The Grands Boulevards neighborhood in Paris is one of the city's up and coming districts and is a "must-see" for any visitor. Lined with nightlife, restaurants, and cafes, it is one of Paris' best spots for a day (or evening) of people watching. The neighborhood officially begins at the Madeleine Church in the 9th arrondissement and continues through to the Bastille in the 11th.
The opening of the Metro station Grands Boulevards in 1988 brought new life to the historic neighborhood. Below are a couple of suggestions for things to do while there:
Folies Bergere
32 rue Richer
Built over 150 years ago, this historic music hall was a symbol of Parisian life, and even today offers exciting dance and music programs.
Chartier
7 rue du Faubourg Montmartre
Nothing less than a Parisian institution, Chartier offers inexpensive and tasty Parisian cuisine. Frequented by students, locals, and tourists alike, it has entrées are only 2€ !
La Galerie Vivienne
Perhaps the most famous arcade in all of Europe, La Galerie Vivienne is exceptionally preserved and well worth a visit. It mosaic floor is sure to please, and even better - the shop clerks there are helpful and, dare I say, friendly.
Passage Jouffroy
This passage is dominated by antique bookstores, tea rooms and is a wonderful place for shopping and finding unique Paris souvenirs.
Friday, March 27, 2009
Saturday, January 31, 2009
How to Survive a Metro Strike in Paris
French workers are at it again - striking for what seems like the umpteenth time over their latest perceived government slight. This time, their frustrations are based on the economic crisis and the seemingly inadequate response by their president, Nicholas Sarkozy. While many previous strikes have been secular, this time the strike was a joint national effort by those in both the public and private sector. Banks were closed, hospital workers stayed home, and even some schools shut down for the day. The biggest consequence that a visitor to Paris might experience right now, however, is the virtual shut down of the bus and metro system.
What I always find interesting is the fact that although Parisians outwardly grumble and moan about a strike and related inconveniences that naturally follow, they actually take it very much in stride. "Cie la vie!" It's just one of the...charms of French life. There are, however, a few things that one can do to minimize the challenges that a strike inevitably brings:
1) If you can, select a hotel near the center of Paris. The closer you are to the center, the easier it will be to walk to the sites you want to see. Prices might be slightly higher, but at this time of year, hotels are far from full, so you should feel free to negotiate a rate for your room. It's not uncommon to be able to get a room for 10 - 20% lower than a published price.
2) Since you can't rely on taking the normally efficient metro to get to your hotel, try taking the shuttle that Air France provides. It leaves every 15 minutes and takes about a 35 minutes to reach the city center. Be warned, however, that it makes limited stops and you will have to walk to reach your hotel from the whatever drop off point is closest.
3) If you prefer to have door-to-door access directly to your hotel, consider booking a Paris Shuttle that will leave you right at your hotel. Prices for a shuttle are usually equivalent to those of a taxi, but the shuttles are larger and more comfortable, and since your booking is confirmed ahead of time so you won't have to wait at a taxi stand at CDG. Also, your fair for the shuttle is predetermined so you won't have to worry about any exorbitant taxi prices due to traffic issues.
4) Give yourself extra time to catch reach your destinations! That means, head to a taxi stand even earlier than you would plan to make sure you arrive at the airport in time to catch your return flight home. The taxis that are available will be in heavy demand. And, with the metro not operating fully, more Parisians will be forced to drive to their jobs - further congesting a city that is already infamous for its traffic jams.
Finally, take it all in stride when you're there. The French have a very strong view of citizen rights, and consider it their responsibility to protest any sort of government infraction. While it may lead to some minor inconveniences, think of the romance of it all. Striking is very much a part of French culture. For better or for worse.
What I always find interesting is the fact that although Parisians outwardly grumble and moan about a strike and related inconveniences that naturally follow, they actually take it very much in stride. "Cie la vie!" It's just one of the...charms of French life. There are, however, a few things that one can do to minimize the challenges that a strike inevitably brings:
1) If you can, select a hotel near the center of Paris. The closer you are to the center, the easier it will be to walk to the sites you want to see. Prices might be slightly higher, but at this time of year, hotels are far from full, so you should feel free to negotiate a rate for your room. It's not uncommon to be able to get a room for 10 - 20% lower than a published price.
