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Pot-pourri of Paris tips
Where is it?/Where are you going? Paris tourist office(s) - locations Summer locations of Paris tourist office Visiting Paris (addresses) Catholic churches, basilicas, chapels
Who do I call and how? Guidelines for using a cell phone abroad
When is it? Paris calendar of annual events Planning your trip around French holidays General religious/cultural information
How much, how many? Banking - ATM and credit card tips Grams to deciliters - cooking conversions
What is it like to live in Paris? Magazine/Newspaper website links What is it? Arrondissements - what are they? Departments in France - what are they?
Who makes it? The Paris mayor's office makes it possible to read the history of the Bois de Vincennes and the Bois de Boulogne, but also to hear the history read to you.
Click on these links and once on the respective page, click on the megaphone where it says "Ecouter cette page".
Bois de Vincennes or read the English translation. Bois de Boulogne or read the English translation. If you are using a cell phone in Paris and need to make an emergency call the Mayor's office provides a list of useful numbers in the back of their monthly magazine distributed to all households.
Health:
SAMU (Emergency medical help in Paris): 15 Police (Emergency): 17 Pompiers (Fire department): 18 SOS Médicins (website available in English) 24-hour doctors - 01 47 07 77 77 Urgences médicales de Paris (Emergency medical services) - 24-hour doctors - 01 53 94 94 94
Pharmacies (open 7 days a week/ 24 hours):
84, avenue des Champs-Elysées (01 45 79 53 19 or 01 45 62 02 41) - 75008 6, place de Clichy (01 48 74 65 18) - 75009
Urgences funéraires (emergency funeral arrangements) 7 days a week/ 24 hours: 08 00 88 00 88
Objets trouvés (Lost and Found): 08 21 00 2 25 (0.12 cents/min) Monday to Friday Magazine/Newspaper website links
You might not read French but you sure can enjoy the photos. Whether it is clothing, colors, styles, kitchen utensils, interior design, whatever, these are two good links to view on line: Coté Maison and
You can find recipes, garden planning, photos -- I can go on and on and I will one of these months in a special article.
In the meantime, enjoy the photos!
If you would like to read about the current events in France before your voyage or during your voyage and compare note with the International Herald Tribune (get the link), I recommend Le Figaro in English on line. Word on the street says that they lean to the left and Le Monde leans to the right.
Remember, in French politics, the right has more in common with the U.S. Democrats, who are reputed to lean toward the left.
French language
and tutoring
I can give French lessons to American women or speak with them. My telephone number is :06 83 85 54 61 (cell) or 01 46 40 02 51 (home) and I live in Neuilly sur Seine (within the Paris region).
You can have free ATM usage in France when you have an account with Bank of America.
This hint comes from Frances:
"...if one has an account at Bank of America they can use the ATM without charge. Bank of America in in an alliance group with a number of other bank around the world and if you have an account at any one of these banks there is no charge when using them..."
USA Today published a "Your Money" article about which are the best credit cards to use and avoid fees.
Some highlights:
"Before going abroad, check out ways to reduce currency-exchange fees"by Sandra Block. Where to find a good French hairstyle (women and men)
If you are staying in the south of Paris and would like a French style at a reasonable price, I can recommend Sylvie Demont Coiffure.
Recommended by a colleague, I made a reservation, showed up late by accident and not a word of was said (I realized that night that I had made a mistake).
Sylvie uses a razor combined with scissors for styling. The shampoo, cut and style was 30 euros.
She and her staff understand English but are shy to use it. Take a photo reference if you like. I believe that they understand more than they let on. You will find them all very gracious.
147 Boulevard Auguste Blanqui, 75013 Telephone: 01 53 80 26 57
Open: Tuesday and Wednesday: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday: noon to 8:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday: 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.
------------------------ I have to pass on this information on to you. My hairstyle was now 3 months old, growing out great, thanks to my Czech/Chicago barber.
However, I wanted something more French.
I have to recommend Coiff1rst.
Usually I walk past or look in the windows to see what kind of feeling I get.
The Coiff1rst that I happened upon rue du Four in Saint-Germain-des-Prés was at the end of a vine covered entry with white lights shaped as a vault to pass through.
I walked in was asked if I would like something immediate or would I like to make an appointment.
The feeling was immediately comfortable (not to speak of the wonderful shampoo massage!)
Sabine was my consultant and she also is the directrice of this branch. She pointed out what made my hair look American and how she would alter the style.
Her fee is the highest; however, I was not prepared for 75 euros; so she offered the top student price: 65 euros.
After all, I did a style!
Coiff1rst has their own cutting and style technique and guarantee that you will keep the style from four to six weeks.
