Parisian Weather
by geojean
I Was in Paris for 3 days in May 2009. First day hot as *%*$ second day poured rain. Last day drizzle....prepare for all "changeable weather". This little restuarnt by my hotel. The waitress was so sweet to me whenever she served me my dish she would say "Oooh La La". I loved this place so much I ate there 3 nights in a row
Visit the beautiful and famous...
by S_R_NAIDU
Visit the beautiful and famous EIFFEL TOWER. There are 3 floors. The first is @ 57m, second @ 115m and the third platform is @276m. The aerial top, which is not allowed to visitors, is 320m from the ground has radio transmitters. You can take a lift to the third platform for 62FF. From this lofty height you can have a breathtaking view of Paris below and one that you will forever cherish. In fact, Chatres Cathedral can be viewed from here.
I had since my younger days wanted to visit this monument and it took me a lifetime to fullfil my dream. There is also an Eiffel Tour Post Office on the first platform and I purchased a couple of Eiffel Tour postcards and envelopes and had them postal franked on the spot and sent to my folks at home. You will treasure them yourself if you send one home from here.
However, it looks very magnificent and maintains its splendour after dark with its illumination from within its own superstructure. You can view above a slightly different snapshot of the Eiffel Tower I managed to compose........a close and upward shot revealing the metallic structure.
I have included a few more snaps taken on or around this megastar of Paris which might interest you. And if you do want to 'scale' the megastar, please
note:-
ADMISSION FEES:
Stairs: 18 FF (for both children and adults
Elevator: Adults...22FF for the first floor. 44FF for the second floor and 62FF from the top floor. Children under 12 years..13FF for the first floor, 23FF for the second floor and 32FF for the top floor. Also a free access for children under 3 years.
Open Daily: From 9.30am to 11pm.
Paris Tip
by Whatever
One of them, Le Louvre and its pyramids...
Le Louvre has been opened since 1793. Within a decade, it had gathered the largest art collection, from Oriental to Egyptian antiquities, from Greek to Roman antiquities (Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo...), French, Dutch and Flemish paintings (Supper at Emmaus, Raft of Medusa....), and many more (about 300,000 artworks altogether!!!).
The Museum estimates that an average of 2 1/2 months would be needed to see every piece of art it contains! With a good pair of rollerblades, I bet it could all be done within a month! :)
LOCALS'SECRET: after a few days in Paris, you will soon grow tired of waiting in lines, so here is one of the secret entrances to the Louvre; rather than entering from the main Pyramide like everyone else, enter the museum from the subterranean concourse which can be accessed from the subway station's exit below. All you'll need to do is follow the signs pointing towards the Louvre's shops! There are a couple more secret entrances, but I was sworn to secrecy at birth...
PARISCOPE
by cochinjew
The Paris entertainment guide
By Rick Steves
Newsstands sell weekly magazines listing all the events and happenings in Paris. Pariscope is cheap and essential if you want to know what's happening. Pick one up and page through it.
The magazine, all in French, begins with culture news, then lists "Théâtre" and what's playing at all key theater venues). "Musique and Concerts Classiques" follow, listing each day's events (program, location, time, price), including both opera houses if performances are scheduled. Remember that some concerts are free (entrée libre).
" Visites et Promenades" covers outdoor events, including outdoor theater, flea markets, sound-and-light shows (son et lumieres), key monuments such as the Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe, river cruises, parks, zoos, and aquariums.
The "Enfants" section covers myriad possible children's activities. "Spectacles" are shows (like magic shows); you'll also see many "Marionettes" shows and "Cirques" (circuses) — both are fun, even for non-French speakers.
A third of the magazine is devoted to "Cinéma" — a Parisian forte. The "Films en Exclusivité" pages list all the films playing in town. While a code marks films as "Comédie," "Documentaire," "Karaté," "Erotisme," and so on, the key mark for tourists is "v.o.," which means version originale (original language version). "Dessin Animé" means cartoon. Films are listed alphabetically, by neighborhood ("Salles Paris") and by genre. To find a showing near your hotel, simply match the arrondissement. "Salles Périphérie" are out in the suburbs.
The next section, "Arts," lists current hours for temporary expositions and all the museums (tlj = daily, sf = except, Ent = entry price, TR = reduced price — usually for students and children).
The "Sport et Bien Etre" section lists public pools, hikes, steam baths, and sporting venues.
For cancan mischief, look under "Paris la Nuit."
Don't be a butthead. You have...
by Robinski9
Don't be a butthead. You have to get used to being elbow to elbow with the person at the table next to you at restaurants and sidewalk cafe's. Parisians are used to this closeness and will completely ignore you. They're not being rude! They're respecting your space. Respect their's in kind. American's seem to think that just because you're next to someone you have to talk to them. That doesn't apply in Paris.