Comments of Joe and Diane. R (September 2007)
We want to thank you for your help during our stay. Diane and I had such a wonderful time in Paris. We truly loved the apartment and the neighborhood. We did a lot in the short time in Paris, even though the weather wasn't the best. The apartment's location was ideal. A short five minute walk to the Eifel tower was truly a dream come true. We saved the best for last with a wonderful dinner cruise. That was such a great experience for us. I just have to say that every encounter we had with Parisians was a real nice one. I especially liked the neighborhood, its shops (especially the pastry shops) and its people.
Thanks again.
Paris: City of lights, lovers and bikes !
Paris is becoming a city of bikes as well. This last summer 10000 communal bikes were available not only for the use of local but also visitors. The same number is expected to arrive by 2008. The "Velib" (translate from French as free bike) concept is a city-sponsored service.
There will be 750 self-service stations around Paris that will allow you to cruise the streets of the city (or its bike lanes...) for a weekly fee of E 5.
French School Holidays
There are five terms in the school year starting in September (or late August in some cases). Here is the calender divided in the 3 zones
ZONE A
Caen, Clermont-Ferrand, Grenoble, Lyon, Montpellier, Nancy-Metz, Nantes, Rennes, Toulouse
Return to School 04-09-07
Toussaint 27-10-07 to 08-11-07
Noel 22-12-07 to 07-01-08
Hiver 16-02-08 to 03-03-08
Printemps 2006 12-03-08 to 28-03-08
Summer holidays 03-07-08 to 02-09-08
ZONE B
Aix-Marseille, Amiens, Besan�on, Dijon, Lille, Limoges, Nice, Orl�ans-Tours, Poitiers, Reims, Rouen, Strasbourg
Return to School
04-09-07
Toussaint 27-10-07 to 08-11-07
Noel 22-12-07 to 07-01-08
Hiver 09-02-08 to 25-02-08
Printemps 2006 05-04-08 to 21-04-08
Summer Holidays 03-07-08 to 02-09-2008
ZONE C
Bordeaux, Creteil, Paris, Versailles
Return to School 04-09-07
Toussaint 27-10-07 to 08-11-07
Noel 22-12-07 to 07-01-08
Hiver 23-02-08 to 10-03-08
Printemps 2006 19-04-08 to 05-05-08
Summer Holidays 03-07-08 to 02-09-08
National Holidays in France for 2008
| 1 January | New Year's Day (Jour de l'an) |
| 1 May | Labor Day (Fête du premier mai) |
| 8 May | Victory Day world war II (Fête de la Victoire 1945)
Monday of "Pâques" (Resurrection Of Jesus)
|
| 14 July | Bastille Day (Fête nationale) |
| 15 August | Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Assomption) |
| 1 November | All Saints Day (La Toussaint) |
| 11 November | Armistice Day (Jour d'armistice) |
| 25 December | Christmas Day (Noël) |
| 26 December | 2nd Day of Christmas (in some areas of France)
|
The Palais de Chaillot: Architecture et Patrimoine
Description
"Before-After: the ""awareness of time"" is the opening exhibition at the Cité de l'Architecture et du Patrimoine. The Cité de l'Architecture et du Patrimoine opened in the Paris wing of the Palais de Chaillot in March 2007. It presents architecture from the 12th century to the current day in an exceptional 23,000m² space. This will serve as a backdrop to the inauguration of ""Avant-Après: la conscience du temps"", the first major temporary exhibition at the Cité. This exhibition is unique in all ways: it targets a wide variety of French and foreign audiences (professionals and lovers of architecture, but also the curious and enthusiasts).
AddressCité de l'architecture et du patrimoine
Institut français d'architecture
1 place du Trocadéro et du 11 Novembre
75016 PARIS
Web site www.citechaillot.fr
Phone :
+33 (0)1 58 51 52 00
When: from 15 September to 31 December 2007
Versailles Castle: Special Events
Description
At the Neptune Basin historically-inspired scenes are relived for a night in celebration of the kings. Firebirds, palaces, the decor, all goes up in smoke with the crackle of the fireworks...
Address:
Château de Versailles. 78000 VERSAILLES
Transportation: Bus : 171. Train : C, Versailles Château Rive Gauche
When:
Opening : from 31 August to 1 September 2007 in 21:30
from 7 to 8 September 2007 in 21:30
from 14 to 15 September 2007 in 21:30
New Realism
New Realism was one of the aspects of a much more comprehensive drive to transmute art and its language to address a booming industrial and consumer society, which stretched from the 1950 through to the mid-1960s.
The reassembled or existing series will be on show along a theme-based and chronological trail. This exhibition will focus on the "short decade" (1958 to 1965), which saw this group come together and act together.
