Cascade restaurant - Nice

I visted Cascade on the recommendation of a fellow diner on trip adviser - my advice is DON%26#39;T GO THERE. The food was inedible and I am not a fussy eater. After our food arrived, we noticed that one of the windows high above our heads had been shattered and shards of glass were perilously close to falling on our heads. 56euros for 3 main courses and 3 drinks - service was extremely surly.

Paris Wedding Gift

Friends of ours are honeymooning in Paris (and other parts of France).

As an engagement gift we%26#39;d like to get them something relating to their honeymoon. Are there any passes (e.g. Eiffel tower) or similar that we could purchase for them that isn%26#39;t tied to a specific date. For example in Toronto we have CityPass which provides significant discounts at most tourist sites.

Thanks.

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Well, there is a musuem pass but that is probably a little boring:

http://www.parismuseumpass.com/en/home.php

If you know they are going to a certain special restaurant, you could call and have a bottle of champagne included with their dinner or have a bottle of champagne delivered to their hotel/apartment.

A more off-the-wall idea is a tour in a 2CV

http://www.4roues-sous-1parapluie.com/

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Thanks for the info and agreed, it%26#39;s not the most exciting idea. Again it%26#39;s only for their engagement gift, we%26#39;ll just give euros for the wedding gift.

A bottle of champs to the hotel room would be a belated engagement gift. We don%26#39;t want to commit them to an activity on a specific day.

Any other ideas are greatly appreciated.

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Gee, I didn%26#39;t think the Museum Pass would be a boring idea at all. If I received that as an engagement gift, I%26#39;d be thrilled. It shows you%26#39;re thinking of them, it%26#39;s specific to their trip, and they can spend wonderful time together in Paris seeing so many fabulous museums and monuments thanks to you. Also, the passes don%26#39;t start running until they sign and date them, so it%26#39;s not date specific.

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I%26#39;ve had clients give/receive these %26quot;coffret cadeau%26quot; before: weekendtour.fr/coffret-cadeau-week-end/coffr…

This one includes:

- One night at a hotel

- Breakfast for two

- Entrance on Bateau Mouches

- Some sort of concierge service.

The website says that this particular coffret expires on 12/31/09, but perhaps you can ask about extending it if necessary. Hope this helps!

Kim

Sarlat

Hi there,

We%26#39;re headed to Sarlat at the end of August and I was just wondering where%26#39;s best to fly into - Bordeaux or Toulouse? And is train the best way to travel between either place and Sarlat? Any advice would be most welcome!

Cheers,

N

Vineyard areas close to Blois

We would like to visit some wineries while we are in Blois. Are there any within a few kilometers of the town and is there public transport available or taxis. any suggestions?

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A good place to start will be at the Maison du Vin in Blois, which is directly opposite the Chateau. It has lots of maps and leaflets etc with details on opening times etc of all the local winemakers.

The 4 main AOC areas around Blois are Touraine, Tourain-Mesland, Cheverny and Cour-Cheveny.

All the winemakers in these areas can be found on this link;

…chambordcountry.com/PDF/TerroirsdeLoire.pdf

Happy to recommend my personal favourites if you would like.

Organising a taxi to take you out to the vineyards will not be a problem.

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That%26#39;s great, thank you, exactly what I was looking for.

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Try the vineyard of Cyril Sevin in Mont pres Chambord, about 15 mins. from Blois. Excellent wines to taste and buy.

St Malo and market

Hello

We are arriving in St Malo on a saturday morning at 8am and before heading south we would like to spend a little time maybe visit the fresh food market.

I have never been to France let alone driven through St Malo and I would like to know if it is easy to find your way around and what the parking is like.

Any info or tips I would be very grateful

Thanks

Rob

direction

How to get from Gallieni Station to Montmartre by metro or so?

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How come your guide book to Paris does not have a metro map? You need to get a better guide book.

From Gallieni, take metro Line 3 and get off at Opera. Change there to metro Line 8 towards Balard for one station, getting off at Madeleine. Take metro Line 12 towards Porte de la Chapelle, and get off at either Abbesses or Lamarck Coulaincourt.

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Why not learn to use this?

tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g187147-i14-k28554…

Paris over christmas

Can anybody please help me or give me any advise....

Im wanting to plan a trip for myself and my husband to Paris from 24th December for 5 nights. We would like to go to Euro Disney, is it open on xmas day? Also how busy does it get?

Also what other things is there to do in Paris over the christmas period and where is the cheapest but nice place to stay?

Neither of us have ever been before, we are in our late 20%26#39;s.

Thanks in advance

Claire x

Where to go for 4 nights to spare

Hi there, we%26#39;re thinking of flying to Nice, and from there making our way upwards towards Paris. We have 4 nights to spare and would like to explore Provence more. Should we spend 2 days in Nice, and 2 days around Provence? Or have a day tour of Nice and 4 days based around Provence or Lyon? We%26#39;re thinking of renting a car and driving around Provence, ending our trip in Lyon, where we will take a train to Paris for a further 5nights.

Please let me know if this is too vague and I%26#39;ll elaborate further.

Thanks!

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Provence is a large and extreemly varied region so with the time you have youe will only scratch the surface:-)

If you are flying into Nice it would seem sensible to spend a day exploring the city.

I would then hire a car and head towards Avignon - personally I have spent too much time sitting in traffic jams on the coastal roads so I would take the Autoroute as its faster and you are still driving through the region.

Base yourself in or arounf Avignon or Arles. From either city there are is a wide variety of things to see and do no forgetting the cities themselves.

Personally I would visit the Luberon on one of the available days and the Cotes du Rhone wine villages on another as both will give you tours around the area rather than concentrating on one particular sight.

I am sure pthers will have their own favorites to suggest.

Have a nice trip.

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Since you only have 4 nights to spend in the South of France I would suggest that you pick up a car immediately upon arrival at the Nice Airport and head straight to the West on A-8. This is the toll-road that traverses Provence and, while it is somewhat pricey, it will be a major time-saver for your trip Westward.

I hope that you will consider establishing a base for the duration of your stay. This is a good way of exploring since the the region is realtively compact and you can make a series of daytrips using different roads to approach and return from each day%26#39;s destination. While everyone who loves the region will have a different point of view regarding what is the perfect place to use as a base, I would suggest that you consider either St. Remy or someplace like Maussane-les-Alpilles or perhaps Les Baux. St. Remy is a lovely smaller sity/town with fabulous Roman ruins on its%26#39; outskirts. Maussane and Les Beaux are about a 15-20 minute drive from St. Remy and are situated amidst olive groves (producers of what many consider to be one of the best Olive oils in the world) and vinyards - they are surrounded by gorgeoud craggy white limestone hills and exude a perfectly wonderful ambiance. All three places are also wonderfully situated for making daytrips to visit the region%26#39;s important historic and scenic sites such as Avignon, Nimes, Arles, the Camargue etc.

Restaurant help in Paris

I am currently in Paris in the 7e and need restaurant suggestions for a romantic dinner. It need not be in the 7e and not overly romantic; I actually don%26#39;t want to overdo it but sufficiently cozy and for sure elegant. I%26#39;m hoping for a classy and elegant restaurant without the %26quot;formules%26quot; flavour designed for tourists. I am willing to spend some money but considering the painful exchange between Euro and Canadian Dollars, I need to make sure I don%26#39;t go broke. Good selection of wine will of course be preferred.

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La Fontaine de Mars ?(Obama went there so maybe prices are up now).

Le petit Troquet?

Cute and cosy.

You cannot escape tourists in the 7th. Thanks to Rick Steves, many of them go there!

Romantic is also a state of mind that has nothing to do with the actual set up of a restaurant.

I like la Chaumiere in 15th at metro Boucicault.

If you call in advance, they may even make it special for you with free champagne glass etc. Not a given but a possibility.

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Thanks, La Fontaine de Mars is a good suggestion. I have eaten many times on rue St. Dominique but not yet at La Fontaine de Mars. It does seem less touristy than Cafe Constant although the food at Cafe Constant is really good too. I will check out your suggstion in 15e. Appreciate the suggestions.

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The %26#39;formules%26#39; aren%26#39;t designed for tourists, everyone utilizes them. I think they are more applicable to lunch times, while the %26#39;menu%26#39; of 2 or 3 courses is both day and evenings (evenings having a higher price tag). The French see no need to pay more than necessary for their food as much as anyone does.

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Au Gourmand, 17 rue Molière, Paris 1er

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Here are a couple of my favorites; both seem to be places that have a neighborhood feel; the first is a little bit more expensive than the second

1. La Cuisine -14 Blvd da la Tour Maubourg - near Quai D%26#39;orsay-closer to les invalides than the Tower

2. Le Square - on St Dominique but on the other end near Solferino Merto stop

3. L%26#39;esplanade - not sure if it is still operating under this name -It is diagonnally across from the Invalides near the Tour de la Maubourg metro - it may be on rue Fabert

4. Bistrot de 7eme - also on blvd de la Tour maubourg - -Haven%26#39;t been here yet but it has been recommended on TA

Blvd de la Tour Maubourg has several restaurants on th eQuai D%26#39;orsay end that seem very nice -check out the street

jhgrady

Driving holiday in France

Hi - my friend and I want to drive from the UK to Dunkerque, then head south and drive all around France, through Provence and dwn to the south coast, before heading back up north through Dijon, Paris and home.

