In need of a good laugh? Enjoy this tongue-in-cheek article about 17 things French people do better than Americans. I personally believe they’re #1 and we’re #2 (or lower) in culture superiority. But no one asked me my opinion.
Source: 17 Things The French Do Better Than Americans – French Morning
Vive la France!
Have you ever thought of going to Paris for Christmas or a weekend? Check out these accommodation deals from France.com (from $275.00 per person/double occupancy for a weekend in Paris!) and find your flight separately.
Two deals that caught my eye are the 3-Day Christmas Package and Paris Weekend Budget Package. Here are the details for both.
3-Day Christmas Package
-Round trip shared shuttle from airport to hotel.
-2 nights at a 3-star hotel with breakfast included, your choice of La Regence Etoile, Royal Magda, or Hotel de Sevigne.
-Eiffel Tower lunch with skip-the-line entrance ticket to ET.
-Seine River Christmas Eve dinner with drinks.
-1 evening pass on Paris hop-on, hop-off bus.
-Price (from $495.00 per person) based on 2 people traveling together. Single supplement of $215.00 for 1 person booking alone.
Find your flight separately on TripAdvisor.com or Kayak (or on your own).
The cafe inside La Regence Etoile, one of the hotel choices for the 3-Day Christmas Package in Paris.
Paris Weekend Budget Package (Available on weekends only)
-Round trip shared shuttle from airport to hotel.
-2 nights at a 3-star hotel with breakfast included, your choice of three hotel selections (selections offered at time of booking).
-Louvre skip-the-line entrance ticket.
-Seine River Cruise ticket.
-3 Paris metro tickets (per person).
-Price (from $275 per person) based on 2 people traveling together. Single supplement of $175.00 for 1 person booking alone.
Find your flight separately on TripAdvisor.com or Kayak (or on your own).
Source: France.com Paris Packages – France.com
Au revoir!
Image of La Regence Etoile found on Pinterest CCBY 2.0.
The citizens of Paris are going back to the cafes. Rick Steves says Americans should join them.
Parisians are going back to the cafes and museums. Americans should join them.
Here are two articles from The Washington Post on Paris in the wake of the attacks on November 13. The first shows the citizens of Paris are not giving in to terror — they’re going back to the cafes and museums and going on with the business of living — even laughing at a defiant comedian who compared the Islamic State’s war on French culture to bringing a “philosophy of rigorous self-abnegation to a pastry fight.” The second article offers advice from my favorite travel guide, Rick Steves, on why Americans should travel to Paris after the attacks. One point worth mentioning: He says that if Americans stay home because 130 people were killed in Paris (with a population of 2 million), they’ll be staying in a country where over 30,000 people per year (or nearly 100 per day, out of 320 million) are killed each year due to gun violence.
Source: Cafes and museums of Paris, staggered by attacks, begin revival – The Washington Post
Paris (and France as a whole) has increased security to keep their citizens and tourists safe. Let’s not give in to terror or to terrorists and stop traveling. If we do, the terrorists will have won.
Vive la France!
There’s a lot to do in Paris during the holiday season. Start your planning with Paris Insiders Guide’s recommendations for best things to do in December 2015. Activities include museum exhibits, castles, a recommended restaurant, and of course, Christmas lights.
Source: The 45 Best Things To Do In Paris – December 2015 | Paris Insiders Guide
Paris on a rare snowy day.
You might think there is less to do in Paris in the winter time, but the only thing you’ll see less of are the long lines to get into museums and monuments. As a general rule, Paris doesn’t get very cold during winter — when I was there in December 2014, the temperature didn’t get much below 45 degrees Fahrenheit (7.2 degrees Celsius). It did rain a lot, however — but that didn’t deter me from enjoying the city. There’s nothing like waking up in Paris to the sound of rain hitting the rooftop and windows.
Here are four activities that caught my eye in The 45 Best Things to do in Paris in December:
Picasso’s “Guernica” will be exhibited at the Grand Palais until February 29, 2016.
1. Pablo Picasso and the Modern Masters at the Grand Palais. Exhibit ends February 29, 2016. Metro: Champs-Elysees Clemenceau. The Modern Masters portion of the exhibit includes works by Roy Lichtenstein, Jasper Johns and Andy Warhol. Click here for the Grand Palais website and to book tickets. Price ranges depending on day of the week.
Chateau d’Amboise was a fortress, so it was built 81 meters (about 88.5 feet) high.
2. Private Tour: Loire Valley Castles Day Trip From Paris. Choose between two sets of castles (chateaux, or singular, chateau) — Amboise, Checoneau and Chambord, or Villandry, Langeais and Azay le Rideau — and enjoy lunch at an 18th century inn or at the park of Chateau de Langeais. Price varies depending on season and number of people in your party. Click here to book or see availability.