Address:
Galeries Nationales du Grand Palais
3 avenue du Général Eisenhower
75008 PARIS
By Bus : 28, 32, 42, 49, 72, 73, 80, 83, 93.
By Metro : Champs Elysées Clémenceau, Franklin-Roosevelt.
Internationaux de France de Tennis à Roland Garros: 27 May to 10 June 2007
One of the Grand Slam titles, the international French tennis open is the most important clay tournament in the world. It is over a hundred years old and takes place in the legendary Roland Garros stadium, attracting 400,000 visitors every year to see all the stars of the courts.
Address:
Stade Roland Garros 2 avenue Gordon Bennett
75016 PARIS
By Bus : Lignes 22, 32, 52, 62, 72, 123 et 241
Metro : Ligne 9 Mairie de Montreuil, Ligne 10 Gare d'Austerlitz-Boulogne
Shakespeare in the Bois de Boulogne : Few minutes walk from the flat (http:www.parisforvacation.com)
The Tower Theatre Company (celebrating its 75th anniversary) presents its successful London production of Measure for Measure in the beautiful open air theatre of the Jardin Shakespeare, Pre Catelan ,Bois de Boulogne.Performances :
When:
WHEN:At 12h00 noon on Tues.29th May and Thur.31st May
At 15h30 on Sat.2nd June and Sun.3rd June
At 19h00 on Thur.31st May,Fri.1st June and Sat.2nd June
PRICE:Tickets 15 euros (concessions 12 euro,under 14s 6 euro)
Web site: http://www.towertheatre.org.uk/paris.htm
Rollerblading in Paris: Fridays and Sundaysparis
Every week, you can don your blades for two rolling tours through the City of Light!
Friday evenings: Over 4,000 experienced skaters take a different 25 km circuit each week. Full
details the Thursday before athttp://www.pari-
roller.comSunday afternoons: Tour for beginners. A circuit of approx. 20 km over 3 hours. For more
information visit
http://www.rollers-coquillages.org
Lecture at the American Hospital of Paris: A New Hope for Lung Cancer
The American Hospital of Paris brings new hope in the fight against lung cancer. The next free community event on June 21 reveals new insights into the early detection of lung cancer with groundbreaking research.
Lung cancer remains a leading cause of cancer death worldwide, because it is usually found late. Only about 5 percent of the people who are diagnosed with lung cancer eventually are cured of it. With early detection of lung cancer, there is new hope. Research has shown dramatic results with an overall survival rate of 80 percent.
A cocktail reception will immediately follow the lecture. The lecture is free, but seating is limited and advance reservations are required.
June 21st, 2007 at 4:00 p.m.
The American Hospital of Paris
C.V. Starr Auditorium
Cost: Free
Litterature: Readings in Paris
All events start at 7 pm sharp
Thursday, May 24th:Three American authors:
Charles d'Ambrosio, Dead Fish Museum , Craig Davidson, Rust and Bone , David Treuer,Dr Apelles
Thursday, June 14thDouglas Kennedy
will present his new novel: Woman in the Fifth
Tuesday, July 10th Sena Jeter Naslund
The author of the critically acclaimed : Ahab's Wife will discuss her latest novel:
Abundance:A Novel of Marie-Antoinette
A place for the New York Music Scene to meet Paris and beyond
Live International Acts Featuring:
Charles Theodore (folk - USA) and Alix Roy
(electro - France) and Guests (jazz, soul, funk and more)
Free every Tuesday around 9 p.m. until 2 a.m.
Where: L'Etage Resto Bar MusicAddress: 77 rue du Faubourg du Temple, 75010 Paris Métro: Goncourthttp://www.letage.frTel: 01.44.84.07.86
A new one-woman musica in Paris!
Featuring Sarah Tullamore
By Sarah Tullamore and Frédéric Baptiste, Directed by Frédéric Baptiste
Every Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evening at 7:00 p.m: ESTELLE BRIGHT
Where: Espace la Comedia, Salles des PavesAddress: 6 Impasse Lamier, 75011 Paris Reservations: 01.58.39.39.15
Music Program in Paris
Greg Proops
Monday 21 & Tuesday 22 May 8-30 pm
Tickets at the door 22 euros
Pre-paid tickets 20 euros..
from Canada
Stephen Fearing
in the Sound Gallery
monday 28th May 8-30 pm
tickets 17 euros.
from Texas
Alejandro Escovedo
La Java
Wednesday 6th June 8-30 pm
pre-paid tickets 25 euros
WHERE:
La Java
105 rue du faubourg du Temple Paris 10
Reservations 01 5319 9888
Want to go the Theater and see plays in English while in Paris?
From May 21 for 6 consecutive Mondays: American Blues with 3 short plays by Tennessee Williams: "Auto-da-Fé", "Why do you smoke so much Lily" and "Hello from Bertha". With original blues live.