Having never done this sort of thing before, any advice would be really welcome, such as good route, places to stay and anything else.

Looking forward to anyone willing to offer any views?

Regards,

F.

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A lot depends on how long you have to do it in. Do you want to use the autoroutes (expensive) or route nationale (slow)? Do you want to stay in cities to party %26amp; drink all night or the countryside to hike around and go to bed early?

Without being specific I would generally say to drive down the east side of France/West Belgium, through Luxembourg to Alsace. Then on via Switzerland to Provence (maybe via Milan). Then all along the coast and coming back you can go up via Aix le Provence, Nimes, Avignon, Lyon etc.

Let us know a few more details for specific advice.

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If you are going in your own UK car, you will need to do the following:

Ensure that your insurance covers you for driving abroad, and notify them that you are going, at least a week in advance of your trip.

You MUST take with you your V5 Document (logbook) current MOT, Driving Licences, Insurance certificates, Green Card (Bail Bond if you plan to get as far as Spain) of course you will also need your own passports and personal TRAVEL insurance too. It%26#39;s also worth taking an E111 card with you.

Make sure your car has a GB sticker, or %26#39;euro%26#39; plates (these are acceptable now).

You must carry a first aid kit, spare set of bulbs, warning triangle and day-glo/reflective jackets for all of the occupants of the car.

It%26#39;s a good idea to get your car serviced in good time before you go, and check your tyres are in good condition. (Breakdowns on holiday are just a bore!!)

It is wise to ensure that you have breakdown cover for Europe, you might have this with your insurance, BUT if not, AA %26amp; RAC are good places to look.

This website has good information for driving in France:

…drive-alive.co.uk/driving-in-france.htm

When touring in France I don%26#39;t ever have a %26#39;set%26#39; plan. I do have some ideas of where I want to go, but often change/review this as I go along, depending on where the good weather is, or what I find that is %26#39;interesting%26#39; along the way.

One of the best touring Holidays I ever had, was when I set off to go to the Black Forest in Germany, but then stayed in France, wandering around without a guidebook (%26#39;cos I%26#39;d taken all the German Books!!) and getting some nice surprises. Did not go to Germany at all that time, because it was tipping it down %26#39;over that way%26#39; for the whole 2 weeks of my trip!!

France is well set for Hotels of every category, Chambre D%26#39;Hotes and campsites, so I have never worried too much about booking accommodation ahead, jsut %26#39;go-with-the-flow%26#39;, but it pays to start keeping an eye out for a likely place to stay from around 4pm-ish.

Reconsider driving IN Paris, it is MAD!! You would be better to find a Hotel with Parking on the outskirts, and take the train into the City. This is perhaps one time where I would do a bit of research and book ahead, as Paris is a popular place to visit!

Have fun and enjoy your trip.

canal du midi

We have booked a Canal boat to travel the Canal du Midi in September. We are a family of 5 -- 2 adults, 3 children. We plan to go from Castelnaudary to Port Cassafieres over 7 days. Is this too ambitious? Or could it be done in 6 days? We have booked with Le Boat. Welcome any advice.

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%26lt;%26lt;Or could it be done in 6 days?%26gt;%26gt;

I am not sure what the point of your question really is. You might be able to do it in fewer than 6 days but generally, canal travel is not a race.

The last time I travelled this same route (last summer) I took 10 days which seemed to me a very pleasant pace. Many people are able to complete the distance in 7 days and still have time for sight seeing.

There have been pages and pages of information already written on this exact route on this forum. I recommend you perform a simple forum search using the words %26quot;canal du midi%26quot; or similar and you%26#39;ll have the wisdom of many posts instantly at your finger tips.

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Thank you. Our issue is that we must be back in Toulouse for a 12pm flight, so if we reached Port Cassafieres late on the 6th day, we could over night before making an early getaway back to Toulouse on day 7. Do you know how long %26quot;check out%26quot; of the boat usually takes?. How would you recommend that we get back to Toulouse??

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Port Cassafieres is quite a distance from Toulouse. The best way to reach it would be to arrange for a taxi to pick you up at Port Cassafieres, drop you off at the Beziers train station (about a 15 - 20 minute ride) and take the train from Beziers to Toulouse. Schedules are here:

www.ter-sncf.com

Once in Toulouse you%26#39;ll need transportation to the airport which is just north of town.

You could make this trip in 6 days but it would be really rushed. September is usually not as crowded as August but lock delays could put you behind schedule and the locks close somewhere around 6 pm. (I can%26#39;t really remember the times).

Alternatively, I suggest you try a shorter route. Trebes to Posrt Cassieres for example. Call the Le Boat office in Florida (the number is on their website) and talk to Debbie. She might have a better plan for you.

Another option would be to rent from France Afloat doing an out and back from Capestang.

http://www.franceafloat.com/

Locaboat also has several possible routes that may be done in 6 days:

http://www.locaboat.com/

Take a look at the above options and let me know if you have additional questions.

france trip

hi

we are heading to bernie on the 15th july and are getting car hire.

we pickup our car at terminal 1 in charles de gaul. i am very worried about this. is it easy to get out of ? we hav a sat nav but not sure what to put in. any helpful suggestions is most very welcome

very worried - my husband thinks i am going over the top a bit.

michelle

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I%26#39;ve never navigated my way out of CDG but I understand your panic - us women do that =)

TBH, if it%26#39;s as easy to navigate as the motorway then you will have no problem. Find the address for Berny for your sat nav here

www.la-croix-du-vieux-pont.com/uk/accueil.php

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what does tbh mean - sorry

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There are very large signs over the road to tell you which way to go. However, you need to know which road you want to take and in which direction, so it%26#39;s good to look at a map in advance and work this out.

With sat nav, most models allow you to put in your destination and ask for a route to there from your current position. You don%26#39;t have to enter what your current position is: the sat nav knows that!

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TBH = to be honest

Try this for good directions in Europe - the maps are better than the RAC/AA

http://mapping.drive-alive.co.uk/

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PS: You%26#39;ll need to head for A26/E15 toward Arras/Saint-Omer/Reims/Paris

And if i remember correctly, jnct 11 towards Soissons

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Many apologies, from CDG you will follow the N2

To me it seems easier to go this way as the route takes you directly away from the busy area and through the more country area%26#39;s of the route

have fun! It%26#39;s a lovely place to stay

Romantic 1oth anniversary meal in Montmartre?

I%26#39;m taking my wife to Paris for our 10th Weddning Anniversary, and had it planned to book Chez Toinette on Rue Germain Pilon in Montmartre. However, some of the reviews haven%26#39;t been very good recently, and it seems to be quite expensive. Can anyone else point me in the direction of a reasonably priced (i.e. approx 100Euro for a two-course meal and a bottle of wine)romantic alternative in the same area please?

I need to get this right, so your help would be really appreciated!!!

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This is not what I%26#39;d call romantic but it is a small, friendly restaurant in Montmartre with very good food, le Poulbot. Here is a web page with some photos and information...

http://restaurant.abemadi.com/en/r/Paris/304/

We had dinner there this past April, two main courses and a bottle of wine came to $76.61 (e57.00). You should make reservations if you plan on going.

Pjk

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Try here www.pomponnette-montmartre.com/indexeng.html. It%26#39;s a small bistro owned by the same family for over 100 years. Book ahead. Very good Paris/French cooking. 3 course meal €35 per head, good and reasonable wine list.

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lightblue - I took off the indexing portion of that address which makes it work...

http://www.pomponnette-montmartre.com/

I was interested, too.

Pjk

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Highly recommend

http://www.cottagemarcadet.com/ang/

Also very nice is

http://www.auclairdelalune.fr/

Both have beautiful dining rooms, nicely spaced tables, and are very quiet for romantic dining. Be sure to mention your anniversary when reserving.

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Thanks PJK. I%26#39;ve eaten here on a few occasions and have enjoyed it each time. Occasionally on weekends after service, music starts with live performers providing a range of French music from contemporary to traditional. Great end to a great meal.

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Thanks for the replies thus far. A La Pomponnette seems to fit the bill, but the website menu looks quiet unusual, and whilst I%26#39;m more than prepared to try out a veals head or a pigs foot, I%26#39;m not sure that my wife would be so keen.

Does anyone know if this place does more standard items on the menu as well?

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Yes it does. I think you may be looking at the English translations which can make for interesting reading. Enjoy you meal and do report back.

