot).

Journey time : Approx. 45 minutes (Line 2) and 50 minutes (Line 4)

Fare :  Line 2 15.00 €(Pass Navigo not accepted), Line 4  16,50€

How do you usually get to Paris from CDG?  Let us know if you have a preferred way to get to the City.  You can find a complete map with details on each of the above routes into Paris on the Aeorports de Paris website.

I love the Tour de France.  I’m not even a cyclist but I love the excitement of the 3-week race.  If you will be in Paris for the final stage on July 24, the celebration on the Champs-Elysees is not to be missed.  If you can’t make it this year, I recommend planning a trip to Paris to coincide with the final sprint and the after party on the most beautiful street in the world!

The uniqueness of the Tour de France is not just the difficulty of the Tour itself, but the spectator’s proximity to the athletes.  It’s the one sport where you can stand on the sidelines and have the athletes pass within arms reach.  It makes you feel a part of the race rather than just a spectator.  And each day, the stage ends in a party with jerseys changing hands and daily results being tallied.

The race begins tomorrow, July 2 in Vendee on the Atlantic coast.  The 22 teams wind their way around France and end in Paris on July 24 (there are two rest days).  The cyclists will ride just over 3430 kilometers, or 2131 miles.

The final day begins in the suburban city of Creteil and includes a 95 kilometer ride through the Bois de Vincennes, along the Quai of the Seine, past Notre Dame and ends on the cobblestones of the Champs-Elysees (see map for route) with thousands of spectators cheering the cyclists on.  Although all but the final sprint has been decided, there’s something magical about watching the teams whiz by, and the riders celebrating surviving the grueling 21-days by drinking champagne while riding the final stage of the Tour!  After 8 laps, the winner, or the “yellow jersey,” of the Tour is crowned.  Thousands jam the Champs to not only to watch this final stage but, once the race ends, to participate in the biggest party of them all down the Champs-Elysees!

It’s important to understand that the Tour finish is a big event in Paris so you must expect the unexpected.  The streets will be packed so if you want to see the race, you should plan on staking out your spot by 10:30 am.  Shops and restaurants that are normally closed on Sundays will be open.  The streets will be lined with vendors.  And certain Metro stops will be closed.   And don’t even think about trying to cross the Champs-Elysees!

For more information on the Tour, the official website is www.letour.fr and includes route and team information as well as highlights from the race.  Who knows?  Maybe we’ll see you at the finish line this year?!   You can also follow the tour on Facebook  www.facebook.com/letour or Twitter: www.twitter.com/letdf.

If you aren’t in Paris this July and are  planning to make the trip next year, it’s never too early to book one of ParisSharing’s beautiful vacation apartments.

Posted by guest blogger Gwyn Lauber, bike and Paris enthusiast, she can be found at www.lauberpartners.com.

Many people believe that Paris changes in the summer (and not in a good way) as the Parisians leave the city and it is left to the tourists.  But that’s not altogether true.  Paris is host to many exiting summer events that delight both locals and tourists.

18 June – 3 September (Saturday nights only) Grandes Eaux Nocturnes/Fountains Night Show – Chateau de Versailles

A spectacular light and fountain show is performed every Saturday night throughout the summer in the royal gardens of Louis XIV.  The show features thousands of lights, laser beams and a fireworks display set against the magnificent fountains and canals that surround the Chateau. As a backdrop, French baroque music played by a live orchestra accompanies the light and water installations throughout the park.  Ticket prices are €22 for adults, 18€ ages 6 to 17 and children under 6 are free, book on line or tickets are available at the entrance to the gardens.

22 June – Paris Soldes (Summer Sales)

Traditionally, France has bi-annual sales for 6 weeks in Summer and Winter.  This year, the summer sales begin on June 22 and last until July 26.  From the first day, you can find prices reduced from 30 – 60% , with discounts increasing as the weeks of the sales go on.  Some tips to follow for a successful Paris Soldes are to avoid shopping on the weekends and try to shop midday when Parisians are working.  You need to approach the sales with patience, you’ll be waiting in lines for the dressing rooms, at the cash register and in some cases outside the boutique just to get in.  Also, know that usually after the first week, most of the popular sizes and styles are already gone.  If you can’t make it to Paris for the sales then you can also take advantage of  the same deals online at some of France’s leading retailers like www.lebonmarche.com, Galleries Lafayette, Gerard Darel (delivery only to the UK)  or Petit Bateau.

14 July – Bastille Day

France’s national holiday celebrates the storming of the Bastille prison and the beginning of the French Revolution.  The day begins with a military parade down the Champs Ellysee and features military bands, tanks and horses all marching from the Arc de Triomphe down to Place de la Concorde.  The parade ends with the French Air Force flying over the city.  Afterwards, much of the military equipment is on display at well-known locations throughout the city.  The night features a concert at the foot of the Eiffel Tower with a famous headliner band and then a spectacular fireworks display also shot from the Eiffel Tower.