Summer tour with showcase performances in Paris from October onwards, to include at least 1 performance of each production at 21h (requested by frustrated working theatregoers).
Professional theater in English in Paris to bring you the beauty of original texts by famous authors
English Rep at the Sudden every Monday at 7 pm from January to June, October to December.
website: Mondaysat7.com Reservations in English 01 46 06 66 10 or 01 73 75 79 13Where: Sudden Theatre14bis rue Sainte-Isaure, 75018 Paris. Reservations
CELEBRATES GOSPEL MUSIC In PARIS !
The 2nd Edition of the Paris Gospel Convention will be hosted in the exquisite venue of the Carrousel du Louvre on September 22nd & 23rd, 2007.
The Paris Gospel Convention is the one and only European Convention dedicated to Gospel Music.
but the Convention will also be open to exhibitors who matter in Gospel Music related industries such as weddings planning, events management, media and communications, fashion, make-up and healthcare...
Exhibitions, fashion shows, ''gospel weddings'', workshops, conferences, film screenings, showcases, concerts, quiz, awards ceremony ... Please make sure you attend for you too will be touched !
Web site: www.parisgospelconvention.com Where:Carrousel du Louvre99 rue Rivoli. 75001 Paris Métro: Station Palais Royal-Musée de LouvreOpening Hours :
Sat. Sept 22nd 2007 : 1.00 pm to 10.30 pm
Sun. .Sept 23rd 2007 : 10.30 am to 6h30 pm
Re: Piano Concert in Paris
The Chopin Foundation of the United States together with Animato will present the Second Prize winner of the last American National Chopin Competition, Rachel Kudo,
Where: Salle Cortot, 78 rue Cardinet
Time:8:30 PM Concert (Paris 17th, Metro: Malesherbes).
For further information call (011)-33- 1 45 55 93 92
Web Site:
www.Animato.org.
Miss Kudo will perform works of Bach, Chopin, and Liszt. Animato, associated with l'Ecole Normale de Musique de Paris-Alfred Cortot, presents internationally-acclaimed young pianists as part of its Les Mardi's D'Animato series.
French Customs and Tax Refunds
For up-to-date and detailed information on what you may bring to France (currency rules, entry requirements for pets, importation rules for variety goods, food products, vehicles or firearms), visit the French Embassy's website customs page.
Minors traveling alone must carry authorization for traveling signed by their parents. No vaccinations are required for entering France.
U.S. citizens who have been in France for more than two days may return to the United States with up to $800 worth of merchandise duty-free. For those who wish to bring more of France home with them, a flat rate of 3% duty is levied on the next $1,000 worth of purchases. It's a good idea to retain the receipts from your purchases should they be requested by a Customs Inspector upon your return to the United States.
You can claim you VAT refund--After making a minimum purchase of 175€ in the same store, ask the store for your detaxe papers. On this paperwork, be sure to request that your refund be applied to one of your credit cards (this can be done even if you made the purchase in cash). Fill out the forms before you arrive at the airport for departure. Be sure to have the forms stamped at the clearly indicated airport customs desks. The customs official may ask to see your purchases so it's best to have them in your carry-on bag. Mail the stamped forms at the airport (the store provides an envelope) and the refund process has begun (note - this is only if France is your final point of departure back to the U.S.).
Heath issues while in Paris? Here are your answers
You can consult a general practitioner, a specialist, or a dentist at a hospital or a health center, or go to the emergency service of any hospital, depending upon the severity of your condition.
You can also have a doctor visit you at your hotel. Doctors can be registered with the Department of Health (fees fixed in agreement with the Department of Health) or from a private practice (more expensive).
There is always a doctor on call, but please be aware that home visits and consultations on Sundays and public holidays are always more expensive.
There is a wide network of pharmacies, and although their hours are generally the same as shops (9:00 am to 7:00 pm/8:00 pm), there is always an on-duty pharmacy open at night, and on Sundays and public holidays. All pharmacies display the address of the nearest on-duty pharmacy.
Obtaining certain medicines requires a prescription issued by a doctor (whom you must have consulted beforehand). Other medicines are freely available and can be bought over the counter. Any pharmacist can give you full details on this subject and will be able to advise you accordingly.
For the refund of medical costs, If you are a national of a country belonging to the European Union, you can be refunded for your medical costs upon your return from France. Be sure to take an International Social Security form E111 with you. The simplest way, however, is to take out an all-risks insurance policy before you leave. In case of a problem, your insurer will accept all of your medical expenses.
Chateaux and Golfs in France
Many of France's châteaux and monuments offer this possibility. Sometimes, culture and sport are a perfect match for each other. Golf, for example, fits wonderfully with a certain refinement and art of living found at many châteaux and monuments in France.
