I LOVE PARIS IN THE SPRINGTIME, WINTER TIME, ANY TIME.

Most of my friends know I went to Paris for 7 weeks in 2007.  I returned in 2009 for a week.  I passed up this year, but going for two weeks next year.  I love Paris....here are a lot of notes...............
 Get a museum pass. Can be purchased when you visit the Arch de Triomphe or at various metro stops (Opera). Maybe by internet before you go…..Can be purchased for 2, 4, or 6 consecutive days. Allows you to enter immediately and you DO NOT HAVE TO STAND IN ANY LINES. Most museums are free to those under 18. Most museums are closed on Mondays or Tuesdays. Open late on Thursdays. Museums are free on the first Sunday of the month. Go to www.parismuseumpass.fr for more info.

Get a Metro pass or buy 10 tickets at a time.  We take the metro everywhere (below is a picture of Jackie and I on the Metro at midnight (overserved)

The first day you arrive in Paris, you are always tired, but go to Ile St. Louie (one of two islands in the middle of the Seine the other is Ile de la Cite, this was the original Paris) and eat at the end of the island facing Notre Dame outside at one of the café’s. Au Lys D’Argent on Ile St. Louie is my favorite restaurant on the island. Then walk across the bridge to Notre Dame and go into the church. Just walk around. Next go two blocks to the Conciergerie www.monum.fr 2 Boulevard du Palais, Paris 1st ar. Former royal palace where magnificent gothic halls, where Marie Antoinette was imprisoned and guillotined and pictorial presentation of the French Revolution. You can look at the names of the prisoners for your ancestors on the wall. Then go next door to Sainte Chappelle. www.monum.fr DO NOT MISS especially on Sunny day. 13th century architecture with one of the most beautiful stain glass of the period. Built by Louis IX to house the crown of thorns and relics of the passion. …..01.53.40.60.97 Metro stop is Cite or Chatelet If it is still early, go to take a boat ride at Les Vedettes du Pont Neuf. www.pontneuf.net 01.46.33.98.38 It lasts one hour and takes you up and down the Seine and you get the lay of the land of Paris. The tours are everyday and leave every 45 minutes starting at 10:30 a.m. until 2 pm and then they are every ½ hour until 10:30 pm. But go during the day. Take a jacket, can be cool. If you don’t do this your first day, do it early your second day. The metro stop is Pont-Neuf 01 ar. Louvre. Can walk from Ile St. Louie. Ask directions. This will take care of your first day and is easy to handle……

Arc de Triomphe www.monum.fr This is a must. Stairs are a round staircase and are quite a workout, but you can request the elevator. Best view of the Champs-Elysees and much of Paris. Has excellent maps of old Paris that you can buy in gift shop. It is wonderful.

I prefer this to Eifle tower because you can really see everything…….(layout of Paris). It is Napoleon’s achievements. …Then go to Musee Nissim de Camondo www.lesartsdecoratifs.fr 63Rue de Monceau Paris 8th Tel 01 53 89 06 50 Metro stop is Villiers, Monceau open 10 am-5:30 pm closed on Monday and Tuesday. Private mansion 1910-1914 18th century atmosphere, a collector’s point of view: furniture, objects d’art, painting, tapestries, china, silverware, everyday life of an individual home in the early years of the 20th century. While in the area, go to Parc Monceau which is beautiful walking…..it is a site to behold. You can sit and watch the nanny’s push the baby carriages. I used to walk here everyday and read for an hour or two.

Go to Eiffel Tower and then walk to Musee de l’Armee Military history from prehistoric times to the present. Also Eglise du Dome is across the street and houses the tomb of Napoleon I. This is truly my favorite place. (I am the daughter of a Marine who fought at Iwo Jima). Then you can walk to Musee Rodin (Do not miss it) It is located in the Hotel Biron, 79, rue de Varenne, Paris 7th Tel 01.44.18.61.10. www.musee-rodin.fr The metro stop is Varenne. In a private residence as well as the surrounding grounds. It is breathtaking. The “thinker” is out in the garden…
Museum d’ orsay www.musee-orsay.fr. Impressionists paintings and art from 1848-1914. So much easier than the Lourve. Go to top floor for the most recognizable.

Metro stop is Solferino 10-6, Fermi to Lundi, late on Thursday to 9:45. It is on the left bank near the Eiffel tower.

Musee Jacquemart Andre:
Tel .03.44.54.04.02 158 Blvd. Haussmann 08 Ar. Take a taxi here. located in a 18th century home, the collection of Nelie Jacquemart Andree (6000 pieces of furnitures, painting, objects d’art and the Jean-Jacques Rousseau collection. He was a bachelor and had his portrait painted by Nelie and they married….Fabulous Italian frescos…..you wouldn’t believe it. The home is gorgeous. You can eat in the dining room when you are finished. Lots of French businessmen eat here, or have tea if it is later in the day. Great shopping at the end of your earphone tour…..DO NOT MISS IT. On the right bank

If you go to the Lourve, skip the art and go to Napoleon III’s apartments….best bang for your buck. The Mona Lisa is so crowded and is behind a rope in a glassed container. When I first went to Paris, it was hanging on the wall like every other painting. Right Bank.
One of my most favorite place is not included in the museum pass, but go….there are wonderful Monets and it is a private residence turned into a museum. Musee Marmottan Money 2, rue Louis Boilly16th art el 01.44.96.50.33 www.marmottan.com It is in a residential district with great eating establishments and you walk through a park to get to it. Left Bank.

