Paris1972-Versailles2003

Here to you all surprise ! right before Krakow, there was Paris well always Paris. Some sunny nice day in Paris indeed ,and some great news from the eternal city.

An American in Paris Kristin Frederick from California just started her third restaurant in the city. The GreenHouse, 22 rue Crespin-du-Gast 11eme; just after her previous two establishement Le Camion qui Fume, 168 rue Montmartre 2eme, and the Huabu ,67 rue du Faubourg-Poissonniére 9eme.  Great to have Paris an international city.

You should go and check out the Best barman in the world from a contest sponsored by Diageo after 10K participant, Jennifer Le Nechet of Café Moderne, 19 rue Keller 11eme open Tuesdays to Saturdays 15h and 19h in evenings.

Check out one of my favorite spots in Paris, Paname Brewing Company, 41bis quai de la Loire,19eme.Views on the bassin de la Villette, with big tables and cubes at end of rooms having five boutique beers to choose from in a loft culture style. http://www.panamebrewingcompany.com. The Galeries Lafayette is stepping out until December 31 2017. weekend in style every Sundays from 11h to 19H ;brunch from Angelina, Big Fernand, L’ice cube etc.

See the wonderful harbor or ports of Paris from a bit outside the city the port of Gennevilliers(dept 92). You can have boat rides here too by the tourist office of the dept at 62 route principale du port ,Gennevilliers, metro asniéres -gennvilliers-Les Courtilles line 13 or gare de Gennevilliers RER C. Or the Port de Cergy (dept 95) with beautiful wharfs on the river Seine where I have many lunches working in the area, you can do canoe-kayak pédalo, fishing, and accrobranche, 6 quai de la Tourelle, Cergy ,gare cergy-Préfecture RER A and Line L out of St Lazare. Tel +33 (0) 1 34 24 11 77.  And of course the one inside Paris (dept 75) Port de l’Arsenal ,  just with the Bastille looking at you linking the canal de Saint Martin to the river Seine; and 170 boats enjoy the pergolas and walk the wharfs ; this is at 53 blvd de la Bastille 12eme; metro quai de la Rapée line 5 or tel +33 (0) 143 41 39 32

Two interesting anecdotes, the pool or piscine Georges Valleray, host the 1924 Olympics where Johnny Weismuller won 3 golds in swimming and in water polo, before becoming Tarzan. The pool is one of the rare ones in the city that has a covered roof covering the 50 meters pool. Admission is 3€ location: 148 avenue Gambetta,20eme. http://www.piscine-valleray.fr

Also, the rare and interesting Salle d’Armes Coudurier. Opened in 1886, the oldest fencing club in Paris with keeping its authentic deco. The platforms of one meter wide by 10 meters long. It host many filming events and you can even try fencing in it from Mondays to Saturdays and from 17h to 21h. 6 rue Git-le-Coeur 6eme.www. salledarmescoudurier.org

If you want to buy baseball/softball equipment in Paris, go to the best Diamond Equipment for many years and have visited. You can find anything to play the sports here. A bit tiny  and loaded and if not there they can find it for you. See it at 75 blvd Soult, 12eme or http://www.diamsports.com

If you are in Paris for a while or expats and need help on housework,childcare,dog walking, household and computer repair or just watering the plants seek out Lulu les bons tuyaux , founded in 2005. Charges from 5€ to 20€ per half hour. See more at http://www.luludansmarue.org

Old reliable show at the théatre des Nouveautés, 24 blvd Poissonniére, 9eme see the show How to become Parisien in one hour, by Olivier Giraud.  tickets by calling +33 (0) 6 98 57 45 98 or http://www.oliviergiraud.com

Do you know Paris is vying for the 2024 Olympic Games?  Many sites already selecting for the organising committee trying to convince the Olympic Committee to   host the games competing with Los Angeles.  They have divided the venues into Zone Grand Paris ,those around Paris like the Stade de France,Le Bourget etc, Those in Zone Paris centre like the Champ-de-Mars, Tour Eiffel,Champs-Elysées, Grand Palais, Esplanade des Invalides, parc des princes, roland Garros, etc and those in other zones or stand alone venues such as Arena 92, Zénith Paris, Chateau de Versailles, etc. It will be big and messy if the games are here but also think good for the economy of the region.

