Posted by admin on August 31, 2007 under One stop travel guide to Paris | 
Keuka Lake
Photo by Chris Card Fuller ©2007
Upstate NY Wine Country
PHoto by Chris Card Fuller ©2007
Norman style chapel and crypt at Keuka Lake
French influence in Upstate NY
Photo by Chris Card Fuller ©2007
It’s the last day of summer and of all the French visitors to the US, how many were lucky enough to have stumbled upon Upstate New York wine country? President Sarkozy had the right idea - but the wrong state. If he had come to Keuka Lake instead of Lake Winnepesaukee - he could have lolled around on a lake less inundated with paparrazzi photographers - and he could have done some wine tasting to boot in ‘l’Amerique profonde’.
Upstate New York has nowhere near the notoriety of Californian wines which flourish in a Mediterranean climate. What the region lacks in variety and quality it makes up for in the sheer beauty and isolation of this forgotten corner of the world.
While French tourists explored the USA this summer, August was a banner year for foreign visitors in France (particularly Paris)- including Americans- according to the French Tourism Office The tourists came - in spite of lousy weather and in spite of the lousy exchange rate between the US Dollar and the Euro.
The newly inaugurated TGV line between Paris and Strasbourg in eastern France encouraged more visits to Strasbourg. If you haven’t considered visiting Strasbourg, I would DEFINITELY recommend it. This city has romantic canals just like Amsterdam, the eerily pinkish stone facade of its cathedral glows in the afternoon light, and last but not least it’s the gateway to the Alsatian wine region of France famous for its Reislings and Gewurtztraminers.
You can try a little wine tasting on both sides of the Atlantic - from Strasbourg to Keuka Lake - savor best of Old and New World!
Posted by admin on under One stop travel guide to Paris |
Paris Girl at the Ritz - Long, long ago.
Princess Diana spent her last night at the Ritz Hotel in Paris- and judging by the current rates, you had better be royalty or something close to royalty to even consider staying at this hotel. A simple room - plain vanilla - will set you back between 700 to 800 Euros for one night.
And just for the fun of it, take a look at the Prestige Suites - starting at 2000 Euros for the Chopin suite and finishing up with the Imperial suite, closing in on almost 10,000 Euros by the time you’ve checked out for the night.
Long, long ago I stayed at the Ritz - and unless some newly created republic is looking for a representative in Paris - it looks like any future visits will be strictly for drinks!
Hotel Ritz
15 Place Vendome
Paris
“If you’ve got the means - this is the ONLY place to stay in Paris!”
Nearby monuments and gardens:
The Obelisk
Place de la Concorde
Tuileries Gardens
Louvre
Shopping: Rue St Honore
Ritz Hotel Macabre Trivia: Not only Princess Diana spent her last hours at the Ritz. Former US Ambassador to France, Pamela Harriman actually died in the Ritz swimming pool - in 1993. She used to go there for her daily swim.
Posted by admin on under One stop travel guide to Paris |
Flowers for Princess Diana
Photo by Chris Card Fuller ©2007
Ina Archives reconstitutes the fateful route that Princess Diana’s driver took from the Hotel Ritz where she was staying in Paris ten years ago today. Imagine if these were your last images before meeting death:
Place Vendome
Rue de Rivoli
Place de la Concorde and the Obelisk
When it comes to driving around Paris, even when you’re not being whisked around the City of Lights at high speeds (by a driver who allegedly had surpassed the designated drinking limits) it can be a difficult city to negotiate by car.
Here are some suggestions for keeping your cool if you plan on driving in Paris:
Avoid rush hour traffic when possible.
Be confident and determined. Parisian drivers can be agressive. You can’t waffle.
General directions are often posted at intersections, especially to popular areas such as Montparnasse.
Often the street lanes are not well marked (except for the bus lanes which are reserved for buses and bicycles).
Underground Parking is indicted by Blue signs with a the letter “P”.
Pedestrians always have the right of way at crosswalks (in theory).
Motorcyclists will weave in and out of traffic and expect you to move over in your lane (especially if you’re on the periph - the beltway that circles Paris). They will beep their horn and signal for you to move over if they can’t get through.
When you drive around the Arc de Triomphe, tell all your passengers to close their eyes and hold their breath.
Posted by admin on under One stop travel guide to Paris |
View from Level 2
Photo by Chris Card Fuller ©2007
As of September 2nd,the Eiffel Tower’s fall and winter visiting hours begin: 9:30 am to 11:45 Daily. (The tower closes an hour earlier than its summer schedule). You need to keep in mind that if you plan on taking the steps instead of going to the top by elevator that you need to have your ticket in hand by 6:30 pm.
Likewise, the last elevator ascent is 11pm. Although the lines in evening hours are less than during the day, plan on at least a one-hour wait at no matter what time of day or evening you arrive.
