Imagine Living Here
by Radiomom
...find neighborhoods where you feel almost like a local. On our first trip, purely by accident, we stayed in a fairly non-touristy part of town, about halfway between Bastille and Place de Republique. (1998 trip) The market that travels up-and-down Boulevard Richard Lenoir was gorgeous. I enjoyed just walking around 'our block' and buying necessities at the local bakery, pharmacy, film developer, and telling the lady who ran a tiny but immaculate meat market how lovely her store was arranged. How can I forget walking through the Marais and seeing teenage students as they rushed to start school in a truly ancient building,(muttering the same complaints as my son, no doubt.) One afternoon we saw a father with two little children, backpacks and all, balanced on a little motorscooter. Sure, we had to take the Metro to see the famous 'sights' but I can't imagine missing out on these simple glimpses of daily-life. (Click to enlarge the photo to catch the full image) Our first night ever in Paris (1998), jet-lagged and leg-weary from walking, we stopped at a cafe that was open for early dinners. (We aren't usually the 'early-bird' kind of folks, but you can only stave-off that jet-lag for so long.) The special that evening was braised veal chops. As we were finishing off our meal, the owner's (?) German Shepherd came and sat nearby, gazing longingly as we sopped up gravy with our bread. We fed him the last few scraps, and he laid his head on my lap as if I was part of his 'family.' I couldn't tell you the name of the place -- it was not ancient nor new, or even it's location for sure other than it was on the right bank (we were headed back to our hotel from a stroll across the river and around Notre Dame). It was extremely inexpensive compared to some of the more well-known places we dined later in the week. But it was our first meal in Paris, and could not have been more perfect.
Look up at the Louvre ceiling fresco! *Gasp*
by Jenniflower
One cannot merely look at the art on the walls in the Louvre, you have to look up and down. The floor and ceilings are equally decorative and gorgeous.
The Louvre is definately a 'surround sound' museum :)
Gustave Eiffel
by exotique18
ou can see the monument of Gustave Eiffel just near La Tour Eiffel. Eiffel is about 280m. There is Cineiffel where you can see the history of eiffel. YoU CAN go to Eiffel by metro Champ de-Mars station. It is open from september to june from 9:30-23pm, from july to august from 9-24am.
Do not believe in the oft...
by schintam
Do not believe in the oft repeated myth about rude French people!! I had quite a few pleasant and friendly experiences in france..and no rudeness whatsoever (including from the much maligned french waiters). I speak a little bit of french and that helped..but even if your french is confined to Bonjour and Au revoir..you could get by very easily as most parisians speak english. Obviously..it's better if atleast the initial greetings are in French
American History in Paris
by dwjohnsonla
Stephanie and other VT members have found plaques on side streets in Paris commemorating U.S. and French relations through history. The plaques have been put up by the Benjamin Franklin Circle, which is a committee of supporters of the American Club of Paris. The purpose of this exercise is to further develop the longstanding French-American friendship, and encourage political, intellectual and cultural exchanges. It provides a forum in which all persons can join together to exchange ideas and promote a better understanding of the United States, the American people and Franco-American relations. The Circle is named after Benjamin Franklin, who initiated the tradition of exchanges between the Americans and the French in Paris by organizing dinners at his house in Passy at the time of the American Revolution. His activities were renowned for developing friendship between France and the United States at the time of America's birth, thus helping the colonies to win friends and ultimately win independence. The Benjamin Franklin Circle continues his tradition and more information can be found on the American Club's website. Anyone having questions about the Benjamin Franklin Circle is invited via the group's website to contact them. For more information see below or email americanclubparis@wannado.fr - or fax 01 47 23 66 01
Sign in with Facebook
Grand Palais, Paris
Vaulted ceilings of the interior
Another Gargoyle
The American plaque.
