Dress Like a Parisian and More!

I am digging this book, Parisian Chic, by Ines de la Fressange.  It's the ultimate insider guide for Paris and Parisian ways.  It has a number of fabulous suggestions for French boutiques, quaint restaurants and cozy hotels favored by locals.   Ines also offers easy to follow pointers on "how to dress like a Parisian" for those who wish to "fit in" and be chic.   Lots of entertainig and informstive stuff for your next trip to la belle Paris!

So who's Ines de la Fressange? She's a famous French ex-super-model who was asked by France, to be one of the faces of Mariane, the symbol of the French Republic. She was was also named the "chicest woman in France" by Le Figaro and was the face of L'Oreal for many years.  The lady oozes style and has much to say about it, so listen up!

The book is great fun to read and her tips and recommendations, amazingly easy to follow.  Who knows, after reading her book, you may enjoy dressing and shopping like a true Parisian! Oh, lah, lah!

If you're interested in purchasing her book (Parisian Chic) click on the enclosed link to Amazon Books.   Amazon.com: Parisian Chic: A Style Guide by Ines de la Fressange (9782080200730): Ines de la Fressange, Sophie Gachet: Books

Let me know what you think of this recommendation and have a wonderful time in Paris.

Return to Paris! Summer 2012!!!

This June, we return to Paris!  To prepare for the upcoming adventure, here are two awesome internet sites with information in English on everything to do with Paris.

www.doitinparis.com
www.mylittleparis.com

I'm enclosing a link (at bottom of page) to the My Little Paris blog for a taste of what these publications offer. My little Paris also offers an iPhone application for easier internet access.

Here is an example of a My Little Paris article on Best Spots for Soup in Paris :

Our top soup spots in Paris

Les Cocottes, 135, rue Saint-Dominique, 7th. 
Pumpkin soup : 7 € 
tel : 01 45 50 10 31

Le Bar à Soupes, 33 rue de Charonne, 11th. 
Carrot-pineapple-ginger soup : 4,70 € 
tel : 01 43 57 53 79

Jadis, 40 Rue Notre-Dame de Lorette , 9th.
Pastry soup : 8 € 
tel : 01 48 74 94 31

Pho Bida Vietnam, 36 rue Nationale, 13th. 
Pho soup : 8 € 
tel : 01 53 79 01 61

Mémère Paulette, 5 rue Paul Lelong, 2nd. 
Sweet and sour gazpacho, in the menus and 16 € - 24 € 
tel : 01 42 36 26 08

Enjoy Paris this summer!!!

Bon voyage and Bon appetite!

Our top soup spots in Paris - Foodie Treats - My Little Paris

Paris Wine Museum

Dr. Oz says that drinking a daily glass of red wine is excellent for one's health. Why? because resveratrol, which is a powerful antioxidant that comes from the skins of grapes, "turns on a system in your body that prevents your cells from aging". Enough said, where do I sign up?

Well, with good health in mind, I recommend that the next time you visit Paris, you head straight for The Paris Wine Museum. Why? Well because you will be killing two birds with one shot - You'll have a glass of red wine, for your health of course, and you'll learn a bit of history while you're at it. Call it "healthy learning" if you wish.

The Wine Museum of Paris is conveniently located right across the Bir Hakeim Bridge, over the river Seine, near our layover hotel. Take the metro from the Bir Hakeim station, one stop down (over the river) to the Passy Metro station. Then, just walk down the Metro stairs, around the corner once, than again - to the right both times - and at the end of that very short street, you will find the museum in a cul-de-sac (dead end street) almost right below the Metro station (on the right side of it, if facing the river Seine).




I'm enclosing a map with the exact location for the museum and the museum's address below. for additional directions, speak to the hotel's concierge before you leave your hotel.

The Paris Wine Museum is housed in a historic building from the XV Century. Filled with ambiance, the building has vaulted ceilings and aged stone walls. The museum also houses a wonderful collection of quirky, ancient wine memorabilia and a quaint restaurant in the premises. Lunch is served from Tuesday to Sunday from 12am to 3pm via three set lunch menus. All these menus include, of course, some delicious wine. But wait, there's more! The museum also holds wine tasting classes on Saturdays. Please check their website in the (blue) link below for schedules and prices if interested.





FYI, if you choose to have lunch at the museum, you will get free admission to the museum. On the other hand, if you pay for admission, you will get a free glass of wine (or any beverage) included with the price of admission. Either way, you will get a chance to be healthy! Which is why you came here in the first place right?

So there you go my friends. You say "to health" and I say "Salud"!