2) Since you can't rely on taking the normally efficient metro to get to your hotel, try taking the shuttle that Air France provides. It leaves every 15 minutes and takes about a 35 minutes to reach the city center. Be warned, however, that it makes limited stops and you will have to walk to reach your hotel from the whatever drop off point is closest.
3) If you prefer to have door-to-door access directly to your hotel, consider booking a Paris Shuttle that will leave you right at your hotel. Prices for a shuttle are usually equivalent to those of a taxi, but the shuttles are larger and more comfortable, and since your booking is confirmed ahead of time so you won't have to wait at a taxi stand at CDG. Also, your fair for the shuttle is predetermined so you won't have to worry about any exorbitant taxi prices due to traffic issues.
4) Give yourself extra time to catch reach your destinations! That means, head to a taxi stand even earlier than you would plan to make sure you arrive at the airport in time to catch your return flight home. The taxis that are available will be in heavy demand. And, with the metro not operating fully, more Parisians will be forced to drive to their jobs - further congesting a city that is already infamous for its traffic jams.
Finally, take it all in stride when you're there. The French have a very strong view of citizen rights, and consider it their responsibility to protest any sort of government infraction. While it may lead to some minor inconveniences, think of the romance of it all. Striking is very much a part of French culture. For better or for worse.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
5 Common Mistakes Tourists Make in Paris
Here is a list of 5 of the most common mistakes tourists make during their visits to Paris.
1) Wearing Sneakers! If you want to look like a foreigner while in Paris, it's easy enough - simply wear your sneakers when walking the city's streets. It's always fun to spot the American tourists wandering around with their New Balance gym sneakers on. Trust me, Parisians only wear their sneakers to one place - the gym. If, and that' a big IF - they even go to the gym.
2) Not saying Bon Soire (pronounced Boh(n)swah ) - meaning Good Evening or Bon Jour (pronounced Boh(n)zhoor) - meaning Hello, upon entering a French business. These common phrases are used whenever one enters a French establishment, use them upon entering a restaurant, cafe, or shop.
3) Spending too much time on the Champs-Élysées, and streets like it. Paris has many, many delightful neighborhoods, but the real Paris is best discovered in the intellectual Quartier Latin or the chic Marais district. Sure, visit the Champs-Élysées, but don't spend too much time there. On that same note,
4) Only visiting the Louvre. See more museums than just the Louvre - please! The Louvre Museums is an architectural sight in and off itself. The actual works in the museum would take months to see on their own. Many visitors are surprised, and a tad disappointed, when the finally cut through the throngs of people and get to the Mona Lisa ("It's so small!" is the most commonly overheard phrase upon viewing it). Instead, visit the Louvre, but spend time at the other magnificent Paris museums. The Centre de Pompidou, Rodin Museum and Museum D'Orsay immediately come to mind as a couple of museums that should be on anyone's list of "must-sees".
5) Going to the top of the Eiffel Tower. At least, attempting to do so during peak hours. The lines at the Eiffel Tower are legendary - one can wait for hours just to get to the top, only to discover that the smog is so thick that the view is atrocious. Of course one should go see the Eiffel Tower - it is, after all, an international icon. However, don't waste your precious time in Paris waiting in line to get to the top. It's also worth noting that the Parisians hated the Eiffel Tower upon it's completion in 1889, as they viewed as a monstrosity.
1) Wearing Sneakers! If you want to look like a foreigner while in Paris, it's easy enough - simply wear your sneakers when walking the city's streets. It's always fun to spot the American tourists wandering around with their New Balance gym sneakers on. Trust me, Parisians only wear their sneakers to one place - the gym. If, and that' a big IF - they even go to the gym.
2) Not saying Bon Soire (pronounced Boh(n)swah ) - meaning Good Evening or Bon Jour (pronounced Boh(n)zhoor) - meaning Hello, upon entering a French business. These common phrases are used whenever one enters a French establishment, use them upon entering a restaurant, cafe, or shop.
