If you’re bringing home clothes for kids in the family, there’s no place like Paris for finding cool kids clothes - especially in September for ‘Back to School’ or ‘La Rentree’ as we call it here.
Just like their Parisian parents, kids are going to school a lot more casual these days, but little girls - and their moms still like to wear dresses sometimes. Yes, even in Paris parks.
Khaki and camouflage green with a hint of orange are very big this fall in shop windows. You’ll find that French kids’ clothes tend to appear in more muted and sophisticated colors.
Here’s a rundown on the well - known kids shops you’ll find in Paris, starting with some of the chic spots to shop:
You may remember in a past post I mentioned IKKS. IKKS is definitely a hot label - for kids (and for their Moms as well). You’ll want to check out their new store that just opened at
114 Champs Elysees.
More IKKS branches:
6 Rue Rosiers 75004
13 Rue Vavin 75006
14 Rue Passy 75016
12 Rue Sevres 75007
129 Rue de la Pompe 75116
140 Rue Rivoli 75001
32 Rue du Four 75006
Also, some of Parisian’s favorite designers also have lines just for kids:
The following stores are well-known chains which offer good quality and fairly reasonable prices.
Du Pareil au Meme offers perfectly acceptable kidswear which will surely delight friends back home.
Okaidi
Okaidi France
115 r Monge 75005 PARIS
01 42 17 45 94
OkaГЇdi France
30 av Italie 75013 PARIS
Where does Parisgirl do her shopping for kids?
I really like Mini Junior at 114 Blvd. Montparnasse, simply because the reception is always friendly. You can find quality clothing here and designer brands such as Kenzo which will delight Parisian Moms just as much as the kids. Mini Junior is a small boutique so you won’t find a vast inventory, but everything is handpicked to mix and match well.
Mini Junior
114, Boulevard Montparnasse
75014 Paris
Tel. 01 43 22 05 30
Can’t get to Paris to check out the kid’s fashions? It’s easy to find some examples of favorite European designers for kids online!
If you’re bringing home clothes for kids in the family, there’s no place like Paris for finding cool kids clothes - especially in September for ‘Back to School’ or ‘La Rentree’ as we call it here.
Just like their Parisian parents, kids are going to school a lot more casual these days, but little girls - and their moms still like to wear dresses sometimes. Yes, even in Paris parks.
Khaki and camouflage green with a hint of orange are very big this fall in shop windows. You’ll find that French kids’ clothes tend to appear in more muted and sophisticated colors.
Here’s a rundown on the well - known kids shops you’ll find in Paris, starting with some of the chic spots to shop:
You may remember in a past post I mentioned IKKS. IKKS is definitely a hot label - for kids (and for their Moms as well). You’ll want to check out their new store that just opened at
114 Champs Elysees.
More IKKS branches:
6 Rue Rosiers 75004
13 Rue Vavin 75006
14 Rue Passy 75016
12 Rue Sevres 75007
129 Rue de la Pompe 75116
140 Rue Rivoli 75001
32 Rue du Four 75006
Also, some of Parisian’s favorite designers also have lines just for kids:
The following stores are well-known chains which offer good quality and fairly reasonable prices.
Du Pareil au Meme offers perfectly acceptable kidswear which will surely delight friends back home.
Okaidi
Okaidi France
115 r Monge 75005 PARIS
01 42 17 45 94
OkaГЇdi France
30 av Italie 75013 PARIS
Where does Parisgirl do her shopping for kids?
I really like Mini Junior at 114 Blvd. Montparnasse, simply because the reception is always friendly. You can find quality clothing here and designer brands such as Kenzo which will delight Parisian Moms just as much as the kids. Mini Junior is a small boutique so you won’t find a vast inventory, but everything is handpicked to mix and match well.
Mini Junior
114, Boulevard Montparnasse
75014 Paris
Tel. 01 43 22 05 30
Can’t get to Paris to check out the kid’s fashions? It’s easy to find some examples of favorite European designers for kids online!
