French Wink: The Go-to U.S. Online Boutique For French Items

Leave a comment January 31, 2016 Elsa Fridl

Missed the Paris January sales but still want to shop for French things in the U.S.? French Wink offers French products from French artisans who want to break into the U.S. market.

Source: French Wink: An Online Co-Op with a Certain Je ne Sais Quoi – French Morning

French Wink = French Style.

French Wink is the brainchild of Claire Obry and Emilie Chassagne, two French women who wanted to help small French businesses break into the U.S. market.

One look at products featured on their website is enough to convince you of their products’ French authenticity: A pair of red shiny shoes (called “Sheen” by Laureymondie) is the first product you see, with the purr-fect “Stand out from the crowd” enticing you to look closer. While many women in Washington I know might be hesitant — God forbid they stand out in a crowd — a French woman knows that a few pricey, high quality, stand-out items elevate everything else in her wardrobe.

For $581.00, the red shiny shoes better. Though they are hand-made by the House of Lareymondie, whose philosophy is a quote by Vivienne Westwood: “Buy less, choose well, make it last.” This is the essence of French style.

: Sheen by Lareymondie. $581.00

: My Squirrel. Limited Edition Print. Small: $80.00; Large: $160.00

: Love Moons. Stained glass mosaic with Italian millefiori glass beads. 6″ $295; 8″ $595

But French Wink sells more than pricey shoes or cashmere sweaters from Hector & Lola. They offer men’s furnishings and shoes, items for the home, works of art, furniture — they even offer an iPad app called “Experience Paris” that allows a user to interact with the city of Paris. Are you stuck in traffic and want to get away from it all? With this app, you can take the elevator to the top of the Eiffel Tower, walk across Pont Alexandre III, or make it snow on Montmartre. See the app here.

French Wink offers Americans authentic French ware for those who love the French way of life but can’t jump on a plane just now to go on a shopping trip to Paris. I wonder if they still have those red shiny shoes in my size.

Au revoir!

Image of blonde woman winking by Marina Funtikov, Flickr, CCBY 2.0. All other images from FrenchWink.com.

Destination Wedding in Paris: Reception Venue

January 30, 2016 Elsa Fridl

Planning the reception for a destination wedding in Paris is likely the toughest part of the entire process, simply because there are so many details to coordinate from a distance. If you don’t have a planner helping you, arm yourself with reception checklists and feedback from others to check you haven’t forgotten anything. Like a proofreader of a book, it’s good to have a second pair of eyes to review what you’ve planned.

Raph & John selected Intercontinental Le Grand Hotel Paris as their reception venue for a romantic and elegant setting.

Raph & John selected the Opera Ballroom at Intercontinental Le Grand Hotel Paris as their reception venue for a romantic and elegant setting.

Hopefully, you’re getting an idea as to where to hold your ceremony in Paris (see my previous post in this series), and now you’re thinking of a reception venue to complement it in theme and tone.

While researching for this post, I realized I could probably write a small book on planning a destination wedding’s reception. (And perhaps I will!) There are so many checklists and books with checklists and magazines with checklists out there! (Whew!) It’s been tough to wade through them all. I decided to think like (an older) bride would: I went to a bookstore to see what they had available in the planning-a-wedding department. They had plenty of bridal magazines (I bought two), and they offered a few wedding planning booklets (soft cover books): Unbelievably, I didn’t think the destination wedding booklet was very informative because it didn’t give much specific information on planning a wedding in France. Instead, I bought Modern Wedding Planner from modernwedding.com.au (that “au” is for Australia, folks). Do you think I’m ridiculous for purchasing a wedding planner meant to plan a wedding in Australia, when I’m writing about Paris? Before you pass judgement, take a look at it. It is 128-pages on virtually every topic a newly-engaged bride needs to know about planning her big day — and yes, it contains checklists galore. The section on planning a reception is very informative and a lot of information for someone to absorb if they’ve never planned an event before. (That doesn’t include me, by the way.) It made me realize that this post should be more about opening your eyes to the possibilities of reception venues in Paris, with a few key questions.

I bought the Modern Wedding Planner because it is so informative and well-organized.

Most of the information I found on the internet about planning a destination wedding in France was about planners who would plan it for you — not do-it-yourself information. In my view, even if you hire a wedding planner to do it for you, you should still have an overall idea of what you want your day to look like. Working with a wedding planner is best when it is collaborative with a give-and-take, and not just a planner asking you questions.

Key questions for possible reception venues:
1. How many people does your venue hold?
2. Do you have your own caterer, or do I have to hire my own?
3. Do you have a list of vendors you often work with? (This can save you time.)
4. If indoors: How many people sit at each table? (Called “rounds of 10” if a table seats 10 people.)
5. If outdoors: What provisions do you make in case of rain? (More than a light sprinkling.)
6. What is your cancellation policy?
7. How many guests are served by each waiter?
8. Are there places for the wedding party to change?
9. How many bathrooms serve the guests?
10. What is the time limit for my reception?

Here are three types of reception venues in Paris:

1.Rooftop Terrace

The breathtaking view from the Shangri-La’s rooftop terrace.

