The Eiffel Tower is viewed by the world-over as a symbol of France. I have come to view it as also a catalyst for joy.

Sunday. I walked along the Seine River after taking the #30 bus to Trocedero again. I soaked up the energy near the Eiffel Tower and had a take-away sandwich. I love watching people in their excitement being at the Eiffel Tower: they all have such joy on their faces. There are now large stones in front of E.T. that people can stand on and take selfies (what a word!) or regular pictures. I went to the top of the Eiffel Tower again. (!) It never gets boring. It is so awe-inspiring. The views are so gorgeous.

An aerial view of the City of Paris as seen from the Eiffel Tower.

After the Eiffel Tower, I started my journey to the slip of my dinner cruise. I looked and looked and looked and didn’t see what the gentleman from Le Capitaine Fracasse spoke of, a part jutting out from the Seine River, meaning their slip. A French couple saw my distress and offered to help me find the slip. We found it in plenty of time and I waited in line. I struck up a conversation with an American couple. They were here on business and decided to take some vacation time to see Paris. One thing I’ve noticed: Paris brings out the joy in people, because the tourists I speak to all seem to be in great moods, even serene. The line started to get lonnngggggggg; glad I got there early. When I was asked where I wanted to sit I said that I wanted to sit near a window, and I was told it would be an extra 10 euros for a better view. I said no thanks, as I reflected on Rick Steves’ description of the dinner cruise in which he said to “get there early for good seating;” there was no mention of paying more for a good seat. Then I was seated by myself in full view of a rowdy party, and patrons were using my table as a shortcut to get to their table. I nearly left. After all, a dinner cruise isn’t just about the food: the atmosphere is part of what you pay for. First I moved my table next to the table next to me, and a server smiled in recognition of how I was keeping patrons from brushing past me. (Since he saw my distress, why didn’t he seat me somewhere else?) Then I asked if I could sit farther in the back since there was so much space available. (The ship was at most half-full.) I sat next to a French couple who didn’t take their eyes off of each other. I could not believe that this petite woman ate EVERYTHING presented to her, as thin as she was. She ate basically what I did: a tray of 3 appetizers, (including Foie des Grais, which I didn’t eat), fish with potatoes in a light sauce, a tray of 3 desserts, including a puff pastry that was out of this world, and wine and espresso. Culinary heaven.

A dinner cruise is an elegant way to experience the views along the Seine River.

When I disembarked and started to walk, I felt so alive! I happened to exclaim to no one in particular what a beautiful night it was. The response of a French couple who got off the same dinner cruise: “Of course, you’re in Paris!”

I got back to the hostel and found I had a new roommate. I floated off to sleep.

Salut !

Images of Eiffel Tower and Eiffel Tower view by Elsa L. Fridl. Image of dinner cruise on Seine River by Can Stock Photo.

The Champs-Elysees is in the 8th arrondissement and is one of the most famous streets in the world.

Wednesday. When all else fails, go shopping.

I had a hard time getting myself out of the door of the hostel. I’m tired from the rainy and/or damp cold weather here. (Though a bad day in Paris is better than a good day at the office.) At the hostel, I fixed what I call my French lunch: Some type of greens, rice with peas (from the Asian restaurant close to the hostel), red bell pepper, Maille dressing, in a croissant or baguette. Feeling a bit more French from my French lunch, I went out and bought some souvenirs for myself and others. Then I walked to Champs-Elysees and went to Sephora. I spoke with someone who works there about wanting to stay in France. She is looking to go to New York to work; she said she is waiting for the Green Card lottery. She was very nice. I got to thinking about how excited she is at the prospect of working in New York: Wouldn’t it be cool if I could get rehired at Sephora, but in Paris, teaching English AND working with makeup and skin care? Talk about a dream job!

I spent a small fortune. I got some great products to replace my missing personal items. I’m really hoping the Bumble & Bumble shampoo and conditioner will work for my fine hair. To make up for my mini spending spree I’m going to cut back for a few days.

One of the things I’ve been looking forward to most for this trip is to go on a dinner cruise on the Seine River. Since I’ve had to spend so much on replacing items that went missing, I’m going with Le Capitaine Fracasse dinner cruise: according to Rick Steves, it’s supposed to be the budget option at 55 – 80 euros per person. I made my reservation online today for this coming Sunday.

THE SNORER IS GONE. I happened to mention to someone at the desk about the girl who’s been staying in my room and keeping me up at night, snoring. He just smiled. He said there had been other comments made. I told him I would never think of complaining formally because I knew staying in a hostel there would be the risk of that. We had a good laugh.

I took a bath and soaked. I also used two of my new Christian Dior products (wash, samples of eye creams). I am looking forward to turning out the light, but not before thinking about B.G.: it’s her birthday today. I wonder how she’s doing. I haven’t spoken to her in a long time, but I still think of her on her birthday every year. Happy Birthday, B.G.

Happy Birthday, B.G.

Salut !

Images by Can Stock Photo.

Paris plage (beach) along the Seine River.