Have any locals seen or read the new "The French Paper"

A brand new (second issue just out) English language monthly news print magazine. One of my friends in Paris just sent me the first issue.

If you have, what do you think of it?

economical lodging

My husband and I will be visiting the area around Beaune at the beginning of September after a wedding south of Lyon. we are looking for economical lodging for two nights. We got an awesome deal on a small cottage for a week but from my research I can%26#39;t come even close in the Burgandy area. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Peg

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In my experience, the most economical lodging is self-catering, but they generally rent by the week. Have you tried looking for bed and breakfast accommodation, possibly outside Beaune itself? There are some listed on the tourist information website beaune-tourism.com/Accommodation-France/Acco…

There may also be something suitable on either gites-de-france.com/gites/uk/bed_breakfasts or http://www.logis-de-france.fr/uk/index.htm

We%26#39;ve used the Ibis in Beaune Centre for stopovers - I can%26#39;t remember how much we paid, but we booked the cheapest advance rate and it seemed reasonable. There are cheaper hotels in the chain too (http://www.accorhotels.com)

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Thanks I will check those sites.

Peg

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www.relais-du-chateau.com in La Rochepot. Nolay is another village where you will find some good hotels.

Jazz

Im visiting Paris shortly and was wondering if anyone knew of any Jazz bar/cafes they would recommend?

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hi.... this question has been answered numerous times, and you can find your answers by simply typing %26quot;jazz%26quot; into the forum search... try it, you%26#39;ll see!

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Many Thanks, Im new to this forum

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...not to say that people won%26#39;t answer you, just that you can find out a lot by using a search...

I think the concentration of venues is in the Latin Qtr/St Germain area, le Marais and Montparnasse...

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Here%26#39;s a list I%26#39;ve gathered from other people%26#39;s posts. I%26#39;ve heard that Petit Journal Montparnasse is the best, but can%26#39;t vouch personally. I hope to hit some of these clubs on my next trip.

Les DUCS des LOMBARDS—42 rue des Lombards, 75001 Tel:. 01.42.33.22.88, Metro: Chatelet

Le SUNSET %26amp; Le SUNSIDE—60 rue des Lomabards (near rue Saint-Denis), 75001, Tel: 01.40.26.46.60 %26amp; 01.40.26.21.25, Metro: Chatelet

Le BAISER SALÉ—58 rue des Lombards (near rue Saint-Denis), 75001 Tel: 01.42.33.37.71, Metro: Chatelet

7 LEZARDS—10 rue des Rosiers, 75001, Tel: 01.48.87.08.97, Metro: Saint Paul

http://www.7lezards.com/

Le PETIT JOURNAL SAINT MICHEL—71 Blvd. Saint Michel (at rue Royer-Collar—across from Jardin de Luxembourg) 75005 Tel: 01.43.21.56.70, Metro: Luxembourg

http://perso.wanadoo.fr/claude.philips/

BILBOQUET--13 Rue Saint-Benoit (at rue de l’Abbaye), 75006, Tel: 01.45.48.21.84, Metro: Saint Germain des Pres

L’ ARBUCI—25 rue de Buci (at Carrefour de Buci) 75006, Tel: 01.44.32.16.00, Metro: Odeon

NEW MORNING—7 rue des Petites Ecuries, 75010, Tel: 01.45.23.56.39, Metro: Chateau d’Eau

http://www.newmorning.com/

Le PETIT JOURNAL MONTPARNASSE—13 rue du Commandant Rene Mouchette (across the street from Gare Monteparnasse), 75014, Tel: 01.43.21.56.70, Metro: Montparnasse-Bienvenue

http://www.petitjournal-montparnasse.com/

Le JAZZ CLUB LIONEL HAMPTON—88 Blvd. Gouvion Saint Cyr (In Hotel Le Meridien--Etoile), 75017, Tel: 01.40.68.30.42, Metro: Porte Maillot

http://www.jazzclubparis.com/gb/page_jazz.htm

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Many Thanks!

The posts have been very helpful. On reading the forum it would seem that le petit journal is a firm favourite so I look forward to my visit!

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If you%26#39;re looking for a Jazzy place to sleep, I recommend the Bel-Ami hotel in Saint Germain des Pres. They have a bar thats playing jazz all the time! Many jazz concerts are played live in front of you!

http://www.bel-ami-trend.com/

2 days, what to see? Staying on Blv St Germain, can we walk?

I am spending a weekend in Paris in August with my boyfriend [it is a birthday surprise for him!]. I have booked us into the Hotel Abbatial Saint Germain [5th arrondissement] and we arrive by Eurostar late on the Friday. We have 2 full days in Paris - what should be try and see?

We are both 29 and have not been to Paris since we were teenagers. I know l would definitely like to see the Eiffel Tower - is day or night better? Also can we walk there?

What else should we try and see? We like museums [though one or two is plenty], nice architecture, parks and French food! l also recall enjoying the Centre Pompidou when l last went. Is it feasible to walk to all these places or should we get the metro? I am happy doing either l just figure if we can walk then we will as can see more of the city. Also is a boat trip worth doing?

Any advice most appreciated!

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It would be quite a hike by foot to the Eiffel Tower (4.5 km) from your hotel, but Bus #87 goes right past your hotel and ends at the Eiffel Tower. That%26#39;s probably your best bet because you%26#39;re above ground too!

Train from your hotel is easy too: walk to St. Michel (5 min) then take RER to Champs de Mars / Tour Eiffel

Day vs. night is subjective. Totally different sights. Watching from afar at night is fantastic. I recommend Pont Alexandre for a great view (Metro to Champs Elysees Clemenceau and walk toward the river).

Walk to the Centre Pompidou from your hotel is about 20 minutes... Cross into Ile de la Cite and walk around the back of Notre Dame, cross the river, pass the Hotel de Ville, and another couple blocks from there. That%26#39;s a lovely walk for sure, but the #47 bus picks up a few meters from your hotel and follows the exact same route.

J

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Brilliant, so walking if the sun is out and if not easy enough to hop on a bus. Except to the Eiffel Tower of course, think that is a little far!

Just looked up Pont Alexandre and it sounds lovely...

Thanks a lot!

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A fun idea is the 2CV tour

http://www.4roues-sous-1parapluie.com/

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How are you planning to get to your hotel from Gare De Nord?

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We have been to Paris at least 5 times in the last 7 years. We have stayed all over the city (including near where you are staying) and we have NEVER taken any public transportation. This is one of the most walkable cities in the world and you really get the %26quot;feel%26quot; of the city by walking it. It is also great exercise for walking off the foie gras.

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I agree w/the member from San Diego. Paris is by far the most walkable city I%26#39;ve ever been in, and we%26#39;ve taken the Metro only when we were going outside of the city. In fact, we%26#39;ve walked farther than we probably should%26#39;ve, and were dead on our feet, cause there%26#39;s just so much to see, feast your eyes on, and there%26#39;s always a cafe to stop for a cafe creme, or something cold, etc. To go the distances you%26#39;ve mentioned, unless you have foot issues, I%26#39;d definitely walk--surprises around every corner!

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Really pleased to hear all this, l am all for walking. I live in London so have spend plenty enough time on the sticky tube!

Is it easy to navigate though? I mean can l get a free tourist map somewhere or should l buy one before l go? I assume the main attractions are signposted anyway?

Suzanne - we are going to get the RER from Gare Du Nord to Notre Dame [6 minutes] then walk [7 minutes] - l looked on the RATP website and there was a great journey planner on there with a map and all =)

Logis Rental Agency (Paris)

Very positive exeperience renting an apartment through Logis Agency, a website for apartment rentals (short term and long term). Apartment in the Marais (3rd Arrond) exactly as advertised. Accurate pictures and description. No hidden costs. Good follow up service. I would use Logis again. fees are reasonable for the service.

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We had a different experience

LOGIS are efficient, however their comission is excessive for the service they render.

We rented an apartment thru this firm for 1 week at a rate of 1100 Euro + their comission I think 340 Euro = 1440 Euro.

Once their commission was paid and the agreement signed - we never heard from the Agency again - we were merely referred to the owner - in this case ANOTHER Agency .

Fortunately this agency was vey efficient, took NO comission and charged us Euro 1000 for the same apartment which was also on their books.

We ended up saving 150 Euro on the deal but if we had gone to the right Agency in the first place would have saved 440 Euo (44%)- I think the uninitiated need to learn from our EXPENSIVE experience.

booking hotels the day before Paris - Zurich - mid August

We are planning to rent a car to tour through the country side. We are in no rush and HOPE to book nice hotels as we go. Are we crazy? We are looking at a route through Champagne to Alsace-Lorraine and then on to Zurich and possibly a quick detour to Liechtenstein. We are hoping not to be bound by reservations made a month in advance.

SO: is it difficult to find a good place to stay the day before?

Thanks

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In mid August, you will have no problem finding an hotel in Paris, look for promotions and specials as this is low season there.