Shangri-La Hotel Paris
10 Avenue d’Iena
75116 Paris

Phone: +33 01 53 67 19 98 (Hotel)
+33 01 53 67 19 38 (Weddings)

Metro: Iena, Line 9

Merriam-Webster dictionary defines shangri-la as “a remote, beautiful, imaginary place where life approaches perfection: utopia.” James Hilton originated the word as a paradise four travelers find in the Tibetan mountains in his 1933 novel entitled “Lost Horizon.” With that as background, you should expect the Shangri-La Hotel in Paris to be very luxurious — and very pricey. Their rooftop terrace is available for rental for events during the summer months.

They do not give a minimum number of people required to rent space, nor do they advertise on their website that they rent out their terrace (that I saw): it looks like this is one of those details you can only find out from someone who lives in Paris, as I did. Click here for Shangri-La’s Wedding page; you’ll see several links, including a Start Proposal Request link. Write in the comments that you’d like to rent the terrace for “X” number of people, and inquire as to whether you have your choice of catering from any of their three restaurants: La Bauhinia, which offers Asian/French fare and has a casual atmosphere; L’Abeille, which offers authentic French gourmet, or Shang Palace, which offers authentic Chinese (Cantonese) food. All three restaurants are under the helm of Executive Chef Christophe Moret; each of the latter two have a
1-star rating in the Michelin Guide.

Mama Shelter

Mama Shelter offers a less formal atmosphere in the 20th arrondissement.

109 rue de Bagnolet
75020 Paris

Phone: +33 01 43 48 48 48 (Hotel)
+33 01 43 48 48 08 (Events)

Email: events.paris@mamashelter.com

Metro: Alexandre Dumas

Mama Shelter is, in the mind of this writer, an ultra-hip hotel with a millennial vibe located in the 20th arrondissement (Gambetta); the 20th is itself in transition from being an old working-class neighborhood to one with renewed life as the younger set moves in. The 20th arrondissement is most known by tourists as the location of Pere Lachaise Cemetery.

Mama Shelter is not as luxurious as the Shangri-La, but it also isn’t as pricey. To privatize the Rooftop Restaurant, they list:

For 15 people or less, 1035 euros ($1,121.00) TTC
For 16 people or more, 69 euros ($74.73) per person, TTC

Click here for their Rooftop Restaurant menu for groups. Note they also can provide Add-Ons.

Click here for their “Instant Quote ” link.

Note: TTC in French means toutes taxes comprises, or “Grand Total.” In other words, all taxes, including VAT, are included in the price.

2.Hotel

Compare this picture of the event room in the Intercontinental Le Grand Hotel, with the one above of Raph & John's reception. What a difference their color choices make.

Compare this picture of the Opera Ballroom in the Intercontinental Le Grand Hotel with the one above of Raph & John’s reception. What a difference their color choices make.

Intercontinental Le Grand Hotel Paris
2 rue Scribe
75009 Paris

Phone: +33 01 40 07 32 32 (Hotel)
+33 01 40 07 35 35 (Sales/Events)

Email: parhbevent@ihg.com

Metro: Opera

The Intercontinental Le Grand Hotel Paris, also known as “Le Grand Hotel,” opened in 1862 and is classified as historic. How grand is Le Grand Hotel? It has hosted royalty and public figures throughout its long history, and has been the subject of novels. It is also the setting of Roman Polanski’s 1988 film “Frantic,” starring Harrison Ford.

Unfortunately, while they offer a section on Meetings/Events (and “Weddings” is a subset of this) along with a Request a Quote link, when you click on the link you only see information on corporate meetings and events; for weddings, they seem to prefer contact by email. They do not have a full-fledged Wedding section where you can learn about wedding services. I have notified them of my findings and that this makes it hard for couples to investigate what they have to offer. Though, in all honesty, this could also be to purposely limit the number of people they have to get back to: only seriously interested people will take the time to email an inquiry.

They do offer the menu of their Cafe de la Paix online, and their Discovery Menu is 82 euros ($88.81) per person, TTC; this might give you an idea as to how much you’ll pay (for food) for an event.

The Maison des Polytechniciens is lit up for the “Forfait Passion” wedding package.

3.Garden

The Maison des Polytechniciens
12 rue de Poitiers
75007 Paris

Phone: +33 01 49 54 74 74

Metro: Solferino, Line 12
RER: Musee d’Orsay

The Maison des Polytechniciens is an 18th century mansion built in the Second Empire Style, and is a short walk from Musee d’Orsay. It’s located in the 7th arrondissement, about a 10 minute drive from with Eiffel Tower. For a minimum of 100 people, it can be privately let (rented), and can accommodate 250 people for a sit-down dinner and up to 600 people for cocktails. Le Poulpry, headed by Chef Ygor Swietlik, is the on-site restaurant that provides catering; it is rated #1,813 of 13,924 restaurants in Paris by TripAdvisor reviewers, which I consider pretty impressive.

But what really got my attention is the garden with a terrace and the availability of air-conditioned tents. Writers shouldn’t let their pre-conceived ideas to influence their writing, and I have to admit here my general reluctance to feature gardens as a wedding venue because…what would you do if it rains? Still, even though I wouldn’t want a garden as a wedding venue (okay, I admit: I hate bugs), many other people wouldn’t care if it rained and thundered on their ceremony, or if they had a beetle crawling up their leg while being congratulated for marrying the person of their dreams. I love the outdoors — to a point. Not in bridal dress or formal wear. But with air-conditioned tents available, rain and bugs would be no problem.

