Experience Christmas and New Year’s in Paris!

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Galeries Lafayette by Brett_FlickrIf ever there was a time of year to visit Paris for just a few days, Christmas time is it.

Source: Christmas in Paris – New Year in Paris – Paris Tourist Office

Looking for a new tradition? Go to Paris for Christmas or to ring in the new year! The city dressed up for the holidays will take your breath away — if you go to Paris during Christmas time, you might think the city got their nickname “The City of Light” from this time of year. (Actually, it was probably because they were the first European city to use gas lamps outside.) The entire city is bathed in Christmas lights, from storefronts and windows to trees and landscapes. As always, there is plenty to do, including visiting Christmas markets and seasonal ice rinks.

I have given details below of several of my favorite things to do in Paris this time of year. But first, here are 12 pictures of holidays past to see for yourself: Paris during the holidays is a must-do. Even if it’s just once in your lifetime.

 

Here are 3 of my favorite activities to do in Paris during the holidays:

"Reconnect" with loved ones on the ice; just be sure to wear gloves.

“Reconnect” with loved ones on the ice; just be sure to wear gloves.

1. Go ice skating at one of the temporary ice skating rinks, such as: inside the Grand Palais (avenue Winston Churchill, from 14 December 2016 – 2 January 2017), or outside on the Eiffel Tower (5 avenue Anatole, from 15 December 2016 – 19 February 2017). Ice skating isn’t just for kids: it can be a good way to “reconnect” with the one you love, especially if one or both of you have a hard time staying upright on the ice. Doesn’t that sound like fun for the whole family? Just be sure to wear gloves as protection from the cold and others’ skates in case you fall. Or is that when you fall?

Christmas markets are a great place to eat and people-watch.

Christmas markets are a great place to eat and people-watch.

2. Walk and admire, eat, drink, and buy gifts at Christmas markets. There are Christmas markets all over Paris, but probably the largest is on the Champs-Elysees. The highlights of my visits to this market in 2014 were talking to a Moscovite about his black lacquer boxes he had for sale and eating a crepe with Grand Marnier. (Okay, I might have had two.) I also got a serving of German-made goulash that was so large I had leftovers for 2 more meals. Since you’re in France, you can also purchase hot and cold liquor drinks to warm your bones.

 

Celebrating New Year's on the Champs-Elysees? Hope you like crowds!

Celebrating New Year’s on the Champs-Elysees? Hope you like crowds!

3. Ring in the new year on the Champs-Elysees (31 December 2016). Could there be anything more romantic than celebrating New Year’s Eve with the one(s) you love under the stars in Paris? I doubt it.

 

Salut !

 

 

 

 Fouquet’s Paris and Galeries Lafayette by Elsa L. Fridl. All other images from Flickr, CCBY 2.0. Featured image, Galeries Lafayette by Brett. The Eiffel Tower by C. A Paris Street by Dirk Haun. Au Printemps by Brett. Vendome Place by PhOtOnQuAnTIQuE. Notre Dame by Linus Mak. A Christmas Decoration by Jean-Yves Romanetti. The Champs-Elysees by Daxis. A Tree with Lights (“Christmas in Paris”) by John Stanforth. Decorations at Notre Dame (“Notre Dame dans la Boule”) by Luca Vanzella. Paris Opera House by Chris Chabot. Ice Skating on the Eiffel Tower by C. Christmas Market by Linus Mak. Celebrating New Year’s by Falcon Photography.

 

Paris Trip Day 11

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A rainy day in Paris is better than a sunny day anywhere else.

A rainy day in Paris is better than a sunny day anywhere else.

Friday. I feel awful. My head is stuffed. My eyes are watering like crazy. I have to stay in I feel so sick. Thank goodness the hostel has a great coffee machine. Even though I enjoy a good cup of cappuccino, the machine’s cappuccino is pretty good, especially for 1 euro. As I’ve said, a bad day in Paris beats a good day anywhere else, any time.

Later. As sick as I was, I managed to go to Gare du Nord to find out how to get to London when I go in December. I seemed to be getting the run around…no one could tell me how to take a ferry to Calais like I did the last time I visited Paris. Finally, I got the information I needed. Then, my debit card wouldn’t work, so I had to pay cash for a 1-way ticket to Calais. Hard to believe that Wells Fargo froze my account! Even after I gave them a travel itinerary before I left the States! And the Wells Fargo representative even told me she could see my travel itinerary in my account online! And she took her own sweet time making me verify each and every transaction, as slow as growing grass.

I don’t take anti-histamines much anymore, but I had no choice today, so I got an anti-histamine from a Pharmacie. I am so glad pharmacists in France are about as knowledgeable as doctors in the U.S. when it comes to medicines. I am wiped out.

Salut !

 

Image by Can Stock Photo.