In the Paris area, golfers visiting the Château de Versailles can take advantage of their stay to test their swing at the Golf des Yvelines course, set in a 90-hectare forest estate, or the Golf de Rueil-Malmaison course. Near the town of Meaux (Seine-et-Marne), with its episcopal buildings and cathedral, they can take a break at the Golf de Meaux-Boutigny international 18-hole course.
In Oise, not far from the historic towns of Senlis and Compiègne, the Château de Raray welcomes you to a 60-hectare estate that includes a golf course.
Pearls of the Renaissance
In the Loire valley, not far from the famous Château de Chambord, the international Les Bordes course (6,457 m, par 72 and slope 166) is counted among the best in Europe, and was elected number 2 in France by the Peugeot guide 2004/05. If you are visiting the Château de Cheverny (which inspired Hergé to create Marlinspike in the Tintin books) and its magnificent gardens, don't hesitate to make a detour to the golf course neighbouring the château. With its 18 holes laid out in 142 hectares of woods.
In Normandy, near the famous cliffs of Etretat and their internationally-renowned golf course, the Domaine Saint-Clair le Donjon estate consists of a small 19th-century château in Anglo-Norman style and a Belle Époque seaside villa.
In the Périgord (south-west France), the 16th-century Château des Vigiers is nicknamed the "little Versailles". Now a 4-star hotel, it invites visitors to relax and enjoy gourmet food while discovering the history of the place and the region. The architect Donald Steel has created a unique 18-hole course, between orchards and plum trees, vines and oaks.
Another land of vineyards, Burgundy houses the Hôtel-Golf du Château de Chailly. This mediaeval fortress, ennobled by the Renaissance, has become one of the region's most luxurious hotels. Laid out in 75 hectares, the Golf de Chailly offers enthusiasts a magnificent 18-hole course.
Paris at your fingertips!
Have fun finding where you are in Paris with the first interactive model of the city (3D and in color!)
Just as if you were flying over Paris, you'll be able to locate all the important monuments, perspectives, gardens, major sites, and the sequence of city walls.
Touch-screens provide access to photographs and a description of the 156 most important sites in Paris, including the ones featured in the Da Vinci Code!
180 touchable images will help you find each important site.
3D images of Paris on a flat screen without wearing special glasses!
A gallery of five plasma screens featuring short films made exclusively for Explore Paris! a unique look at the city focusing on five topics :
You will see 3D images of Paris on a flat screen without wearing special glasses!
And just so you won't miss out on anything from this fountain of information, you can use the Internet point, with all the necessary links, to quench your thirst for information about Paris and its treasures.
For the first time ever in 3D, you will see "Panorama while going to the top of the Eiffel Tower" filmed by the Lumière Brothers in 1898.
Exhibitions : New Realism
New Realism was one of the aspects of a much more comprehensive drive to transmute art and its language to address a booming industrial and consumer society, which stretched from the 1950 through to the mid-1960s. Neo-Dada, Pop Art, Fluxus and Groupe Zéro were on the same bandwidth. Klein, Hains, Villeglé, Tinguely, César, Arman, Spoerri, Raysse, Dufrêne, Rotella, Niki de Saint-Phalle, Deschamps and Christo are a few New Realists.
Exhibitions : Les Gobelins 1607-2007
This exhibition is divided into three sections and presents a selection of masterpieces representing its old collections and also a selection of contemporary creations from the last ten years. The first section evokes the origin of the three factories (Gobelins, Beavais and Savonnerie) through various royal orders based around the exceptional cycle of fifteen tapestries depicting Artemis. The second section is dedicated to modern creations from 1997-2007 and illustrates the creative vitality that the institution encourages in the fields of design, carpet weaving and tapestry.
Duty-Free in France; How and who can be payed back
Duty-Free.
First thing : It's not easy to get TVA (sales tax) refund in France !
Who can get TVA refund ?
The refund of TVA is reserved for non EU resident of more than 15 year old.
On what ?
There is no TVA refund on : food, tobacco, repairs, services and travels. You can only buy for personal purpose and all must go in your luggage.
How much?
French taxes are 19,6%, but the refund is often12% (to cover the time and efforts of the shop).
On what conditions ?
The purchase goods must worth at least 175 € at the same shop in the same day. The shop must offer "vente en detaxe" ("Duty-Free") service. Present your passport at the time of purchase and ask for "bordereau de vente a l'exportation" (export sales invoice). Most of the luxury shop and the Grand magasins (Galeries Lafayette, Printemps, Bon Marché...) have a special Duty-Free desk.
How ?
The "bordereau de vente à l'exportation" has four pages, one kept by the shop, a yellow one for customs services, a pink one you will have to post with the self-addressed envelope provided by the shop, and a green one, your receipt. As you leave France or any EU country, show your purchase goods and have the three pages stamped by a customs official at the departure airport. This can take some time, so count it in your arrival at the airport. The fund transfer can take few months !