And what better place to smell sports than at the Bois de Vincennes parks. It is 3 times Central Park in NYC and covers 10% of the city land; created by Napoléon III covering 7,8 kms of creeks natural and artificial,(3,9 sq miles)  English style in a 10 square kilometers  (4,8 sq miles) space.  It receives 11 million visitors per year! You have fishing, canoe-kayak, cricket etc in a space that hosted the 1900 Olympic Games!  On the municipal velodrome (La Cipale) built in 1896 and renovated in 2015 ready to host the next games….  You have the Théatre du Soleil founded here in 1970 by Ariane Mnouchkine in the old armament factory or cartoucherie!  The Tour de France bicycle race the winner was crowned here from 1968 to 1974 such champions as Eddy Merckx, Jacques Anquetil etc. Here we have the Institut National du Sport or the national sports institute where past and future champions in sports comes out on 25 hectares of land . We cannot forget the nice and famous hippodrome de Vincennes horse racecourse opened in 1863 hosting still prestigious events such as the Grand Prix de France, and Grand Prix d’Amerique.  We all can indulge in the Cafe Casaques for afterworks (happy hours) from 19h to 23h . Not forget the Paris colonial expo of 1931 (where you can still see the pavillon Indochina with a replica of the temple of Angkor Vat) played out here and hosting more than 8 millions visitors you can still see the old Paris colonial expo of 1907 on the western extreme part of the park.  See the temples for Cameroon and Togo  now transformed into a pagoda, and hosting one fo the biggest center of Budha in Europe with a budha statue of 9 meters high ( 14 feet). Of course, cannot forget the Parc Floral or flower park and the Zoo. All magical all Paris

So you are here for shopping, well you are at the king or queen of all shopping extravaganza and the capital of fashion . One area you should come to and not just for eating is the Mouffetard.  You go right into my favorite the Carl Marletti (previous pastry chef of the Intercontinental Paris Hotel (today Westin and see my previous post on it) . the millefeuille where he was crowned the best in Paris are to kill for as well as the mont-blanc etc. 51 rue Censier, http://www.carlmarletti.com

The thêatre Mouffetard and old marionnette theater now a show of puppets masks etc in a 230 seat theater featuring two shows and admission of -8-18€ 73 rue Mouffetard, 5eme more at http://www.theatredelamarionnette.com  ;but also, La Tuile à Loup, 35 rue Daubenton since 1974 the lovely shop has promoted French craftmanship with a top notch selection of tableware, fabrics,pottery, ceramics and  much more.  they ,also ship abroad; more at http://www.latuilealoup.com  To have a drink visit the Cave La Bourgogne, 144 rue Mouffetard for a coffee, glass of burgundy or hearty steak with the Mouffetard market’s lively ambianc as a backdrop. nice.

Continue the tour of Mouffetard with visiting the La Maison des Trois Thés, 1 rue Saint-Médard the domain of master Tseng one of the world’s leading tea experts. Her team advises and guides you thru more than 1000 varieties of teas many aged in the premises.  Also, the Fromagerie Patrick Veron (cheese) at 105 rue Mouffetard, the last independant fromager in the street with over 40 years’s experience defending the raw milk cheeses (of course the best) An inmense selection of goat cheeses,which he ages on premises.

For a broader clothing and accessories selection see Chromatic, 67 and 92 rue Mouffetard since 1992 providing great designer jewerly and quality clothing on both sides of the street.  The library les Traversées (old librarie l’Arbre à Lettres) purchased by the employees and change name in 2013.  Don’t miss their readings and book signings at 2 rue Edouard-Quenu, http://www.lestraversees.com  ; For toys come to the L’Epée de Bois a world of wooden toys since 1945. All French made on wood cloths dolls, and mobiles. the place to find something inspiring for Children. 12 rue de L’Epée-de-Bois 5eme. This is Mouffetard unique!

