Paris1972-Versailles2003

Well enjoying a wonderful pentecost 3 day weekend holiday in France, I was able to come back home to Versailles from Auray in the Morbihan the area of my new job. The ride was fantastic in opposite direction to those going to the beaches for the weekend,and the weather was cloudy, sun ,and some rain mixes. took 4h23m for the trip by car.

The new area is awesome beautiful and peaceful, I live in an apartment that is just at a roundabout on the main road in the village, we have about 2000 people there,then for about 1,2 km we have the main city center where the church, post office, and mayor’s office is , all total the town communities we have about 6K people. It is only 4 kms from the expressway and it takes me only 30-35 mins by car to go to work.

This is a mayor holiday here for those allowed to take the optional day off, like me and my family.  We are ongoing with the paperwork trail of finding and changing schools for the kids.

News from Paris, there will be a restaurant at the Opera Garnier!  It will be open by June 27th headed by two stars chef Christophe Aribert.

the American brand ELement for skateboarders has open a 154 sq meters  store in Paris at 7, rue de Marseille (75010). Tél. +33 01 42 00 96 95

A mise à jour or update on the free entry to museums in Paris are worth reminding folks for the summer just around the corner. The city of Paris museums such as Musée d’Art Moderne (75016),Carnavalet (75003), Cognacq-Jay (75003), Cernuschi (75008),Petit Palaiss (75008,Musée de la Vie Romantique (75009), the Mémorial du maréchal Leclerc (75015) ,and the Jean-Jacques Henner  (75017) -are totally free.  In periods outside temporary exhibits these museums are also free, Maison de Victor Hugo (75004),Maison de Zadkine (75006),Maison de Bourdelle (75015), and Maison Balzac (75016). Also , free admission to the Musée Curie (75005), musée de la préfecture de Police, de la Bible, du Compaganonnage all in the 75006; musée  de la Légion d’honneur (75007) ,and Parfum (75009). The shops or Atelier Brancusi  (75004), the Arènes de Lutèce (75005), and the Plateau-Centre d’art contemporain (75019) open their doors without asking for admissions.

Then you have the big museums and institutions such as Louvre,Centre Pompidou, Orsay, Rodin, are free the first Sunday of each month. The Maison Euroèenne de la Photographie  (75004) is free every wednesdays evenings.  As far as monuments you can visit without admission the first Sunday of each month from NOvember 1st to March 31 includes the Conciergerie, Sainte Chapelle  (75001),the towers of Notre Dame  (75004),Panthèon  (75005), and the Arc de Triomphe  (75008).

For theaters you can get discount if purchase same day at the Esplanade Montparnasse, and place de la Madeleine ,and on the garden terrain at the center of the place des Ternes, prices can be half price for Cat I ,but you have to go early as they are sold quickly. Kiosks open Tuesdays to Saturdays from 12h30 to 20h,and Sundays from 12h30 to 16h.

For folks who follow me, I will come back to the Paris area on June 22nd for a dinner at the Aero Club de France, 6 rue Galilée, near the Arc de Triomphe on a business event, and will have lunch with friends from Florida USA at my favorite hangout La Gare resto in the 16th, webpage http://www.restaurantlagare.com/ you will never go wrong here, it used to be a train station left unused and then converted to a large resto, with bar, huge terrace, and jazz music. The resto is right over the railroad tracks of old.neat.

Paris 18 arrondissement, did I tell you its famous for Montmartre, well also some less desirable areas but for some years its making a comeback, the opinion of locals like me. You all have seem or need to the church of Sacré-Coeur, or walks along the trails of Amélie Poulain (a famous French movie) or go to many shops along coquette Pigalle. The 18éme is the most populated district or arrondissement of Paris and it ,also has the most contrasts  according to Le Figaro newspaper article.  Abbesses and Lamarck neighborhoods are for the well to do and bobos, Jules Joffrin area is more family residential and the Goutte d’Or a lot popular and working class.

Trying to change the image many trees have been planted along boulevard de Clichy; and Pigalle, the sex-shops, little by little are giving way to stores of bio products and fancy bars . Especially around Abbesses, nice chic stores abound and the real estate goes up. The traditionals still have the wine fair or Fête des vendanges de Montmartre, that is held every october. Come back to it you will see the difference if a regular visitor,and if new visitor will find a new area of Paris to call home.

Near me only until June 13 the Antiques are king, in Versailles its the Fete du Printemps, all around its old squares such as Passage Carré, Village,and Bailiage, with over 50 antique vendors. all in the Notre Dame neighborhood near the market.

Before I forget, finally bought me a new camera, so the photos will come back as soon as possible. The event just finish in my new area of the Morbihan was the week of the gulf or semaine du golfe, with many seafaring activities, check this space out for the next one its awesome even if had no pictures ;http://www.semainedugolfe.asso.fr/

This is my closest town (Auray) tourist office webpage http://www.auray-tourisme.com/ ;its all boats, nice creeks, lovely bays, and wonderful ocean, not to leave out great fish and seafood, my favorites !!! Degemer Mat is Welcome in the Breton language that is more and more taugh in schools.

The area is very nice with all the commodities of the Paris region less the traffic,noise, etc. I have riden all over with ease, and I believe will like the area a lot, all is so easy to reach and the folks very friendly, even at work ::)

Again I am very busy already planned visiting plants in France and abroad like Belgium, Czech Republic, and Portugal. I will get internet connection at new home by next tuesday so will keep up the blog going with great news and awesome photos. Stay tune !!!

Have a wonderful weekend, and for locals JOYEUSE PENTECÔTE !