Transportation in Paris: Bus/Metro/RER
Paris has an extremely efficient public transport system with 14 metro lines and numerous buses. RATP is the only company to run metros, buses and RER except for the C RER line, ran by SNCF as suburban service.
Three different maps are available for free at metro ticket windows : Le Grand Plan de Paris with the complete network and the streets, Le Petit Plan de Paris more practical and Paris Plan de Poche small map easy to have in the pocket.
Metro Metro runs between 6:00 am and 1:00 am.
After the 23rd of December 2006, it will stay open until 2:15am on Saturdays. And on Friday too during 2007.
It's quite simple to use. Each line has a number from 1 to 14 and two directions. The direction is the terminus of the line. On one platform all the trains go in the same direction except for lines 7 and 13, but the terminus of the next train is clearly indicated. Orange "correspondance" signs (connecting trains) show the way to reach other lines platforms. On every platforms, maps with metro, buses or RER lines can be found. And in almost all stations, on platforms or near exits, you can find maps of the neighborhood.
Remember that most of metro stations are close to each other and connecting corridors can be very long and stairs can be endless. So it's often quicker to walk if the journey is less than three stations long.
Buses As easy is the metro to use, as the buses network is complicated : even a map is impossible to display on Internet. The site of RATP have one, but it is very simplified and not very useful to plan a journey. The only reliable maps can be found on bus stops where you can follow lines numbers and colors. Most lines operate from 6:30 am to 8:30 pm on weekdays, some lines stopping around midnight. About half lines don't operate on Sundays and public holidays.
To enter in a bus (by front door) you have to wave at the driver. The fare is one ticket whatever long is the journey within Paris proper. The ticket is the same than the metro and can be found by 10 in metro stations or by 1 by the driver. There is no connecting possible with a ticket used in a bus. A map inside buses and bus stops shows every stop of the line. "Arrêt demandé" ( stop signal) is lit by pressing a red button for the next stop.
Two others services can be interesting :
• Balabus, Witch is a touristic bus, running from mid-April to mid-September, on Sundays and public holidays, from noon to 9pm. For the fare of a simple ticket, it transports tourists from La Défense to Gare de Lyon running through principal touristic places.
• Noctiliens, night bus service, has just been greatly improved. There can be now bus every ten minutes all night long during week end nights. A special fare occures. This buses can be overcrowded but are practical when metros are closed.
RER "Reseau Express Régional" (Suburban Express Service) can be used within city limits with the same ticket. For long distance journeys, it can be a quicker alternative to metro. For suburban destination, special tickets are required.
Remember that, unlike metro, RER ask for your ticket to go OUT. So if you go from metro to RER, you will have to validate the ticket to enter the metro, then to validate it again to enter the RER and at last to validate it again to go out of the RER ! So Keep your ticket until you leave the network. There is no way to pay an extra before leaving RER if you have no ticket or a wrong ticket (with an exception at Disneyland Resort Paris)!
RER lines are known by a letter and a name which indicate the train destination. Posters displayed on the platform show which train go where, for unlike metro, different directions can stop at the same platform. In most stations, electronic destination boards indicate the stops of the next train.
The system is no simple nor clear, even for Parisians. Don't hesitate to ask for assistance.
Tickets are sold by one( 1.4 €) or by 10 ( 10.5 €). They can be used for "section urbaine" (within city limits) that means all metro stops and some close suburban bus stops. To reach suburban zones in RER, special tickets are required. You can find ticket carnet in metro stations or in some tobacconists. Bus drivers only sell ticket by one. The ticket is good for a two hours travel with all the connecting you want except in buses.
Travel passes can be used for unlimited travel in metro, buses, RER, and even suburban trains if you want. But it is not always the cheapest solution. If you don't travel a lot in the transport network, ticket carnets can be cheaper !
PassesCarte Orange is the most popular pass. Made for Parisian, it can be really convenient for tourists. It allows unlimited travels in all Ile de France transportation network, in a predefined number of zones. The card with an id photo have a number which must be copied on the monthly or weekly coupon. There are two sorts of coupons :
• the Weekly coupon, valid from Monday to Sunday. It can be bought from Friday (for the next week) to Wednesday. 15.4 € for zones 1 & 2 (inside Paris).
• the Monthly coupon, valid fro the entire calendar month. It can be bought after the 20th of the previous month and until the 19th. 50.4 €
This card is valid on all Inside Paris transportation network for one day. No photo required. 5.3 €
"Paris Visite" is a unique pass to discover Paris and around. It allows :
• unlimited travels in all transportation network : metro, RER, bus, tram, Montmartre funiculary, Montmartrobus, Noctambus (night buses)in the zones you choose (1-3 to 1-8). With zones 1 to 8, it goes to Disneyland Paris, Versailles or airports..
