Paris1972-Versailles2003

Well there you go weather dudes, going telling all the weather has been great and today go out into Paris and it was raining on and off sometimes hard.  There goes Meteo France for you. Thats why I said when you want to come, do so , and forget what the weather man says.

I was by Rivoli, and Louvre, Hôtel de Ville, Chatelet, Opéra Garnier areas walking today, and driving all over the Arc de Triomphe or better yet going in circles, its fun ::) Amazing I had my Dad with me and he was perfect not tired at all lol!! Usually I drive him drag the poor old man. He was a Champ today. We use the parking at sags on St Germain l’Auxerrois church area right by his clinic clinique du Louvre.

As usual Paris is sublime cant tell in enough words the feeling of been in the city, its always magical. Shopping was great too, we found all we needed and with good prices. He wanted some short vest for his sister in Florida USA, so we went to Zara and got it all. Then some tshirts at C&A, and souvenirs along rue de Rivoli. Before we took money at BNP Opéra of course ::)

We had our early shot at Le Nemours Cafe right before going in to the Palais Royal shops and garden (now under renovation), right past the Comedie Française.  Then we had lunch at Indiana Cafe , the usual American fare with a French touch, bacon cheese burger, club sandwich, mozzarella sticks and onion rings, beer of course, and coffee for 20€ each.

Le Nemours, 2 pl Colette, tel +33  01 42 61 34 14 metro palais royal/Louvre line 1 . Indiana Cafe is  a recent opening for this chain, we literally open the second floor today !!! brand new ,and a bit dusty… it is on the old Chez Clovis at 33 rue Berger (now the whole area under renovation but open , Forum Les Halles area), the service was fantastic and the food great. Its not even on their webpage yet , http://www.cafeindiana.com/

As usual my hesitation going into Paris I did not have my camera with me , tant pis, c’est la vie, Paris c’est trop!

Then, my condolences to those families who have the tragic loss of a love one in the wave of tornados in the southeast of the United States especially the crimson tide State of Alabama. The public services there have indicated at least 305 death and of those 204 in the State of Alabama alone.

Congratulations to Prince William and now Princess Kate at their wedding today in London. Hope the young princess will have a better treatment from the elders than my beloved Princess Diana did.

And ,I just finished filing my US and French tax return for 2010. The dreaded period of paperwork and filing is over, the hit will be ok, I am prepare. Its just not fair that the USA is the only industrialised country in the world who makes its citizens continue to file income taxes even while living and citizen of another country ie France! When the French go live in the US they dont need to do so , but when Americans comes to live here, we do lol!!! Get to work, we are in the 21C Americans…

I have travelled lately a lot to Britanny or Bretagne, on my business as a Finance Consultant to corporations. The area was not too well traveled by me before, even if friends have suggested it. Now I am there, and no camera again, need to get with the program here ::) The area is call the Morbihan , takes its name from the Gulf of Morbihan which means in Breton small sea or  « petite mer », from mor= mer, and  bihan= petit. Its an UNESCO world heritage site !!!The area of the gulf. The prefecture of main administrative city in this area is Vannes. Department no is 56.  Now the Breton language is coming along in the schools so here are some words to practice first in Breton, then French, then English.

Demat, bonjour, good morning

Degemer mat, bienvenue, welcome

Kenavo, au revoir, good bye

Yec’hed mat, à la tienne, Cheers

Noz vat, Bonne nuit, good night

Mat an traoù, ça va bien? how are you

Diwall, Attention, watch out!

Trugarez, merci, thank you.

Happy labor day May 1, the international date. However, since it falls on a Sunday, in France there wont be holiday so Monday we work…. The same for May 8 end of WWII, its a Sunday so no Holiday. We do get Mother’s day on May 29 ,also a Sunday.

And as my business takes me more and more away from the Paris/Versailles axis my writing in the blog will be less , I am assuming. So preventive measures is not to worry  I will be back with better and more useful information to all my readers and private contacts. Cheers and have a great weekend.