Maison des Polytechniciens offers three wedding packages:

*Forfait Tendresse (Tenderness) 173 euros per person, TTC
*Forfait Bonheur (Happiness) 183 euros per person, TTC
*Forfait Passion (Passion) 199 euros per person, TTC

Notes: “Forfait” means “flat rate.” Also, these quotes are to rent the entire Maison; ask if you can rent just the gardens, if that is your desire.

The wedding packages vary according to their menu.

Au revoir!

Image of Raph & John’s reception at the Opera Ballroom of Intercontinental Le Grand Hotel Paris by Agence Tophos, Flickr, CCBY 2.0. Image of Modern Wedding Planner from modernweddings.com.au, CCBY 2.0. Image of Shangri-La Rooftop Terrace by Wicker Paradise, Flickr, CCBY 2.0. Image of Mama Shelter Rooftop Terrace from mamashelter.com, CCBY 2.0. Image of Opera Ballroom at the Intercontinental Le Grand Hotel Paris by Twiga269, Flickr, CCBY 2.0. Image of Maison des Polytechniciens from en.convention.parisinfo.com, CCBY 2.0.

I am featuring photos of Raph & John’s wedding in Paris for this series (see above). I want to make it clear that I do not know this couple: I selected their photos from an album on Flickr because I love their theme and the photos are available for use under the CCBY 2.0 license. If I married in Paris, I would want a theme somewhat similar to theirs–in terms of colors and formality.

The 40 Best Things To Do In Paris February 2016

Leave a comment January 25, 2016 Elsa Fridl

There is more to do in Paris during the month of February than celebrate Valentine’s Day, but where better to do so than in the City of Love?

Source: The 40 Best Things To Do In Paris February 2016 | Paris Insiders Guide

What better place to celebrate Valentine’s Day than in Paris?

With February approaching, so does Valentine’s Day — or in France, “Saint Valentin” — in many countries around the world. Unfortunately, February also brings with it the coldest temperatures of winter in France. If you’re thinking of going to Paris in February, don’t let their possibility of snow stop you. It doesn’t snow much in Paris, and even if it does, the city isn’t hard to get around, with pedestrian-friendly sidewalks and a large metro system at your disposal.

You do need to dress warmly, however: I highly recommend warm gloves and boots, a scarf, and a hat or earmuffs. If you like to take lots of photographs, give thought as to how difficult it is to maneuver your camera. When I was last in Paris in late fall, the temperature didn’t give the whole story: while the thermometer generally read about 46 degrees Fahrenheit ( 7.7 degrees Celsius), it was a damp cold, and my hands (well, my fingers, actually) got very red in the time it took to get my camera out of its case. As long as I kept moving I was fine; it was only when I stopped to take a picture that I felt what I will call “frostbite-creep.”

Perhaps I am just more susceptible to cold: Even in the coldest temperatures, I saw Parisians sitting outside in heated areas of cafes, huddled over the coffee of their choice with friends and family alike. I saw parents and children in coats enjoying rides on the Champs-Elysees. I saw plenty of people just enjoying the sites of Paris. In short, Parisians don’t let a little cold weather stand in their way of enjoying the moment — and neither should you.

Here are three activities that intrigued me:

1. Gourmet Bus Tour of Paris. The glass boats of the Seine have arrived on land: view Paris attractions on a luxury coach (bus) while dining on a multi-course meal of fine French cuisine. What an elegant way to experience the city. You can even ask your waiter for an audio commentary of the tour.

Choose between a 2-hour, 4-course lunch tour, or a 2.5 hour, 6-course dinner tour, both serving gourmet meals with 2 glasses of wine, mineral water and a coffee per person. Dinner includes a glass of champagne. Here is a sample lunch menu:

Starter: Artichoke soup with duck foie gras, ginger bread, and truffle oil
Fish course: Roasted sea bream filet with baby artichokes, dried tomatoes, and basil
Meat course: Guinea fowl breast with polenta and chanterelle mushrooms
Dessert: Raspberry macarons with lemon curd, honey, and fresh herbs
Drinks: 1 glass of white wine with Fish course
1 glass of red wine with meat course
1 coffee or tea
50cl still or sparkling mineral water

Cost of Lunch:

Adult: From $93.41

Child (11 and up): $93.41

Child (3-10 years): $43.96

Child (0-2 years): Free

Cost of Dinner:

Adult: From $142.86

Child (11 and up): $142.86

Child (3-10 years): $54.94

Child (0-2 years): Free

Metro: Charles de Gaulle Etoile. Board and alight near the Arc de Triomphe at 2 Avenue Kleber, 75016 Paris.

Additional information:
*Tables available for up to 8 people.
*The chef offers a sampling (“a la carte”) menu of 4 dishes for lunch or 6 dishes for dinner, served with wines by the glass selected for each meal. This menu must be booked 48 hours in advance.
*The Gourmet Bus Tour can be rented out for special events, with or without restaurant services.
*February 14 is sold out for lunch and dinner.

2. Nikolai Lugansky on Piano at the Theatre des Champs-Elysees, Main Hall.
Luganski is a classical Russian pianist who will perform selections from Shubert, Beethoven and Rachmaninoff. He will perform at the Theatre des Champs-Elysees, a mere babe among concert and opera venues in Paris, having been built in 1913. The theatre was meant to be suitable for contemporary works of music, dance and opera. Read here about its “scandalous” beginning.

Where: Theatre des Champs-Elysees
15 Avenue Montaigne
75008 Paris

Metro: Alma-Marceau or Franklin D. Roosevelt

When: Monday, February 15, 2016, 20:00 hours (8:00 P.M.)