Paris Trip Day 1

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Turkish Airlines is the #1 ranked airline in Europe. It is a well-deserved reputation.

Turkish Airlines is the #1 ranked airline in Europe. It is a well-deserved reputation.

Tuesday. I arrived at Dulles Airport last night with too much time on my hands because I didn’t want to take Metro late at night. I read my booklet on my new phone, called T-Mobile a few times with questions, and sat around and waited. Turkish Airlines’ counter didn’t open until a couple of hours before takeoff, so I was a bit bored. Once I could check in, I was able to go to the terminal, where there are more places to eat and simply more shops in general. While waiting to board I met a woman named Sharon who is getting married. She is meeting her fiancé in Barcelona. It was nice having someone to talk to at Dulles because I was there for a long time, I’m not much of a night person, and was very tired by the time we boarded. I believe what the experts say: You tend to eat too much when you’re tired. They aren’t kidding!

The flight left Dulles Airport on time at 11:30 P.M. I watched the Jack Ryan movie with Chris Pine and three other movies to make the time go by. (Well, 2 ½ more movies.) My legs felt a bit cramped, and it was much colder in the cabin than I’ve ever experienced before: Good thing I was wearing not only my blue cashmere Pringle V-neck sweater (with a white shirt) but also my black Ann Taylor wool blazer – I would have been freezing without the layers. (Now I sound like a J. Peterman catalogue.) What I couldn’t get over was how much space there was in the overhead compartments! The flight was full, yet there seemed to be plenty of room to be had in the overheads. I can’t remember that ever happening on another airline. The food on Turkish Airlines was very good. I only felt bad because the flight attendants woke up a seatmate so he would eat. He wasn’t too thrilled until he had some wine. A very handsome man was seated behind me. It made the flight more interesting, but I was also a bit suspicious, since he seemed a little TOO interested in me. He was, after all, a lot younger than I am.

We landed in Istanbul for a short lay-over before boarding to Paris. We had a PERFECT flight from Dulles. I couldn’t get over how clean the airport is in Istanbul. No drama, no loud noises. I did notice, however, a man sticking his head into the ladies bathroom to make sure everything was as it should be. I was not the only one who seemed to be a bit taken aback—the women in line seemed a little nervous about having a man putting his head into the ladies room—but they seemed to get over it. (They just eyed him a little suspiciously.) I had a cappuccino and talked to Sharon until I boarded my plane. Everyone around us who was on the flight talked about what a perfect flight it was. No wonder Turkish Airlines is top-rated in Europe. A fun fact I learned: Turkey isn’t part of the European Union so they can’t have a hub in Europe; this is why they have to fly from Dulles (and other cities) to Istanbul, and from there fly to Europe and other destinations.

Meg Ryan and Kevin Kline in a familiar passaage way in Charles de Galle Airport, from "French Kiss."

Meg Ryan and Kevin Kline in a familiar passageway in Charles de Gaulle Airport, from “French Kiss.”

I arrived at Charles de Gaulle Airport very late and very tired. We had to walk very, very far in the airport to pick up our luggage, and our trip included going up a few escalators. (And my feet were killing me!) We were cautioned not to get into a taxi with any driver who was hanging around the airport. We were told to only get a taxi outside certain doors because they would be legitimate taxis. We queued up and the line seemed to move…fairly quickly. Then it was my turn. The man who was assigning taxis asked me where I was going. I showed him a piece of paper on which I had written the name of my hostel, its address, and phone number. The first taxi didn’t know where it was. I was assigned another taxi and he told the man he THINKS he knows where the hostel is. Only as we started to drive away did I notice, much to my horror, it looked like he didn’t have a credit card machine. I doubted I had changed enough dollars to Euros for the ride. I was correct. He didn’t have a machine and he had to stop at an ATM to allow me to get cash. I was worried that this might be one of the machines that charges an exorbitant fee but it didn’t. I just wish I hadn’t been quite so tired.

Luckily, Plug-Inn Hostel has a huge banner outside its door, so even a weary traveler or cab driver would see it. I got in at 11:30 P.M. The staff person on duty first took my payment for the two nights I reserved. When I found out that my original understanding was correct – the hostel was 26 Euros a night, or $35 – I reserved a bed for the rest of my time here. I paid for that separately, though I was told I would have to stay elsewhere Saturday night because they were completely booked. Not a problem. Then, I was helped to my room and bed. I was in bed within minutes. It was a very smooth check-in process. The common area when you walk in is just as lovely as their pictures on the web. I just know I’m going to love it here at Plug-Inn Hostel.

 

Salut !

 

Airplane image by Can Stock Photo. Image from “French Kiss” used by permission of Blu-ray.com.

Foreward to 30-Day Paris Trip Diary

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While luggage like this will likely get dirty, it is much easier to find among everyone else's black luggage if it is lost.