Its been like summer weather already ,sunny warm and nice. The roads seems better too, we will have nice rides in the Paris area before heading again for Bretagne and the Morbihan next week.  My sons came back from trips to the Val Cenis in the Alps and Pont l”Eveque area on school trips.  The weather here is from 9°C to 21°C in the next few days sunny with some rain early in May.

Some new books coming out that might be good,first in French, need to verify if they have them in English or else. “Le petit livre de bons plans avec les enfants à Paris 2ed” All you need to know about seeing Paris with children 0-6 yrs old  by Sophie Millot. “Le Monde à Paris ,un Grand voyage au coin de la rue” seeing Paris by its melting pot folks of all places with things to do ,eat, etc. by Dominque Lesbros. “Spécial étudiants à Paris ,le guide avec la sourire en plus” places to see, eat, have fun for the younger crowd and not expensive, by several authors edition Hachette.  “My little Paris secret, le Paris secret des Parisiennes” all those little corners you want to explore unknown to many, this is it. writtten by many , edition Chene.  “Aux bons produits de Paris” all those ingredients and fabulous items needed to do the right meal no matter from where in the world, this book help you find it in Paris,by Brigitte Namour editor Parigramme. And you can find them all in my favorite book store all over Gibert & Joseph webpage here http://www.gibertjoseph.com/

Dogon, at the musée de Branly, will expo  330 statues, masks and objects of daily life retracing 10 centuries of dogon art of Mali from the first contact with the Tellem until the coming of the European style in the 20C. It is there until July 24 2011  on tuesdays, wednesdays and Sundays from 11h to 19h, night time thursdays, fridays and saturdays until 21h. webpage http://www.quaibranly.fr/

Something for everyone in Paris ! lol!  From the 1980 this American Jim Haynes is supposed to do get together at his shop in the Alesia neighborhood ,the Sunday dinner is at 83, rue de la Tombe-Issoire, 75014, and bring together all sorts of folks willing to exchange and mingle with a contribution of food and wines for about 25€; more info at his webpage  http://www.jim-haynes.com/

Another heaven and try by me is the  Café A de la Maison de l’Architecture, just around the Gare de l’Est, and old hanging around place of yours truly , the cafe is on a terrace, hidden in the center of an old convent of Recollets that now houses the Maison de l’Architecture. Its peaceful around tiles and a big shaded tree planted by the franciscans monks . Couvent des Récollets, 148, rue du Faubourg-Saint-Martin,75010  tel +33 01 40 35 22 67.

Another is La Divette de Montmartre, this is the most rock n roll bar in Paris. On its walls you will see posters and vinyl records in 45 and 78 rpm of old ;it is said this is the most important European collection of vinyl records; its wonderful just for the look but the food is not bad ::) 136, rue Marcadet, 75018. Tél. + 34  01 46 06 19 64. no web closest metro is Marcadet-Poissonniers at  Boulevard de Barbes, line 12.

If you are concerned with air quality especially in cities, this site AirQuality Now will tell you the quality of air and noise and pollution in all major European cities, http://www.airqualitynow.eu/ , and the European project Aphekom org that tells you of very polluted cities such as Barcelona, the full report is here http://www.aphekom.org/c/document_library/get_file?uuid=5532fafa-921f-4ab1-9ed9-c0148f7da36a&groupId=10347 

The air quality in Paris is constantly measure by AirParif at the webpage http://www.airparif.asso.fr/ which tells you for today a rating of 5 or average.

Statistics on the debt of individuals in France by the Banque de France tell us that most are single household about 65% and that most are renters or 80%.  Most about 95% are those that took out a loan with a bank!  This is a phenomenon more and more visible here as the credit financing companies have a total campaign to make take out second cards, and store cards and small loans even for vacations that just get a very high interest rate as much as 25%! 

Until September 25 2011 the Fondation Cartier pour l’Art Contemporaine has an expo on Voodoo the belief of the western Africa still practice today in many parts of the world.  bld Raspail at metro Raspail or Denfert-Rochereau lines 1 and 6. webpage http://fondation.cartier.com/

Have a great mid week everyone !!!