For something uniquely French try the Henri Bardouin pastis. Winner of the agriculture salon of 2017. An aromatic blend of 65 plants and spices including fennel, thyme,green anis, rosemary, star anis, guinea pepper, cardamon, clove, and south american tonka bean! Can be mix with water as an aperitif as well as summer meals. more here:  www. pastishenribardouin.com

And talking about drinks what about the Les Vignerons Parisiens or parisians winemakers! they are bringing back the Parisian tradition of wine making and its newest winery. The entire winemaking process is on the premises, and you can discover the world of wine through visits, tastings and oenology courses held at the winery. 55 rue de Turbigo 3eme: more here: http://www.lesvignerons.paris

And something unique for those seeking camping cars and outdoor accommodations, see Gamping. It is a combination of offering rooms or chambres d’hôtes in private lots from cabins to plaine lodges etc. you can pick your place on the site app; It already has more than 8000 places in France and abroad from the sea , to mountains, or in the middle of the vineyards to share with the owners meals, walks ,tastings etc. See more about it here: https://www.gamping.fr/

Orlyval is celebrating 25 years !! with modern train wagons and additional signages on all its stations. Showing live time traffic on the RER B and Orlyval lines. The latest addition, the last navette leaves the airport at 23h35 (compare to 23h before) ;so you can take the last RER B to Paris in only 6 minutes! all about it in English here: https://www.orlyval.com/en

There is a new retro game area at CDG airport with 1980’s Video games on a new arcade at T2C, T3,and satellite 5 of T1; Featuring Pacman, Tetris,and Donkey Kong with a free game on each arcade. Retrogaming is the name; and by June two new areas will open at Terminal T2E hall K with 15 machines at your disposal. Passangers played 6 millions games in 2016! wow, it’s your turn!

And this is it for now folks until next time. My travels move me onwards to Brazil where I am now, soon by June more goodies in my blog. Stay healthy be good and keep on traveling Cheers!!!

So now we are back to work and waiting for my next trip on Friday next. Today was sunny with temps in 21C or about 70F sunny nice day to be well in France. Some news before my departure! And I was just notify by WordPress, that this is my “Congratulations on writing 1000 posts on Paris1972-Versailles2003!”

You know about the Dordogne in France? and the wonderful river that meanders about ,the Dordogne from its source in Sancy in the Puy-de-Dôme until its arrival into the Gironde.  Some tourist sites to start:

http://uk.france.fr/en/Dordogne

http://www.visit-dordogne-valley.co.uk/

It’s heaven to see the river Dordogne from the tops of the Castle of Beynac and walks the narrow streets of Beynac-et-Cazenac. Some numbers 1,5 million tourists come into the Valley of the Dordogne spending 32 millions Euros, the valley has about 400 000 hectares. http://www.france-beautiful-villages.org/en/beynac-et-cazenac

Some of the things to see here are:

Jardins Suspendus de Marqueyssac, long kilometers of promenades along millennium old trees settled into a stony park and its cliffs like the Belvédère at 130 meters high. Nice natural setting and one of the most sought after here. More here: http://marqueyssac.com/?lang=en

Of course, the Château de Beynac, from the 13C and 14C, fighting off the enemy from 150 meters high, and films done here including Jeanne d’Arc of Luc Besson. See the medieval times right in your face;unique, a must so visit. More here: http://chateau-beynac.com/?lang=en

Another dandy, the Château de Castelnaud, on the highs as well with a great panorama of the valley, built in the 12C. It has a nice arms and armory of medieval times, and the children can climb on the machines of shooting or catapults to recreate its offensive postures. More here: http://castelnaud.com/en/