• travels during 1, 2, 3, or 5 days .
• 50% reduction for 4 to 11 year old kids.
Château de Vaux le Vicomte -
Candlelight evening. Over 2000 candles are lit throughout the château
and in the gardens, recalling the very atmosphere of its festive
evenings in the days of Nicolas Fouquet.
When: Every Friday in July and August, except on 6th July.
Château de Thoiry en Yvelines
Where: Château de Thoiry en Yvelines 78770 Thoiry, France
Winter and summer solstices celebrations;
When: On Sundays from 2 pm
What: Conference by the Count of La Panouse on the château's esoteric
and solar architecture, rising or setting of the sun according to
season followed by lunch or Anglo-American tea.
Exhibit in PROVINS -
When: Les Médiévales - 23rd-24th June 2007
Where: Medieval city, upper city and ramparts.
One of the major medieval celebration in France., recalling the days
of the Champagne Fairs in the city of Provins in the 13th century:
street entertainment, parades, troubadours, knights' encampment
Château de Chenonceau
Where: Loire Valley region
Pat Andrea's " Alice in wonderland " : Contemporary art exhibition..
When: From 24th June to 30th September 2007
Fall Exhibit at the Musée du Luxembourg
Giuseppe Arcimboldo (1527-1593 temporary title
When: 15th september 2007 to 13th January 2008
Where: Musée du Luxembourg. 19 rue de Vaugirard - 75006 Paris
First world retrospective on the life and work of the Renaissance painter.
The exhibition will feature some sixty objects.
Current Exhibitt at the Centre Pompidou Paris
Where: Centre Pompidou Paris: Airs de Paris
When : 25th April - 15th A1ugust 2007
What: Multidisciplinary exhibition presenting a complete overview of
the city's urban life, with Paris as a focal point and source of
inspiration.
Exhibiy at Musée National d'Histoire Naturelle - Paris
When: from 4th April to 10th September 2007.
After visiting the " Buzz" gallery , laughing at the "Mouchomaton" ,
discovering how flies may or may not be useful to man and what makes
them hold on to the ceiling. Come into the court-room in order to
decide which fate should be theirs: death or survival of species
Voyage into the heart of Impressionism
From Paris, you can take the direction of Auvers-sur-Oise, the landscapes that spread out before you form a succession of paintings.
The château, for a unique discovery of the time of the Impressionists. The Musée Absinthe, dedicated to the famous "green fairy" that was the muse of artists in the 19th century. The village of Auvers-sur-Oise and its surroundings are still filled with the presence of these modern masters of painting. Along the emerald water of the Oise, Pontoise and its museum guards the memory of Camille Pissarro, the eldest of the Impressionists, who attracted here and to Auvers numerous painters such as Van Gogh, Gauguin and Cézanne… At Osny, the château de Grouchy pays homage to the post-Impressionist William Thornley. On the way back to Paris, stop at Sannois where the Musée Utrillo-Valadon presents the works and studio of Maurice Utrillo. Suzanne Valadon, his mother, modelled for Renoir before becoming an artist herself…
The middle East and the Armenian Photographers
This event is part of Armenia Year celebrations. During the second half of the 19th and the first decade of the 20th century, many Armenians based in large Eastern-European cities made a living taking photographs. Western photographers in those days were primarily interested in archaeological vestiges and biblical sites. But Armenian photographers made a living shooting in their studios in working-class suburbs.
Where: Institut du Monde Arabe
1 rue des Fossés-Saint-Bernard
75005 PARIS
Bus : 24, 63, 67, 86, 87, 89.
Subway : Jussieu, Cardinal-Lemoine, Sully-Morland.
Train : C, Gare d'Austerlitz.
Ola Kala - Les Arts Sauts (Feb 8-April 1)
Arts Sauts has spent over a decade probing the void and space for a glimpse of utopia. They are patient, steadfast and unbound. They explore their bodies' limits in flight and flights of fancy reaching seemingly boundless heights. The beauty of their shows also comes from their body language – and the respect, love, strength, stuff dreams are made of, gentleness and humanity they convey through it.
Exposition at the Petit Palais (Feb 13th-May 15th)
The Petit Palais will be offering to its visitors a dazzling exhibition featuring Sargent and Sorolla, two painters of light.
This parallel exhibition will showcase these two artists and their work through the second half of the 19th century and provide a new angle on that period in painting history. The Beaux-Arts atmosphere in the Petit Palais will provide a stunning backdrop for the works of these two painters who mastered drawing and light, and yet faded into oblivion in the 1910s.