Did you know that you can send a postcard from the Eiffel Tower Post Office? It’s located on the 1st level. You can also make international phone calls from here if you’ve left your cell phone at home.
Did you know that if you’re a teacher bringing a school group, you should qualify for free admission as a teacher.
You can get to the Eiffel Tower from one of three Metro stops: Trocadero, Bir Hakeim, or Ecole Militaire. Bir Hakeim is probably the closest but Trocadero located next to the Palais du Chaillot would be the most scenic walk.
Did you know that the Eiffel Tower is wheelchair accessible? You and whoever is accompanying you will gain access at a reduced rate if you present papers confirming your handicap status. Seeing eye dogs are also permissible.
For many visitors to Paris, their trip wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the Eiffel Tower. As mentioned in my past Eiffel Tower trivia post, Gustave Eiffel won the bid to construct the tower as part of the 1889 Universal Exhibition competition but he didn’t achieve this feat alone by any means. He worked on the project with engineers, Maurice Koechlin and Emile Nouguier and architect Stephen Sauvestre (who was brought in to stave off some early criticisms of the project). 50 other engineers worked on the project, producing some 5,300 blueprints, yet it’s Eiffel who gets credit for the idea of ensuring the tower’s aerodynamic design would allowed it to ’sway’ with the wind.
Here’s some more Eiffel Tower trivia:
Did you know that Gustave Eiffel originally intended to build the Eiffel Tower for Canada’s world’s fair - but he was turned down? Looks like Canada really missed out big time.
It’s thanks to Eiffel, that our Lady of Liberty stands strong. He designed the inner structure of the Bertholdi monument which welcomes visitors and immigrants to New York City.
Did you know that the private company which operates the Eiffel Tower has declared it ‘illegal to publish nighttime photographs of the Eiffel Tower after the year 2003′ The explanation for this is due to a new nighttime lighting system which was installed after the 2000 millenium celebration. This ruling has been contested in French courts. (I’m glad my night shots were taken BEFORE 2000).
Finally a word about a recent Expedia survey regarding high tourist disappointment ratings for the Eiffel Tower. All I can say to this is ‘HOGWASH!’
Of all the people we’ve escorted to the Eiffel Tower since 1986, not ONE of them has ever complained about the experience. They’ve waited in lines for hours on end. They’ve docilely allowed themselves to be jammed into elevators at the height of the summer season sweaty body to sweaty body.
They’ve endured sudden microburst downpours - without an umbrella in sight. They’ve hiked from the Eiffel Tower pillars, across the Seine, and up the hill to the Trocadero Metro stop, totally drenched, never once complaining.
Of all the monuments, and all the museums, and all the parks we’ve visited, it’s the Eiffel Tower that remains firmly transfixed in their memory of Paris.
Expedia, you can do all the surveys you like, but I doubt very much that the Eiffel Tower will lose its popularity.
Now, that I’ve said all this - I will make my confession - here and now. Personally, I’d much rather see Paris from the top of the ferris wheel in the Jardin de Tuileries. Now, that’s romantic! But that’s just me. The majority rules.
If you would like to read more about the Eiffel Tower, you can visit the official site or read Discover France which has done a very informative summary of the Eiffel Tower construction.
Posted by admin on under One stop travel guide to Paris |
“Oui, je parle Rugby” is the name of the campaign sponsored by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The idea is to encourage visitors coming to France to practice their French language speaking skills by talking rugby.
This ’survival kit’ which I found posted on the France Diplomatie site will include 250 rugby terms in French, English and Spanish (why not Tongan and Maori apres tout?).
I didn’t find the translation for such useful expressions, as “Sebastien, would you mind getting your hand, your hair, your forehead, etc, off my face?” which would have been useful you’ll note in this video: Sea Bass in NZ
According to the Oui, je parle Rugby campaign, this indepensable survival kit guide should be available - any day now - in the meantime you can try downloading the rugby glossary or the Oui, Je Parle Rugby lesson plan.
Posted by admin on August 30, 2007 under One stop travel guide to Paris |
Who was the architect for the Eiffel Tower? If you answered, Gustave Eiffel, try again. Gustave Eiffel was the contractor, but not the architect. The best site to find most of the answers to your FAQs regarding this world-famous monument is SETE’s official site. Although the majority of the proceeds from the monument go back to the City of Paris, the SETE real estate company gets a little slice of this gateau.
In case you’re wondering, Stephen Sauvestre was the architect of the Eiffel Tower. He was responsible for the arches you see at the base of the tower. Many of his other embellishments were not used, but the arches remain an element that many would agree give the the tower an element of grace.
It cost 7,800,000 gold francs to build the Eiffel Tower, but I wonder how much of this Monsieur Eiffel was able to put in his bank account after all the raw materials had been purchased.
According to Seven Wonders site, by the end of its first year 1889, visits to the new tower had paid for 75% of its construction costs. According to annual statistics, in 2005, for an example, the City netted 5.8 Million Euros and SETE’s 300,000 Euros is better than stepping on a rusty nail.