Musée du Vin Paris
5/7 Square Charles Dickens
Rue des Eaux
75016 PARIS
France

Tél : +33 (0)1 45 25 63 26
Fax : +33 (0)1 40 50 91 22

The Wine Museum's Restaurant
Tuesday to Saturday - lunch only
(12 am to 3 pm)

(The restaurant is closed from December 24th
to January 4th)

To make reservations call : +33 (0)1 45 25 63 26
info@museeduvinparis.com

Paris Wine Museum - Home

Paris - Moet and Chandon Tour

Champagne lover? I'm not, but I know plenty of you who are, so for your next Paris visit, keep in mind you can book online (or call from the US) to reserve your place on a tour of the Moet & Chandon's Champagne Cellars right outside Paris. Now, wouldn't this be too cool? Even for me, a so, so Champagne drinker?

As per the info I have gathered about this little Paris side trip, there are three tours available daily.

- The Standard Tour is $20 dollars.
- The Visite -Imperiale is $35 dollars.
- The Visite Milesime, is $45.

Once you reach Moet&Chandon's property, you can stop by their boutique and stock up on some classy, champagne memorabilia.

To reach Moet&Chandon's cellars, you must first take the fast train to the nearby town of Epernay from The Gare d'Est. Round trip train tickets to Epernay cost around $92 dollars for First Class or $62 dollars for Second Class. Both, the ticket for the train and for the tour can be purchased together when you purchase your tour.

For more information on this - schedules, duration, prices, etc., please click on the (blue) link enclosed below and enjoy the bubbly! Salut!

Moet and Chandon Tour

PARIS - Restaurant "The Three Littel Pigs"

The Three Little Pigs - Aux Trois Petit Cochons. I love the name of this Gourmet Parisian restaurant that comes highly recommended to Postcards by Thomas Cross, a DCASW who was previously based in Paris.

This lovely, "petit" restaurant, located in the same street where Tom lived when he was based in Paris (that's how he discovered it) serves, according to Tom, "AMAZING French food for a great price". Three Little Pigs offers two Prix-fix (set menus) options - One for 29 Euros and the second one for 35 Euros (menu selection enclosed below).

Three Little Pigs (Aux Trois Petit Cochons) is also considered the best Gay French Gourmet Restaurants in Paris.

Tom also told us that the food at the Three Little Pigs is prepared with "market-fresh ingredients every day" and is always "delicious"! So good, that he makes it a point to return for a meal each time that he has a Paris layover! He's never had a bad meal at the Three Little Pigs!



If you're interested in perusing the December 2010 menu for The Three Little Pigs restaurant, here is a copy downloaded from their website:

If you wish to visit this restaurant, please make a reservation before you leave your hotel and keep in mind that they only serve dinner.

Our menu of Décember 2010,

A starter and a main course or a main course with a dessert : 29 euros
A starter, a main course and a dessert : 35 euros

Cannelloni of salmon, smoked salmon mousse with herbs and lemon, celery coulis and toasted bread
Salad from Landes with marinated duck fillet, home made duck foie gras
Creamed pumpkin soup, fine slice of cheese with croutons
Braised Belgian endive oven grilled with cream and ham, grated cheese from Salers
Snails from Burgundy with green butter and bacon, baby vegetables

Farm hen with white cream and cheese, boiled vegetables
Sautéed cod steak, salt cod brandade, mashed potatoes with olive oil
Duck breast fillet with orange, preserved potatoes
Sautéed sea bream fillet, olive oil sauce with tomatoes, green asparagus, Brussels sprouts and broccoli
Fillet mignon of pork stuffed with mushrooms and green vegetables, preserved green lentils

Selection of French cheeses, green salad
Almond cake with pears, light custard cream with pear alcohol
Blanc-manger with coconut, caramelized pineapple
Home-made meringues with vanilla ice cream, preserved grapes, almond sauce
Dark chocolate cake, biscuit stuffed with pastry cream, cacao sorbet

For more information on The Three Little Pigs's restaurant, visit their website:

Restaurant Aux Trois Petits Cochons
www.auxtroispetitscochons.fr

Phone : + 33 (1) 42 33 39 69
Aux Trois Petits Cochons
31, rue Tiquetonne
75002 PARIS - FRANCE

Bon Appetite!

Thanks Tom, The place sounds divine! I'm there on my next Paris trip.

Photos, courtesy of Three Little Pigs website
Story, courtesy of Thomas Cross (dcasw)

Paris - Heavenly Olive Oils @ Oliviers&Co

I visited, I tasted, I groaned with pleasure, I purchased a bottle to bring home! Yep, that's what happened when I stumbled into this exquisite Olive Oil Boutique in Paris France, Oliviers&Co.