Well the nice weather continuos with highs into the 29°C sunny and great all over, summer I can say has arrive early. This weekend is a bit crowded on the roads and too short so we have stay home except my boys out and about in La Defense and Paris.

The destination for the French to go out on vacation have some as the comments from the last World Tourist event at Paris, webpage http://www.lemondeaparis.com/ ; now some of the findings, for relaxation the French will like to go to Baleares islands,Spain, then to party they like to go to Florida ,especially Key West, USA; for the taste of the sea, the region of Bretagne or Brittany (I was just there so I agree 100%) ; those into forest outdoors, etc they like to head for Canada,especially the area of Québec; to do exercise while traveling like biking, walking, etc the place is Switzerland,all the area around Lac Léman; for culture head for Austria ,especially Salzbourg and Vienna ; to do stops on a long journey and see places,best is the  Sea Cruises of Costa, especially those of the Scandinavian countries; If your thing is volcanoes then head for the Eolien islands off Sicily,Italy; for the unusual trip ,head for the exotic Azores Islands, Portugal right in the Atlantic ocean; for simplicity head for the isle of Patmos in Greece.

Some new low cost flying is coming up, such as going to the Baleares islands of Spain in the Mediterranean on Easyjet from Roissy CDG 69€!  RT ,and Ibiza on Transavia 97€ RT from Orly.  how about Reykjavik ,Iceland, from Orly airport on Transavia for 45€ one way. Brindisi,Italy from Orly for 87€ RT. Lamezia,Calabre, Italy for 6€ RT on Ryanair from Beauvais!  To Thessanolique Greece from Orly for 72€ RT on Easyjet.  the summer is here I said !!!

The maison d’hote or chambre d’hote are becoming more and more look at from visitors and locals alike in France . The services are personalise, with many additional opportunities to mix in with the local, and the owner always on site or around to advise and give that extra local flavor, something we always look for it ourselves.  A site for those looking luxury and best services all over the world to rent your property is at Splendia, webpage http://www.splendia.com/en/  For an across the board prices at all levels in maison d’hote or host house system the webpage is at http://www.maisondhotes.net/ you can go to the map or the department to narrow your search.  this is another version that looks for it in France and Europe; webpage http://www.maison-hote.fr/page/index.php  ,and the chambre d’hotes more detail in France  with webpage is at http://www.chambres-hotes-france.org/ ;another site that I have used in the past is Clévacances, where you can rent apartments, as well as chambre or maison d’hotes, the webpage is at http://www.clevacances.com/FR/ ,and another that I have used and long standing here is the gîtes de France site at http://www.gites-de-france.com/ 

The airports of Paris has begun a new service for all passengers passing or coming or staying at its airports, call the  la Conciergerie.  All the services typically done by a concierge at a hotel will be available at the airport of Roissy CDG and Orly, in various languages such as  French, English, Espanish, Italian, German, Portuguese, Russian, Arabic, Chinese-mandarin , and Japanese.  There will be five counters to provide this service ,the two already working are at  Terminal 1 at CDG and at Orly Ouest terminal. By the end of the first trimester 2011 3 others will be operational at terminals 2E and 2C at Roissy CDG and at Orly Sud terminal. The webpage for more info is at http://www.conciergerie-paris-airport.com/?lang=us

Brittany Ferries has open Bilbao departing from the UK.  It will be from  Portsmouth to Bilbao with a stop at Roscoff (Finistère) . More at their webpage http://www.brittany-ferries.co.uk/

the AFCC or Association Française des compagnies des croisieres mention that in 2010 Cruising increase by  12% fro the French over 2009. The French market was the best increase behind Germany at +19%; however, it is in 5th place in Europe behind the UK  that only increase by  6% . So another way to visit France is to take a cruise ::)  here you will see all the member companies of the association ,webpage http://www.afcc-croisieres.fr/-Les-membres-.html

Cityrama and Paris Vision are now one, as well as another modality call  Paris l’Open Bus,and Privatours. They had a 12% increase in passengers in 2010 over 2009. All under the new name CityVision, webpage here http://en.parisvision.com/