Comments from Ian and Adrianna from Palo Alto, CA (December 2006)
We spent two very pleasant weeks in the Rue Raynouard apartment just before Christmas 2006. The apartment is very comfortable and well-equipped. It is located close to the Rue de Passy in the 16eme Arrondissement, which is one of the finest shopping streets in Paris, with an excellent open-air and covered market adjacent to it. The owners provided us in advance some very thorough and well-organized information packs on both the apartment and the area. Being in touch with home via the computer telephone link was very helpful, as was the broadband internet access. The latter makes the apartment very suitable for a business trip as well as a vacation.
Trails to explore around Paris: Discover wildlife and plants
Trails
This is a theme park concept consisting of different sequences of fun and varied workshops in the trees. You move from one fixed workshop to another, in an area specially laid out for the purpose (booking may be advisable or compulsory, contact each site for information).
Chichoune Accroforest
Complexe sportif de l'Entre Deux Parcs
Avenue des Hyverneaux
77150 LESIGNY
infos@chichoune.com http://www.chichoune.com/ Parcours Aventure - Davy Crockett's Adventure
Disney's Davy Crockett Ranch
77174 VILLENEUVE-LE-COMTE
0 825 150 280
contact@aventure-aventure.com http://www.aventure-aventure.com/Parcours Aventure - Paris Sud Aventure
Château de Sainte Assise
Route départementale 50
77240 SEINE-PORT
0 825 150 280
contact@aventure-aventure.com http://www.aventure-aventure.com/ La Plage de la Forêt
Piscine de la forêt
Route de la Bonne Dame
77300 FONTAINEBLEAU
01 64 22 38 14
http://www.lezart-cafe.fr/ Parcours Lémurien de Graville
Chemin de Graville
77430 CHAMPAGNE-SUR-SEINE
01 60 39 07 04
contact@tipiks.com http://www.tipiks.com/ Larchant Loisirs
121 bis, route de Nemours
77760 LARCHANT
01 60 55 05 51
courrier@larchantloisirs.com http://larchantloisirs.com/ Adenka
Château de Bellevue
Avenue de Coulomb
77840 CROUY-SUR-OURCQ
01 64 36 08 98
adenka@wanadoo.frhttp://www.adenka.fr/ Parcours Aventure - Paris Ouest Aventure
Base de loisirs St Quentin en Yvelines
Entrée nord
78180 MONTIGNY-LE-BRETONNEUX
0 825 150 280
http://www.aventure-aventure.com/Atout Branches
Route de Boutigny
91490 MILLY-LA-FORET
06 72 46 86 44
contact@atoutbranches.com http://www.atoutbranches.com/ Aventure Floreval
Haras de Floreval
91680 BRUYERES-LE-CHATEL
01 64 90 04 04
aventure@floreval.fr http://aventure.floreval.fr/Koala Parc
2, allée Jean Jaurès
93470 COUBRON
01 48 94 51 70
info@koalaparc.com http://www.koalaparc.com/Le Bois d'Auteuil
Centre de loisirs sportifs et de séminaires - ASPTT
1 rue du Bois d'Auteuil
94440 VILLECRESNES
01 45 69 01 01
bda@aspttparis.com http://www.aspttparis.com/Aventure Land
Le Bois d'Artheuil
BP 90025
95420 MAGNY-EN-VEXIN
0 820 099 629
infos@aventureland.fr http://www.aventureland.fr/Accrobranche® and treetop trails are green leisure activities based on climbing, moving from tree to tree, life in the trees and exploring the forest environment. They are both educational and fun. The workshops are temporary and can be moved.
CAPS - Voies d'aventure
41, rue Liancourt
75014 PARIS
caps1@caps-aventure.orgTél./ Fax 01 45 87 13 63
www.caps-aventure.org Profil Evasion - Arbrenarbre
Communs du Château de Moulignon
77310 SAINT-FARGEAU-PONTHIERRY
01 69 68 04 33
profilevasion@wanadoo.fr www.arbrenarbre.comEspace Rambouillet
Route de Clairefontaine
78120 RAMBOUILLET
01 34 83 05 00
espace.rambouillet@onf.fr www.onf.fr/espaceramb
Other Transportation in Paris
Cycling Paris has more than 160 km of bicycle lanes that divide the capital by 2 axes: from the Bois de Vincennes to the Bois de Boulogne and from the Porte de Pantin to the Porte de Vanves. In addition to these lanes, the riverside expressways that run along the Seine are closed to traffic on Sundays, leaving room for bikers, rollerbladers and hikers.
Useful addressesFédération Française de Cyclotourisme
Phone : 1 44 16 88 88
www.ffct.orgParis à vélo, c'est sympa !