I first entered this adorable store in Bercy Village of Paris and I was shocked to discover they had an incredible variety of delicious, gourmet olive oils from all over the world. A true olive oil heaven! Grands Crus Exceptionnels (very rare), Grand Crus, Premier Crus and Second Crus. Who knew there were so many categories in olive oils!

Some of the oils Oliviers&Co carries, are imported from famous oil producing areas like Toscana and Sicily in Italy; Others come from Southern France, from Aix-en-Provence, Alpes de Haute Provence and AOC Provence. They even carry oils from exotic Tunisia and Croatia.

I'm telling you, there's something for everyone in this adorable olive oil boutique - They also have olive oil crackers; Flavored oils like mandarin, pepper, basil, lemon or mint olive oils, Yum! (I purchased the Basil flavored oil and it was truly amazing!). The shop also sells vegetable pates, aged Balsamic Vinegars, Truffle oils, ragout sauces like Pesto, Puttanesca and Pepperoni, Exotic herbs and Salts, Sweet and Salty flavored biscuits and Olive oil based beauty products. Did I mention their truffles? (groan...)

For more information on this boutique and it's many other store locations in Paris (and around the world) visit their website at www.oliviersandco.com/about

The Oliviers&Co Store that I visited is located in Bercy Village -12th Arrondisement (please check my previous article about Bercy Village for directions on how to get there). The exact address of this store is :

Chain No 20 Cove Saint Emilion
Bercy Village
75012 - Paris (12th Arrondissement)
Open - 11am to 9pm daily

A second central location in Paris you may want to consider for a visit, is located behind the church of Notre Dame, in quaint Isle St. Louis. The exact address is:

Oliviers&Co
81 Rue Saint Louis en Isle
75005 - Paris (4th Arrondissement)
(map enclosed)


There are several Oliviers&Co other Oliviers&Co boutiques around Paris. Please check the enclosed Internet link above for other convenient store location near you.

Enjoy!

Photos, courtesy of Oliviers&Co's website.

Paris - The Chamade Cafe

There a Brasserie near our layover hotel that serves "quality food" for a Pris-Fixe of $27 Euros. This is the fixed priced menu that includes several courses and beverages. The name of this wonderful place is the Chamade Cafe which is located on 42 Bis, Avenue De Suffren, just steps away from our layover hotel.

The Chamande Cafe is probably a perfect dinner destination choice for an occasion when you don't feel like venturing out too far from the hotel while in Paris, but you wish to eat well for a decent price.

This recommendation comes from CC and Diane Donahue, both DC based Flight attendants with extensive experience in Paris. Diane was based in Paris for many years, so I feel, we can trust her judgement on this. Thanks ladies! I can't wait to try it! The place sure looks (sounds) enticing!

The Chamande Cafe is open daily from 8am to 11pm and their telephone number is:
0147-34-8218

CHAMADE CAFE
42 BIS, Avenue de Suffren
75015 Paris
www.chamdecafe.fr

Photo, courtesy of Chamade Cafe's website

How To Order Coffee in Paris

Just in case you're a coffee drinker and you're flying to Paris next month (or in the future), here is how to order coffee while in Paris:

Cafe - is an Expresso
Ellongee - a tall Expresso mixed with water
Cafe Creme - is a coffee with milk (not a Cafe au Lait)
Cafe Americain - American style coffee
Cafe Decafeine - Decaf coffee
Cafe Frappe - Iced coffee
Cafe Soluble - Instant coffee
Cafe Viennois - Coffee with whipped cream
Cafe Noir - Black coffee
Cappuccino - Cappuccino

Au revoir! (see ya...)

Bercy Village Paris -Nice Shops and Restaurants

I just spent a very pleasant day at the Bercy Village in Paris. Far enough from the tourist path to feel more like an authentic French neighborhood. Bercy Village is a Pedestrian Mall that has been renovated and filled with lovely shops and restaurants. The area is surrounded by a small, but delightful park and flanked by a huge and modern movie complex on one side. If you go, you will definitely find something to entertain you, specially on a nice sunny day.




Some of the boutiques and restaurants that you will find there are Agnes B - an edgy clothing store; A Discovery Store that sells a wonderful variety of games, books, garden "ecoutrements" (stuff), world teas, etc; An Olive Oil Store that sells hand made pastas, ceramics from the South of France and delicious Olive Oils from around the world; Sephora, the popular make up store; A Monoprix, the Target of Paris; A Crepe restaurant, a Wine Sampling Bar, a Tea and desserts cafe and a couple of other reasonably priced restaurants with all inclusive, multi-course menu prices.