Their prices are related to the level of stylist and range from about 35 euros to 75 euros.
They have stylists who speak English.
Coiff1rst in Paris Saint-Germain-des-Prés 44 rue du Four 75006 Telephone: 01 45 44 84 39
Saint-Germain-des-Prés 10 rue de Buci 75006 Telephone: 01 44 07 10 20
In the 8th 40, rue Marbeuf
75008
Montorgueil 98 rue Montorgueil 75002 Telephone: 01 45 08 92 93
Opéra 53 rue des Petit Champs 75001 Telephone: 01 42 25 08 50
They are located in Saint-Tropez and Strasbourg, Guyanne and Tokyo, Japan. Consult the Coiff1rst website.
Jean-Louis Deforges is another great place for a style. The Deforges methods guarantees that with their cut, you barely need to brush; it will fall into place just by using your fingertips.
I always use Antoine at the Boulevard Richard Lenoir salon and school location.
If you want someone specific, make an appointment; otherwise, they will try to accommodate walk-ins.
Deforges Saint-Germain-de-Prés 8 rue du Sabot 75006 Telephone 01 42 22 05 05
71 Boulevard Richard Lenoir 75011 Telephone: 01 43 55 56 67
Deforges La Réunion 42, rue Jules Olivier Saint-Denis de la
Réunion
Chains: Jean-Claude Béguine
Have a
suggestion? Let me know.
Paris Tourist Office (Paris Convention and Visitors Bureau) all over Paris
Ask for the free guidebook and map: "Paris for you" and the "Paris for you map -- A" What does the book contain? Sightseeing and events, walks and a directory.
Sightseeing: "calendar of events, top 12 Parisian sights and the River Seine" Walks: "Twelve (12) different atmospheres to discover Paris time after time, area by area, as the mood takes you." Directory: "Some 200 useful addresses, a metro map, information, hints and advice -- all you need to enjoy a smooth stay in Paris".
The information centers are located at popular tourist areas. The centers provide a full range of services.
Visit their website for more Paris tourist office information.
Paris Tourist Offices - 6 locations:
Pyramides 25, rue des Pyramides 75001 November 1 to May 31: Monday to Saturday: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday and holidays 11 a.m to 7 p.m. (closed May 1) June 1 to October 31: Everyday: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tel : 0892 68 3000 (0,34 €/min)
Metro : Pyramides (lines 7-14) RER : Auber (line A) Gare de Lyon 20, Boulevard Diderot 75012
Open from Monday to Saturday
RER Gare de Lyon (line A-D) Gare du Nord 18 rue de Dunkerque 75010 Open 7 days a week: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (closed May 1 and December 25)
Métro: Gare du Nord (lines 4 et 5) RER: Gare du Nord (lines B and D)
« Welcome kiosk » is located beneath the glass roof, in the Ile-de-France zone - street level.
Gare du Nord serves travelers voyaging between England, Belgium, Germany, Netherlands, northern France and Charles de Gaulle/Roissy airport. Montmartre Tourist Office and Paris Tourist Office (Syndicat d’Initiative de Montmartre) 21 place du Tertre 75018
Open 7 days a week: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. except May 1
Métro: Abbesses (line 12) or Anvers (line 2) Anvers in the median facing 72, boulevard Rochechouart 75009 Open every day: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (closed December 25, January 1, May 1)
During the summer the Paris Tourist Office has kiosks filled with everything: maps, guides, free guide books of Paris, employees to answer questions, etc.
Metro: Anvers (line 2) Clemenceau At the angle of Avenue Champs-Elysées and Avenue Marigny 75008 Open April 3 to September 15: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Metro: Champs-Elysées - Clémenceau (lines 1 and 13) Seasonal tourist office locations
At the welcome kiosks you will find a full range of Paris Convention and Visitors Bureau leaflets, plus a brochure of summer events titled “J’aime l’été à Paris” (I love summer in Paris) in French and English. In 2006 the kiosks supplied 194,000 tourists with information and assistance.
KIOSK
HÔTEL-DE-VILLE KIOSK
NOTRE-DAME KIOSK BASTILLE KIOSK
CHAMPS-ÉLYSÉES – CLEMENCEAU To view the map where the tourist offices are located, left click on the photo
Gare du Nord tourist office "welcome kiosk"
Gare de Lyon
Montmartre
Planning your trip around French holidays When are the French off from work, when are the kids off from school, and when do they take vacations? Here is a link to find the Public holidays in France. Museums and exhibitions vary on their open/close dates. Check the individual museum websites to see if they are closed either Monday or Tuesday. The holiday opening times vary as well. Some are closed on May 1, December 25 or January 1. Those dates are the big ones to remember! School holidays in France are determined by the school zone. Paris is Zone C. On the ministry of education's website: Choose 1. Zone C 2. the school year 3. Scroll down to find the dates. General religious/cultural information The Catholic diocese of Paris website (l'Eglise catholique de Paris) provides lots of information.