3) Spending too much time on the Champs-Élysées, and streets like it. Paris has many, many delightful neighborhoods, but the real Paris is best discovered in the intellectual Quartier Latin or the chic Marais district. Sure, visit the Champs-Élysées, but don't spend too much time there. On that same note,
4) Only visiting the Louvre. See more museums than just the Louvre - please! The Louvre Museums is an architectural sight in and off itself. The actual works in the museum would take months to see on their own. Many visitors are surprised, and a tad disappointed, when the finally cut through the throngs of people and get to the Mona Lisa ("It's so small!" is the most commonly overheard phrase upon viewing it). Instead, visit the Louvre, but spend time at the other magnificent Paris museums. The Centre de Pompidou, Rodin Museum and Museum D'Orsay immediately come to mind as a couple of museums that should be on anyone's list of "must-sees".
5) Going to the top of the Eiffel Tower. At least, attempting to do so during peak hours. The lines at the Eiffel Tower are legendary - one can wait for hours just to get to the top, only to discover that the smog is so thick that the view is atrocious. Of course one should go see the Eiffel Tower - it is, after all, an international icon. However, don't waste your precious time in Paris waiting in line to get to the top. It's also worth noting that the Parisians hated the Eiffel Tower upon it's completion in 1889, as they viewed as a monstrosity.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
10 Great Paris Museums
There are so many fantastic museums to see in Paris, that it's hard to limit the list to just ten. However, here at Aeon Tours we've done our best to do just that. Feel free to recommend any other museums that you think are "must-sees".
1) Musée d'Orsay
www.musee-orsay.fr
Phone: 01 40 49 48 14
Highlights: Presents Impressionist works in all forms, starting in 1848 through WWI
Hours of Operation: Tue-Sun 9:30am-6pm; Thu 10am-9:45pm
Admission: €7.50, €6.50 students, under 18 free
Address: 1, rue de Bellechasse, Paris, France 75007
Closest Metro Station: Solférino
2) Musée du Louvre
www.louvre.fr
Phone: 01 40 20 50 50
Highlights: Venus de Milo, the Mona Lisa, the Winged Victory of Samothrace
Hours of Operation: Mon, Thurs & Sat, 9am-6pm; Wed & Fri, 9am-10pm (Closed Tuesdays)
Admission: €8.50; €6 after 6 pm on Wed & Fri
Address: 34-36, quai du Louvre, Palais du Louvre, Paris, France 75001
Closets Metro Station: Palais Royal-Musée du Louvre
3) Musée de Cluny
www.musee-moyenage.fr
Phone: 01 53 73 78 00
Highlights: the Jardim Medieval, the Gold Rose, La Dame a la Licorne, Musee du Moyen Age
Admission: €6.50; ages 18-25, €4.50
Hours of Operation: Mon, Wed-Sat, 9:15am-5:45pm (Closed Tuesdays and Sundays)
Address: 6, pl. Paul-Painleve
Closest Metro Station: Cluny-La Sorbonne
4) Centre Georges Pompidou
www.centrepompidou.fr
Phone: 01 44 78 12 33
Highlights: the Fauvist, Cubist and modern art at the Musée National d’Art Moderne
Admission: €10; under 26, €8; under 18 is free
Hours of Operation: Wed-Mon, 11am-10pm (Closed Tuesdays)
Address: pl Georges Pompidou, Paris, France 75191
Closest Metro Station: Rambuteau, Hôtel de Ville, or Châtelet
5) Musée Picasso
www.musee-picasso.fr
Phone: 01 42 71 25 21