While luggage like this will likely get dirty, it is much easier to find among everyone else’s black luggage if it is lost.

For the next 30 days, I will be republishing my travel diary of my last Paris trip. With few exceptions, the diary will be published as I first wrote it.

I’m republishing it because of the many positive comments I received on it, and because, in all honesty, I am job-seeking, and I believe readers get an insight into who I am and how I think from reading it. I am skilled at planning events, coordinating details, and finding my way around foreign cultures. I take seriously that I am a representative of the United States while visiting other countries — and am well aware that locals make judgments of Americans based on their experiences of me — yet I can also laugh about situations of cultural confusion. Rather than getting angry at a misperception, I try to see it from the other person’s viewpoint. This is true not only while traveling, but in my every day life, as well.

So, without further adieu, I begin:

For the next 30 days, I will be publishing my travel diary that I wrote during my recent trip to Paris, along with additions based on my Filofax daily planner entries, receipts (what I kept), bank statements, cell phone records, and my long-term memory, which is significantly better than my short-term. I can remember beating the two fastest guys in the 100-yard dash in fourth grade, but if you ask me what I had for lunch yesterday I’d probably have to think about it. You will notice I make a lot of references to Rick Steves’ Paris 2014 guide book: I used it extensively during my trip. I can’t say enough good things about the travel advice Rick gives.

Sometimes I’ve talked about how much money I’ve spent and how I feel about it. I don’t go through life putting a price tag on everything because you can’t put a price tag on life experiences. I’ve talked about these experiences as information for my readers. (Hopefully, I have a few by now.) Also, some days I have a lot to say, and other days…not so much.

All names have been changed except for hostel management and public figures.

I make several references to the television program Seinfeld, so if an observation doesn’t make sense, it’s probably a reference to that program.

I make a few references to “Fancy Boy Idiots.” This is actually a pseudonym (or nom de guerre). I’m sure you can figure it out once you think about it.

Salut !

 

Image by Can Stock Photo.

Happy Halloween!

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Cats freely wander Pere Lachaise cemetery where they keep the dead company.

Cats freely wander Pere Lachaise Cemetery where they keep the dead company.

Paris and cats, cats and Paris…the two just go together.

 

Source: bonjourparis.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Happy Halloween! If you want to be in the spirit of this day, but like me, you don’t enjoy getting scared, today I’m sharing a photo essay on cats in Paris from a little earlier this year, courtesy of bonjourparis.com.

 

Au revoir !

 

Cat at Grave by Daniel Racovitan, Flickr, CCBY 2.0.

Destination Wedding in Paris: Your Flowers

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Flowers have a direct affect on the mood of your event. They are nature’s way of showing us the beauty of color. When selecting flowers for your wedding, think of the overall feel you would like your guest to experience. If you are looking to create a romantic feel, choose softer palettes of colors with larger blooms like roses or peonies. And if you are looking for a more festive feel, choose flowers with brighter hues and interesting shapes like daisies or hydrangea.

— Andrea Davis, Event Expert & Creative Director, Entyse Lyfe Entertainment

Notice how the flowers for Raph & John's reception work with the tableware to set a romantic mood.

The flowers for Raph & John’s reception work with the tableware to set a romantic mood.

When a bride first thinks of flowers for her wedding, the first thing she usually thinks of is her bouquet. While it is true that pictures of a groom arm and arm with his new bride holding her bouquet will be an enduring memory, as Andrea Davis is quoted above, flowers set the mood for guests, as well. To illustrate how right she is, purchase a bunch of three types of flowers you’re considering, one type for three weeks straight. Put them in a place in your home in which you spend a lot of time. Do you notice yourself and others speaking softer when you have pink roses displayed, as opposed to another flower? Do you feel happier around one flower more than another? You can also get feedback from members in your family. Chances are, different flowers will have a different affect on you and those around you (and don’t forget to consider if anyone might be allergic). Consider this information, as well as the color(s) for your theme when making your selection.

Having trouble selecting your flowers? Buy one bunch at a time (or one mixture at a time, as you will likely use 2-3 different flowers at once) so you can see how you feel around them. This is even more important when planning a destination wedding.

Having trouble selecting your flowers? Buy one bunch at a time (or one mixture at a time, as you will likely use 2-3 different flowers at once) so you can see how you feel around them. This is even more important when planning a destination wedding.

Most wedding planners suggest you budget 8-10% of your overall wedding budget for flowers. Since the average wedding in 2015 cost roughly $31,000, that’s $3,100 for flowers. It sounds like a lot to spend on flowers until you look at the flower checklist from Brides.com. The list is long! When selecting your flowers, my suggestion is to keep your theme in mind and prioritize the list: Is it more important to add life to a dark-wooded house of worship, or to have more flowers throughout a reception venue? I’m not suggesting to cross off anything on the above list; rather, to simply spend less on placements that have a lower priority. Also, be sure to read The Knot’s 15 Most Common Wedding Flower Mistakes to Avoid.