The opposite will be the case outside of Paris. As you approach resort areas (particularly near water), finding %26quot;nice%26quot; hotels will be difficult at this late date.

It all really depends upon where you are traveling.

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I understand the August dilemma...nobody in Paris, everyone near the water. For that reason we thought an inland route might be okay (I outlined the basic route in the OP). We are planning a couple of days in area Caen area, but the rest is really Champagne, Alsace and Zurich...or will these all be filled with Parisians?????

Any other info or tips? Thanks again

Aubeterre sur dronne accommodation

Hello

My husband and I are looking to stay in the Aubeterre area for 1 week on 12th September. We are looking for a gite or house suitable for 2 people within walking distance of the village as we don%26#39;t want to hire a car. Also any advise on transport from airport to Aubeterre.

Thanks for any advise you may be able to offer as we have not travelled to France before and normally to package deals to Italy, Greece or Spain so this will be a new experience for us.

Cheers

Jayne

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Hi there,

Love to hear posts like this! I%26#39;m sure you will have a fantastic and different experience.

Gites de France, or owners direct are web sites we have used previously with success to find gites.

Try posting on the Aquitaine or Dordogne forum as well as Poitou charente, as the town is sort of covered by all three regions.

If you fly into Bordeaux there is a taxi transfer company with englishspeaking drivers. They can give you a quote. larochelleairporttravel.co.uk/default.aspx

Not sure about Angouleme.

It may be wise to hire a car, for your shopping (bottles of wine are heavy!), and to make the most of the visit, you should at least see Bordeaux, St Emilion and Perigeux, so a car is a must.

Hope you have a great time!

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this may help

aubeterresurdronne.com/pages/…transport.php

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Brilliant advise thank you so much on the case now. You are so right about the wine have to try and convince hubby that driving will add to holiday experience not add stress. We have never driven abroad before so a little apprehensive aboput getting in car at a busy airport and trying to find our way.

Thanks again

Jayne

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Thx Jayne, and dont be too worried about traffic, the roads are much quieter than those in the UK.

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I would echo hiring a car as Aubeterre while lovely is very small and you could get cabin fever after a while.

I was very nervous driving there for the first time but it is a lot quieter and easier than driving in the UK or Ireland. Flying into Angouleme or Bergerac would leave you on quieter roads than flying into Bordeaux.

I would highly recommend this restaurant (my family have a house nearby and we go all the time, the owners are an anglo-french couple and are lovely).

http://www.hostellerie-perigord.com/

They also do accommodation but we%26#39;ve never stayed.

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it looks lovely and good room prices!

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Thanks Derek for the info we have booked but we are going to Brantome a deal too good to turn down £160.00 for the week we are flying into Limoges and the English owner is kindly picking us up at the airport for a small fee.

We have friends who have a house in Aubeterre (still work in progress) and they may be there at the same time as us so they will pick us up and we will get to see Aubeterre also. The hotel looks fab so I think lunch there is definately in order.

Many Thanks

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Brantome is lovely too we%26#39;ve only really visited for the market but sounds like you got an amazing deal. Enjoy

# 12 Bus to EZE from Le Meridien Area

Hey Monaco Cabbie!! Your a life saver! thanks for the information on the La mala footpath.

Does the #12 Bus stop near Le Meridien?

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No, it%26#39;s not near the Meridien. Take the number 6 bus towards Fontvieille and get out at the Casino bus stop, which is above the gardens leading to the Casino, then walk up to the Cremaillere bus stop which is the starting point of the 112 bus to Eze Village. Everything%26#39;s marked on the map here:

http://tinyurl.com/nuhqew

Duty free cigarettes

We have been told that the airport is poor for duty free. Where in Nice can you stock up on the fags to bring home.

They are for the mother in law.

|||

You can buy duty free only if you fly outside the EC anyway.

I don%26#39;t know how much a pack of cigarettes is in the UK, but over here it is €5,30.

I believe they are a bit cheaper in Italy.

|||

They are cheaper in Italy - I bought 200 B%26amp;H last week, in the buffet on Vintimille Station, for 37eu. My bank statement tells me that with the exchange rate at that time they worked out at £31.46.

|||

The €12 return train fare to Ventimiglia could be worth paying if you are buying a lot of cigarettes, which you can do in the station as above or in any tobacconist in town as they are used to the French buying in bulk. If you have a car, the Conad supermarket at Latte on the coast beyond Menton has an absolutely massive turnover of cigarettes for cross-border transfer.

But be warned that there is a French law that prevents you from transporting more than 200 cigarettes at a time (the law is designed precisely to stop people popping over the border for masses of cheap fags). You can of course ignore this law, as many French people routinely do.

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Now I don%26#39;t know how fussy you are about time, but the 12 euro trainfare is a bit of a disincentive to us penny-pinching credit-crunched Euro-exchangerate-ripped-off Brits. Just for fun we tried the ONE euro trip by 100 bus from Nice to Menton (hour and a quarter) then took the train from Menton to Ventimiglia and back (six euro return, fifteen minutes each way)

We weren%26#39;t busy, its always fun watching all the cheapskates tourists pouring out the bus at Monaco, it halved the cost of travel to Italy and the saving over the railfare paid for a free bottle of Bacardi. And had a free wander around Menton.

Both cigarettes and spirits are considerably cheaper in Italy (but of course you can%26#39;t take liquids through security,so drink before you fly!)

French cars seem to me the subject of interest at the border crossing, but I have yet to have anyone ask to see if I have a valid train ticket, let alone how many ciggies I have.

(The Italians seem to have the right attitude to pleasures of the flesh - they should be cheap so all can enjoy them. Unlike the dour Anglo-saxon %26quot;if it%26#39;s a pleasure, tax it%26quot;)

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NiceLife, ciggies are not as cheap as they used to be (half price a few years ago but now a pack is roughly one euro or so cheaper as taxes on tobacco have been increased even in Italy). About control at the border, booths have long been deserted and you just drive through. The only occasions when they stop and search cars are on Fridays (market day in Ventimiglia) but it%26#39;s counterfeited goods they%26#39;re after and one of their favourite spots is actually on the motorway (the toll at La Turbie).

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I stopped smoking thirty years ago but was pestered for cheap cigarettes from Italy by workmates. My last purchase was around two years ago, so I am sure I am no longer up to date. Italys loss. My workmates apparently switched source to Gibralter. I tell anyone who will listen to give them up - that%26#39;s the cheapest by far.

Alcohol still seem to me a lot cheaper? - My favourite Italian pink is 2.90e in Ventimiglia%26#39;s Eurodrink and 4.50e in Nice (in Gusti Italiani) so the shopping trolley goes with me. Twelve bottles seem to fit quite snugly. Room for the cheese and the pasta. And chocolates.

What to see around Hotel Royal St Honore?

I will be staying in Hotel Royal St Honore (1st arrondissement/Opera to Les Halles) but will have about 6 hours to explore the area by myself before my friends arrive. Any suggestions on what direction to head and casual things to see, do, shop? I would most likely want to just walk around (within a few miles of the hotel). I will be visting the Louvre once my friends arrive. Thanks!

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You are 400 meters from the Jardin des Tuileries but I would also save that for when your friends are there.

I%26#39;d cross over to the Ile de la Cite and walk around Notre Dame, then across to the Ile St Louis and maybe into the Marais. On the way back, cross at the Pont Neuf and halfway across on the left are stone steps which lead down to the Square Vert Gallant. You can walk around the outside of the park there and you will be on the level of the river. And once more inside the fence for views of the passing cruise ships. This is where the Vedettes de Pont Nuef leave from and returns to.

If you want to stop for a beer, you can sit outside at the Brasserie D%26#39;ile St Louis just across the pedestrian bridge from the Ile de la Cite to the Ile St Louis. Good Alcasian beer.

Pjk

|||

Thanks! That sound like a great way to spend my time. :)

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I stayed at that hotel last summer, and there are lots of amazing shops on rue St. Honore. Nothing particularly budget friendly mind you, but great for window shopping. You are also very close to Place Vendome. As soon as you come out of your hotel, turn left and walk along rue St. Honore until the first street you come to which is rue Castiglione. Turn right and there is Place Vendome. You can have a look at the monument in the centre, which I believe is made from cannons that they melted down and recast. There are some pretty high end stores in that area too, and the Ritz.

If you want to save the Tuileries Gardens for later, then you could instead have a look at the lovely gardens at Palais Royal. Turn right when leaving your hotel and head straight down rue St. Honore until you pass about 4 or 5 streets and look for the signs to Palais Royal.

If after walking you feel like a rest and a treat, there is Angelina%26#39;s on rue de Rivoli, just down from your hotel. They have wonderful hot chocolate and pastries. Not cheap, but well worth it in my opinion.

Have a lovely trip!

Good meal for 30+ in Bergerac at reasonable cost

I am travelling to Bergerac in a couple of weeks.