21 July – 21 August – Paris Plage (Paris Beaches)

The 10^th annual Paris Plage takes place from July 21 to August 21, where the banks of the Seine will once again be transformed into a summer beach scene with palm trees, sandy “beaches”, volleyball courts and lounge chairs.  The streets running next to the Seine will become a pedestrian zone featuring concerts, a swimming pool, outside games and activities and lots of food and refreshments.  Paris Plage runs the length of the Right Bank just across from the Louvre to Pont Sully and also around the Basin de la Villette and is open everyday from 8 am – midnight.  Also during Paris Plage is the FNAC Live Festival from July 21-24 located outside the Hotel de Ville featuring 4 days of live open-air concerts from France’s up and coming bands.

It’s not too late to book your trip to Paris to experience some of these exciting Parisian events!  In addition, we have some wonderful apartments still available for your summer stay.  Know of an upcoming event in Paris?  Tell us about it.

World's biggest smartphone, Beaubourg Esplanade May 2010, photo courtesy of Blackberry

With today’s technologies, it is amazingly easy to stay connected when you’re abroad.   So easy, that you may forget that there are hefty charges associated with using your smartphone outside the US.  Unless you do some research, your dream trip to Paris may turn out to be a nightmare when you get home to find your awaiting cellphone bill.

The first thing to do is to call your cell service provider and try to understand the limitations of your phone as well as the charges related to using your phone abroad for calls and data.  Rates differ for each country, and they change fairly frequently so make sure you understand the current rates for Paris – and the rates of any other places that you might visit while traveling.

Using your smartphone in Paris and elsewhere may be tricky with certain carriers especially if you want to keep your phone number, and access data.  For travelers with US-only service (most Verizon and Sprint phones – they use CDMA technology), you can ask your provider for a global phone from its loaner program.  Trouble is, the phones aren’t the same, and you don’t have your number, contacts and other information that you’ve stored in your phone.  There might also be issues with figuring out how to activate your loaner device.  It’s important to ask your provider all the questions that you can think of before you leave – but, chances are, issues will come up that you hadn’t thought of.

If you have a phone that should work in France (a phone with GSM technology), you still need to call your carrier to make sure that it’s activated for international use. AT&T, for example, offers three plans.  But it is important to call customer service so you can understand how to translate their plans into the number of actual emails and web pages that are included.

The following tips can help you to minimize your cellphone bill while in Paris.

1. Contact your carrier

Ask your carrier what the best plan is for your usage and what it translates to in terms of voice and data usage.  Also ask them for any tips about international travel that you should know.  They might suggest things like turning off your data so that you aren’t inadvertently downloading data from your map service, Facebook, or getting texts, thus unknowingly racking up a huge cell phone bill as you stroll through Paris.

2. Look for free Wi-Fi

Find free Wi-Fi spots to download as many emails and other data as you’d like without any additional costs.  Of course, remember to turn off your data stream when you leave the Wi-Fi spot.  In Paris Wi-Fi is available free throughout the city, just look for the purple Free Wi-Fi sign in parks, around city buildings, museums and in many cafes and restaurants.  Also, all apartments rented through ParisSharing offer Wi-Fi connections, so you will be able to freely use your smartphone in your Parisian apartment.

3. Use a prepaid SIM card

To get the savings of a prepaid SIM card and keep your own phone number, follow these steps:  First, call your carrier to ask to unlock your phone so that your phone will work with a different company’s SIM card.  Second, purchase a prepaid SIM card in the US or France and figure out what your new phone number is.  Lastly, program your original phone to forward all calls to the new number.  Remember that any calls you receive will use the minutes in your domestic calling plan and the minutes on your SIM card.  Before you choose this option, make sure that your GSM phone works with a SIM card.  Also, make sure that you’ve saved your contacts to your phone rather than your SIM card so that you still have access to your contacts.  Finally, if you have an iPhone, unlocking it may be difficult and you still might only have access to voice and not data.

In general, prepaid SIM cards are less expensive in the country where you are going to use them.  In France, you can buy prepaid SIM cards at mobile phone stores or major supermarkets.  You might also want to use local provider, Le French Mobile, to get a card along with customer service in English.  Two points to remember:  prepaid SIM cards usually expire, and, if you’re going to travel to other countries, you should purchase a new prepaid SIM card when you arrive in another country.

It’s also important to be careful when traveling with a smartphone.  In an article in The New York Times, smartphones are reported to be a favorite with Paris pickpockets, accounting for nearly 50% of all thefts on public transportation.  If you are going to use your smartphone in public, make sure that you are in a safe place.

If you can’t live without your phone while in Paris, these tips may help you to avoid racking up exorbitant charges while in Paris – and anywhere outside the US.  Be a smart traveler and try to figure out the best way to use your smartphone before you head to the airport.

Posted by guest blogger Gwyn Lauber who has lived in both England and France, and is a frequent traveler to Europe.  When she’s not traveling or running, she advises public and private companies in investor and public relations at www.lauberpartners.com.