One of the great conundrums of the French language is trying to determine when swearing is okay - and when it isn’t. As France 2 television newscaster, Francoise Laborde discovered this past Thursday night, swearing during station breaks can be embarassing when you discover your heated response to a colleague is caught live on prime time TV. Her remark, “Pourquoi vous m’avez pas dit, putain?” i.e. “Why didn’t you tell me, damnit?” was shocking enough for the newscaster to offer the public an apology at the end of the emission.
She’s not alone. Even France’s president, Nicolas Sarkozy’s swearing incident at the Salon d’Agriculture this past February engendered dozens of video reproductions - and embellishments of his snap response ‘Casse-toi, pauvre con!’ when a visitor at the Salon d’Agriculture refused to shake his hand.
Sometimes the media responds with it’s own expletives such Marianne journal’s ‘Putain! Encore 4 ans. (Very interesting commentary comparing the Sarkozy Era to Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal Era!!!)
Hopefully, you’ll never find yourself in a situation, where you’ll find it necessary to swear. On the other hand, here are some basic terms that you’ll encounter in newspapers, on television (even, if by accident), or in conversations overheard while walking down the street. Not heads of state, nor, believe it or not, even men of the cloth are immune. (A Norman priest was reprimanded last year for using one of these naughty words - for which he apologized like the newscaster). Read more of this article »
One of the great conundrums of the French language is trying to determine when swearing is okay - and when it isn’t. As France 2 television newscaster, Francoise Laborde discovered this past Thursday night, swearing during station breaks can be embarassing when you discover your heated response to a colleague is caught live on prime time TV. Her remark, “Pourquoi vous m’avez pas dit, putain?” i.e. “Why didn’t you tell me, damnit?” was shocking enough for the newscaster to offer the public an apology at the end of the emission.
She’s not alone. Even France’s president, Nicolas Sarkozy’s swearing incident at the Salon d’Agriculture this past February engendered dozens of video reproductions - and embellishments of his snap response ‘Casse-toi, pauvre con!’ when a visitor at the Salon d’Agriculture refused to shake his hand.
Sometimes the media responds with it’s own expletives such Marianne journal’s ‘Putain! Encore 4 ans. (Very interesting commentary comparing the Sarkozy Era to Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal Era!!!)
Hopefully, you’ll never find yourself in a situation, where you’ll find it necessary to swear. On the other hand, here are some basic terms that you’ll encounter in newspapers, on television (even, if by accident), or in conversations overheard while walking down the street. Not heads of state, nor, believe it or not, even men of the cloth are immune. (A Norman priest was reprimanded last year for using one of these naughty words - for which he apologized like the newscaster). Read more of this article »
For any of you who’ve spent a little time in France, you may have developed a sentimental attachment to France’s weather reporters, but no real-life weather reporter can stand up to the typhoon that Louise Bougoin stirs up as an ambitious ‘Miss Meteo’ in Anne Fontaine’s recently released film ‘The Girl From Monaco’.
This long-legged bronzed blonde goddess wouldn’t need an extraordinary plot line to keep a film in motion. She exudes enough ‘it’ to mesmerize her co-actors into what one French magazine describes as a ‘jaw-gaping’ Luchini. Nevertheless, Fabrice Luchini snaps out of it long enough to match her charm with the self-searching, and self-conscious attentions of a high-power Parisian lawyer, Bertrand Beauvois, newly arrived in Monaco to try a big case.
Louise Bourgoin may be France’s new ‘Brigitte Bardot’ but I don’t think it’s fair to make comparisons. Two different women - two different eras. In La Fille de Monaco, Bourgoin takes the role of Audrey, an opportunistic gorgeous local girl, who’s perfectly happy to use her body in any means to justify her ends. (That doesn’t seem to need any justification at all). Her icon is Princess Diana (which sets the tone for the potential outcome).