There will be around 30 or so of us and we need to find a bar restauarant for a meal at about 2.30 pm and a few drinks after.

Can anyone offer any advice?

Thnaks and regards

Keith

Old coobooks

Does anyone know where one can find %26quot;vintage%26quot; cookbooks in Paris? It can be in French, English, whatever. From the 50s would be great, pre-war even better, but I%26#39;m open to any year. Thanks.

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One of the best gastronomy dealers is Remi Flachard. His shop is at 9, rue de Bac. Most of the books are French, but you might find some in English. He also frequently has wonderful old menu cards and food adverts. You should also browse the bouquinistes along the Seine. And for English-language vintage books, try these used bookstores: Berkeley Books, 8 r Casimir Delavigne; San Francisco Books, 17 r Monsieur le Prince; the Abbey Bookshop, 29 r Parcheminerie. Berkeley and San Fran are in the 6th, the Abbey is in the 5th. You should also look in at Shakespeare %26amp; Co., just for the experience. I%26#39;ve never found anything in the cookbook line though (37 r Bûcherie 75005).

Hotel for group next April

Our figure skating team has learned that we%26#39;ve qualified to attend a world championship event that will be held in Toulouse next April. I have no details yet on dates or where in Toulouse the event will actually be held, but I%26#39;m starting to do some research on where we could stay.

Does anyone have any recommendations on a hotel that could host a group like ours? We%26#39;ll need about 20 or 25 rooms, clean and comfortable with breakfast included. Ideally, we%26#39;d like someplace with an indoor pool, convenient to the rink (not having to drive across town and through the city) and potentially with a private room where we could have a team meeting or maybe dinner one night.

Thanks for the feedback!!

claire

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HAHAH Great minds think alike! I just posted a similar question! My daughter skates with Chicagoland Ice Theatre, how about you?

Chris

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Act I of Boston. I bet we crossed paths this past weekend!!

|||

Yep, I was the crazy woman running around trying to figure out why the heck I voted yes to hosting!! We%26#39;re having our big team meeting next Tuesday to figure out whether or not we can go. The whole qualifying thing was confusing. We only qualified as a NOvice team...which means some tough decisions by the coaches as to who gets to go.

I hope we both find some answers here on the forums

Chris

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You guys did a great job managing the electrical problems and keeping everything going. I just had a quick look at flights and with the economy such that it is, the costs may be prohibitive for many of the families on our team. But lets hope not... the kids are sooo excited to travel to France!

Sorry, that's old cookbooks!

Repost: Does anyone know where one can find %26quot;vintage%26quot; cookbooks in Paris? It can be in French, English, whatever. From the 50s would be great, pre-war even better, but I%26#39;m open to any year. Thanks.

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If browsing is half the fun, you can wander along the Seine anywhere in the vicinity of Notre Dame and see what is being sold by the various Bukinistas (sp?), those bookstalls set up against the wall.

pjk.smugmug.com/photos/522347103_JQEKb-M.jpg

Some sell vintage postcards, magazines, books, etc., so you might find a few cookbooks. I love browsing at these little places, both on the left and right banks.

Pjk

Hotel swimming pool?

I know this sounds strange. I have clients that are going to Paris, want to stay in the St. Germain area- and would like a hotel with a pool. I have been to Paris many. many times and most of the time we stay in the St. Germain area, and I have never seen a hotel with a pool. However, on the risk of being totally wrong, does anyone know of a hotel in the main part of Paris with a pool?

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I have read that the Murano Urban Resort in the 3rd arr has an indoor heated pool as part of its spa. i have never seen it--it could be a small lap pool for all I know--and the 3rd is very much NOT the 6th. But I%26#39;ve always been curious . . .

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I believe L%26#39;Hotel on rue des Beaux Arts in St-Germain has a pool (http://www.l-hotel.com/).

The Renaissance Paris Vendôme (1st) has a pool, so do the Novotel Gare de Lyon (12th), Novotel Tour Eiffel (15th) and Four Seasons George V (8th).

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But...why? The whole idea of going to Paris is seeing Paris...isn%26#39;t it?

Kind of rhetorical, I suppose...there are just some mindsets and ideas that I don%26#39;t understand.

|||

Only high end hotels have (small) pools.

Paris on the other hand has great public pools. The one at la Butte aux Cailles is really good.

|||

Thanks so much, everyone. I will check these out. Believe me, I don%26#39;t understand wanting a pool when one is in Paris as I just love the ambience of being out in the cafes,etc. - but to each his own.

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Collen, make sure clients understand that males will be expected to wear a speedo type suit,, for sure in public pools, and most likely in private ones also( but check when you book ).The baggy swim shorts worn here will not be allowed in public pools for sure though!

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Collen, make sure clients understand that males will be expected to wear a speedo type suit,, for sure in public pools, and most likely in private ones also( but check when you book ).The baggy swim shorts worn here will not be allowed in public pools for sure though!

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Have a look at the following site,about the Josephine Baker pool:http://www.placesinfrance.com/la_piscine_josephine_baker_paris.html

my buddy reminded me that he went to another pool on the river seine years ago and not only men wore speedos but many women were topless.

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for photos of that pool:

http://www.paris.fr/portail/Sport Portal.lut? page_id =6085

more Paris pools:

http://www.theparistimes.com/content/splash

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, yeah yeah,, women go topless sometimes,, but rarely at INSIDE pools.. LOL Its about sun tanning and not having lines, not about giving guys a show..

Wonderful Airport Transfer

We recently were in Paris and used the Navette-Aeroport transfer to drive me and my family (10 people total with 3 weeks of baggage) from Paris to Charles de Gulle airport. The service was reliable, timely and affordable. I highly recommend them.

Phone: 01 41 50 42 50

web: www.n-a.fr

Ask for Ken.

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It%26#39;s good to get personal recommendations.... but Shuttle-Inter%26#39;s prices are so much better...

|||

Just returned yesterday from a wonderful week in Paris and can recommend both Viator (great deal) and Golden Air (booked by hotel) shuttles. Both drivers were on time and their vehicles first class.

|||

missyQ8.

Viatour is not a shuttle company. It is a middle man agency that sells other companies services( tours ticets to attractions etc) or products. So, which shuttle company did they use... was it Golden Shuttle both ways, or two different ones?? Viatour products usually cost more then if you book directly,, what did your shuttle cost please?

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I would love to know about the Viator deal as well. I am trying to book my last shuttle to CDG!

Versailles and Carriage Rides

I read in a travel book that you can get a carriage ride around Versailles. I have looked here and on the Versailles website, but I can%26#39;t seem to find anything about this option. Has anyone done this before or does anyone know where I can find some information on this? Thanks!

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All I see is the mini-train and the %26#39;golf cart%26#39;

…chateauversailles.fr/prepare-my-visit/singl…

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We%26#39;ve done the carriage ride at Versailles a few years ago. It was actually quite nice.

However, when we went to Versailles a few weeks back I was looking for them off to the right of the Chateau (back by the garens) when you enter the complex and I didn%26#39;t seem them. So I really didn%26#39;t answer your question but based on what I saw it may no longer be available.

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Darn, that sounded like fun! Viator mentioned that they offer tours that include a carriage ride, but only during the winter months. Thanks everyone!

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I did a carriage ride in June 2005 when there on a weekday. In June 2007 I was there on a weekend and the carriage wasn%26#39;t operating.

Maybe they have stopped or maybe they don%26#39;t operate on weekends which would be sensible given the added crowds??

There%26#39;s still a little horse icon on the interactive map downloadable from their website (donw near the start of the grand canal). But as you say, its not listed on the website so.....? Shame there%26#39;s no longer an email address on their website so that you can ask the question.

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Just found this email address for direct queries to the office at Versailles.....in case you are really keen to know, Amy.

direction.public@chateauversailles.fr

I emailed them for something once and got a helpful reply.

|||

Thanks!

Renting a flat near Disneyland

Hi, I%26#39;m planning to rent a two bedroom apartment for the last week of August to visit Disneyland with friends and family. There are plenty of offers on the Internet but how reliable are they? Has anyone rented a flat near Disneyland in the past? What is a reliable company to use? Any feedback will be appreciated!

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Before renting a flat near Disneyland, be sure to check transportation options between Disneyland, train stations, airports, etc.

You may find it more economical and convenient to stay in Central Paris to visit Disneyland.

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That%26#39;s possible, djk, but it%26#39;s also possible that with less congestion and being outside the peripherique, the easier driving and cheaper accomodation rates, it would then be easier and cheaper to just rent a car and drive. It would also give you the freedom to visit any number of chateaus and smaller attractions when the crush of the crowds gets to be too much.

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djk%26#39;s point about transportation costs is well taken. Unless you are staying at one of the hotels serviced by a free shuttle to the park, the logistics of moving a group even short distances can be involved and costly.