Chef Jerome Banctel heads Le Gabriel restaurant.
3. Featured Restaurant: Le Gabriel at La Reserve Hotel. The restaurant is headed by Chef Jerome Banctel and features a Japanese-French Fusion menu. The restaurant is located within La Reserve Hotel. Click here for a review by Paris Insiders Guide. Click here to see the rave reviews given by TripAdvisor users. Metro: Franklin D. Roosevelt.
Christmas lights on the Champs-Elysees near the Arc de Triomphe in 2014.
4. The Christmas Lights along the Champs-Elysees are positively beautiful no matter how you view them. Walk arm-and-arm with someone you love and take in the lights. You’ll never be the same.
Please note: It is my information that the Christmas Markets are closed due to the terror attacks in Paris on November 13.
Au revoir.
Image of Snowy Christmas at Eiffel Tower by CanStockPhoto. Image of Pablo Picasso’s “Guernica” by Martine, Flickr, CCBY 2.0. Image of Chateau d’Amboise by Christina Hsu, Flickr, CCBY 2.0. Image of Chef Jerome Banctel by Rota das Estrelas, Flickr, CCBY 2.0. Image of Christmas lights on the Champs-Elysees by Elsa L. Fridl.
Following the tragic terrorist attacks of November 13th in Paris, France, About Travel offers specific information and advice for tourists and visitors.
Source: Terrorist Attacks in Paris: What Visitors Need to Know
The Eiffel Tower is lit in France’s flag colors of blue, white and red in memory of those slain on Friday, November 13, 2015.
Here is some information and advice from About Travel about traveling to Paris at the present time. I have summarized some points and copied other points in their entirety. If you have any questions about traveling to Paris, please complete my “Contact Elsa” form, and I will get back to you as soon as possible.
The Attacks: Main Facts
Summarizes the where and when of the attacks, police raids and investigation. Most of the attacks occurred in the 10th and 11th arroundissements, not far from the Charlie Hebdo offices.
The Aftermath in Paris: Shock and Mourning
French President Francois Hollande issued a statement in which he called the attacks “an act of absolute barbarism” and promised that “France will be ruthless in its response to [ISIS].”
But he also called for national unity and for “cool heads,” warning against intolerance or divisiveness following the attacks.
In addition, he designated three days of national mourning, so all city and state museums, schools, and public places were closed over the weekend following the attacks.
Tributes, Memorials & City Initiatives
From Monday, November 16 through Wednesday, November 18 the Eiffel Tower will be illuminated with the colors of the French flag — blue, white and red — in memory of the victims.
The city’s Latin motto “Fluctuat Nec Mergitur” — which translates to “Tossed, But Not Sunk” — is on banners all around the city, including the Eiffel Tower.
Getting In and Out of Paris/France
France’s borders have not been closed. Security has been tightened at airports, train stations, and ferry launch points, so expect significant delays.
Companies including Eurostar, EasyJet, Ryanair, Air France, and British Airways have offered free exchanges on tickets for travelers who elected not to travel to or from Paris on the day following the attacks. Call their helplines for more information.
Metro and Public Transportation
All metro, bus, and RER lines in Paris are currently running normally, with the exception of the Oberkampf metro station (line 5) which is closed, and the station St Denis (line 13), closed for security reasons due to a police raid underway in the suburb.
Closures Around the City and Bolstered Security Measures
During the weekend following the attacks, all city and state-run museums and cultural attractions, including the Louvre, the Palace at Versailles, and the Eiffel Tower, were closed for three days of national mourning.
The Eiffel Tower is again open on Wednesday the 18th of November, after closing for security reasons on Tuesday.
On Wednesday, November 18th, all municipal and state museums and monuments were re-opened, except for the Arc de Triomphe which has not yet announced a re-opening date.
Disneyland Paris also re-opened its doors on Wednesday after a four-day closure. The Versailles palace re-opened on Tuesday, November 17th under tightened security.
Other public city events, including the annual Christmas markets and holiday lights ceremonies, were canceled in the week after the attacks. The holiday markets, including the biggest on the Champs-Elysees, were mostly open as of Wednesday, November 18th. The lit ferris wheel at the Place de la Concorde is also now open.
However, holiday lights ceremonies were postponed or cancelled around the city in the week after the attacks, including the largest lights display scheduled to kick off on the Champs Elysees, which has been postponed until further notice. Check back for updates on whether those will go forward.