Audrey is admirably well flanked by Fabrice Luchini and Roschdy Zem (who appears as Christophe, Bertrand’s (Fabrice Luchini) bodyguard. In spite of the excellent acting and script - you’ll love some of Bertrand’s rationalizations about seduction and love - all of which crumble into dust when confronted with Audrey, in spite of all this, the film’s plot ends up being a sort of rehashed ‘Flesh and the Devil’ moralistic story. This is hardly the ‘female empowering kind of film you’d like to see from a female director’, but hopefully we haven’t seen the last of Louise Bougoin. Movie script writers, start sharpening your pencils!
Although this is Bougoin’s first film, her television ‘weather reports’ are worthy of being archived:
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Haus der Musik, Vienna
While a lot of travellers seem to be shying away from museums these days - someone seems to have told them you don’t “have to” visit museums to see a city - one that I highly recommend in Vienna is the Haus der Musik (House of Music), also known as the Sound Museum.
It’s the kind of place with something for everyone - rock and pop music lovers, classical music afficionados, and anyone who likes playing with stuff that makes noise. Since I’m interested in pretty much everything, then the more educational side with displays about Austrian composers was great, but I also liked the hands-on floor - if you’ve ever wondered what a cow mooing in a cathedral would sound like, this is the place to find out. There’s also a great exhibit where you can try your hand at being a “virtual conductor” of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, which I discovered is a whole lot harder than it looks.
Haus der Musik is right in the centre and it’s unusual for a museum in that it stays open until 10pm each day, so it’s something you can fit in after an early dinner. Entry fees are a pretty reasonable 10 Euro per adult. They sometimes hold concerts there too, so check the website in advance of your visit.
While anyone visiting Paris would notice immediately what an important role the Seine river plays in the city’s geography, it’s actually quite possible to wander through the historic section of Paris and not realize that some of the sights you’re enjoying are actually on islands. I know the first time I visited Paris it wasn’t until much later that I realized the amazing Notre Dame cathedral was on an island - somehow the fact that I’d walked across a bridge to reach it didn’t occur to me. Yes, I’m a bit dense - but I know I’m not alone.
There are two natural islands on the Seine river right in the center of Paris, and they’re right next to each other. They’re not only great places to visit, they’re also key to understanding the city’s history.
Оle de la Citй
This island is the larger of the two and is where the first settlements which later became the city of Paris were built. There have been people living on the island for more than 2,000 years, and it’s still considered the center of the modern-day city. The primary tourist attractions on the Оle de la Citй include the magnificent Notre Dame de Paris, Saint-Chapelle, and the excavated Gallo-Roman ruins underneath the square in front of Notre Dame.
>> Read more about what to do and see on the Оle de la Citй
Оle Saint-Louis
This is the much smaller island of the pair; they are close enough to be connected by a handy bridge. There are far fewer “attractions” on the Оle Saint-Louis, but it’s a lovely place to wander (partly because it tends to be ignored by tourists) - and home of the best ice cream in Paris at Berthillon.
>> Read more about what to do and see on the Оle Saint-Louis
Getting There
Island or not, there are both Paris Metro & RER stations on the Оle de la Citй, and the bigger island is also served by several bus routes. The smaller Оle Saint-Louis is only served by a few bus routes - or by your own two feet; it really is a very short walk from the Оle de la Citй.
Staying There
Both islands are heavily residential, and while there are hotels on both they tend to be much more high-end - the city’s islands are not the places to look for hostels in Paris, let’s put it that way! Still, if you’re in the market to spend a bit more for the pleasure of staying at the epicenter of Parisian history, there are luxury hotels on both islands.
Paris Plage may be great in many ways - it’s a free man-made beach - available to Parisians who can’t get out of town for part of the summer - but still, you can’t swim in the Seine - and if you’re looking for topless sunbathers - you’re out of luck.
Contrary to popular belief, nude or clothing optional sunbathing and swimming isn’t ‘exactly’ legal in France. But this is the beauty of France. You’ll find that topless sunbathing is quite common at many seaside resorts. Voila the eternal paradox. A large number of clothing optional beaches and resorts are also easy to find - and to date, I haven’t ever hear of anyone getting arrested for topless sunbathing. >> See Laws
You’ll want to make sure that when you do find that perfect beach to commune with nature that the local community tolerates nudism. In French, the expression for the nudist lifestyle is ‘naturisme’. The best way to do this is to check out some of the ‘official’ or ‘tolerated’ nudist beaches.