Continue to the Château de Fayrac, on the lower end of the river and now own by a rich Texan (USA), and of course closed to the visit but a sight to see, even André Malraux lived here for several weeks in 1944 when he entered the French Resistance after his brothers were taken prisioners by the Nazis. The castle is in the town of Castelnaud-la-Chapelle, which is itself one of the most beautiful villages/towns of France.  A bit on it in French: http://www.cestenfrance.fr/chateau-de-fayrac/

and the town page on Les Plus Beaux Villages de France here: http://www.france-beautiful-villages.org/en/castelnaud-la-chapelle-0

Continue on towards the more familiar Château des Milandes, of Josephine Baker lived here from 1937 to 1968 with her husband and 12 adopted children.  She created here in the park a world village and even had a theater, the castle was sold to pay her debts but today it is still a museum of her stayed here/ more here: http://www.milandes.com/gb/

The town itself of Beynac-et-Cazenac is another of the most beautiful villages of France; nestled in a rocky rock, one of the must stops when coming to the region or even passing as I have done several times. The city page in French here: http://www.beynac-et-cazenac.fr/Les-plans-de-situation.aspx

And the tourist office in English here: http://www.sarlat-tourisme.com/en/beynac-et-cazenac

We reach the end of the river Dordogne bend and arrive at La Roque-Gageac another beautiful village of France, and a must to stop by. Old town of the bishops of Sarlat, and was completely fortified with white rock facades and many narrow  medieval streets.Nice indeed.  The city page in French here: http://www.laroquegageac.fr/tourisme

The site of the most beautiful villages of France in English: http://www.france-beautiful-villages.org/en/la-roque-gageac

And the tourist office in English: http://www.sarlat-tourisme.com/en/la-roque-gageac

And the trip back to Paris, you will see the last studio of Eugene Delacroix, the house was founded by George Desvalliéres and Maurice Denis after the end of WWI at place de Furstenberg in the district of Saint-Germain-des-Prés. In 1932 the society of Friends of Delacroix made the effort to save the house and turn it into the museum. The museum became part of the National museum title and from 2004 part of the Louvre. The museum is just finished to be renovated, and allow to come intime with Delacroix, but also, Cezanne, Picasso, Gauguin, Bernard, etc. See their work in the exhibition “Maurice Denis et Eugene Delacroix, from the Studio to the Museum” . Until August 28 at the musée Delacroix. More here: http://www.musee-delacroix.fr/en/museum/studio-to-museum/from-the-studio-to-the-museum

And the best Baguette or bread of Paris has just been announce! And the winner is the Boulangerie Brun, 193, rue Tolbiac – 13eme. Open Mondays to Sundays from 7h to 20h, Closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

And a new terrace with 1000 m2 name the Papa Cabane, Rue Paul Belmondo, just behind the AccorHotels arena in the 12eme. You will have good music, transats, baby-foot games Ping-Pong tables and a pétanque court. Opening May 11 2017 ,open every Thursdays in summer from 18h to 23h. For now a Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/lepapacabane/?ref=ts&fref=ts

 A new promenade will be coming on board in Paris soon. This one to add the ones reserve for the walkers and lovers of history in the heart of Paris. There are some already by the 12eme (rue Claude Decean) , 14eme (rue des Coulmiers), 15eme (lineal of 1,3 kms and space of 3,5 hectares), 16eme (between rue d’Auteuil, and chaussée de  La Muette), and the 18 eme (rue du Ruisseau). Next the runners, walkers visitors and locals alike will be able to run/walk the Petite Ceinture that was during the Second Empire ,the railroad tracks for goods and passengers bringing 39 millions travelers each year to Paris. It is schedule to be useable for  2018, and to open by the 20eme (open to the public by the rue de la Mare and rue Ménilmontant), 14 eme (between the promenade Broussais,and the avenue du Général-Leclerc  near the old train station of Orléans-Ceinture.) ,and on the 17eme (along the boulevard Pereire west of the place de Wagram and rue de Saussure). A special site in French dedicated to the Petite Ceinture here: https://www.petiteceinture.org/

And in French from the city of Paris: http://www.paris.fr/actualites/10-km-de-la-petite-ceinture-ouverts-d-ici-2020-4764

something from my area to keep an eye on are:

Festival des Vieilles Charrues in Carhaix, a crazy musical rendez-vous and now the biggest music festival in France (in terms of spectators). July 13 to 16 2016. More here in French: https://www.vieillescharrues.asso.fr/2017/

Closer to me come see the history and folkclore of Brittany in the Festival InterCeltique de Lorient, the annual Celtic musi and culture get together in August 4-13 2017. And this year the invited country is Scotland! More here: http://www.festival-interceltique.bzh/festival/

Next but not least, see the Festival du Bout du Monde (end of the world festival) a music festival that blends influences from many parts of the world in an amazing setting,the Crozon peninsula; from August 4-5 2017. More here: http://www.festivalduboutdumonde.com/

Ok so cut it short tonite, as will be away from this coming weekend to the last weekend of May so more or less from May 12 to May 28 2017; Poland and Brazil awaits me,and it will be good but tiring continuos trip stop and go. Hopefully will be my last before the big summer vacation break. Until then, be good, help out, smile, and live, life is beautiful but it is short. Cheers!

So ,therefore, we reach the half way mark of the work week. This one short as off Friday and Holiday Monday Victory 1945 day! Temps are cool in the teen C’s but sunny.

Some of the things happening in my belle France from various sources are back:

You want to follow of my the mythic of Paris , André Malraux , who save many art buildings and help made Paris a museum to the world that it is. He spent his early years at  53, rue Damrémont (18eme) ,where his parents lived, before followed his mother to Bondy in the east of Paris. At the 20’s Montparnasse by pass Montmartre and become the intellectual and artistic spot in the city. Upon his returned from Asia in 1926 he finds his friends at the restos Deux Magots, Flore, and the Brasserie Lipp on the other side in blvd Saint Germain. We see him dined with Saint-Exupéry , Drieu or Arland. He and his wife Clara (they were married on October 21 1921) lived at end 1932 on the  44, rue du Bac (7eme),  a short distance from his office and his editor , where he creates his new novel “ la Condition Humaine” ,and where on March 28 1933 his daughter Florence is born. He meets many personalities here from the literature, politics of France and abroad here. Destiny shows up on August 6 1945 when he meets Général de Gaulle at the war ministry on 14, rue Saint Dominique (6eme), seat of the Council President. The two men creates great chemistry right away, and 10 days later he entered the cabinet of Gen de Gaulle as adviser of culture, and on November 21 , 1945 becomes Minister of Information. Charles de Gaulle returns to power in 1958, and on June 1st, M. Malraux becomes the delegue minister to the presidential council in charge of information.  On January 8 1959, he becomes State Minister in charge of Cultural affairs in the government of  Michel Debré , and has office at 3, rue de Valois, where he stays 10 years. The famous law voted on August 4 1962 as the Loi Malraux (62-903) allows to protect the heritage of France in urban areas preserving their character and architectural unity like the Marais of Paris. He, also, saved against modernist opposition the Hotel Guénégaud (now musée de la Chasse et de la Nature) or the hunting and nature museum; from destruction; the only building built by François Mansart in the  Marais still intact. He died on November 23, 1976 and rest at the Panthéon since 1996 on the side of Jean Moulin. source; Le Figaro translated by me!

And one dear to me because been there and pickup friends coming here from there. The old guinguette Cabassud on pylons over the waters of the Ville-d’Avray.  The same ones that inspired the  impressionists painters and also, Alphonse Daudet and Boris Vian. If you rest your arms on the railings of the park surrounding the lake you see a house with blue roof where lived Corot. The best paintings from the lake now hangs in museums from Strasbourg to  Washington DC. Today you can come to see popular themes shown here on each Thursday per month like May 25th White night, (soirée Blanche). June 22nd ,the  les Paillotes  show you the crazy years around Jazz; July 13 eve of the National Day (Bastille) a bal musette plays with the air of the  Amants de Saint-Jean and the La Java bleue.  Finally, by September, you will have wine tastings of the new millésimes or year of French producers. Go to Les Etangs de Corot,  55, rue de Versailles, Ville-d’Avray (92).Tél. +33 (0) 1 41 15 37 00. Open Thursdays and Fridays  18h30 to midnight ; Saturdays from 12h to midnight; nd Sundays from  11h to 16h. More info here: http://www.etangs-corot.com/