Price: 30 – 72 euros ($32 – $77)

Due to heightened security precautions:
*There will be metal detectors and bag checks at the entrance.
*They request you arrive no later than 15 minutes before the event begins.
*There is no admission after the event begins.
*No large bags are permitted in the venue.
*One small bag allowed per person.

3. The Barber of Seville.
The Barber of Seville was originally a French play by Pierre Beamarchais, written in 1773. Giochino Rossini wrote an opera buffa based on the French play, and it is said to be one of the greatest masterpieces of comedy within music. The story is about a Spanish count who falls in love with a girl named Rosine. To make sure she loves him and not just his money, he disguises himself as a poor college student named Lindor, and sets out to woo her. He encounters problems, most notably her guardian, who wants her for himself. After enlisting the help of his ex-servant Figaro, love triumphs.

Where: Opera Bastille, Main Auditorium
75012 Paris

Metro: Bastille

When: Tuesday, February 2 – March 4, 2016

Cost: 173.00 euros ($186.80)
219.00 euros ($236.47)
Don’t forget sans visibilite tickets 30 minutes before each performance! (May not be available for this particular performance, but it’s worth a try.)

Au revoir!

References: “Theatre des Champs-Elysees,” by Wikipedia, CCBY 3.0. “The Barber of Seville,” by Wikipedia, CCBY 3.0.

Image of Valentine’s Day coffee and chocolates by CanStockPhoto.

Destination Wedding in Paris: The Ceremony Venue

Leave a comment January 22, 2016 Elsa Fridl

For most foreign couples who marry in Paris, it’s symbolic — a “re-wedding” for memories, with the legal ceremony already behind them. This means the venue possibilities for your ceremony in Paris are (almost) endless.

Raph & John held their wedding ceremony at the Synagogue de Tournelles.

While I won’t swear on it, this is likely the last time this series I will mention this: Unless you establish temporary residency by living in Paris for 40 consecutive days, and can provide documentation of this to the city hall, you can’t legally marry in France if a foreigner. In addition, France only legally recognizes wedding ceremonies at city halls; all ceremonies in houses of worship, even for French citizens, are therefore symbolic.

When selecting a ceremony venue, keep in mind the following:
a. Your choice of ceremony venue will have a direct impact on the atmosphere of your entire wedding day (formal, casual, or something in-between).
b. Number of guests it will accommodate.
c. Proximity to your hotel (and guests’, if different) and the reception venue (if different).
d. How will people be getting there? Paris is plentiful in metro stations, but parking…not so much. If everyone is staying in the same hotel, consider renting a coach (bus) to transport everyone.
e. Provide your guests with a map that includes written directions to the ceremony venue, regardless of transportation provided. Suppose someone had a last-minute detail they needed to attend to, and then didn’t know how to get to the ceremony? Also, while it is said that in Paris, you are never more than 10 minutes’ walking distance to a metro stop, you don’t want your guests stressed about feeling lost when they arrive at your ceremony.
f. If you select and are accepted by a house of worship, be sure to ask about their restrictions, especially regarding decorations and dress. Two examples: Not all venues allow confetti, and some houses of worship require women to have their shoulders covered, so an off-the-shoulder wedding dress would not be appropriate.

The groom and his men need a place at the ceremony venue for last-minute preparations as much as a bride and her attendants.

The groom and his men need a place at the ceremony venue for last-minute preparations as much as the bride and her attendants.

g. Everyone knows the bride likes to have a room for her and her bridesmaids to prepare to walk down the aisle; not everyone understands the groom and his men need one, too. Do you really want the guys to have to straighten their ties and tuck their shirts in in front of guests and vendors?
h. If you hold your ceremony outside in a public place, traffic and tourists walking by will be part of the charm. Be prepared for interesting sites!

So, where to have your wedding ceremony in Paris? Here are three ideas.

1. House of Worship
You can have a symbolic ceremony in a house of worship if you can find one that will grant you permission. Landmarks like Notre Dame can’t be rented as they are national public spaces. Catholic parishes in France generally only allow their own members to marry in their respective churches, and most churches in France are Catholic. That said, if you can find a Catholic church who will grant permission for you to marry in their church, you still have to meet specific requirements: provide a letter from your local priest and Bishop that you are a member of a parish in good standing; Baptism and Confirmation certificates; and a marriage certificate from your civil ceremony.

An interior shot of Synagogue des Tournelles showing the mixture of architectural styles common in French Second Empire.

An interior shot of Synagogue des Tournelles showing the mix of architectural styles common in French Second Empire.

The couple I am featuring for this series, Raph & John, being Jewish, chose to hold their wedding ceremony at the Synagogue de Tournelles. It is located at 21bis rue des Tournelles in Marais, the 4th arrondissement, not far from Notre Dame. The closest metro stop is Bastille. Its architect, Marcellin-Emmanuel Varcollier, designed it in Second French Empire, the architectural style of the time, which is an eclectic mix of European styles, most notably Baroque. Gustave Eiffel was the engineer who oversaw its construction from 1867-1876, before he became famous for building the Eiffel Tower in 1889. Outside, it is decorated with a stained glass rose window with sculptures representing the scrolls of the Law with text in Hebrew. Inside, it is very grand with plentiful seating on two floors and arches on the second floor. By volume, it is the second largest synagogue in Paris. Perhaps due to recent attacks, specific information on the synagogue (such as seating number) was not available when I researched for this post. I suggest you call the synagogue on +33 01 42 74 32 80.