Phone : 1 48 87 60 01
www.parisvelosympa.comMaison Roue Libre
Phone : 1 53 46 43 77
www.parisvisite.tm.fr Mairie de Paris - Infovoirie
Phone: 1 40 28 73 73
Bike RentalsParis Buttes Chaumont Park, Mouzaïa Quarter, Villette Park…
Fontainebleau Forest. Fontainebleau Château, Barbizon…
Chevreuse Valley, Breteuil Château, Vaux de Cernay Abbey, Dampierre Château, Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines Sports and Recreation Park…
The pedestrian zone that follows the Atlantic TGV train line , Sceaux Château and Park, Vallée des Loups, Bird Observatory…
Versailles: Versailles Château and Park, the large and small Trianon Châteaux, the Coach Museum…
There are also Trails in the Saint-Germain-en-Laye, Montmorency, Rambouillet and Dourdan Forests
Rollerblading Paris Ile-de-France opens its avenues, wide sidewalks and specially designed skating areas for the athlete at heart and asphalt fans.
For beginners The riverside expressway: Sundays form 9:00 to 4:00 pm
Left Bank: From the Orsay Museum to the Eiffel Tower
Right Bank : From the Tuileries Gardens to Bercy (Fitness course)
Paths in the Bois de Boulogne Park (92)
Batignolles Square (17th District)
Monceau Park (17th District) : For children
Tino Rossi Square (19th District) : For children
For experienced bladers Skate-Park at the Lenglen Sports Center (15th District) : Open from Tuesday to Sunday - 2:00 to 7:00 pm.
Esplanade du Palais Royal (1th District): Figure blading and slalom
Change Bridge (4th District): Jumps and figures
Tokyo Palace (16th District): Fitness
Trocadéro (16th District): Mixed
Esplanade des Invalides (7th District): Street-Hockey and Fitness
Esplanade du POPB: Freestyle
Boat trips
A shuttle service along the Seine river that stops at seven major sites: Eiffel Tower, Musée d'Orsay, Saint-Germain des Prés, Hôtel de Ville, Louvre and Champs-Élysées. Stops every 20 minutes.
It's an original way to travel for those who don't want to go by metro:
www.batobus.comCruises on the Seine, the Oise, the Marne and channels, discover the region from a different point of view.
LIST OF PARIS MUSEUM
Museum of Paris
Louvre Museum
Pyramide-Cour Napoleon
75001 Paris
Louvre-Rivoli, Musée du Louvre, Tuileries
+ 33 1 40 20 50 50
Musee des Arts Decoratifs
Palais du Louvre
107-109 rue de Rivoli
75001 Paris
Palais-Royal,
Musée du Louvre, Tuileries
+ 33 1 42 60 32 14
Paris 3
Carnavalet Museum
23 rue de Sévigné
75003 Paris
Saint-Paul-Chemin Vert
+ 33 1 44 59 58 58
Musee de la Chasse et de la Nature
Hotel de Guénégaud des Bosses
60 rue des Archives
75003 Paris
Rambuteau,
Hotel-de-Ville,
Arts et Métiers
+ 33 1 53 01 92 40
Cognacq-Jay Museum
Hôtel de Donon
8 rue Elzévir
75003 Paris
Saint-Paul, Rambuteau, Chemin-Vert
+ 33 1 40 27 07 21
Musee d'Art et d'histoire de Judaisme
Hotel de Saint-Aignan
3 rue du Temple
75003 Paris
Rambuteau
Hôtel de Ville
RER :
Châtelet-Les Halles
+ 33 1 53 01 86 60
Picasso Museum
Hôtel de Juigné - Salé
5 rue de Thorigny
75003 Paris
Saint-Paul,
Chemin-vert
+ 33 1 42 71 25 21
Paris 5
Centre National de l'Art et de la Culture
Georges Pompidou
19 rue Beaubourg
75004 Paris
Hotel de Ville-Rambuteau
Chatelet-les-Halles
+ 33 1 44 78 12 33
Paris 5
Institut du Monde Arabe
1 rue des
Fossés Saint-Bernard
75005 Paris
Jussieu,
Cardinal-Lemoine, Sully-Morland
+ 33 1 40 51 38 38
Musee National du Moyen Age
6 place Paul Painlevé
75005 Paris
Cluny-La Sorbonne, Saint-Michel, Odeon
+ 33 1 53 73 78 16
Paris 6
Eugene Delacroix National Museum
6 rue de Furstenberg
75006 Paris
Saint-Michel
+ 33 1 44 41 86 50
Hebert Museum
Hôtel Montmorency-Bours
85 rue du Cherche-midi
75006 Paris
Montparnasse
+ 33 1 42 22 23 82
Paris 7
Orsay Museum
1 rue de Bellechasse
75007 Paris
Solférino
RER C : Musée d'Orsay
+ 33 1 40 49 48 14
Maillol Museum
61 rue de Grenelle
75007 Paris
Rue du Bac
+ 33 1 42 22 59 58
Auguste Rodin Museum
Hôtel Biron
77 rue de Varenne
75007 Paris
Varenne
RER C : Invalides
+ 33 1 44 18 61 10
Paris 8
