Two weeks in Paris ... how to fill?
Apr 20th, 2014, 04:42 AM
#41
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 11,212
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
annhig - I've been "stealing" some of your information for my upcoming trip to Germany and you helped me figure out how much time I'll need for that trip before I booked the tickets. So I actually "owe" you right now! Here's a big THANK YOU!!! from me in case I forget later.
And that reminds me - I haven't thanked FMT for the day trip list (and that's because I know he has all this information from reading it in previous posts and I keep FMT and kerouac in my mind every time I add to my list of sights for Paris). Probably because I'm not going to Paris any time soon which is a disappointment but I'm going to Germany and hopefully Greece next.
And that reminds me - I haven't thanked FMT for the day trip list (and that's because I know he has all this information from reading it in previous posts and I keep FMT and kerouac in my mind every time I add to my list of sights for Paris). Probably because I'm not going to Paris any time soon which is a disappointment but I'm going to Germany and hopefully Greece next.
Apr 20th, 2014, 10:13 AM
#42
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 34,933
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Performing arts seasons are over in any major city in the US and Europe in August. There are no ballet performances in AUgust by the Paris Opera Ballet, they end on July 14th. Sometimes they have special companies from out of town at the Theatre Chatelet or elsewhere in the end of July or AUgust (but usually in July). August is dead in terms of dance. I just checked and the Theatre du Chatelet ends in July, also.
I wouldn't worry about the hotel, I like that neighborhood and have stayed there are couple times, it's not tourist central. It's close to the rue Mouffetard market, which is great, and the Censier or Gobelins metro stops. There is also a bus (no. 27) that runs right nearby along rue Clement Bernard to/from Luxembourg Gardens and beyond to the Louvre and the Opera Garnier, and another that runs along rue Monge north across the river to Hotel de Ville and beyond. The 27 bus is perfect for you for lots of things. That's a great neighborhood, lots of good restaurants.
Here is a copy of the bus line map http://www.ratp.fr/informer/pdf/orie...loc=bus_paris/
Most 3* hotels in Paris have AC now, in fact, I don't know of any that don't, even a few 2* do. That hotel is a decent 3* hotel and has minibar, safe, TV and AC.
I wouldn't worry about the hotel, I like that neighborhood and have stayed there are couple times, it's not tourist central. It's close to the rue Mouffetard market, which is great, and the Censier or Gobelins metro stops. There is also a bus (no. 27) that runs right nearby along rue Clement Bernard to/from Luxembourg Gardens and beyond to the Louvre and the Opera Garnier, and another that runs along rue Monge north across the river to Hotel de Ville and beyond. The 27 bus is perfect for you for lots of things. That's a great neighborhood, lots of good restaurants.
Here is a copy of the bus line map http://www.ratp.fr/informer/pdf/orie...loc=bus_paris/
Most 3* hotels in Paris have AC now, in fact, I don't know of any that don't, even a few 2* do. That hotel is a decent 3* hotel and has minibar, safe, TV and AC.
Apr 29th, 2014, 01:42 PM
#47
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 2,003
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Shame these travel forums weren't around when I worked in Paris between 1996-99.
I could have taken on an extra job at the weekends taking folk well off the beaten tourist track to see the real Paris.
And even perhaps a tour of the little office I worked in, l'Ambassade de Grande Bretagne de France. Not too many run-of-the-mill tourists got through those doors to see the treasures within!
Not the best of places to be duty though when Princess Di and Dodi turned up on 30 August 1997!
I could have taken on an extra job at the weekends taking folk well off the beaten tourist track to see the real Paris.
And even perhaps a tour of the little office I worked in, l'Ambassade de Grande Bretagne de France. Not too many run-of-the-mill tourists got through those doors to see the treasures within!
Not the best of places to be duty though when Princess Di and Dodi turned up on 30 August 1997!
Apr 30th, 2014, 12:13 AM
#49
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 2,003
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Apr 30th, 2014, 11:53 AM
#51
Wow! Thanks for the link, LancasterLad. How can the peasantry gain entry?>>
lose you passport? get robbed?
or get invited to an embassy do.
I hope I avoid the former and I am unlikely to experience the latter.
I'll have to look at the book!
lose you passport? get robbed?
or get invited to an embassy do.
I hope I avoid the former and I am unlikely to experience the latter.
I'll have to look at the book!
Apr 30th, 2014, 11:52 PM
#52
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 2,003
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If you lose your passport or are a victim of crime then I'm afraid you have to visit the British Consulate on rue d'Anjou to report the matter, which is a few minutes walk from the Embassy, and is a far less grand building.
Fortunately, and I felt very privileged, I didn't need to get invited to a lot of the Embassy functions. I was sick of the sight of fine wine and champagne by the time we moved on!
4 years in Saudi Arabia was my reward! Completely different, but we had a fantastic time there. Although having access to Diplomatic Privileges (alcohol) did help!
Fortunately, and I felt very privileged, I didn't need to get invited to a lot of the Embassy functions. I was sick of the sight of fine wine and champagne by the time we moved on!
4 years in Saudi Arabia was my reward! Completely different, but we had a fantastic time there. Although having access to Diplomatic Privileges (alcohol) did help!