Synagogue de Tournelles is not far from the luxurious Intercontinental Paris Le Grand Hotel, where the couple stayed and held their reception.

This couple married outside near the Eiffel Tower in November 2014. They were oblivious to the group behind them or the girl next to them.

2. Outside a Monument
You can’t rent the inside of Notre Dame or the Eiffel Tower, but you can marry on their grounds. On the plus side, this is the easiest, cheapest, and fastest to arrange. It is also easy for your guests to find. On the down side, you can’t control how tourists and others passing by will behave — nor can you control the weather. It tends to sprinkle a lot in Paris (though not as much as London), so if you decide to marry outside a monument, you should have pretty umbrellas at the ready just in case Mother Nature decides not to cooperate with your ceremony plans.

If you select this option, I highly recommend you visit Paris during the time of year you plan to marry, so you can see just how the ceremony will unfold. It also is a good idea to contact your embassy in Paris near the time of your ceremony to verify they know of no reason why you shouldn’t hold your ceremony at the location of your dreams. (For instance, they might know of a protest coming up.)

A wedding takes place on the Seine River on a beautiful day.

3. Cruise on the Seine River
This would be my choice, so I had to include it, though this option speaks more to a combined ceremony/reception venue. Bateaux Parisiens not only offers glass-enclosed boat tours of the Seine River and dinner cruises, they also offer wedding packages for a minimum of 50 people. According to their website, they hold 400 private events per year, so they have the experience necessary to make sure your event is successful. To that end, they offer an artistic director and event cruise directors dedicated to your event.

If you were to select this option, you first have to decide whether you want an afternoon or evening wedding, and whether you want table service or buffet style. From there, it’s a matter of your choice of menu selection and whether you want extras, such as table decorations that start at 17 euros per table. While you will have to ask for a quote, their gourmet buffets start at 14 euros per person; so figure 14 euros x 50 people = 700 euros ($749.00) as a starting price — not bad for a wedding and reception on the Seine River. (In addition, all of the wedding packages I saw on their website included a piano player and singer as entertainment.) There is parking available nearby at the Musee du Quai Branly.

As I’ve said several times before in posts, my dinner cruise on the Seine River was one of my most memorable experiences of my last trip to Paris — and I wasn’t even getting married!

Au revoir!

Black & white image of Raph & John inside Synagogue des Tournelles by Agence Tophos, Flickr, CCBY 2.0. Image of groom ironing by Agence Tophos, Flickr, CCBY 2.0. Image of wedding couple near the Eiffel Tower by Elsa L. Fridl. Image of interior of Synagogue des Tournelles, Wikimedia Commons, GFDL License. Image of wedding on a boat on the Seine River by Becky McCray, Flickr, CCBY 2.0.

Discover Paris by the Seine

Leave a comment January 20, 2016 Elsa Fridl

Paris offers a variety of ways to see the city, including walking, driving, biking, or viewing it from a two-tier bus – but for me, seeing Paris by water is especially magical. Here are 3 ideas to see Paris from the Seine River.

1. Batobus Hop-on, Hop-off Sightseeing Cruise

If you like the idea of seeing Paris on a hop-on, hop-off bus, why not try the same concept in cruise form? You can purchase tickets that are valid for 1-day, 2-consecutive-days, or 1 year (validation day starts on January 1, not the date you purchase it). Children under age 5 board free with a paying adult. Purchase tickets at any of the stops or on the internet and hop on.

The stations in order are:

Eiffel Tower
Musee D’Orsay
St. Germain des Pres
Notre Dame
Jardin des Plantes / Cite de la Mode et du Design
Hotel de Ville
Louvre
Champs-Elysees
Beaugrenelle

If you’re travelling to Paris during winter, have no fear, they have heated boats. Check their website (www.batobus.com) for group offers. One special offer that caught my eye is a Treasure Hunt (available only in French) for children aged 7-12 (16 euros). Sounds like fun!

Here are the details on their passes:

One day pass

Adult: 16 euros

Child (3-15 years): 7 euros

Child (under 3 years): Free with paying adult

Two consecutive days pass

Adult: 19 euros

Child (3-15 years): 10 euros

Child (under 3 years): Free with paying adult

Annual pass (validation date starts on January 1, not the date you purchase it)

Adult: 60 euros

Child (3-15 years): 38 euros

Child (under 3 years): Free with paying adult

Note: Some prices will increase on March 21, 2016. No telephone number is offered.

They are open every day from 10:00 A.M. – 9:30 P.M., though Station Beaugrenelle closes at 8:45 P.M. Click here for a list of free public toilets in Paris, since there are no restrooms on-board or at their stations. After clicking on the link, you’ll see a map with quite a few public sanisettes, and to the left will be a list of the restrooms in French. If you click on a star to the right of a restroom location on the list, its address will be given.

If you go to their website, under the “Practical Information” tab, they offer this updated list of “Free Public Toilets of the city of Paris.” I will save this link for future trips to Paris!

2. Seine Cruise

Rather than hopping on and off, take an uninterrupted cruise to see the sights of Paris.