Highlights: Home to some of the most prestigious of Picasso’s works, including Autoportrait, Le Violon et la Musique, Deux Femmes Courant Sur la Plage, La Femme Qui Lit and paintings from his personal colletion by the likes of Matisse, Corot, and Renoir
Admission: €6.50; 18-25 years – €4.50, under 18 free
Hours of Operation: (Apr-Sep) Mon, Wed-Sun, 9:30am-6pm; (Oct-Mar) Mon, Wed-Sun, 9:30am-5:30pm
Address: 5, rue de Thorigny, Paris, France 75003
Closest Metro Station: Saint-Paul, Chemin-Vert, Filles du Calvaire
6) Musée Rodin
www.musee-rodin.fr
Phone: 01 44 18 61 10
Highlights: See some of Rodin’s most famous sculptures, including The Thinker, Le Baiser, and L’Age Mur
Admission: €6; ages 18-25 and seniors, €4
Hours of Operation: (Apr-Sep) Tue-Sun 9:30am-5:45pm; (Oct-Mar) Tue-Sun 9:30am-4:45pm
Address: 79, rue de Varenne, Paris, France 75007
Closest Metro Station: Varenne, Invalides or Saint-François-Xavier
7) Cité des Sciences et de l'Industrie
www.cite-sciences.fr
Phone: 01 40 05 79 99
Highlights: Explora Science Museum (perfect for kids)
Admission: Tickets range from €3-€9
Hours of Operation: Tue-Sun, 10:30am-9:30pm; (Open odd hours on Mondays – call ahead)
Address: Parc de la Villette, 30, avenue Corentin Cariou - A.P. 75930 Paris cedex 19 , 75019 Paris
Closest Metro Station: Porte de la Villette
8) Maison Europeenne de la Photographie
www.mep-fr.org
Phone: 01 44 78 75 00
Highlights: Houses a video library with over 600 films by esteemed photographers
Admission: €6; under age 26 and seniors, €3
Hours of Operation: Wed-Sun, 11am-8pm, free on Wed from 5pm-8pm
Address: 5-7, rue de Fourcy, Paris, France 75000
Closest Metro Station: St-Paul
9) Musée de l'Histoire de France
www.archivesnationales.culture.gouv.fr/chan/chan/musee/musee-hdf.htm
Phone: 01 40 27 60 96
Highlights: Richard the Lionheart’s Edict, Louis XVI’s Diary, a letter from Napoleon to his love, Josephine
Admission: €3; ages 18-25, €2.30
Hours of Operation: Mon, Wed-Fri, from 10am-12:30pm and 2pm-5:30pm; Sat-Sun, from 2pm-5:30pm (Closed Tuesdays)
Address: 87, r. Vieille du Temple
Closest Metro Station: Filles du Calvaire
10) Musée d'Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris
www.mam.paris.fr
Phone: 01 53 67 40 80
Highlights: one of the world’s grandest collections of modern art housed in the Palais de Tokyo; also see Matisse’s La Danse Inachevee
Admission: Free admission to permanent exhibits; special exhibits range from €4.50-€9
Hours of Operation: Tues-Sun, 10am-6pm; Wed night until 10pm
Address: 11, av du Président Wilson, Paris, France 75016
Closest Metro Station: Léna or Alma-Marceau
1) Musée d'Orsay
www.musee-orsay.fr
Phone: 01 40 49 48 14
Highlights: Presents Impressionist works in all forms, starting in 1848 through WWI
Hours of Operation: Tue-Sun 9:30am-6pm; Thu 10am-9:45pm
Admission: €7.50, €6.50 students, under 18 free
Address: 1, rue de Bellechasse, Paris, France 75007
Closest Metro Station: Solférino
2) Musée du Louvre
www.louvre.fr
Phone: 01 40 20 50 50
Highlights: Venus de Milo, the Mona Lisa, the Winged Victory of Samothrace
Hours of Operation: Mon, Thurs & Sat, 9am-6pm; Wed & Fri, 9am-10pm (Closed Tuesdays)
Admission: €8.50; €6 after 6 pm on Wed & Fri
Address: 34-36, quai du Louvre, Palais du Louvre, Paris, France 75001
Closets Metro Station: Palais Royal-Musée du Louvre
3) Musée de Cluny
www.musee-moyenage.fr
Phone: 01 53 73 78 00