Although in French, the mass section (Messes) section has a map to find churches in the Paris arrondissements and find out mass times.
Clicking on the church name provides the address and other practical information.
Calendar Click on "Evenments" for a calendar of upcoming church services.
For example, Ash Wednesday in (Mercredi des Cendres, entrée en Carême), Holy Week (Semaine Sainte), Holy Thursday (Jeudi Saint), Way of the Cross (Chemin de croix), Good Friday (Vendredi Saint), Holy Saturday (Samedi Saint), Easter Sunday (Dimanche de Pâques), etc.
Ash Wednesday information For information about churches where you can receive your ashes consult the Catholic Diocese's website.
When the Lenten season is close to beginning, they will enter current information as to churches, Mass times and other bits of information in French under the heading "Mercredi des Cendres, entrée en Carême" .
To read more click on "lire plus...." .
The linked words "Voir les initiatives des paroisses parisiennes pour le carême" which means Paris churches for Lent and it will take you to a page listing the churches.
The word for Mass is messes.
Questions?
Banque de France, Service des Caisses 48 boulevard Raspail 75006 Telephone: 01 49 54 27 27 Metro: Sèvres Babylone Open: 8:45 a.m. to noon and 1:45 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
What to expect at the Banque de France When you are ready to enter the bank (and all banks in France), you enter one person at a time.
Push the blinking button and wait for the green light; enter the cubicle and repeat the same procedure.
You need to fill out a form (printed in French and English) either at one of the round tables or pick one up at the reception desk (accueil). The last line of the form is unnecessary to fill out (le cas échéant pour le compte de....) .
Take a number from the dispenser on the pillar.
Go to the cashier when your number shows up where you will sign the form and receive a receipt and your euros (100 francs will equal approximate 15 euros).
The Banque de France at the Bastille is no longer collecting French Franc (FF) coins. Although a general date of 2012 has been set for final redemption of the notes, one never knows when one of these old bills will turn up.
While housecleaning I found an envelope of old bills stashed away for a dishwasher. In another more recent case, my niece found a 100 FF note on her doorstep in Florida!
Although the redemption center has moved, it is in another great location.
If you know the department store "le Bon Marché", you are very close to the bank.
The bank is across the street from the Hôtel Lutetia and the Square Boucicaut (in front of the department store.
In order to see if you have a valid note, take a visual journey through the French money of different eras when you visit the website entitled "Banknotes that are No Longer Legal Tender ".
Scroll down to the heading "Banknotes Denominated in Francs".
All of the French francs notes specify the name of the image. For example, a 100 FF note is decorated with the image of Delacroix; a 50 FF note with Saint-Exupéry.
You will obtain detailed information about deadlines to exchange certain bills. Some have expired; while others still have a "grace period".
Although there is a general expiration of 2012 date for the most recent French franc bills; various redemption dates exist for various bills.
The Delacroix bill can be exchanged until January 31, 2009; however, if you a 50 FF bill with the image of Saint-Exupéry, you have until February 17, 2012.
When you click on the links in the Banknote section, an image will appear of the bills.
It is a fun way to go back through some of French history and look at old French bills as far back as 1871.
You will see the dates that the bill was in circulation and sometimes who designed it.
The Banque de France in Paris on boulevard Raspail is now the only bank that exchanges your francs for euros.
What to expect at the Banque de France When you are ready to enter the bank (and all banks in France), you enter one person at a time.
Push the blinking button and wait for the green light; enter the cubicle and repeat the same procedure.
You need to fill out a form (printed in French and English) either at one of the round tables or pick one up at the reception desk (accueil). The last line of the form is unnecessary to fill out (le cas échéant pour le compte de....) .
Take a number from the dispenser on the pillar.
Go to the cashier when your number shows up where you will sign the form and receive a receipt and your euros (100 francs will equal approximate 15 euros).
Banque de France, Service des Caisses 48 boulevard Raspail 75006 Telephone: 01 49 54 27 27 Metro: Sèvres Babylone Open: 8:45 a.m. to noon and 1:45 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
The 1993 Saint-Exupéry 50 FF bill is redeemable until February 17, 2012
The 1978 Delacroix 100 FF bill is redeemable until January 31, 2009
The 1968 Pascal 500 FF bill -- if you didn't turn it in by February 28, 2007, you missed your chance
The Champs Elysées website has a link to send a postcard over the internet.