Bateaux-Mouches (“Boats fly”)
According to the company’s website www.bateaux-mouches.fr, Jean Bruel started the company in 1949 so the French people could relax and enjoy themselves again after WWII. His 400-ton boats of wood and glass were a technological marvel of the time, and they continue to inspire awe with the views of Paris they offer.

Boarding and landing take place at the Port de la Conference, Pont de l’Alma, on the Rive Droite (Right Bank), in the 8th arrondissement.

RER: Pont de l’Alma

Here are the details of their 1-hour, 10-minute cruise:

Adult: 13.50 euros

Child (under 12 years): 6.00 euros

Child (under 4 years): Free with paying adult

School child: From 4.20 euros

Groups of 20+: Contact company by clicking here.

To see a map of their cruise route, click here.

Telephone: 01 42 25 96 10

Bateaux Parisiens (“Boats of Parisiens”)

Board at Jetty 3, at the foot of the Eiffel Tower. For a map to get to the jetty click here (Google translation). Boarding times vary by season, so check their website by clicking here.

Metro: Bir-Hakeim or Trocadero, or
RER: Champs de Mars

Note: Due to security precautions, you will be searched before boarding, and large luggage over 16 liters (approx. 35 lbs.) will not be allowed on board. Small backpacks, handbags, and computer bags are allowed.

Details of their 1-hour cruise:

Adult: 14 euros

Child (under 12 years): 6 euros

Child (under 3 years): Free with paying adult

To see a map of their cruise route, click here.

Telephone: 01 76 64 14 45

Vedettes du Pont Neuf (“Pont Neuf Cruisers”)
Board at Pont Neuf, near the Louvre. Boarding times vary by season so check their website by clicking here. At the bottom of the linked page you can download a .pdf file with the circuit and comments about each monument.

Metro: Pont Neuf

Details of their 1-hour cruise:

Adult: 14 euros

Child (4-12 years) 5 euros

Child (under 4 years) Free with paying adult

Click here for off-season specials via internet booking.

Cruise circuit:

Louvre
Place de la Concorde
Eiffel Tower
Musee d’Orsay
Notre Dame
Hotel de Ville

Telephone: 01 46 33 98 38

3. Dinner Cruise

Nothing beats viewing Paris lit up at night eating French cuisine on a boat cruising the Seine River. My dinner cruise was one of my most memorable experiences of my last trip to Paris. Don’t worry about getting cold: all of the boats are heated. Proper dress is required for a dinner cruise in Paris.

Bateaux-Mouches (“Boats Fly”)
Board at the Pont de l’Alma in the 8th arrondissement from 7:30 P.M. – 8:15 P.M.

RER: Pont de l’Alma

Departure: 8:30 P.M.
Return: 10:45 P.M.

Select from 2 fixed menus (view current menu selections by clicking here):

99 euros per person (215 euros with show) or
155 euros per person (263 euros with show).
No child prices for dinner cruise.

To see a map of their cruise route, click here.

Telephone: 01 42 25 96 10

Bateaux Parisiens (“Boats of Parisians”)
Board at Jetty 3, Port de la Bourdonnais, at the foot of the Eiffel Tower. As it is currently the coldest of the off-season, their dinner cruise ranges from 69 euros – 99 euros (a Valentine’s Day dinner cruise [3 hours 30 minutes] is available on February 13 or 14 that ranges from 150 euros – 215 euros.) Price depends on departure time, seating, and menu option. Some dinner cruises offer live music.

Boarding times vary by season so check their website by clicking here.

Metro: Bir-Hakeim or Trocadero, or
RER: Champs de Mars

Telephone: 01 76 64 14 45

To see a map of the cruise route, click here.

Le Capitaine Fracasse (“The Captain Smashes”)
Chef Martial Enguehard heads the kitchen, and he has been awarded the title of “Meiller Ouvier de France” (“One of the Best Craftsmen of France”), a title he will hold for life. I did not know about this when I selected Le Capitaine Fracasse for my dinner cruise; rather, it was listed as the budget option in my guidebook. I knew I was in for quite a treat, however, when the waiters started to bring out the dishes: they looked like they tasted of perfection — and they did.

My three-course meal included a tray of three appetizers, an entree of fish with potatoes in light sauce, a tray of three desserts (a pastry puff was particularly delicious), and wine and Espresso. My ship floated along the Seine as I ate, and I floated with it. The sites lit up at night were just as beautiful as I knew they would be.

Two cautions: Get to the slip early to make sure you can find it (I only did with the help of a French couple who saw my distress, map in hand) and secure a good seat — the line will likely get incredibly long — and remember that there is always the possibility that a large group might book the same night of your romantic dinner cruise. If you don’t like your table and there are tables available, don’t hesitate to ask to be seated elsewhere. I did, and it was no problem.

Le Capitaine Fracasse 2-hour Dinner Cruise on the Seine River

Board: Pont de Bir-Hakeim, 75015 Paris, France, near the Eiffel Tower. Boarding times vary by season. Check the website by clicking here or call ahead. It is best to reserve online and get in line early. Your boarding time will be on your reservation printout.

Metro: Bir-Hakeim, or
RER: Champs de Mars-Tour Eiffel

Cost: 65 euros, “Smashes” Menu: Meal without drinks
75 euros, “Admiral” Menu: Meal with wine
85 euros, “Champagne” Menu: Meal with Champagne

The menu offers a selection of entrees in addition to the other two courses.

There is a “Petit Matelot” ticket (40 euros) available for children under 10 years old.