Check out the photos I've enclosed for a better idea of what I saw while I was there and if you decide to go, just take the metro to the Cour St. Emilion Stop in Bercy. About a 15 minute metro ride from our layover hotel.




I spent an amazing relaxing afternoon browsing leisurely from shop to shop. At the end of my shopping/browsing I went for a movie at the very modern cineplex that is attached to the pedestrian mall at one end. Movies are shown in this theatre in their "original language", which means the movie you select will not be dubbed in French like in other Parisian theatres.



Here's a map of the area, courtesy of Google so you have a better idea of where this place is located. Click the enclosed link to view it:
bercy village paris - Google Maps

Paris - Do you Velib? Learn How to Share a Bike in Paris!

Many Flight Attendants and Pilots are expressing frustration over their inability to successfully access the for-rent Velib, public bikes of Paris. For those of you unfamiliar with the Velib bikes, these are the approximate 10,000 bikes parked all around Paris in groups of 10 or 12 bikes per station (photo enclosed) that the French Government has provided for public use for a very small fee.



These bikes can, supposedly, be rented with ease by all. One only has to get a subscription for a day (a month or a year) and pay the nominal fee at any Velib station to get a bike. The problem is that each time one of our crew members attempts to access one of these elusive subscriptions (rental agreements), they fail.

What are they doing wrong? I'm not sure, but here are some simple instructions that may help you on your next attempt.

1- Find a Velib bike station like the one in the photo.




2- Locate the free standing tower near the bikes, where one can access the Velib system. Please note that the tower has two sides. Use the side opposite the one that has a map. You will now be in front of a computerized screen, similar to an ATM.

3- Look for a series of small country flags along the bottom edge of the screen. These represent the various languages available for the rental instructions. Click on the English flag to access the English instructions.

4- Have an AMERICAN EXPRESS Credit Card ready. It's the only American Credit Card that works with the Velib system.

5- Follow the instructions until you get to the page where you must select between a "1 year subscription" or a "1 or 7 day short term subscription". Select the "SHORT TERM" subscription - option 2.

6- The next page will have you select the duration of subscription (or rental). Select ONE DAY - option 1.
7- Have your credit card ready to pay for the bike rental (subscription) and "AGREE" to the Terms of Use - then, the screen will tell you to "insert your bank card..".

8- The charge for the bikes rental is:

- First 30 minutes - Free
- Second 30 minutes - one Euro
- Third 30 minutes - two Euros
- Fourth 30 minutes - four Euros..and on each additional 30 minutes.

9- Once you insert your credit card, a receipt will emerge from the tower. IMPORTANT - SAVE THIS RECEIPT. Note that it has a numeral code. These numbers are the code you will use to access the Velib system in any Velib station to rent and TO RETURN bikes for a whole day.

10- With this ticket in hand, step away from the tower and check out the bikes available in that station. Inspect the tires for air before you decide which bike to take (rent). Each bike is attached to a metal post with a number and a "green light". This light will be lit, only if the bike is available for rent. Take note of the number and return to the Velib tower to select your bike.

11- Type the number in your receipt using the number pad in the Velib Tower and follow the instructions to select the bike you want by typing the number assigned to that bike.

12- Once this transaction is complete, approach the bike you chose, and push the button on the top of the stand - it's located on the other end of the light. This will release the bike from the lock for you to use. Bike seats can be adjusted and front lights go on automatically as it gets dark.

13- IMPORTANT - to return the bike, find a station with an open slot near your final destination. Park the bike in the open spot and push it in until it clicks and the light turns green again. Then, enter the numbers found on your receipt into the Velib station screen and it will give you a confirmation slip, proof that the bike was returned.

FYI - Some bike stations do not offer printed receipts for bikes returned, but most of them do. Be sure the bike is secured and the light is green before you walk away. Those bikes cost around $700 dollars a piece. You don't want that charged to your
credit card if the

Ps- Don't forget to print these instruction page before your next attempt to rent a Velib bike in Paris!

Au revoir!

Paris : A Rat Runs Over the Prepared Food! at the Monoprix!!!

Yesterday, on my return flight from Paris, a crew member told me a shocking story. She claimed that while shopping at the Monoprix by the hotel with two other crew members, they saw a huge rat (about 12 inches long!!!) running over the prepared foods glass case in broad daylight.

After getting over their initial shock, one of them photographed the rat - not the photo above. With this in hand, they approached a Monoprix employee to show her what they had seen/photographed.

The employee's response? "Oh, yeah, that happens all the time"!!! Ewe!!!! Nasty, Disgusting!!! Incredible!!

So Buyer beware! If you shop at the Monoprix, stick to wines and frozen foods or risk finding rat parts in your food. Ugh!