When one looks at the costs associated with auto rentals, they can be very costly when parking, pickup surcharges, road taxes (which have just doubled), and environmental fees are all included.

During summer months, there is a bus from Chessy (DLP train station) to Provins. A worthwhile side trip which the whole family can enjoy:

http://www.provins.net/

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We will have a car and we will be travelling around Europe for the whole month of August. I just wanted to finish the trip in a relaxing way by spending some time in a nice flat near Disneyland with some family friends and their children, so we definitely need a flat near Disneyland. Any suggestions? Thanks

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I have to admit I don%26#39;t have any personal experience with this - but I was intrigued by a recent email I got from Marriott, offering rentals at their vacation/resort property near there:

marriott-vacations.com/vacation/resorts/marr…

CDG Flight and Arrival time

I have read the posts, but I want to be doubly sure on arrival time. We fly out of CDG on a Saturday at 7:25am to London Heathrow. We are staying near the Pantheon and will take a shuttle. The shuttle companies suggest a 4:25 pick up time, but is that enough, or should we do a 3:30 pick up time? Or perhaps 4?

Thanks!

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That should be more than enough time. If you are worried push it to 4am. From my experiences with CDG I have always gotten to there way too early. I end up spending the first half hour checking in and getting through customs. The next 2.5hrs wondering around getting bored since there isn%26#39;t much to do at the airport. I guess I haven%26#39;t learned my lesson yet.

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Flights within Europe are ok 1h30 min in advance. I think a 5:00 or 5:30 pick up is more than enough.

It will take you 30 min to airport.

sault

A friend and I will spend 2 nights in Sault, 7 and 8 July. We would appreciate any suggestions for interesting restaurants in the area. Thanks.

La Rochelle airport to Bordeaux.

Is it possible to get a train or bus from La Rochelle city centre to Bordeaux? How long would the journey take and approximate cost?

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There are some trains, not very frequent though.

I did a quick search on www.voyages-sncf.com (I am travelling in the opposite direction later this year) which revealed these options for next Wednesday:

0616, 1122, 1206, 1558, 1649 (slow) and 2219

These take around 2hrs 20 minutes except for the 1649 which takes nearly 3 hours.

You will need to search for the exact day you are travelling to make sure you get the correct times.

As for fares, SNCF has commercial pricing, so the fare varies according to how far in advance you book, what month, day and time it is but 25,50 Euros was the average. BTW most of the trains do not require reservation but it is advisable.

Hope that helps.

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Sorry, should have said that there are no buses.

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Thanks cubsur. Yeah sounds good. I can get flights to La Rochelle for €40 return for two people with Ryanair so with a train fare of €50 for two people it works out considerably cheaper than flying with another airline direct to Bordeaux.

shopping for nice trouser suits in Paris..any ideas please?

Hi i am in Paris for a short trip and would like to but some chic suits (jacket and trousers) for work - i cant afford designer labels and am just looking for suits that would be sexy and maybe slightly different (and not above 400 euro) ...any ideas anyone? thank you

Rai, Algerian music

Bonjour!

I am going to Paris for a month this fall! Yippeee!!

I would like to listen to some Algerian rai music and some other North African music while I am there. Can anyone recommend places? Neighborhoods?

Belleville? Perhaps even used record/cd stores with good N. African music selections?

Maybe I should ask if I, a white American, would be welcome in these places.

Nice in August

Hi, i am visting Nice for 9 days in August with my husband and five year old son. I was wondering if you could recommend some nice hotels near the beach and near nightlife/ restuarants. Also recommend some day trips that we may take. Also thinking of maybe going out of nice to nicer beach resort. i was in Nice before and beach is very stony so maybe we were thinking of spending five days in nice and four elsewhere, nice beach resort. Any information, recommendation would be so welcome.

Thanks in advance.

Claire,

Ireland.

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Did you have a look at the list of %26quot;things to do%26quot; on this forum? Also, try to type %26quot;things to do in Nice%26quot; in the search box and you%26#39;ll get a lot of info/suggestions, for instance :

tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g187234-i138-k2873…

tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g187234-i138-k2895…

Advice on where to stay :

tripadvisor.com/…1893909

tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g187234-i138-k2803…

tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g187234-i138-k2780…

etc...

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August will be very crowded with visitors; so you need to get your htoel booked by about yesterday.

If you want a good beach, try Villefranche-sur-Mer, Antibes, or Cannes. Not sure what you mean by resort, but keep in mind that few hotels along the coast are actually set on the beaches. Probably the best you can do is be near a beach.

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How much do you want to pay for a hotel?

Which to do on Sunday?

Bonjour!

I%26#39;ve decided what to do on our 3-day visit to Paris (Sat, Sun, Mon), but not what order to do them!

Can you please tell me which areas/activities would be good for Sunday afternoon and Sunday evening? I don%26#39;t want to head to a place and find most businesses closed.

1. Louvre, Champs-Elysees, Arc de Triomphe

2. Latin Qtr, St Germain

3. Notre Dame, Ile St Louis

4. Sacre Coeur/ Montmarte

5. Teen/souvenir shopping on Rue de Rennes and/or Rue Etienne Marcel

Merci!

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Sunday is not a good day for shopping - many/most stores are closed. Could be some open souvenir shops around rue Rivoli, Notre Dame.. some open in the Marais, since Saturday is Sabbath.

Your %26#39;monuments%26#39; sights are open on Sunday, of course churches (though interior sightseeing should be appropriately modified), the Arc de T, Eiffel... Seine cruises... The Louvre is open, as are most all museums on Sunday.

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I suggest you get one of the little guide books on Paris, such as the D%26amp;K %26quot;Top Ten Paris%26quot;. This will orientate you to the city, and tell you about the opening days of the sights.

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I%26#39;ve wandered around Notre Dame and the Ile de la Cite then over to the Ile St Louis and into the Marais on a Sunday. The small plaza in front of Notre Dame is usually more crowded on a Sunday morning but this is part of the interest. I%26#39;ve relaxed with a drink at the Brasserie D%26#39;Ile St Louis and, usually, enjoyed the several street musicians on the bridge. And had falaffel for lunch at Mi-Va-Mi. On the way back we will usually stop for a drink at O Fil de L%26#39;O, that small boat moored by the quai on the Left Bank and made into a cafe. We also have dinner at the Brasserie D%26#39;ile St Louis once each trip. Everything we enjoy is open.

But I%26#39;ve also spent an afternoon up in Montmartre on a Sunday. It was a very nice day and it was very crowded but we still enjoyed ourselves. All of the cafes were open and doing a swell business, the artists were all out, and we had lunch at Le Consolat as per normal. We went back that night to have dinner at Le Poulbot with no problems, but with reservations.

Either of these on a Sunday would be no problem.

hth

Pjk

|||

Thank you for your replies.

I have, of course, checked the times for all the sights we plan to visit, but I wondered which areas would be more %26quot;lively%26quot; on Sunday.

It sounds like Notre Dame, Ile de la Cite, and the Marais would be good on Sunday, followed by Montmarte in the eveing if time allows.

Merci!

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I think your last post is perfect Notre Dame, then Montmarte. Unless you want your photo sketched then plan on atleast 30 minutes for someone to do a good job! At the bottom of the Sacre Coeur you will find plenty of touristy souvenir shops, so maybe even knock that off the list.

Thanks to everyone for all of your great ideas

You guys and girls were wonderful. I don%26#39;t think we would have had nearly as much fun if we had not had the help of this forum! Carrying the 8 month old with us was perfect...it would not have been the same without him. We managed to do everything I set out to do on paper before we left and then some, kind of amazing, but it turned out that when the baby needed naps..we did too!

Thanks again!

Shuttle Inter- Surcharge?

Does Shuttle Inter have a surcharge for early morning pick ups?

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We had booked with them for both ways on our trip (got home last week). On the return trip, they were to pick us up at 5:30am and at that time there was no surcharge. Course they never showed up either...

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AmyG: Just call G7 Taxi (English number) 01-41-27-66-99 the day before to order a taxi. Tell them what time you%26#39;d like to leave, the number of people and bags.

Not only are they totally reliable, it will cost about the same or less than Shuttle-Inter.

There is very little traffic going to CDG that time of the morning.

They are always a bit early, and there%26#39;s usually no place to park to wait for you, so plan to be at the curb about 5-10 minutes ahead of your requested pick-up time.

Check your airline confirmation for your departure terminal (number AND letter), so you%26#39;ll be dropped at the correct terminal.

Trains

My husband and I want to take the train from Paris to Brussels, stay a night, then take the train from Brussels to Amsterdam. Would it be best to buy my train tickets online in the US or wait until I get to Europe? If I should buy online, where can I get the cheapest tickets?

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The Thalys high speed trains go from Paris to Brussels and then on to Amsterdam. You can find timetables and book on-line on www.thalys.com.

Generally for information on long distance rail trvel have a look at www.seat61.com

jazz clubs in the bastille paris area

Hi everyone

I%26#39;ve organised a surprise trip to paris for a friends birthday in November for 19 ladies.