In addition, many stores, shops, restaurants and bars across the capital were closed over the weekend following the attacks, in observance of national mourning. These private businesses have been re-opening at their owners’ discretion. Call ahead to verify re-opening dates and times.
For more information on current closures and re-openings of popular attractions, monuments, and museums, see this page at the Paris Tourist Office.
Official Security Advisories
As this went to press, no advisories against visiting Paris or the rest of France have been issued by the embassies and consulates of English-speaking countries. However, they do advise caution and vigilance.
The American Embassy in Paris published the following advisory to U.S. nationals visiting France on their official website: ” We strongly urge U.S. citizens to maintain a high level of vigilance, be aware of local events, and take the appropriate steps to bolster their personal security, including limiting their movements to essential activity. U.S. citizens are encouraged to monitor media and local information sources and factor updated information into personal travel plans and activities.” You can read the rest of their advice, including on how to register with the Embassy during your stay (recommended), at their official website.
To find your own embassy or consulate and any safety advisories published there, see this page.
Is it Safe to Visit Paris? Should I Cancel my Trip?
Personal safety is a highly, well, personal issue, and I can’t offer any hard-and-fast advice on what nervous or anxious travelers should do. It’s entirely normal to feel some apprehension after these events. Consider these points before canceling your trip to Paris.
Security is probably at its highest ever at the moment.
Despite what you might be reading or seeing on certain cable news outlets, France does take security very seriously, and officials have successfully intercepted and foiled many attacks in the past.
Moreover, following this recent tragedy, Paris is being patrolled by unprecedented numbers of police and military personnel, especially in crowded areas, public transport, and places frequented by tourists, including monuments, museums, markets and large shopping centers. Your risks are probably lower than usual due to these heightened precautions. While government officials acknowledge that more attacks are possible, they are showing extreme vigilance and working their very best to protect the city, its residents, and its visitors.
Read related: How to Stay Safe in Paris: Top Tips
[Elsa’s Note: With the exception of the section included here, all others are a refresher, such as protect yourself against pickpockets.] Especially when traveling alone, avoid areas around metro Les Halles, Chatelet, Gare du Nord and Stalingrad late at night or when the streets appear less than crowded. While generally safe, these areas have at times been known to harbor gang activity or to be the site of hate crimes. In addition, avoid traveling to the Northern Paris suburbs of Saint-Denis, Aubervilliers, Saint-Ouen, etc. after dark. Visitors to the above-mentioned areas may also take precautions by keeping a low profile and by refraining from wearing highly visible jewelry or clothing that identify them as members of a religion or political movement. As this goes to press, antisemitic and other hate crimes have been on the rise in the Paris region, but have largely been perpetrated outside the city walls.
We live in a world of complex risks, and we take those risks constantly.
Just as you can’t guarantee that getting in your car for your morning commute to work won’t result in a car crash, or that you won’t be a victim of random gun violence at a supermarket, travel carries a degree of risk. The rather sobering truth is that terrorism knows few to no borders in our age: to fear Paris over any other major metropolis is to completely misunderstand how terrorists operate.
Life in Paris must go on…and without your help, it won’t.
Paris is the number-one tourist destination in the world. The city needs, above all, to heal and rebound from this terrible tragedy, but without the help of tourists who contribute largely to its economic health and vibrancy, it’s not likely to succeed.
Vive la France. 
Image of Eiffel Tower lit up in blue, white and red by Yann Caradec, Flickr, CCBY 2.0. Images of Memorial at French Embassy by Elsa L. Fridl. “Peace for Paris” by Jackman Chlu, Flickr, CCBY 2.0.
Material adapted from an About Travel email dated November 17, 2015. No copyright infringement is intended. The author only means to share important safety information with travelers.
Paris is exciting at any time of year, and there’s a lot to do in Autumn. Here are the best things to do in Paris in November, including a champagne concert at Saint Chapelle!
Source: The Top 50 Things To Do In Paris November 2015 | Paris Insiders Guide
Photographers from all over the world show off their works during November, the Month of Photography.
Today I’m sharing Paris Insider’s Guide for things to do in Paris in November.
November is the Month of Photography in Paris, with forty exhibits around the city. You will see signs everywhere. I know because in November 2014, I went to the photography exhibit at the Grand Palais, and it was one of the highlights of my trip. To me, the Grand Palais was even larger inside than it looked from the outside. It is a beautiful space for exhibits. While I recommend the photography exhibit wholeheartedly, please note that some photographs may not be suitable for children.
A beautiful Christmas decoration at the Galeries Lafayette in November 2014.