The stand for cotton candy, hot dogs, churros,  etc at the Jardin d’Acclimatation by the Porte Maillot in Paris is been discontinue by the new owners of the concession the firm of LVMH. The business belong to two sisters that carry the family tradition there for 42 years,and born next door.  The new concession is more upscale with a branch of Angelina and Joies de Sofi  an upscale restaurant.  The new owners said the 13 employees will be absorbed by the new business that won in a bidding game. Of course ,another Paris tradition is gone, one that my kids grew up with;so sad. The sister have 3 months to leave the place.  the webpage of this wonderful park in Paris is at http://www.jardindacclimatation.fr/

France advice that it might pull out of Schengen zone due to the increase problem of uncontrolled immigration.  It leaves little protection for its borders from folks not belonging to the zone. They use Italy as a jumping point . The rule is  according to Schengen is that first country of entry needs to regulate the inflow of immigrants and have proofs of enough financial resources, this is not the case with the Italian authorities letting folks from Northern Africa easy . In the absent of financial resources the folks are been return back to Italy. This is now with the European Commission to study and for France to decide if cancel the agreement. Stay tune…

And to finish in a good note, A recipe for Easter à la Française, with a hint of American, Muffins chocolat-citron (chocolate and lemon). Now undergoing at home ::) not by me ok ::) For 6 persons we are! 100 grams of raw sugar, 180 grams of flour , 3 whole eggs ,1 yogurt natural or white, 1 bag of  yeast bakers ,60 grams of black chocolate, 10 grams of semi salted butter, 2 coffee spoons of extrat of lemon juice , 1 drop of fine salt ,40 grams of lemon skin cooked , bakers sugar splinkle.  the preparation cooking is about 30minutes I am told… 1)  pre heat the oven to 180 ° C or thermostat 6; wet with the butter and flour the molding for the muffins , cut thinly the lemon skins , cut the chocolate in small pieces, let it melt in boil water with the semi salted butter and mix in all of this , put in a pan and mixed in with a mixer machine the whole eggs with the raw sugar and the drop of salt,  add the yogourt, the mix flour with the yeast,and the lemon skins , cut the mixing in two , in one part add the extrait of lemon juice,and on the other part add the melted chocolate, spread the two parts into the muffins mold until about  2/3 filled;  slide them into the oven at middle temp or average temp for about 15-20 minutes about. Wait a short while once out to get the muffins out of the mold, and put them quickly in a bakers grill to let it cool . Sprinkle the bakers sugar over it.  You make it accompany with the family a  hot chocolate drink, lemon tea, cappuccino or coffee. Voilà ,best of luck and Happy Easter.

Well great weather popping up  sunny and it actually look like summer already. I was driving by in Bretagne today and just arrive, wonderful climate and great views into the Morbihan region.

football/soccer wise I have to say cuddos for PSG who will be playing the  final Cup in France  vs Lille at stade de France, St Denis ,just north of Paris. Saturday May 14 at 21H.

The Foire de Paris or Paris fair is been held from April 28 to May 8 and there will be a gastronomic and wine display at stand J 14, pavillon 7 niveau 3 (building 7 level 3). www.foiredeparis.fr

Then again one of my favorite wine events will be done at the Brongniart or Bourse in Paris from May 14-15 all day admission is 19€ or 25€ for the two days. you can reserve at www.larf.com the site of La Revue du Vin de France magazine. The wines of Spain will be at the top of the list with many representations such as Campo de Borja, Enate, and Pago de los Capellanes.

The 2010 wines of the Medoc (Bordeaux) are looking great on the first outings from the chateaux. Lookout for them soon in your area.

