An ongoing love affair with the city of lights . . . I am a francophile, and have been ever since I remember! My mother swears it is because she spoke what little French she knew to me when I was a baby.
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It is impossible to put Paris in any size box. But, I will say that since childhood, I have been fascinated with France -- the place, the culture, the language, the people . . . The first time I went to Paris, I was 15 years old. It was, as the say, un coup de foudre: love at first sight. I was overwhelmed by the sights, the sounds, the smells and just the feel of this city. I was only there for 2 weeks, but knew that I had made a lifelong friend in this city. Later on, I had the chance to live in Paris for 6 months. Still not long enough, but our relationship grew. I feel as if part of me is completed when I am in France. I've never quite put my finger on it, but I've always known. There is this inner voice that seems to be contented when I am there, and which screams out when I have to leave. I know that sometime in the future, I will end up back in Paris.
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| Favourite spots: |
Best crepes: Le Ventilo in the 6th, one block off of rue de chevreuse. Les Musees Rodin, Picasso and Gustave Moreau. The Opera Garnier. Fauchon. The bookstore at the Musee d'Orsay. The apartment I lived in on rue jacquemont. FNAC(the BEST EVER book/music/media/etc bookstore, literally in the world--it's next to another favorite, the gare st. lazare). Take advantage of sunny days in Paris by exploring her parcs, jardins (luxembourg is my favorite) and bois. Pariscope is a must buy - it is a weekly guide of EVERYTHING happening in Paris, and it even has an English section in the back. Places outside of Paris: Bourges, Le Mont-st-Michel, Eze, Nice, Nancy.
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| What's really great: |
I love that everytime I passed through Montparnasse, there is an Andean band playing pan flutes and drums. These guys are great! I loved going to the markets. Watching the sunset from the top of the Galeries Lafayettes. Champagne et fromage.
Another great thing about Paris are all of the concert venues. You have to love a country where the arts are nationally sponsered. The Salle Pleyel has great concerts, as does the Musee de la Musique, the Eglise st-julien-le-pauvre and the trocadero.
Other 'musts' in Paris: ride the all-automated ligne 14 metro and get off at the bibliotheque nationale just to see the buildings; take a bateaux mouche ride on the seine (very touristy, but beautiful); find the weeping angel on Chopin's grave at Pere-lachaise cemetary; go to the market on rue moufftard; visit the jewish museum in the marais; walk the stairs of the arc de triomphe (it's worth the view - but there is a lift, as well); if you have time, take a day trip to versailles
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| Sights: |
Arc de triomphe, champs elysees, jardin du luxembourg....all of the hot spots! For museums, I highly recommend the Rodin, the Picasso, and the Orangerie (if it's no longer under renovation).
Ste. Chapelle is also beautiful.
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| Accommodations: |
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There are a number of good hostels in Paris.
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| Nightlife: |
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This city knows how to party. To find out what is really going on in the city, when you get to Paris, buy a Pariscope for the weekly events. It lists everything about everything!
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| Hangouts: |
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Buddha Bar; the Moulin Rouge (touristy, of course) for cabaret
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| Restaurants: |
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For extravagence, ambiance, and the best food in the world, the Jules Verne restaurant on the Eiffel Tower. For a great brasserie atmosphere, La Coupole.
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Published on Tuesday February 22th, 2005
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Publish on Facebook
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Wed, Mar 03 2010 - 06:38 AM
 by adisidh
| Nice Report. Interesting, more Information will give ***** |
Sun, Mar 06 2005 - 11:20 PM
 by ardelia
Hey there.. I share the same interest too..Really love this city!!
Ardelia |
Tue, Feb 22 2005 - 11:37 AM
by mistybleu
A nice report, with personal experiences, but a bit more details would be great. I like the Pariscope tip.
Misty |
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