Check this out for those using guides in Paris. About  80 of them are on strike from the company  City Wonders, based in Dublin , Ireland that employs these guide conferenciers as self employed in the big European capitals. The latest strike will be at the Arc du Carrousel du Louvre, to let the tourist and general public know of their situation. It is said that  City Wonders make work in the Louvre folks who have no professional license to be a guide, so cheaper for the company to hire. Buyer beware, Source.  Le Figaro

The great hotel de Crillon is getting closer to open with its total renovation, located at the Place de la Concorde; no photos are allowed now but the folks of Le Parisien newspaper were able to do this reporting I am translating.  the Salon des Ambassadeurs is done, an ultramodern bar is in this historic place , all historical corners of the hotel were renovated and restore to its famous glamour. In the Salon d’hiver, the ceilings a work of art has been restored completely, on the upper level the view is fantastic over the Place de la Concorde. The Salon des Aigles was a great technical knowhow to bring it to its former glory. In the basement, 90 meters long by 30 meters wide, two levels were done without having to move the façades built in 1758!  There is a pool! of 14 meters long, and on the kitchen almost all is done with 7 elevators to bring the meals quicker up. You just need to wait to fit in on its 81 rooms starting from 1 200€, or the 33 suites and 10 signature suites (where two were design by Karl Lagerfeld) at a price not yet reveal lol! This is Paris, more here: https://www.rosewoodhotels.com/en/hotel-de-crillon

And I have been here and one of my favorites,now a bit of history too. The library bookstore Gibert Jeune ? or Gibert Joseph ?  Two aparts libraries with a history that will become one soon according to the Livres Hebdo, a book journal here. Gibert Jeune was declared in bankrupt and now it seems will be united with its sister library.  The first library opened in 1888 at the  quai Saint-Michel by a professor named  Joseph Gibert, who became a bookstore keeper than librarian. Upon his death in 1915, his two sons took over. However, in 1929, there are différences amongst them and war starts with the company splitting in two  Gilbert Jeune and Gilbert Joseph. The eldest son opened at 60 boulevard Saint-Michel (Gibert Joseph, blue ribbon) , and the brother preserve the family name Under  Gibert Jeune (yellow ribbon).  There became over the years a reference for students where they can buy and sell their books and others like us that came for maps , travel, and history books. More here:

https://www.gibertjeune.fr/

https://www.gibertjoseph.com/

Watch out Ice Hockey players converge on Paris Bercy From this coming Friday to May 18, on the AccorHotels Arena (12eme) will host 30 games of the 81st world ice hockey championship. The rest of the games will be played in Koln, Germany. http://www.iihfworlds2017.com/en/

The accorhotels arena here: https://www.accorhotelsarena.com/en/sports-in-Paris/championnat-du-monde-de-hockey-sur-glace-2017-de-liihf

And a burger story in France from America and no its not the typical fast food names. Five Guys de France are opening next month their fourth property in France short distance from the Opéra Garnier. This is the same spot of my old favorite restaurants now bankrupts Chez Clément, almost across the street from Café de la Paix famous resto. They have a bigger property in the Champs-Elysées ,the biggest in the world, and always super busy. The chain was started by Jerry Murrel from Arlington, Virginia USA in 1986 and the name comes from his five sons who are involved in the business. The first restaurant was Five Guys de Bercy (Bercy Village) last August and they all the most profitable of the business with those of Dubai and New York times square.  And get this France consume 1,3 million burgers just behind the British in Europe…! I try to go to taste them at the Champs-Elysées but the lines were long….so we left. More here: https://www.fiveguys.fr/