Sounds like the City of Paris had certainly bought itself the proverbial golden hen. Maybe they should have kept the 2000 ferris wheel as well.
Paris City Planners for the new millenium! Think of monuments that allow visitors to climb up and around.
Posted by admin on under One stop travel guide to Paris |
What are the odds of meeting someone from your hometown on the Eiffel Tower? I’m not a mathematician, but I do know that this can happen because it was the topic of discussion at a recent high school reunion.
In this case it was an East Rochester High school graduate who ran into a graduate from Fairport High school. East Rochester and Fairport are two towns in upstate New York. Their combined populations would be less than 50,000. Okay mathematical geniuses, what are the odds?
Meanwhile, the conversation at our recent reunion meandered to such topics about what your hometown has to offer in comparison to Paris. How does your hometown measure up?
For the benefit of any ER alumni who may be online today, I am starting a list of Paris and ER’s top ten for the simple sake of comparison. Anyone is welcome to contribute their hometown stats for comparison with the City of Lights.
Paris Top Ten Plus
The Seine River
The Louvre
The Eiffel Tower
Arc de Triomphe
The Gardens
Notre Dame
Montmartre
The Opera House
Champs Elysees
Railroad Stations
(including Musee d’Orsay!)
Hanging out in Cafes
Marais
(okay, so it’s more than ten. Who can stop at ten? If I had to leave any of these out, it would be the Champs Elysees - but you have to go at least once - or you haven’t been to Paris).
East Rochester Top Ten
Fireman’s Day Parade
Italian sausage.
The Bandstand at Christmas time.
The Apple Orchard (yeah, it doesn’t exist anymore, but those of you who remember it know exactly what I’m saying).
Hyatt’s Classic Video
Prince George’s (affectionately known as PG’s)
Village Fair
The ER Post Office and its gracious postmaster.
Posted by admin on under One stop travel guide to Paris |
Getting in the mood for partying? The normally sluggish return to Paris for ‘la rentree’ or back to school should take on a whole new attitude. It’s time to stake out your bar stool at your local pub or brasserie to if you haven’t already bought your Rugby World Cup Tickets for this soldout event.
Here are some suggestions for Paris pubs/brasseries/cafes for viewing the Rugby World Cup:
My personal choices would be:
The Bombardier Pub
2 Place du Pantheon 5eme
It’s located directly across from Eglise St. Genevieve and the Pantheon. Nice atmosphere and good pub grub.
The Financier & Firkin Pub (part of a chain)
15, rue du Depart
Metro: Montparnasse
We watched a soccer match here. The big screens are fine and the beer is good but I didn’t find the barmaid who served us to be overly friendly. A little work on the charm factor (although English is spoken).
Cafe de la Liberte
Metro: Edgar Quinet
Good place for serious rugby fans. Friendly conversation in French. Needless to say, you’d want to be cheering for ‘Les Bleus’.
Here are some other suggestions with addresses listed at
www.parispubs.com:
I haven’t been to these pubs yet but they come with good recommendation.
Frog & Rosbif
116 Rue St. Denis 2eme
Moosehead
16 Rue des Quatres Vents, St. Germain-des-Pres
BBC offers some good suggestions for Expat Bars in Paris.
If you are determined to watch Rugby with a good beer in hand, I’d suggest taking a quick look at the best places for beer in Paris at the
Bierezone.com
I was delighted to see that two of the top five picks for great beer in Paris - Marine and Le Falstaff - happen to be in my hood - Montparnasse. P.S. I love the Bierezone graphics - delightfully happy beer.
Strictly English speaking? Not to worry! Here’s an excellent guide to prime beer-drinking for the English speaking beer connoisseur: Classic City Brew
Getting in the mood.
Interested in Rugby World Cup from the French perspective? Check out
http://leparisienblogs.typepad.fr/rugby1/
Posted by admin on under One stop travel guide to Paris |
Slowly, but surely, Paris is becoming the epicenter of rock festivals. 65,800
festival goers gathered at nearby Domaine de St. Cloud for the fifth edition of Rock En Seine which also drew a record number of English speaking fans from across the channel. One of the big reasons rockers form UK decided make the trek - according to some interviews - it’s just a lot cheaper in France!
When it comes to Bjork, there’s no doubt about it - Bjork has her fan club here in France - and the feelings must be mutual because Bjork’s first prize for the Innocence video competition went to Annabelle and Fred.
In the Rock en Seine blog, Samuel Degesne reviews the Bjork concert:
“Former vocalist with the Sugarcubes, this electro-priestesse of the nineties continues to prove her unerring avantgardisme.”
If you didn’t make it to last weekend’s Rock en Seine festival, you can console yourself by checking out the Innocence competition - and getting yourself on the Rock en Seine newsletter mailing list for 2008!