FYI - The Monoprix in question is the one located on Blvd. de Grenelle, right below the Metro rails, near the Dlupeix Metro Station.

Paris- Australian Embassy for Art?

Do you ever feel like you just need a little "art fix" while in Paris? Not a large museum, not a complicated plan of action, just a bite-size exhibit to indulge your senses for a brief sensory escape?




Well look no further than the Australian Embassy in Paris a short distance away from our layover hotel on 4 Rue Jean Rois (this is the same street as the Portman Hotel and the Mercure Suffren). It has ongoing free art exhibits on its street level lobby gallery space - a glass enclosed salon with tons of lovely natural light - of unusual, but interesting art.




To enter the gallery, approach the embassy's main entry glass doors (photo enclosed). They are located at street level. Enter the building and through the glass, you will be able to see the front desk security desk. Pass the security machines and once at the desk, ask to view the art gallery to the left of the desk. They will wave you right in.

On my first visit to this gallery several years ago, I was fortunate enough to catch an amazing exhibit of large format, Aboriginal paintings from Australia. The paintings so mesmerized me with their beauty and use of unusual earthly colors, that I was stunned to find out they were made by untrained artists from the Aboriginal tribes of Australia. The exhibit was a gem!

On my second visit to this gallery just recently, I caught a tapestry exhibit of artists from around the world. Once again, these were large format pieces of stunning color. Tapestries that looked more like exquisite paintings, or street graffity than something weaved. Amazing work. Here are some photos of what I saw. You be the judge.




The Australian Embassy's exhibit hall is usually empty of people and thus, it is a very peaceful space most days of the week. It's also free. Like most embassies, it only operates during the week and during office hours. Each time that I've visited, I was the only person in the gallery. For me, it's a nice, quiet refuge from the crowds in Paris when I don't feel like going too far. Check it out next time you fly to Paris and let me know what your think.

Do you have any favorite quiet spots in Paris?

About us - Australian Embassy

Charles de Gaulle Airport to Paris by Train - RER

Lately, many crew members are seeking information on how to best travel from Paris's Charles de Gaulle airport to the layover hotel with their family members. This, since the crew pick-up bus no longer is permitted to swing back to the terminal for additional pick-up's.

So, what can you do? You can take the RER from Charles de Gaulle to the center of Paris. It's fast and it's relatively cheap. How to do it? Read on, it's really pretty simple.

-First, you must clear customs and immigration. Then, look for the signs in the terminal (you're in TERMINAL 1) that say AIRPORT SHUTTLE. Photo enclosed. Follow the arrows and go down a level.
-Once there, go through the sliding glass doors and up a level via a set of
electric ramps - photo enclosed of doors.
-You will now be on the Tram Station. Take the tram from TERMINAL 1 to TERMINAL 3 -
(Roissypole/RER station)
-Once in TERMINAL 3, go to the ticket booth and purchase a "billet to Paris" - It will
cost you $8.50 Euros.
-With your ticket in hand, look for the RER/Blue line B - direction PARIS.
-The ride will take about 35 minutes to Paris and your first stop in "downtown" Paris
will be GARE DU NORD; the second stop will be CHATELET DEL HALLES.
-Either station will have options to connect to the Paris Metro for your final destina-
tion.
-If you're going to the layover hotel, the closest Paris Metro Station is BIR-HAKEIM -
part of line 6 of the green line.
-The same applies for a return to Charles de Gaulle airport, if you need to return via
RER.

If you want additional information about the RER - Schedules, instructions, etc., in
English, please click on the enclosed link of the official RER website.

Safe journey!
Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) to Paris by Train | Paris by Train

Paris - Fun Home Shopping at the BHV

Look at some of the humorous/colorful home items that I discovered on my last shopping outing in Paris at the BHV - Le Bazaar de l'Hotel de Ville. I think they would make lovely gifts or interesting conversation pieces?

If interested, they are made by a company named Pylones and they can be found in the main floor of BHV's department store, right next to their book department.

BHV is a much loved home goods store in central Paris where one can find just about anything for the home. To get there, take the Metro to the Hotel de Ville stop (Yellow line 1). Once outside of the Metro, look across the street from the Hotel de Ville (City Hall) and on the corner, you will see the main entrance of BHV. (photo enclosed)


Adress - 52 Rue de Rivoli (corner of Rue de Rivoli and Rue des Archives).


A dust Pan and Brush...


An Eiffel tower Grater...


Winged cups...(love these!)

A stapler in the shape of a skull...


Kitchen brushes...


Salt and Pepper Shakers...


Cat Nail Brushes...(various colors)...

Do you have a favorite store in Paris?