Topless sunbathing began as a fad way back in the 1950s when French actress Brigitte Bardot bared her breasts and shocked the world, but according to my Parisian friends who lived in Cannes during the 60s, topless sunbathing really took off in the early sixties for one simple reason.
That’s the latest word from my Parisian contact (who should know). She does her sun-tanning at home. ‘Sure some people still sunbathe topless at Deauville, but . . .it’s no longer in style.”
Meanwhile, if you could care less about trends, here’s the list of top beaches hand-picked by one of France’s ‘naturisme associations’. I’m adding to that list one beach we chanced upon in our travels that is supposedly just the place for nude surfing.
If you do decide to explore France’s nude beaches, please remember to leave your camera, video, binoculars, etc back at the hotel and respect people’s lifestyle.
Also remember that nudity in public places can risk a one year jail sentence or a 10,000 Euro ticket. I don’t know if anyone has ever been charged for nude sunbathing but you wouldn’t want to be the first!
1. Vieux St. Giron is located in the Landes region, just north of Biarritz. Here’s where you can surf nude. The waves are intense and not very far from Arcachon beach which is well known for its surfing. Be careful of the undertow if you’re not a good swimmer. I’ve read in some reviews that the water was not clean one year. When we were there, the water was fine. Unlike Mediterranean sea beaches, you’ll find sand dunes and a very laid back atmosphere.
The above photo for Arnaoutchot Resort (better known simply as ‘Arna’ is located in Vieux St. Giron.
2. Cap d’Agde - well known throughout Europe, Cap d’Agde is actually a nudist seaside community with protected access. It has a three mile beach and can receive as many as 40,000 visitors in a season.
3. Berck sur Mer - Plage des Sables d’Opale (62) This is a family beach with a zone of 250 metres set aside for clothing optional swimming and sunbathing. Go just past the building in ruins along the dunes.
4. Merville-franceville - Plage de la Redoute (14) Calvados, Normandy. Prefecture has authorized nude sunbathing in a limited zone of 250 meters.
5. Fouesnant - Plage de Kerler (29) Officially authorized since 2004, Kerler’s natural beauty makes this a great place to experience memorable moments ‘en famille’.
6. La Turbale - Plage de Pen Bron (44) Nudism is tolerated as ‘clothing optional’. According to the naturiste association, the ‘textiles’ referring to those who choose to wear clothing tend to blend well enough with those who don’t.
7. Hossegor-Nudist Beach (40) Officially a nudist beach, starting at the boulevard facing the sea, take Avenue Gardian. The nudist beach starts just north of Camp WF.
8. Le Grau du Rois- Plage de l’Espiguette (30) An idyllic southern beach with a family feel. However, also with a gay section.
9. Corsica - Riva Bella (2A) Beautiful scenery and great facilities.
10. Plage de Tahiti - St. Trop Last, but not least, mention should be made of Plage de Tahiti which is NOT a nudist beach, however, it is considered one of the top beaches for spotting topless celebrities. After all, this is where it all began with Brigitte Bardot in St. Tropez, Paris’s summer party town.
Les Plus Belles Plages
More beautiful French Beaches (not specifically nude beaches, but undoubtedly topless tolerant)
France has plenty of beautiful beaches along its Atlantic coastline. If you’re fed up with trying to walk on the French Riviera’s pebble beaches, here some of our favorite Atlantic coast beaches:
Pornichet and La Baule
Both of these communities have excellent sandy beaches surrounded by extremely tasteful homes. These towns aren’t simply resort towns but family-oriented communities with high standard of living. Once you’ve visited Pornichet and La Baule, you may never want to leave! La Baule is considered by some to be the best beach in Europe.
L’ile de Re
An Island located in the Atlantic just across from La Rochelle, in the Charentes-Maritime, this is where the more discreet French hang their hat for the summer months.