Oh, how good it feels to be back! After a long absence, today I’m sharing Inspirelle’s post on why you should love Paris in August, along with a few suggestions for activities.

1. Fewer people in the city, period. When I was in Paris during the month of August, it was nearly a ghost town; the only Parisians I remember seeing were mostly older men playing boules in a park. Parisians, like all French people, take their holiday time (vacation) seriously, and August is the traditional month for it. In addition, tourists seemed few and far between. While some tourist attractions, shops, and restaurants close during August, much of Paris is still open, and since there are fewer people in the city, there are few, if any, lines to wait in.

2. Not much car traffic. If you want to drive in and around Paris, you won’t have to dodge traffic or worry about finding a parking space. Fewer cars on the road is also better for pedestrians: Remember, in Europe, cars have the right of way!

3. Much of Paris stays open. Many people believe that New York is Paris’s sister city in the U.S. But if New York never sleeps, then Paris always loves – there is always something to do to make you fall in love with the city, and for the city to love you back. The links below speak to how much of Paris stays open.

Restaurants open during August (per ParisByMouth.com)

Museums and cultural sites closed during August (per Paris Tourist Office)

4. Summer-only activities heat up. Since 2002, 5,000 tons of sand are trucked in every July to create two stretches of beaches: one that starts at the Louvre to Pont Sully along the Seine River, and the other on the Bassin de La Villete in the 19th arrondissement. The beaches are open from July 20 to September 4 in 2016, and are free to the public. Ice cream or a sandwich from a beachside cafe is extra. (!)

Port de Suffren in Paris, France.

After enjoying the sun by the beach during the day, why not dance the night away at Port de Suffren or attend the Paris Quartiers d’Ete festival? From July 14 – August 7, each arrondissement offers their own live entertainment, exhibits and theatre performances. Click here for the full guide.

5. Classical and rock concerts will make you want to sing. Rock en Seine is an annual, 3-day rock-n-roll event that features some artists I’ve heard of (Iggy Pop) and some I haven’t (Massive Attack, The Temper Trap), but no matter, it’s really geared to the younger set, anyway. It runs from Friday, August 26 through Sunday, August 28 in the Domaine Nationale de St. Cloud. Tickets: 3-day tickets cost 119 euros, single day for 49 euros. Click here to purchase tickets from Rock en Seine’s website.

If a rock concert isn’t your style anymore, perhaps a classical concert in a botanical garden is. The Festival Classique au Vert (“Classic Green Festival”) runs from August 6 to September 18 in the Parc Floral in the 12th arrondissement. Admission to the parc is 6 euros. Orchestras and international artists play at Parc Floral.

I believe Paris is always a good idea. Don’t you?

Au revoir!

Elsa

Image of Paris Plage along the Seine River by Laura Cuttler, 2013, Flickr, CCBY 2.0.

Hotel Rachel, one of the many hotels in or near Paris offering a 24-hour sale on Hostelbookers,  is a small hotel along the 19th arrondissement and just a short walk from Metro. Check it out!

Source: Hotel Rachel, Paris, France: Book Now! See All Paris Deals Here

Memorial Day Weekend! And with it, the official beginning of summer — and summer rates to go with it. Travel deals can be had, but if you don’t book a deal when you find it, it might be gone.

Hostelbookers is having a 24-hour sale on cheap hotels in Paris and elsewhere. As someone who travels alone, I frequently find myself looking for hotels with private rooms; Hotel Rachel sounds like a place I would try. It offers private rooms with a shared bathroom and private ensuites (as well as doubles), and serviceable furnishings in a clean environment. It’s not the Ritz, but it’s not trying to be. By staying here, you can save the money you would otherwise spend on a fancier room and use it to splurge on something else…a dinner cruise on the Seine River, perhaps? I did on my last trip, and it was one of the highlights of my trip.

Hotel Rachel
1 Rue du Capitaine Soyer
Pre-Saint-Gervais, France

Phone: +33 01 57 14 76 57

Metro: Pre-Saint-Gervais or Danube

Bon Voyage!

Foire de Paris is from April 29 – May 8 at Porte de Versailles.

Spring is in the air. How about a short trip to Paris? Take a bike tour or a new shopping tour of Paris, or if it rains, see “Founding Myths: From Hercules to Darth Vader” at the Louvre, or attend Foire de Paris at the Porte de Versailles, the largest home show in Paris for 111 years.

Source: The 36 Best Things To Do In Paris – April 2016 | Paris Insiders Guide

As my website says, it’s always the right time to travel to Paris; it’s just a matter of figuring out what you want to do while there. Here I’ve featured my top 5 picks from Paris Insiders Guide for April 2016.

April in Paris usually hovers around 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 degrees Celsius), so it is still wise to wear layers. While you make think of London for sudden downpours, Paris is known for them too, so a sturdy umbrella and a pair of waterproof walking shoes are musts. Still, bring your sunglasses: You’ll experience the first spring sunshine, and if you go anywhere near the Seine River, you’ll need them!