At this time, however, it appears that they are still working out the kinks (i.e., they haven't named the fields of the form. You will see blank boxes but do not know what to add -- let me know if this changes).
So what you can do is copy paste and borrow the card for now. Right click and save the picture to a folder.
The themes they have are:
The Paris Tourist Office also runs a postcard (e-card) service. These are standard photos. One of my readers, Michaela, suggests a website where you can dine with the French in their home. At present 40 French individuals or couples are wish to host someone for dinner or lunch. Click on "Host portraits" for their invitations.
This website also provides for B&B accommodations, tours, a chance to meet the Parisians at work, etc.
Some of their tours might include the Bagatelle vineyard with a professional wine grower or a Paris gourmet tour, or a pastry and chocolate tour, company guided tours for 5 euros. Some tours are available only in English, some in either French or English. Cybercafés - Internet cafés - WiFi in Paris The Paris tourist office website provides a list of internet locations. This page also provides links to find out about making telephone calls within France, calling to France or to another country, use of telephone cards, mobile phones and the post office.
When the weather is nice, take your laptop to any park in Paris and connect for free.
Paris in images (Paris en images) As an experiment, the city of Paris and France Télécom have decided to produce a website along the photo agency, Roger-Viollet and Crayon noir e-médias. The object of this site is to make make available images of Paris that are cataloged in their libraries.
The categories available include Galerie des Collections (Gallery of the collection); Au fil du temps (As time goes by); Au fil des images.
"For those in love with Paris, discover a selection of 15,000 of the capital. You can either look through the archives or download them to your mobile phone or PDA."--- Paris en images
The website can be viewed in English. 
1 meter = 3 feet, 10 meter = 33 feet. 2 meter = 7 feet, 11 meter = 36 feet. 3 meter = 10 feet, 12 meter = 40 feet. 4 meter = 13 feet, 13 meter = 43 feet ..
Bra sizes (found at http://www.breasttalk.co.uk/size_charts.asp ) Their cup sizing chart shows same cups between AA and D.)
Help with tons and tonnes and square meters and square feet I found this all-inclusive private web address that includes everything you have always wanted to know about conversions!: http://www.mbarron.net/Nile/measure.htm
or try the Google calculator: http://www.google.com/help/features.html#calculator
Centimeters into inches: To find centimeters: Multiply inches by 2.54. To find inches: Divide centimeters by 2.54
Kilometers to miles: To convert kilometers to miles: one kilometer is equivalent to 1,000 meters or 0.62 miles. Thus 20 kilometers is about 12.4 miles.
Square meters - square feet: To find square feet: Multiply square meters by 10.76 To find square meters: Multiply square feet by 0.0929
Tonnes to tons: To find tonnes: Multiply tons by 0.9072 To find tons: Multiply tonnes by 1.1023
Useful cooking measurement conversions:
1 dl about 1/2 cup 1 litre (L) 4 1/3 cups 1 cuillerée à café 1 teaspoon 1 cuillerée à soupe 1 tbsp 1 verre à vin = 150 ml = 15cl 2/3 cup 1 grand verre = 250 ml = 25cl 1 cup 1 verre ordinare ou à moutarde = 120 ml = 12 cl 1/2 cup
Additional cooking measurements from What's Cooking America
Measure Metric to American American to Metric Linear Divide centimeters by 2.54 to find inches Multiply inches by 2.54 to find centimeters. Temperature Multiply degrees centigrade by 1.8 and add 32 Subtract 32 from degrees Fahrenheit and divide by 1.8 Weight Multiply kilos by 2.2046 for pounds Multiply pounds by .45 to find kilograms For a total list of calculations visit a measurement conversion factors website.
*Sources: "Bloom where you're planted" (The Women of the American Church in Paris) and Berlitz.
For conversion charts and miscellaneous practical information visit the Paris tourist office website:
A baguette of bread: 250 g = 8.825 oz
 Yahoo calculator
21 rue de la Tombe-Issoire 75014 Closed Sunday and Monday morning Open 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. (closed for the summer holidays between July 23 and August 26, 2005).
I can recommend this "cave" for those of you looking for something different than what the chains and grocery stores carry.
Nicolas Sirieix is the connoisseur of this wine shop on rue de la Tombe-Issoire. He speaks English and will gladly advise you and answer your questions.
Turn left out of the hotel and it is less than five minutes away. I can recommend an organic wine: Clos du Tue-Bœuf, la Caillère 2002, Cheverny. It tastes like raspberries one day and chocolate the next.