Calanque D’En Vau
Not far from Marseilles, here’s where you can hang out and sip on a pastis while you play a game of ‘boules.
Mimizan,
Called the Pearl of the Cote d’Argent (Silver Coast) is located like St. Giron Beach in the Landes region, part of Aquitaine.
Carnac -
Located in Brittany. Though the beach town has expanded tremendously in past years, the beach is still sublime (according to this beach survey).
Perros -Guirec
Perros-Guirec (Perroz-Gireg in the Breton language) is also a Breton beach noted for its natural beauty and fine sand. It’s located on the Cote d’Armor.
Porquerolles
And, last but not least, if you really insist on being on the Mediterranean rather than the Atlantic Ocean, you can always head for Porquerelles island. Porquerelles is the most westerly of the Hyeres island chain.
Haven’t found the beach you’re looking for?
Check out a complete listing or click on Plagenat’s Map of France for nude beaches.
These are just a few suggestions for a beach getaway from Paris. Enjoy your day or weekend in the sun - and don’t forget to bring your suntan lotion.
Gourmet Glasgow launches tomorrow Monday 4 August 2008 and runs until 31 August. During this period you can enjoy ВЈ15 per head dining deals at some of Glasgow’s best restaurants. If you book online you’ll also receive a free dram of Auchentoshan Single Malt Scotch Whisky. There are also event nights such as the Buccleuch Beef Night, Shellfish Evening and Dine around France.
Deep fried Mars Bar
Glasgow is keen to ditch the image of fish suppers and deep fried Mars Bars washed down with Irn Bru to project a more sophisticated culinary image.
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A new travel video site, Tripfilms.com is offering you the opportunity to be awarded a $500 travel stipend, free accommodation and $25 for each video you upload in their TripVlogger scheme. There’s also the possibility to progress to being a Tripfilms Pro Filmmaker.
Sounds very tempting but I reckon that you’ll have to show quite a bit of potential in the videos that you initially upload before you’ll be considered as a TripVlogger. I’d also check the small print to check when the expenses are paid.
I noticed that when I watched videos on the site that relevant travel deals ads appear at the bottom of the video, so obviously Tripfilms want great videos which will be watched by many would be travellers who will be interested in booking the travel deals. Film makers can earn a $25 Amazon or iTunes voucher for 1,000 views of their video up to a maximum of five vouchers.
Share and Enjoy:
Sounds very tempting but I reckon that you’ll have to show quite a bit of potential in the videos that you initially upload before you’ll be considered as a TripVlogger. I’d also check the small print to check when the expenses are paid.
I noticed that when I watched videos on the site that relevant travel deals ads appear at the bottom of the video, so obviously Tripfilms want great videos which will be watched by many would be travellers who will be interested in booking the travel deals. Film makers can earn a $25 Amazon or iTunes voucher for 1,000 views of their video up to a maximum of five vouchers.
Be the First to Comment 
If you’re bringing home clothes for kids in the family, there’s no place like Paris for finding cool kids clothes - especially in September for ‘Back to School’ or ‘La Rentree’ as we call it here.
For any of you who’ve spent a little time in France, you may have developed a sentimental attachment to France’s weather reporters, but no real-life weather reporter can stand up to the typhoon that Louise Bougoin stirs up as an ambitious ‘Miss Meteo’ in Anne Fontaine’s recently released film ‘The Girl From Monaco’.
While anyone visiting Paris would notice immediately what an important role the Seine river plays in the city’s geography, it’s actually quite possible to wander through the historic section of Paris and not realize that some of the sights you’re enjoying are actually on islands. I know the first time I visited Paris it wasn’t until much later that I realized the amazing Notre Dame cathedral was on an island - somehow the fact that I’d walked across a bridge to reach it didn’t occur to me. Yes, I’m a bit dense - but I know I’m not alone.
Paris Plage may be great in many ways - it’s a free man-made beach - available to Parisians who can’t get out of town for part of the summer - but still, you can’t swim in the Seine - and if you’re looking for topless sunbathers - you’re out of luck. 