Watch this site the Comptoir des Vignes it will open a new store soon in Paris 17, and they are good as I saw the store in dept 77 La Ferté-Gaucher. Wines at its best expression for sale retail . http://www.comptoirdesvignes.fr/

According to Hotel.Info the summer choices of Europeans is France bien sûr!! France 58% , Spain 7%, Italy 5%,, Caribbean 4%, Greece 3%,Portugal 2%, Thailand 1,82%, Turkey 1,79%,Germany 1,30% , and the United States 1,22%.

holidaycheck already well known in central Europe has arrive in France to compete directly with TripAdvisor, their webpage http://www.holidaycheck.fr/  with a system for rating hotels/restos etc by vacationers like us,  the green will be publish, the orange will need verification by the poster, and the red will not be publish. This in order to create more credibility on posting advice.  On area that needs improvement in these sites.

how about coming near me to the wonderful town of St Germain en Laye, Yvelines, 78 (see my entry here on it), rich places to have the best of French gastronomy, some good ones and some are my habitual ones over the years are this gourmet grocery store, Le Rameau d’Olivier, 12, rue de Pologne ; webpage http://www.rameau-olivier.com/boutique/liste_rayons.cfm . A wonderful chocolate lover, Pascal Legac, 61, rue de Pologne webpage http://www.legac-chocolatier.fr/ .Everything for the kitchen as utensils machines, etc is Remue-Ménage, 14, rue de Pologne webpage http://www.remue-menage-culinaire.com/ . The fromages or cheese delights and well advise always by Sébastien Dubois, 16, rue de Poissy  webpage http://www.fromagerie-dubois.com/ ;

And for the real British ambiance in St Germain en Laye (78) come to an authentic place with English spoken, Pub The Bitter End, 20, rue Saint-Pierre at the end of rue de Pologne and turn right ,webpage http://www.bitter-end.fr/ , and for a real French in town head for the wonderful Brasserie du Théatre, 19, rue Salle at the place Gen de Gaulle almost right across from castle. no web tel +33 01 30 61 28 00 .

And going back to Paris if you want chocolates and sweets or combination you will be in heaven at the 6éme, where all is concentrated for ease of shopping,and you wont get lost. Many here some of my favorites are Larnicol, 132, boulevard Saint-Germain webpage http://www.chocolaterielarnicol.fr/  La Maison du Chocolat, 19, rue de Sèvres, webpage http://www.lamaisonduchocolat.fr/fr/fr/  .Un Dimanche à Paris, 4-6-8, cour du Commerce-Saint-André,webpage http://www.un-dimanche-a-paris.com/  Patrick Roger, 108, boulevard Saint-Germain ,webpage http://www.patrickroger.com/fr/index.php ,And the Belgians are here too such as Pierre Marcolini, 89, rue de Seine, webpage http://www.marcolini.be/  AND this one you should go to now, Weiss, 62, rue de Seine , this is one of the last chocolates torrefactor in France along the lines of Valhona and Cluizel.webpage http://www.chocolat-weiss.fr/

Something new coming in the tourist frequentation figures for France in 2010. The use-visits to hotels in France came back well in 2010, while the camping does not slow down especially in the high range (we do this always with the family camping is great! ),this according to a survey by INSEE (the statistics survey arm of the French government). The increase in 2010 over 2009 of hotels nights was of 2,2% still not erasing the low in the crisis of  2009 but much better and still lower than on the record 2007  ,this following the study by INSEE and the DGCIS = general directory of the competitivity, industry and services.  The business class visitors have increase by 4,6% over 2009 . The foreign tourists have increase 2,8% , and the French visitors to other regions then their own has increase 2%. The biggest winners are the high price deluxe hotels with  12%  for those in the 4 and 5 stars rating ,  3,7%  for those in the 3 stars rating and a decrease in the 2 stars rating to -0,7%.  The Chinese are on top with 45% of arrivals , then the South Americans with 28%, and Middle and Near East with 23%. The European are less than in 2009 by -0,2%, the UK, traditionally the most important market has decrease largely in 2010 vs 2009 by -6,7%. The other side is that the countries of Eastern and Central Europe  have increase +13,2%, and for the Russians +28,3%. For the  2010 season ,the camping has increase by 0.9% to  103,8 millions nights/visitor.

Cheers and keep that line ……………………………