Telephone: 01 46 21 48 15

Website: www.lecapitainefracasse.com/en/

Le Capitaine Fracasse offers Smartphone apps to serve as your route map with detailed descriptions of the monuments as you pass by them. Click here to see the list of apps. (At the time of this posting, the app page does not translate to English. I have notified the company.)

Au revoir!

Image of water boat on the Seine River at sunset by Genji Arakaki, Flickr, CCBY 2.0.

To me, seeing Paris by water – which is to say, by the Seine River – is especially magical. I can’t account for this except to say that I’ve always been drawn to water, whether it be the ocean, a waterfall, or even a pool to swim in.

Travel Laws That Could Affect Your Plans in 2016 and Beyond

Leave a comment January 18, 2016 Elsa Fridl

Are you prepared to travel in 2016? If your passport book is full or you owe back taxes, you may be grounded. Welcome to the new United States of America: land of the impeded, home of the…well, you decide.

Source: Changing Travel Laws That Could Affect Your Plans in 2016

This is a summary of the above article. If you are a frequent air traveler, I suggest you read it in its entirety.

As part of a bill for federal highway funding, as of January 1, 2016, any U.S. citizen who owes at least $50,000 in unpaid taxes can be prevented from applying for or renewing their passport. This regulation can also allow the IRS to rescind travel privileges of tax delinquent travelers. The traveler has to be the subject of a tax lien, but their passport privileges can be restored by either contesting the taxes owed in court, or by actively working with the IRS to pay the debt.

Also as of January 1, 2016, frequent U.S. travelers abroad are no longer able to order an additional 24-page insert for visa stamps for their existing passport books. Now, you either have to apply for a second passport book when the pages are filled, or opt for a 52-page passport book at renewal time. A regular passport book has 20 pages for visa stamps.

Come 2018, the scene in "The Hunt for Red October" where Sean Connery tells Sam Neill he can travel in the U.S. between states without certain "papers" will become quaint.

Come 2018, the scene in “The Hunt for Red October” where Sean Connery’s character tells Sam Neill’s he can travel in the U.S. between states without certain “papers” will become quaint.

Another law that was supposed to take effect this past January 1 but has been postponed to take effect January 22, 2018 requires all U.S. air travelers — for domestic and foreign travel — to carry identification that is REAL-ID compliant. REAL-ID legislation was passed in 2005 and is described as “an effort to combine driver’s licenses and state ID cards into a national identification system as a way to support national security.” Two of the key features of REAL-ID: certain personal information and features will be encrypted into each card, and states will share this information with other states. In the double-speak of the Department of Homeland Security, you’re not required to carry a REAL-ID, but if you want to board a commercial airline, you will have to, come 2018. If you live in one of the four states (or in the American Territory of Samoa) that are not REAL-ID compliant, you can purchase a passport card for $55, but only if you are current with your taxes.

DHS also claims REAL-ID will not create a national database of personal information on U.S. citizens, but as Jennifer McFadyen points out, “the implications of a national-database-that-is-not-a-national-database are staggering.”

Au revoir! (But only if you’re current with your taxes)

Image of Passort by CanStockPhoto. Image of “The Hunt for Red October” from quora.com, CCBY 2.0.

Destination Wedding in Paris: Theme & Timeline

Leave a comment January 15, 2016 Elsa Fridl

If you just got engaged and are considering Paris as a destination wedding site, take a deep breath and consider your theme first: the more details to your theme, the more time you probably need in your timeline.

Raph & John's wedding reception took place at the Intercontinental Le Grand Hotel in Paris. Lighting is an often overlooked element in events, but lighting helps set the tone even more than color. What is a beautiful color without the proper lighting to view it by?

Raph & John’s wedding reception took place at the Intercontinental Le Grand Hotel in Paris. Lighting is an often overlooked element when planning an event, but lighting helps set the tone even more than color. What is a beautiful color without proper lighting to view it by?

Planning a destination wedding in Paris can be quick or elaborate, depending on what you want. Ask yourself: How do you envision your dream wedding in Paris? Do you want a separate venue for the wedding and reception? A ceremony outside the Eiffel Tower during spring with tourists walking by? In a candle-lit chapel filled with flowers and history? Or perhaps a ceremony and reception on a boat at dusk basking in the glow of the Seine River? All of these questions speak to your theme, and your theme will inform your timeline — how much time you need to pull it all together.

What are the components of a wedding theme? In my view, they are: Time of year, time of day, location, formality, colors, food, music, flowers, lighting (artificial/natural). If all you want is an outside ceremony on the grounds of Notre Dame with a few close friends and family as witnesses, that can easily be a piece of cake (pun intended) to plan; of course, you can’t rent space outside national monuments (or inside, for that matter), so tourists walking by being their natural selves will be part of the charm. But if you want a ceremony and reception indoors in popular venues, you have to plan for it. Yes, I know: Wedding Planning 101. But in the excitement of getting engaged, it can be hard to remember that many other newly-engaged couples are looking to book the same venues you want. This is why I believe that after asking family and friends for their (un)availability dates to travel to Paris within the next 18 months, booking the ceremony and reception venues should be first on your list.