While France does not celebrate Thanksgiving, American ex-pats in Paris generally do, and it is my information that many go to a shop named Thanksgiving for cranberries and other accoutrements for the holiday. (For Thanksgiving 2014, I went to my favorite restaurant in Paris, Le Basilic, and had the best veal I’ve ever had.) Americans might be shocked to see “Black Friday” sales advertised in Paris. The advent of the internet has made day-after Thanksgiving sales a global phenomenon. Sometime around Thanksgiving, a Christmas village on both ends of the Champs-Elysees comes to life where you can purchase Christmas gifts, have something to eat (try a crepe!), or enjoy a kiddie ride. Paris also puts up their Christmas decorations at this time, and the City of Light becomes the City That Sparkles.
But, I digress. Here are three Top Picks to do in Paris in November 2015 from the Paris Insider’s Guide that caught my eye. Click on the link above to see all 50 Top Picks.
58 Tour Eiffel Restaurant offers sumptuous food and beautiful views.
1. (Dinner at) Eiffel Tower, Moulin Rouge, and Seine River Cruise.
Have a leisurely dinner at Eiffel 58 while enjoying the views from the Eiffel Tower. Then see the city lit up at night on a cruise on the Seine River. Finish the evening at Moulin Rouge by taking in a performance of Feeire. From $376.17. MUST BOOK IN ADVANCE! Book by clicking here.
A Walking Tour with a guide is a great way to experience French gastronomy.
2. Gourmet Walking Tour
Book a 3-hour walking tour with an expert food connoisseur. Your guide will lead you through several Paris neighborhoods to visit: a French bakery, pastry shop, French caterer, wine shop, cheese shop, and a fruit and vegetable shop and market. Free snacks are included. From $101.06. Book by clicking here.
A dancer in La Bayadere, a ballet set in India.
3. Nureyev’s La Bayadere – Paris Ballet at the Palais Garnier (Nov 17- Dec 31)
Rudolf Nureyev produced his version of this classic ballet that he made known with his own performance in Paris in 1961. Book by clicking here.
Au revoir!
Image of photographer by Xavier Alberghini, Flickr, CCBY 2.0. Image of Christmas decoration at Galeries Lafayette by Elsa L. Fridl. Image of 58 Tour Eiffel Restaurant by Andi Fisher, Flickr, CCBY 2.0. Image of Paris Walking Tour: Paul Boulaingerie by Itamar Medeiros, Flickr, CCBY 2.0. Image of dancer in La Bayadere by Simurg, Flickr, CCBY 2.0.
Have you ever been so afraid that you couldn’t scream? I have. Hook the Ila alarm to your handbag or belt loop, pull the string, and let it scream for you!
Source: Screaming Personal Safety Alarm — from CorporateTravelSafety.com.
The Ila Dusk alarm is 3″ x 1.5″ x 3″ and is $27.95 at Corporate Travel Safety.com.
Imagine: You’re walking down the street at night in a foreign country with map in hand trying to find your lodging. You sense a man walking behind you, picking up his pace, and you start to fear he intends to rob you. What do you do?
Studies show that cries for help are more likely to get a response than alarms and whistles; after all, how many times have you heard a car alarm go off and ignored it as just another noise? At the pull of its string, the Ila Dusk alarm registers a female scream at 130 decibels that is meant to disorient and/or scare off a would-be attacker. I wish I had had it when I was in Paris last year: I was visiting Pere Lachaise Cemetery, and I was in a fairly secluded area where no one else was around when two men approached me and came within an inch of my face. They taunted me as I held onto my handbag and muttered that I didn’t speak French well. They eventually left. Had I had the Ila alarm, they would have left much sooner — and in a hurry.
In addition, I could have used it when I was robbed about 100 yards from my apartment building: I had taken a shortcut after walking to the grocery store, and there was no one around because everyone was in front of their TVs waiting for the kickoff of the Superbowl. I wanted to throw a glass bottle of white vinegar at my three attackers who approached me from behind, but I was shaking so hard I couldn’t manage to get my hand into my plastic grocery bag. They ripped my brand new handbag off of me and left me clutching a strap. I couldn’t even scream as they walked away from me, scouring my handbag for stolen loot. I needed someone — or something — to scream for me.
Please note that the product description states the decibel level as 130, but the graph puts the decibel level at 101. I emailed the company requesting clarification of this inconsistency, but I never received a reply. No matter: 100 decibels is roughly the sound the sound of a wood shop (you know, the sound of a wood-cutting blade), which is still more than enough to ward off a would-be attacker. Just do yourself a favor and think twice before pulling the alarm on an airplane or other tightly-enclosed place.
Au revoir!
Image of Ila Dusk Screaming Alarm from CorporateTravelSafety.com.