Day or most of the day trip – Versailles. Leave early, get there early before the crowds. Open everyday except Mondays. Hall of Mirrors, King and Queen’s apartments, Marie Antoinette’s Estates. www.chateauversailles.fr 01.30.83.78.00 Can take train from Paris SNCF railway from Paris Montparnasse to Versailles-Rive Droite or RER take line C from Paris. Or by private car.

Shopping:

Paris has fabulous Bijoux (costume jewelry). Deborah and I really like Philippe Ferrandis which has three shops one at 346 rue St. Honore lst ar, one at 23, rue St. Sulpice 6th ar and one at 12, rue de Babylone 7th ar. They have magnificent cuffs and necklaces. Makes a statement and anyone would love to have one.

Babylone 11 Rue des Francs-Bourglois 04 ar great French Bijoux jewelry.



Pearls:

I met the most wonderful couple and she told me about Bonsai Lola’s located at 130 Bd. Saint Germain in an alley 06 ar. She sells pearls in all prices and they are real. Don’t miss. You may have to have them restrung when you return home and Past Era just happens to have a fabulous stringer. http://www.pastera.com/

Wonderful Jewelry:

Cian Paolo Maria (I bought a wonderful cuff bracelet here)

12 Rue St Paul 04 email gpmparis@aol.com

Toross-45 Bijoux

45 Rue Boissy-d’anglas 08 Paris Metro Madeleine 01.44.71.09.18

Church:

Sacre Coeur De Montmarte Built between 1875 and 1914 on the hill of martyrs (Montmartre which was the place where Saint Denis the first bishop of Paris was decapitated for his faith. Fabulous view of the city. 35 Rue du Chevalier-de-la-Barre 18 paris www.sacre-coeur-montmartre.fr


RestaurantS



Auberge Bressane‎16 Avenue La Motte Picquet, 75007 Paris, France01 47 05 98 37‎ – 01 47 05 92 91‎ (Fax)

auberge-bressane.com



LOVED THIS RESTAURANT, CASUAL, TRUE FRENCH FOOD…REALLY HAD A

GREAT TIME….
Cuisine: European, French, French (Classic)
Year Opened: 1945
Neighborhood: 07th arrondissement
Price: Pricey
Atmosphere: Power Scene
Reservations Policy: Required
Meals Served: Dinner, Lunch
Dress Code: Casual

Le Grand Colbert where they filmed “Somethings Got to Give” with Jack Nicholson and looks like Galatoirs of New Orleans. Favorite food is the salade de lentils. Located at 4 Rue Vivienne 02 ar Tel. 01.42.86.87.88 Make a reservation and tell them you want to sit in the middle of the restaurant….


TeaSalon – Laduree

Te most delicious eating is at www.laduree.fr Paris oldest tea salon (1862)
There are several locations and I am proud to say, in 7 weeks I went to all of them;
75 avenue des champs-Elysees 08 is beautiful 01.40.75.08.75 They have a full menu (ry the chicken club sandwich made with sliced boiled eggs, this was my favorite).

It is a tea room/restaurant known for its macaroons (these are not coconut macaroons) and can be brought home as presents….fabulous…. Other location that is beautiful is 16 Rue Royale 08 Paris, 21, rue Bonaparte 06 is kind of funky but fun and they are located in the store du Printemps 64, Blvd. Haussmann, 09. Enjoy and don’t miss!

Aother great tea salon is Angelinas known for its hot white or brown chocolate. For dessert you have to get a MONT BLANC the restaurant’s best known dessert, hazelnut, crème and meringue. (split it)26 Rue de Rivoli









Café’s for Coffee au lait and People Watching

Café de Flore’ 172 Blvd. St. Germaine (left Bank)

And Les Deux Magots next door




Fish -Cool Bistro.must have a reservation. Small. Can sit at Bar but only 8 stools. Owned by American and the bartender speaks English.( I think he is from Austrailia). 69 Rue de Seine 06 Paris 33.01.43.54.34.69 on the left bank off of St. Germain. Excellent Wine.`


Markets.
I was into the markets and my favorite one was located in the 16th ar on the right bank, and opened every Wednesday and Saturday 7:30 am until 12 or 1 pm….do not miss it….flowers, cheeses, jewelry, fish, fresh fruit, just to look at the freshness of everything is fabulous. You can buy shawls, throws, linens and pay much less than in the stores…truly a bargain. It is called the Franklin Roosevelt Market. At the metro stop Lena or Franklin D. Roosevelt.