The Paris football/soccer team PSG thinking of going to the chateau of Thiverval-Grignon property for their training center change their mind ,now it will be at the 74 hectares on Terres de Poncy at Poissy in the intersection of autoroutes  A13 and A14, to be open by the season 2019-2020.  More here in French : https://www.yvelines-infos.fr/le-psg-a-choisi-poissy/

There are exhibition of the master call « Picasso Primitif », in the museum of du Quai Branly, until July 25th.  More here: http://www.quaibranly.fr/en/exhibitions-and-events/at-the-museum/exhibitions/event-details/e/picasso-primitif-36915/.  And the museum or musée Picasso de Paris has an exposition entitled “ Olga Picasso “, a Russian dancer and first wife of the painter, shown until September 3rd. More info:  http://www.museepicassoparis.fr/en/olga-picasso-exhibition/

The Norwegian agency Snøhetta created an international art center at Lascaux 4 famous caves a complex of 11 500 m²  that house the center, a giant replica of the prehistoric site old of 20 000 years. Done on an exact replica of the cave and with a temperature of 13C (about 54F)  and a lighting to resemble the original light in the cave. It has 6 salons showing the whole history of prehistoric men, open since the end of 2016 but officially opened last March . More info here: http://www.lascaux.fr/en

The Fondation Cartier reopen its door after the renovation were done with a wonderful exposition entitled « Autophoto » , the automobile photograph from all angles since the early 20C by the great names, all until September 24th; more info here: https://www.fondationcartier.com/en/art-contemporain/26/exhibitions/2644/news/2779/autophoto/

And we are cutting time from next July 2017 coming and going from Brittany to Paris. this is the new line of LGV all the way to Brest. Time to discovered this town sang by the poet  Jacques Prévert , that is hosting the 40th anniversary of his death.  The where the fresh wind, artistic, and architecture, blows in his hidden heart… OF course , some increase in fares are in order too! The LGV will allow to bring Rennes to Paris in 1h25 from the current 2h04. The price increase will be from 4-6€. More info here: http://blog-tgvatlantique.sncf.com/feedbacks/149930-decouvrez-projets-horaires-2017-Bretagne

You can discovered the city of Brest (see my other post do search) and the best value are the Oceanopolis aquarium or the marine museum in the castle.  the oceanopolis has a new pavilion call Bretagne, see more here : http://www.oceanopolis.co.uk/

http://www.musee-marine.fr/brest

Some anecdotes of Brest: You have heard of the  « tonnerre de Brest »  lighting of Brest, it comes from the noise that was made with the canon shot to announce the attempt escape of a detainee in the harbor. You have heard of Jean Gabin, that made a film there “Remorques“,and asked that his ashes were disperse in town harbor that was done on November 18, 1976.  The American lieutenant James Reese (and his musicians of the 369th infantery regiment) who was the first one who played jazz in France to the public while the American troops landed in December 1917. 800 000 American soldiers landed at Brest during the First World War. The famous cake Paris-Brest ,created in 1910 by a pastry chef from Maisons-Laffitte (dept 78 Yvelines!!) in honor of the bicycle race linking the two cities ; that explains the form of the bike wheel.  The Quartz, the national scene of Brest, one of the most frequented in France.http://www.lequartz.com/

One recommendation for lodging, do the historical hotel of Brest, Le Continental. Art Déco and rooms from 68€. http://www.oceaniahotels.co.uk/h/hotel-le-continental-brest/presentation

or another favorite property the  Le Mercure Brest Centre Les Voyageurs, all new ,rooms from 70€.  More here: http://www.accorhotels.com/gb/hotel-A4A5-hotel-mercure-brest-centre-les-voyageurs/index.shtml

Other than those already given to eat ,in previous posts, the restaurant  Le Ruffé, of Thierry Beauvy and Jean-Michel Faijean has been recommended to me and will try all with local produce and meats in an modern décor.  Menu from 19€  More info here:  http://www.le-ruffe.com/

Enjoy France is all a movable feast ::) Cheers!