Here are three florists/wedding flower designers to consider:

1. L’Artisan Fleuriste (2 locations)
95 rue Vielle du Temple
75003 Paris

Telephone: +33 01 42 78 40 40

Hours: Not given

A dark-wooded house of worship needs white or light-colored flowers to lighten it up.

A dark-wooded house of worship needs white or light-colored flowers to lighten it up.

Fax: +33 01 42 78 20 40

Metro: Saint-Sebastien-Froissart

L’Artisan Fleuriste
6 rue Commaille
75007 Paris

Telephone: +33 01 42 84 40 40
Fax: +33 01 42 84 40 41

Metro: Sevres-Babylone

Contact Page

Detail of hydrangea. While the flower comes in many colors, this could be your "something blue."

Detail of Hydrangea. While the flower comes in many colors, this could be your “something blue.”

Facebook Page

Contacts:
Alexis de Matharel, Communications & Media
Telephone: +33 06 27 18 48
Email: amatharel@gmail.com

Anne Wehr, Direction de Creation, Graphic Design
Telephone: +33 06 70 67 71 64
Email: wehranne@gmail.com
Personal Website: www.annewehr.com

I selected L’Artisan Fleuriste because they are so accessible – a real plus when planning a destination wedding.

 

2. Estelle Preston
Estelle Preston is an independent floral designer who “specializes in haute couture wedding work tailored to a bride’s exact wishes.” She says she was inspired by Christian Tortu, a master floral designer, largely considered to be the leading seller of flowers in New York City, and who taught her how to buy the very best flowers. She was featured in Meet the Experts in French Wedding Style.

Detail of Peony, a popular wedding flower.

Detail of Peony, a popular wedding flower.

Contact Page

Telephone: +33 06 03 13 02 15

Hours: Not given

Email: estelleprestonflowers@gmail.com

 

3. Un Jour de Fleurs 
22 rue Jean Nicot
75007 Paris

Reception flowers by Eric Chauvin.

Flowers at a wedding reception by Un Jour de Fleurs.

Telephone: +33 01 45 50 43 54

Hours: Mon-Sat 9:00 A.M. – 8:30 P.M.

Contact: commandeparis@ericchauvin.fr

Metro: Invalides or La Tour-Maubourg

Eric Chauvin on Pinterest

Eric Chauvin, owner of Un Jour de Fleurs, was voted Paris’s poshest florist by W Magazine in 2009. His creations are sought after by Dior and the Hermes’ Paris Flagship Store, among many
others.

Flowers by Eric Chauvin for Opera Garnier.

Flowers at the Opera Garnier by Un Jour de Fleurs.

 See if you can imagine your flowers in any of these settings:

 

Au revoir!

 

 

 

 

Detail of image of Raph & John’s reception by Agence Tophos, Flickr, CCBY 2.0. Image of Roses+Peonies+Flowers by Maegan Tintari, Flickr, CCBY 2.0. Image of dark-wooded church by L’Artisan Fleuriste, Facebook page, CCBY 2.0. Image of detail of Hydrangea by Nyaman Kamome, Flickr, CCBY 2.0. Image of Peony by Wikimedia Commons, CCBY 3.0. Image of flowers at a wedding reception by Un Jour de Fleurs, Eric Chauvin’s website, CCBY 2.0. Image of flowers at the Opera Garnier by Un Jour de Fleurs, Eric Chauvin’s website, CCBY 2.0. Image of Art Nouveau lighting at reception by Agence Tophos, Flickr, CCBY 2.0. Image of flowers at an entrance to a garden wedding by Un Jour de Fleurs, Eric Chauvin’s website, CCBY 2.0. Image of flower-covered chuppah by Sarah, Flickr, CCBY 2.0. Image of flowers giving light to an area at a wedding by L’Artisan Fleuriste, Facebook page, CCBY 2.0. Image of White Calla Lily Wedding Cake (created by Graceful Cake Creations) by Grace Tari, Flickr, CCBY 2.0. Image of tall vase of flowers on a table by Anne Ruthmann, Flickr, 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.

 

 

Discover Paris by the Seine

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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:

  1. Eiffel Tower
  2. Musee D’Orsay
  3. St. Germain des Pres
  4. Notre Dame
  5. Jardin des Plantes / Cite de la Mode et du Design
  6. Hotel de Ville
  7. Louvre
  8. Champs-Elysees
  9. 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:

  1. Louvre
  2. Place de la Concorde
  3. Eiffel Tower
  4. Musee d’Orsay
  5. Notre Dame
  6. 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.