May 1st, 2014, 02:36 AM
#53
I was sick of the sight of fine wine and champagne by the time we moved on!>>
the sacrifices made by public servants on our behalf are truly inspiring, LL. which must by why they get all those gongs as well as the perks to which you refer.
the sacrifices made by public servants on our behalf are truly inspiring, LL. which must by why they get all those gongs as well as the perks to which you refer.
May 1st, 2014, 03:20 AM
#54
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 2,003
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Ouch!
It's not a 9 til 5 job though. In fact it's not really a job, more a way of life, that can completely take over.
Most functions are out of normal office hours, are very much work orientated (political, economic, agriculture, trade & industry), maintaining and expanding conducts, and have to be reported on back to HQ pdq. All in the National interests, or so they'd have us all believe.
No gongs for me. But in my previous life in the Royal Navy I did get the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal, after 15 years of undetected crime!
It's not a 9 til 5 job though. In fact it's not really a job, more a way of life, that can completely take over.
Most functions are out of normal office hours, are very much work orientated (political, economic, agriculture, trade & industry), maintaining and expanding conducts, and have to be reported on back to HQ pdq. All in the National interests, or so they'd have us all believe.
No gongs for me. But in my previous life in the Royal Navy I did get the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal, after 15 years of undetected crime!
May 1st, 2014, 06:30 AM
#55
Most functions are out of normal office hours, are very much work orientated (political, economic, agriculture, trade & industry), maintaining and expanding conducts, and have to be reported on back to HQ pdq. All in the National interests, or so they'd have us all believe.>>
being serious for a moment, many other jobs involve similar levels of commitment and service and aren't normally rewarded by awards presented by Her Maj. Aren't those index-linked pensions enough? [talking as a self-employed person who has to provide her own, and who has done many years of what might be described as public service]
Anyway I'm sure that your awards [and pension] were richly deserved, LL.
Whose crimes BTW - yours or others?
being serious for a moment, many other jobs involve similar levels of commitment and service and aren't normally rewarded by awards presented by Her Maj. Aren't those index-linked pensions enough? [talking as a self-employed person who has to provide her own, and who has done many years of what might be described as public service]
Anyway I'm sure that your awards [and pension] were richly deserved, LL.
Whose crimes BTW - yours or others?
May 1st, 2014, 06:50 AM
#56
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 2,003
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
<<<Aren't those index-linked pensions enough? [talking as a self-employed person who has to provide her own, and who has done many years of what might be described as public service]>>>
I sympathise. But we choose our own career path. A lot of mine was spent away from loved ones, with the real possibility of having my life 'wasted' on the front line.
<<<Whose crimes BTW - yours or others?>>>
Anybody. I can't remember doing anything that might have affected my award, but if there was anything it went undetected!
I sympathise. But we choose our own career path. A lot of mine was spent away from loved ones, with the real possibility of having my life 'wasted' on the front line.
<<<Whose crimes BTW - yours or others?>>>
Anybody. I can't remember doing anything that might have affected my award, but if there was anything it went undetected!
May 1st, 2014, 06:58 AM
#57
Highly recommend the Fat Tire Bike tours -
http://paris.fattirebiketours.com/
especially the night tour
http://paris.fattirebiketours.com/
especially the night tour
May 1st, 2014, 07:14 AM
#58
Anybody. I can't remember doing anything that might have affected my award, but if there was anything it went undetected!>>
pleased to hear it, LL. and I wasn't getting at you at all but at those who sit behind their nice fat desks and collect their nice fat pensions that we have paid for, AND expect to get a gong on top, just for doing their jobs.
pleased to hear it, LL. and I wasn't getting at you at all but at those who sit behind their nice fat desks and collect their nice fat pensions that we have paid for, AND expect to get a gong on top, just for doing their jobs.
May 1st, 2014, 08:51 PM
#59
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 425
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
OK, I rest my "nalgas" as my husband likes to say in Spanish. I had started a thread a short time ago titled "What a Civilized and Helpful Bunch you Fodorites Are"...basically thanking everyone for all their help. The responses to this post illustrate the point I was trying to make.
The responses in this particular thread are INCREDIBLE! The list for beyond-Paris activities from FrenchMystiqueTours is amazing. I wish I had longer in Paris to take advantage of it (we leave Saturday!). Saving for a later trip.
Adrienne's list is really valuable for our upcoming Paris trip...many of the things are on my list but there are some new things there as well.
I also recognize annhig's name and have gotten valuable advice from Kerouac as well.
We're also going to the Dordogne area, and have gotten great stuff from stcirq.
Realize I have WAY over-planned with list after list of notes and activities etc. We won't get to even 10% probably. All the more reason to come back!
The responses in this particular thread are INCREDIBLE! The list for beyond-Paris activities from FrenchMystiqueTours is amazing. I wish I had longer in Paris to take advantage of it (we leave Saturday!). Saving for a later trip.
Adrienne's list is really valuable for our upcoming Paris trip...many of the things are on my list but there are some new things there as well.
I also recognize annhig's name and have gotten valuable advice from Kerouac as well.
We're also going to the Dordogne area, and have gotten great stuff from stcirq.
Realize I have WAY over-planned with list after list of notes and activities etc. We won't get to even 10% probably. All the more reason to come back!