Here are a few secrets of event planners: You work backwards from the date of the event to coordinate the details of any event, and you never give away your “drop dead date” – the date you need to give your confirmed guest number to the caterer, for example. Instead, ask people you’re inviting to respond by ‘x’ date + 1 week, to give yourself an additional week to contact anyone who hasn’t responded by your drop dead date. This also comes into play when ordering printed material, such as invitations: If you know you want to mail your invitations by a given date, and it takes a printer three weeks to print invitations, then give them a proof at least six weeks in advance; that way, if they’re not printed correctly the first go-around, you can still make your mail-by date.

Just a reminder: Foreigners can’t legally marry in France unless they’ve established temporary residency by living near the wedding locale for 40 consecutive days and can offer proof of this (lease, utility bill) to the city hall. For this series, I’m assuming that you will have a local wedding and possibly a reception before you travel to Paris for your wedding and reception there.

You might have to plan 18 months out if your Paris ceremony venue or reception venue is particularly popular.

As soon as possible, decide on an ideal date or time of year. Do an internet search to understand weather, holidays, and festivals for your selected time of year. Paris all but shuts down during the month of August (they take their vacation time seriously!), and French people don’t generally plan weddings from July 15 – August 31. (Keep in mind July 14 is Bastille Day.)

12 months before
*Set your wedding budget.
*Write up a guest list and a preliminary wedding party attendant list.
*Ask significant people (family, guest list and preliminary wedding party) for (un)availability dates around the time you would like to marry in Paris.
*Visit Paris locations if at all possible to see them as they will be for your wedding.
*Book the ceremony and reception venues.
*Hire a wedding planner if you so desire.
*Research flights to Paris for wedding date.
*Consider creating a wedding website as a communication tool (to upload the program, how to get to the hotel, ceremony venue and reception venue). I would probably also set up a private group on Facebook.

10 months before
*Finalize wedding party attendants.
*Finalize local ceremony date, location, and reception venue if applicable.
*Book all remaining aspects of your theme (flowers, music, food if you need your own caterer).
*Book your photographer.
*Book your “get-away” car or other vehicle.
*Book your flight to Paris with travel insurance.
*Reserve hotel block for you and your guests.

8 months before
*Get your passports up to date (don’t wait!).
*Start dress shopping, keeping in mind the time of year for your wedding.
*Select your officiant for your Paris wedding and your local wedding.
*Register.

6 months before
*Select your dress or hire a dressmaker to create a custom wedding dress.
*Select shoes, hairstyle, makeup, etc. for the day.
*Select attire for bridal attendants and order.
*Select attire for groom and groomsmen and order.
*Select and purchase wedding rings.
*Select and order invitations and other printed material (program, save-the-date cards, menu), and be sure to order 20% extra for invitations and save-the-date cards for mistakes you make while addressing them, and for late additions.
*Send save-the-date cards with a reminder to get passports up to date as soon as they are printed.

4 months before
*Mail invitations. While an RSVP date of 4 weeks prior to the wedding date is ideal, you have to consider first when the reception venue requires a final count for the reception. If you have to give a final count 4 weeks prior, give yourself at least an additional week for the RSVP date (5 weeks prior) in order to have time to contact anyone who hasn’t RSVP’d. Unfortunately, many people don’t understand that RSPV means “repondez, s’il vous-plait” (respond, please, in French); some seem to think it means “respond if you feel like it.”
*Plan the rehearsal dinner.
*Write your own vows if that is your plan.
*Finalize each ceremony with its respective officiant.
*Shop for local ceremony attire for you and your wedding party.

2 months before
*Confirm delivery of all wedding party attire.
*Ask your dressmaker for advice on how to transport or pack your wedding attire, and whether you can use your own travel steamer to get the wrinkles out.
*Apply for a marriage license.
*Make 2 lists: 1) What you need to take with you on the plane, and 2) what you need to overnight to the hotel. NOTE: I recommend that you overnight EVERYTHING you need for your wedding day (dresses, tuxes, shoes, etc., and several travel steamers). Have it arrive before you get to Paris and pay for an extra night or two (or more) for your hotel room so it can be stored safely. You can’t possibly carry everything you need in carry-on luggage, and what would you do if the airline lost your suitcase with your wedding dress?

6 weeks before
*Contact those who haven’t RSVP’d.
*Shop for welcome bags and their contents to be put in guests’ rooms if applicable.

4 weeks before
*Provide a final head count for your hotel and/or caterer.
*Have your final dress fitting.
*Hold local (legal) wedding and reception.

4 days before
*Overnight wedding attire, printed material, and welcome bags.
*Get manicure/pedicure for you and your bridesmaids.

3 days before
*Depart for Paris!

Upon arrival in Paris
*Unpack wedding attire and hang up.
*Unpack programs to have ready.
*Enjoy your first night in Paris with your fiance.

1 day before
*Steam all wedding attire with your travel steamers.
*Deliver programs to wedding ceremony venue if applicable.
*Rehearse ceremony with wedding party and officiant.
*Finalize shots with photographer.
*Have rehearsal dinner.

Wedding Day
Enjoy!

I will be featuring photos of Raph & John’s wedding in Paris for this series (see above). I want to make it clear that I do not know this couple: I selected their photos from an album on Flickr because I love their theme and the photos are available for use under the CCBY 2.0 license. If I married in Paris, I would want a theme somewhat similar to theirs–in terms of colors and formality–though probably on a boat on the Seine River. At night. With all the lights of Paris sparkling around me, my groom, and my guests. That’s just me.

Au revoir!

Image of Raph & John’s wedding reception (#596) by Agence Tophos, Flickr, CCBY 2.0.