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Archive for the ‘Uniquely parisian’ 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.

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.

Paris Tips: Tips You Wished Someone Told You About Before You Left Series! Money

The final post in our Tips You Wished Someone Told You About Before You Left series is about Money.  For instance, do you use cash, credit cards or traveler’s cheques when traveling to Paris?  My recommendation to clients is to use a combination of both cash and credit cards and leave the traveler’s cheques at home.

If you are not a frequent overseas traveler, it is imperative you contact your bank and credit card companies before you leave to let them know that you will be traveling (so they don’t turn off your credit card), and to find out what your daily withdrawal and spending limits are.  Also, ask about any service charges that might apply on international transactions.

Here are some helpful money-related tips to make your stay as trouble free as possible:

Contact Bank and Credit Card Company

-       Inform them that you will be traveling overseas

-       Find out your daily withdrawal and spending limits

-       Verify that your account has no restrictions on international withdrawal of money or payments

-       Understand all service charges involved in using your bank and credit cards overseas

Know Your Pin Number

Paris ATMs and credit card machines work with PIN codes comprised of numbers only.  Make sure to memorize your code in its number format (1=ABC, 2=DEF, etc.) before heading to France.  Any modifications to your code should be handled before you leave on your trip.   In some cases, once you are in Paris, banks will not allow any security related changes.

Cash Payments

After enquiring about transaction charges with your bank, you can determine if it is better to withdraw cash from an ATM or to change money at an exchange bureau.  Even with transaction charges, it has been my experience that withdrawing cash from Paris ATM machines is the best way to go.  For clients of Bank of America, you benefit from the ATM World Alliance, which is a group of international banks that allow their customers to use their debit cards within the network without international transaction fees. (See the site for more details.)  If you do decide to exchange money, exchange bureaus are located around the major tourist sites.  Always call around to find out the various rates and commission charges to get the best exchange deal.

Credit Cards

Before you have eaten your meal or tried on that perfect skirt, always ask if the restaurant or shop takes credit cards and what the minimum purchase amount is.  Many boutiques and eateries in Paris do not accept credit cards for less than 10€.  Most supermarkets accept credit cards with a minimum purchase of 1€. Also, keep in mind that Visa is the most widely accepted card in France.  MasterCard is the next most accepted.  Often, American Express and Discovery are not accepted.

Tipping

I’m sure you have heard, but unlike the US, tipping is not standard practice in France.  However, when eating at a restaurant or café, a 15 percent “service charge” is automatically added to your bill.  This does not mean that the waiter will actually be given the extra money for his service.  If you are pleased with the service leave an extra 5-10% on the table in cash for your waiter.

Safety

Paris is a very safe city.  Walking at night in most areas is extremely safe and you should not have any problems.  But, pickpockets run rampant in the City, especially on the main lines of the Metro and around some of the more touristy areas.  Take extra precaution when in the Metro (vigilance on the Line 1!) and crowded areas like the Eiffel Tower or Sacre Coeur.  Your bags should be firmly closed and any cash or credit cards placed inside the bag in a zipped pocket.  If you can, make sure to carry a bag that can be worn crossed over your body and that can be closed completely.  Backpacks should be worn with the straps on both shoulders, and wear it on your chest while in the Metro. While visiting the sites, I recommend that you leave your passport and valuables safely in your apartment.  If you do have the unfortunate experience of being pick pocketed, call your credit card company immediately and go directly to the local police station to report the theft.  A good tip before traveling anywhere overseas is to make copies of your passport, drivers license and the front and back of your credit cards in case you need to go to the embassy for an urgent replacement.

We hope you’ve found this series helpful.  When planning your trip to Paris, contact us for a beautiful vacation rental and more insider tips that can help make your trip the best possible!

Claude Monet Gare Saint Lazare

“Paris at the Time of the Impressionists: the Masterpieces of the Musée d’Orsay at the Hotel de Ville”, is an exceptional, FREE exhibit held until July 30 at the Hotel de Ville (Paris City Hall).  The exhibit features works by Degas, Monet, Van Gogh and several other major Impressionists.  This event is a “must-see” as you visit the Marais or the center of Paris.

Exhibit Details
The exhibit is made possible because of ongoing renovations of the Impressionist and Post-Impressionist floors of the Musée d’Orsay, allowing for some 60 works of art to be loaned to the Hotel de Ville for a limited time.  The exhibition is broken down into sections, the first is dedicated to the building of the “new” Paris at the end of the 1800s, and features architectural drawings and models that represent what would become the future “Hausmannien” architectural style of Paris.  The second section is focused on the “new” Paris as an inspiration for the Impressionists.   The paintings represent not only Paris monuments, but also street scenes and a depiction of urban life.  Hanging along side the works of the major Impressionists are lesser known artists who also contributed to the movement in Paris during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.

Practical Information
“Paris at the Time of the Impressionists: the Masterpieces of the Musée d’Orsay at the Hotel de Ville”
Until July 30, 2011
Hotel de Ville
5 rue de Loubau
75004 Paris
Metro: Hotel de Ville (lines 1 & 7)
10 am – 7 pm Monday – Saturday