Our friend loves jazz and we%26#39;d love to visit a club that has maybe jamming sessions. We love a dance so any suggestions would be gratefully received.We%26#39;ve been to the black note in valencia which has these typessessions.

We don%26#39;t really want the kind of jazz club where one has to be quiet!!

I look forward to any suggestions. Ive asked for the bastille area because that is where we%26#39;ll be staying.

thankyou in advance

katrina

Paris in December

I%26#39;ve never been to Paris in December. Any advice on what to pack...I can%26#39;t seem to accept that it will be cold. Will be there a week....yeah...

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Yes, it will probably be cold. I was there the end of March and 3 days were warm and beautiful and the next 5 days were cool with a very cold wind. The item that saved me was a hand knit wool hat I had bought in Newfoundland a couple years before. It was wind proof!

So you%26#39;ll need a warm coat that will also protect you from rain. I strongly recommend a hat for any wind. And shoes/boots that can handle puddles.

With the proper clothes you can walk Paris to your heart%26#39;s content and enjoy it.

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Thanks for the info. I%26#39;ll take a hat!

nightlife in dinard?

hiya, am going to Dinard on my holidays. am trying to find some website about nightlife in dinard with not good luck!!! if someone knows about this... thanx

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Have you looked at www.ot-dinard.com. Though I cannot get t to work properly. There are cinemas and a casino and of course plenty of restaurants.

Converting to Euros?

I%26#39;m trying to get a little money converted before we go to Paris. The bank said they will use the daily conversion and then add $3 service fee onto it. Should we just get enough to cover food and transportation once we get there?

When we convert in Paris itself, do they just go by the daily conversion or do they add fees also? Is the best way to get euros in France by going to an ATM machine and just get Euros out of them?

Thanks!

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The very best rate you will receive is at an ATM in France.

Today, the %26quot;interbank%26quot; rate is €1.4 = $1 (or $1 = .713).

When your bank quotes a rate, it%26#39;s the rate according to them...

It is definitely best, however, to pay the extra and have enough Euros when you land to get yourselves a bottle of water and to wherever you%26#39;re staying.

Check with your bank for their fee when making ATM withdrawals.

And, find out what time they are offline for their overnight processing.

If you are planning any future trips to Europe, have enough Euros when you return home for the next trip.

Le Montclair Montmarte Hostel

Hello Guys

Me and my friend are heading on a 4 week round trip of Europe, our first call being Paris. We have decided to say in the Le Montclair Montmarte Hostel, would anyone be albe to tell me how close this is to attractions.

Also any restaurants (cheap) in the area?

What is the best way to see Paris?

Sorry for all the questions

Z

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Hi -

You need to read a guide book so you have some idea of what the attractions of Paris actually are, and which ones interest you most. You%26#39;ll need to use the Metro to reach the more central areas of Paris, but it makes almost any place central.

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Hi

I stayed in Le Montclair last weekend.

The only major sight close by is the Sacre Coeur which we walked to and is really impressive. On the way up the hill towards it you will find some nice cafes and resturants. Its quite a climb but well worth it.

There is not much immediatly around the hotel but the Jules Joffrin metro stop is only a few hundred meters away and you can be in central paris in about 15-20 mins. The Effiel Tower is a bit further but still only 30-40 mins on the metro. You can be at Notre Dame in about 15 mins. Also its only a few metro stops to Gare du Nord station if you need the eurostar.

Hotel Odeon Saint Germain vs.Hotel Agora Saint Germain?

I am a single woman traveling alone to Paris in March. Will be staying in the 6th. I have booked two hotels and cannot decide which one to choose. Has anyone stayed at either of these two? Thanks for your help.

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People have stayed at both, if you have read the hotel reviews... did you..?

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You will probably like the location of the Odeon better than the Agora... closer to J.de Luxembourg, metro/RER connection with Gare du Nord and thus CDG...Odeon photos look a bit more %26quot;lux%26quot;....

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I stayed at Agora St. Germain’s sister hotel, the Abbatial St. Germain, nearby. I liked the location very much as it was a block away from the Seine and not far at all from St. Germain.

The Odeon is in a nice location too.

It depends on which area interests you better and which of these two hotels that you prefer.

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I%26#39;m deciding between the same two hotels: Odeon St. Germain and Hotel Agora.

I guess the key factor would be which one is closest to the metro or RER so that we can take the train to/from CDG airport.

It seems like you would need to take a taxi from the train station for the Agora. Is it the same for St. Germain Odeon?

The Odeon is roughly 30E more a night but is worth it if it%26#39;s (more) centrally located.

Any help is appreciated. Thanks!

Paris Bed and Breakfast website

Do you know of a trusted website to book a bed and breakfast in Paris? Not a hotel. We want a home-like experience. I%26#39;ve found a couple of sites that list homes with pictures and prices but I%26#39;m not sure which to trust. Is there a popular, reliable website that you know of?

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A friend of mine who has stayed in B%26amp;Bs in Paris sent me the link to this site. But I can%26#39;t vouch for it personally.

www.2binparis.com/…

I particularly like the map which shows where the various arrondisements are located in relation to the major sites.

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You can also try good, old, www.venere.com for B%26amp;Bs. Check their reviews for anything that appeals.

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la-villa-paris.com/en/paris-holiday-accommod…

La Villa Paris- #1 rated on trip advisor, we booked there and are going in October. Heard amazing things about it!

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http://www.hotesqualiteparis.fr/en/

http://www.goodmorningparis.fr/en/accueil.htm

chambres-hotes-france.org/Bed%2DBreakfast/…

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Try this one: http://www.bed-and-breakfast-in-paris.com

A friend of mine stayed at Jacqueline%26#39;s apartment last January, and it was such a great experience she%26#39;s there right now, again!

Storing Luggage on RER From CDG

We are arriving in Paris in the afternoon and plan to take the RER train to the St Michael station and then walk to our hotel. My questions are where is your luggage stored while on the RER and do you have sufficient time at each stop to retrieve your luggage? I understand that St Michael is the third stop.

Thanks.

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You carry your luggage onto the train and keep it near you. There is no separate luggage storage.

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There is a very small overhead rack, but most people keep in the aisle beside them. There are NO luggage racks on the RER trains. There are maps above the entrances and overhead in the middle of the car. Seating is bench style and its%26#39; face to face 4%26#39;s. So put your luggage at your feet and sit on the aisle.

If you google RER Line B Trains and select images there are quite a few good pics.

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I found the overhead luggage racks fairly large on the B. Our bags fit there no problem. Of course, if you have a trunk ...

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Keep your bags next to you and avoid blocking the train doors. Watch your belongings and keep your valuables at a safe place. You should be fine.

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Thank you all for the information.

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St Michel is the third stop only if you take an express train (first will be Gare du Nord, second is Chatelet). If you take a non-express there will be several stations before yours. The line is overground until the approach to Gare du Nord, so as soon as the train enters the tunnel start counting those three stations.

Please be aware that when you return, not all trains go to CDG as the line splits out in the suburbs. Watch the departure board on the platform and you%26#39;ll be fine.

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The trains are commuter trains, not long haul. Racks over seats are very narrow, suitable for duffle bags and backpacks, but not luggage. (And, quite high, so you%26#39;d have to be able to hoist your bags onto them.) And, the ride is not that long, so it%26#39;s probably best to keep your bags at your side.

The route begins at CDG, so all cars are empty. Best bet is to head a few cars from the crowds, enter through the rear doors, and go to the rear of the train where there is a section of seats facing with an area in between for your bags. From that area, it%26#39;s easy to get yourselves and your bags to the door as the train approaches your stop.

Calendar of Events in Nice?

Is there an events calendar so I can see if there are any major events in Nice during October?

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Yes, www.nicetourisme.com

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A listing site is something Nice really needs -there are bits and pieces listed all over the place but no good central listing - the nice tourism website and agencies are rubbish for coming events.

I used to go in to the tourist office and ask about events and every time i knew more about the event than the office staff.

I find out mostly by keeping my eye out for posters in the street and quite a few shops near me tend to have posters for things that are in outlying districts and towns

Plus if i miss something one year i try and keep it in mind for the following year.

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I%26#39;ve been looking for such a website as my wife and I go to Nice over Christmas and New Years. When looking for concerts I found this:

http://www.nice-coteazur.org/Culture.

You can click for different types of events.

The site is in French, but with just a bit of effort, you may be able to get what you need.

Good Luck,

Neil

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That site doesn%26#39;t actually list all the local events and the subsidiary links are frequently broken or non existent

its ok for opera, theatre and classical music if its run /sponsored by the ville de Nice but it leaves things up that are massively out of date

eg adverts for stuff in April and does not list stuff in small venues or anything not absolutely mainstream

Transit from CDG airport to 6th arrondisement

I am travelling to Paris on Wednesday, staying at the Aviatic Saint Germain hotel in the 6th arrondisement. I am wondering what my transportation options are from the airport, keeping a modest budget in mind.