Highlights: the Jardim Medieval, the Gold Rose, La Dame a la Licorne, Musee du Moyen Age
Admission: €6.50; ages 18-25, €4.50
Hours of Operation: Mon, Wed-Sat, 9:15am-5:45pm (Closed Tuesdays and Sundays)
Address: 6, pl. Paul-Painleve
Closest Metro Station: Cluny-La Sorbonne
4) Centre Georges Pompidou
www.centrepompidou.fr
Phone: 01 44 78 12 33
Highlights: the Fauvist, Cubist and modern art at the Musée National d’Art Moderne
Admission: €10; under 26, €8; under 18 is free
Hours of Operation: Wed-Mon, 11am-10pm (Closed Tuesdays)
Address: pl Georges Pompidou, Paris, France 75191
Closest Metro Station: Rambuteau, Hôtel de Ville, or Châtelet
5) Musée Picasso
www.musee-picasso.fr
Phone: 01 42 71 25 21
Highlights: Home to some of the most prestigious of Picasso’s works, including Autoportrait, Le Violon et la Musique, Deux Femmes Courant Sur la Plage, La Femme Qui Lit and paintings from his personal colletion by the likes of Matisse, Corot, and Renoir
Admission: €6.50; 18-25 years – €4.50, under 18 free
Hours of Operation: (Apr-Sep) Mon, Wed-Sun, 9:30am-6pm; (Oct-Mar) Mon, Wed-Sun, 9:30am-5:30pm
Address: 5, rue de Thorigny, Paris, France 75003
Closest Metro Station: Saint-Paul, Chemin-Vert, Filles du Calvaire
6) Musée Rodin
www.musee-rodin.fr
Phone: 01 44 18 61 10
Highlights: See some of Rodin’s most famous sculptures, including The Thinker, Le Baiser, and L’Age Mur
Admission: €6; ages 18-25 and seniors, €4
Hours of Operation: (Apr-Sep) Tue-Sun 9:30am-5:45pm; (Oct-Mar) Tue-Sun 9:30am-4:45pm
Address: 79, rue de Varenne, Paris, France 75007
Closest Metro Station: Varenne, Invalides or Saint-François-Xavier
7) Cité des Sciences et de l'Industrie
www.cite-sciences.fr
Phone: 01 40 05 79 99
Highlights: Explora Science Museum (perfect for kids)
Admission: Tickets range from €3-€9
Hours of Operation: Tue-Sun, 10:30am-9:30pm; (Open odd hours on Mondays – call ahead)
Address: Parc de la Villette, 30, avenue Corentin Cariou - A.P. 75930 Paris cedex 19 , 75019 Paris
Closest Metro Station: Porte de la Villette
8) Maison Europeenne de la Photographie
www.mep-fr.org
Phone: 01 44 78 75 00
Highlights: Houses a video library with over 600 films by esteemed photographers
Admission: €6; under age 26 and seniors, €3
Hours of Operation: Wed-Sun, 11am-8pm, free on Wed from 5pm-8pm
Address: 5-7, rue de Fourcy, Paris, France 75000
Closest Metro Station: St-Paul
9) Musée de l'Histoire de France
www.archivesnationales.culture.gouv.fr/chan/chan/musee/musee-hdf.htm
Phone: 01 40 27 60 96
Highlights: Richard the Lionheart’s Edict, Louis XVI’s Diary, a letter from Napoleon to his love, Josephine
Admission: €3; ages 18-25, €2.30
Hours of Operation: Mon, Wed-Fri, from 10am-12:30pm and 2pm-5:30pm; Sat-Sun, from 2pm-5:30pm (Closed Tuesdays)
Address: 87, r. Vieille du Temple
Closest Metro Station: Filles du Calvaire
10) Musée d'Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris
www.mam.paris.fr
Phone: 01 53 67 40 80
Highlights: one of the world’s grandest collections of modern art housed in the Palais de Tokyo; also see Matisse’s La Danse Inachevee
Admission: Free admission to permanent exhibits; special exhibits range from €4.50-€9
Hours of Operation: Tues-Sun, 10am-6pm; Wed night until 10pm
Address: 11, av du Président Wilson, Paris, France 75016
Closest Metro Station: Léna or Alma-Marceau
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