A bike tour guide at Tuileries Gardens.

Paris Classic Bike Tour. See Paris like a local on a Paris Classic Bike Tour or Paris Nighttime Bike Tour. The Classic version is a 4-hour, 6-mile guided tour of the best sites the city has to offer. You’ll stop every few hundred yards for information and photo-ops, so children and non-cyclers can easily keep up. There is a break at a cafe in Tuileries Gardens. If you’re a night owl, or simply want to see the city lit up at night, consider the Nighttime Bike Tour, which is 4 hours 30 minutes: more riding and less information than the day tour, but it includes a 1-hour cruise on the Seine River with wine included.

Classic Bike Tour

If you would rather take your own bike tour of Paris, there are bike rentals all over the city.

Price:

Adult: $38.67 each

Child:    $36.39 each (4-11 years)

Child:    Free (0-3 years)

Reserve here

As you might imagine, the City of Light is so well lit at night, there is little problem seeing in the dark.

Nighttime Bike Tour                                            

Price:

Adult: $50.04 each

Child:    $47.77 each (4-11 years)

Child:    Free (0-3 years)

Reserve here

Fashion-Savvy Paris Shopping Tour. Learn where to purchase couture brands like Chanel, Louis Vuitton, and Dior at discounted prices like a local Parisienne. This is a true insiders’ tour: you’ll visit shops owned by fashion editors and photographers where designer clothing and accessories are sold right off the catwalk. You’ll also attend one or more workshops held by up-and-coming designers trained in Paris fashion houses.

The tour is 3 hours for a small group, and begins and ends at a cafe in the 6th arrondissement.

Price:

Adult: $139.29

Child: $102.45 (ages 3-7 years)

Child: Free (ages 0-2)

Register here

The energy of the Latin Quarter comes alive at night.

St. Germain des Pres & Latin Quarter Walking Tour. Meet your guide near the Pantheon and walk through St. Germain des Pres and the Latin Quarter, a lively area and former bohemian quarter where artists of all types lived and worked. In a small group limited to 12, you will also eat charcuterie (cold cooked meats) and play a game of French boules, the ball game you often see children and older men playing. Before ending at the Notre Dame Cathedral, you’ll visit Shakespeare & Co., likely the most famous bookstore in Paris.

Price: Adult $53.85 This is a special price for travel until August 31. Click on link below for children’s rates.

Duration: 3.5 hours

Unlikely bedfellows? This exhibit proves not.

Founding Myths – From Hercules to Darth Vader. The names of modern day heroes may change, but the mythological heroes they are based on don’t. Learn the connection between past and present heroes — from the Japanese manga to Star Wars — by viewing 70 pieces of artwork in 4 galleries at the Louvre. The last gallery is an exhibit of modern interpretations of these characters in television, film, and cartoons.

Location: The Louvre, La Petite Galerie, Richelieu Wing

Hours: Every day from 9:00 A.M. – 6:00 P.M., except Tuesday. Open until 9:45 P.M. on Wednesday and Friday. Exhibit runs until July 4.

Admission: 15 euros (permanent collections & exhibitions)

Phone: +33 01 40 20 53 17

Metro: Louvre-Rivoli, Line 1

Exhibit Website You can purchase tickets here and download a pdf Exhibition booklet for children.

Foire de Paris at Porte de Versailles.

Foire de Paris – The Grand Paris Expo. The Foire de Paris (Paris Fair) is the largest general purpose retail fair in Europe. This year, it offers 3500 brands in Europe (in House & Lifestyle, as well as Arts & Crafts & Culture of the World, Well-Being Fashion & Accessories, Leisure & Everyday Life, and Wine & Gastronomy); many products are for sale at a discount to the general public. Be sure to click the link to the map of the pavilions before you go: the exhibit is huge! Oh, and registration is 100% online.

Location:
Porte de Versailles
1 Place de la Porte de Versailles
75015 Paris

Phone: +33 01 40 68 22 22

Cost: 12.50 euros, Registration online

Hours: April 29 – May 8, 10:00 A.M. – 7:00 P.M. every day; closing time 10:00 P.M. on Tues May 3 and Fri May 6.

Metro: Porte de Versailles, Line 12

Map of Pavilions

Register here 

Je pars pour jouer boules! (I’m off to play boules!)

Au revoir!

Foire de Paris from ParisInsidersGuide.com, CCBY 2.0. Tuileries Gardens, Fat Tire Bike Tour by David McKelvey, Flickr, CCBY 2.0. Image of bikes for rent by CanStockPhoto. Boulevard St. Germain at night by Joao Andre O. Dias, Flickr, CCBY 2.0. Fashion Savvy Beautiful Girl by CanStockPhoto. Latin Quarter by Miguel Bernas, Flickr, CCBY 2.0. Image of Hercules, Japanese Manga & Darth Vader from ParisInsidersGuide.com, CCBY 2.0. Foire de Paris exhibit space by Jerome S., Flickr, CCBY 2.0. Game of Boules by Loki1973, Flickr, CCBY 2.0.