Thanks.

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If you are travelling solo, then the best option would be public transit. The RER train will take you into the city, when you can switch over to the Metro. The Paris metro is very good.

www.ratp.info/touristes/index.php…

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I%26#39;ve stay in the 6th since 81. You can take www.airport-connection.com, in a shared shuttle, for 28 Euros. A taxi will cost 50-55 Euros. When I used airport-connection, I paid 52 Euros for a round-trip fare. I was staying in a rented apartment on rue St. Andres des Arts.

And yes, there%26#39;s the RER. I%26#39;ve done that,too. I%26#39;ve taken it to the St.Michel RER stop and then changed to the metro from there. I don%26#39;t know what street your hotel is on, as I%26#39;m not familiar with that hotel, so I can%26#39;t tell you how to get there on the metro, after getting off the RER. Happy Travels!

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Thanks for the information; much appreciated.

Hotel Agora St. Germain

Hi there,

Does anyone know the difference between the standard and superior rooms at this hotel?

Is it the size or luxury?

Thank you!

paris for Sat sun... or sun mon

We are trying to decide whether to spend sat and sun in Paris or sun Mon....I believe shops are closed on Sundays. We have been to Paris before 8 years ago. Appreciate advice

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Most shopping is closed on Sundays, some shops and restaurants and all markets are closed on Mondays. Not sure what you are planning for your Paris trip but might be better sticking with Sat/Sun to maximize finding everything you want to do open.

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If you want museums chech their opening times too. Lots are closed on Mondays, some on Tuesdays.

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Tha nks very much for your feedback. Unfortunately it will have to be Sat and Sun nights as we are in a villa from sat to sat.

TGV tickets - time to buy, but where/how?

It is time for me to purchase our train tickets for our upcoming trip to France. We will be taking the TGV train from Rennes to Paris.

Does anyone know of a website that someone from the US can use to purchase the tickets at a reasonable rate?

Thanks

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You can get train times and costs, and make bookings, at www.tgv-europe.com/en but say you are from Great Britain. If you say you are from USA, you get another site that has much higher prices.

Say you want to pick up the tickets in France. You will be given a reference number. You can then get the tickets at any SNCF (mainline) station or an SNCF boutique by quoting the reference and producing the *exact* same card that you used for the booking.

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Also, at that TGV site you might even have the option of printing your tickets at home - in fact it might be the only option. If not, you can pick them up at the station, but you must have with you your confirmation number and the credit card you used to purchase the tickets.

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Rail Europe. 60 days before ticket is needed.

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Just bought TGV tickets for Dijon/Paris 26/9 from this official site. Good price, easy procedure printed the tickets off and have them in my hot little hand and I live in Melbourne, Australia. A fantastic service. Don%26#39;t go to Raileurope as they will probably be more expensive. http://www.tgv.com/EN/index_HD.html

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Don%26#39;t use RailEurope unless you have money to burn. It charges a substantial fee on top of the actual ticket costs, and often lists only the more expensive trains.

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I just bough our tickets Paris-Lourdes from www.sncf-voyages.com 90 days ahead of our travel day.The site is easy to follow or you may open another window with a tralation site such as iGoogle to translate the key words. I found that if I need to buy a return ticket (in my case:Paris-Lourdes-Paris) I have to buy 1 way first for our PREM, and few days later when it suitable with my return date I buy the one way PREM ticket for the return leg. My ticket cost me 120E for 3 persons on first class - and 66E for 3 on second class on the return (PREM first class is available on our departure time but as much as more than 2 times higher than the previous leg tickets)

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The only tickets you can print yourself are the %26quot;prem%26quot; fares (deepest discount). All others, you will need to print out your confirmation number and, as noted above take the SAME credit card you used for purchase, to the SNCF boutique or a ticket window at a train station to get the actual tickets.

If you can get prem fares only one direction when you are traveling both ways, book as two separate trips (the cost does not increase, but you will at least be able to print the one where you got the %26quot;prem%26quot; fare (otherwise, you won%26#39;t be able to print any of it because you can%26#39;t print all of it, if that makes sense).

Once you get used to it, it%26#39;s not really difficult. I agree with the observation above, however, don%26#39;t use Eurail or similar (and don%26#39;t say you are from the US - as noted above, say you will receive the tickets in France) or you will pay a great deal more. I was too chicken to do my own until a friend showed me how easy it was (and also, no small thing, how much less she paid for her seat on the same train).

Have fun!

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Thank you all very much. In reading the many posts on this subject, I had heard about everyone getting better rates than via Rail Europe, but was not able to find them. I%26#39;ll follow the information provided and get my tickets this way.

I%26#39;ve not heard of %26#39;Prem%26#39; fares. Can you tell me what that is? We are doing one-way tickets.

Thanks again, I appreciate it.

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We%26#39;ve always bought our TGV tickets at the time we%26#39;ve needed them. It worked well for us when our flight was 4.5 hours late. Is this a bad way to do it? Seems less stressful than trying to beat the online system by lying about your country and remembering your credit card. There have always been seats/trains available, but we%26#39;ve never done an overnight train, maybe that%26#39;s different. But, maybe I%26#39;m naive...what are good reasons for buying tickets in advance?

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Is there a reason to buy PREMS tickets? Only if you want to save alot of money. Also, use MorganB%26#39;s directions, go through the SNCF site in English, making notes about each step, but stopping before you must pay. Then go back, do it in French and just print your ticket on your computer. Then compare prices!! For me, a PREMS ticket from CDG to Avignon on the English language site was 120 euros, 2nd class. On the French site, same train, same class, I paid 60 Euros going down. My second ticket a week later going from Avignon to Gare St. Lazare was 42 Euros! To me, it was more than worth the small effort it took.

night train Venice to Paris questions for pmmcTO or others

pmmcTO,

Thank you for your previous post about the night train...that is great information...very helpful. There are 4 of us..2 couples and we are planning on reserving two 2-person compartments. I read somewhere that every other compartment has a slightly different configuration...one being less roomy/convenient than the other...and that you can see looking down the hallway that every other door has a step up...I wonder if these were the older cars. Also I wonder what the numbering system is since we would like to have our compartments close to each other. We may call a travel agent in Rome 3 monthes ahead to get us good fares and the compartments we want. I have looked at seat61...good information but I still find the numbering systems in the compartments confusing.

Sorry that was a bit longwinded.

kasialouise

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Hi kasialouise. I%26#39;m afraid I have no idea about the compartment set up being different for every other one - I have never heard about this.

With respect to the numbering system, it is a bit confusing. When I first booked, my ticket said it was for number 11 and my husband%26#39;s was for number 15, and I got a bit uneasy about this, thinking they had put us in different compartments, but apparently the compartments were designed to contain three bunks, so the bottom is number 11, the middle is number 13 and the top is number 15. There was just no middle bunk when we were in it, or if there was, it was stored behind the wall so we didn%26#39;t notice it.

When we booked our tickets, we arranged for the booking through eurorailways.com. This was a long time in advance, and then when the 90 days before came up, they then processed the booking, ordered our tickets and charged our credit card. What I didn%26#39;t realize at the time was that these booking companies charge a premium for this service. I%26#39;m not quite sure what the difference in cost was - I don%26#39;t think it was cheap - but I was still happy with them because I could contact them whenever I wished without any language barrier, and they couriered our tickets to us well in advance of our trip. I%26#39;m not sure if a travel agent in Rome will be able to get you any kind of %26quot;deal%26quot;, but I could be wrong on this.

I do know that several people on this forum have reported difficulty in trying to book the overnight trains on the SNCF website (or the Italian rail site which name escapes me) because it said they had to have a European credit card. Hopefully someone else can help you out on this point. You might be able to see what the cost is on the SNCF site, and then check the cost on www.eurorailways.com to see what the difference is.

Best of luck, and if you have any more questions, I%26#39;ll do my best to answer.

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I tried out the costs through the SNCF website and put Italy in the box as the country where you would pick up the tickets, but it gave the results in Italian. Based on a random date in August, it showed the fare as being 255 euros for two people, and on Eurorailways it was $306 US each - so the difference is HUGE. Roughly $360 directly through SNCF, compared to $612 on the booking agency site. Needless to say, you should try to book them yourselves if you can.

I unfortunately found out about the price difference long after we had booked ours already. Live and learn.

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pmmcTO,

Thanks again. I registered ahead with Trentalia and did that extra Visa verification on my credit card, but I don%26#39;t think they mail to the US. I will try to book my tickets with a travel agent in Rome 90 days ahead and hopefully get a good rate...then pick up the tickets at the agency. Someone recommended an agency in Rome...can%26#39;t find it in my notes yet. I won%26#39;t sweat the configuration thing. Your explanation of the numbers was very helpful. Thanks.