Don't be shy! You will be glad you paid a visit.
Britt Karlsson does wine tasting in Paris, has a free monthly newsletter that contains information on her favorite wines, wine shops, links to lots of sites, word lists, etc.
The newsletter is available in Swedish and English; websites available in Swedish, English and French.
BKWine tours in English BKWine is putting a big effort this year into developing their English language wine tours. Their Swedish and French tours are already a large success.
Contact them if you are interested in their tours food tours or read their newsletter.
Ô Chateau offers Wine
Tastings to Paris visitors.
The Musée du Vin in Paris offers tastings, classes, a museum, etc.
Nicolas Sirieix
la Treille d'Or
Hint: Don't hesitate to make this one of your first stops. A strike - grève - could occur at any time.
On the hour between dusk and 01.00 (1 a.m.) the Eiffel Towers sets off its sparkling lights for ten minutes.
The Eiffel Tower website available in English.
For more information visit my Sightseeing page.
©Colleen
Where are they? What are they? Click on the map to the right to find an arrondissement.
Paris is divided into 20 districts since its 1860 renovation. A result of Haussmann’s task to renovate Paris was to re-distribute the population and organize the traffic network.
If you see an address with a zip/postal code, it will read 75011, for example. 75 is the French department number and 11 is the arrondissement.
The website http://www.parisrama.com/english%20version/pages_history/haussmann.htm gives a good rundown on the arrondissement history. Right click on map to see the arrondissements
Organ concert every Sunday afternoon at 4:30 p.m.
Website for additional information (French)
Weekdays
You can visit the Catholic Churches of France website for the times of Mass in all of Paris' Catholic churches.
Notre-Dame Cathédrale prior to 1748; fountain had not yet been replaced by the hospice Historical markers on the streets of Paris - Designed by designer
Philippe Starck
-
Eventually, I would like to provide you with a translation for all of the
markers in Paris.
Paris Phone Book
Paris Yellow pages/Pagesjaunes is the French phone book, has photos of Paris streets and buildings (even if the photo is out of date, it gives you a general idea of what you are looking for).
This service is available in English, click on the UK flag.
How to do it:
Activité: restaurant or resto Nom: type in the name of the restaurant Localité: Paris Département ou région: 75 
Paris maps are readily available on the internet.
The following links show you the location of your destination up close and personal on their maps.
Type in the address of the hotel, restaurant or other place for which you are searching.
RATP is the public transportation in Paris. They have very good maps on their website.
Mappy.com is published in English and presents itself as "your travel guide to the UK and Europe". What is most interesting with this site are three navigational buttons on the right for France.
Media cartes includes themed maps, strolls, maps of France, town maps, access maps, 3D landscapes and towns, etc.
One of my readers asked about taking yoga classes while she is in Paris.
I am currently putting together information on yoga classes and pilates.
Although I do not plan on taking classes, the information will be useful for those that do.
Please let me know if you attend any classes and your recommendations. e-mail Colleen about yoga and pilates
Reader recommendations:
Susy sent in the following information:
"...Michelle, the owner, is American. She is very good and has prenatal classes. - Hatha Yoga (website available in English).
This is the "hot" yoga; great for exercise and cleansing.
Almost all of the Centre Sportif in each arrondissement has yoga classes."
Another website of interest: Agni Yoga (available in English) in the 8th arrondissement. Grand Prix de la baguette
The criteria for the Grand Prix de la Baguette is good taste (le goût bien sûr),
the airiness and holes in the baguette (alvéolage), the smell (l'odeur
) and baked appearance (la cuisson). Dip for the
aperitif (apéro) Ingredients
(you can bring these products back into the USA) Société sells
medallions of brebis (Pyrenées goat) cheese and Roquefort. Fjord (a
French/Swedish style sour cream) Mix Use a fork to
mash the medallion and mix in the cream to make it smooth enough for
dipping. You can bring
yogurt and cheeses back to the States. Wrap well and pack in your
checked luggage. They will not spoil during the return flight. Ideas for a
French apéro - julienne cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, pistachio
nuts, bite-size pieces of baguette. You have
probably heard about this gentleman who invites whoever to his home for
dinner. He is still up
to the invitations, except for the month August. "He goes away for two
or three weeks in August". His dinners
have been on the agenda for 25 years. The following
comes from the Paris Tourist Office: ...For a
totally out of the ordinary dinner, make a reservation with Jim Haynes.
For over 25
years, this extravagant American has been inviting perfect strangers to
dinner every Sunday in his beautiful artist’s studio in the 14th
arrondissement, at 8pm on the dot! The atmosphere
is very friendly, and one leaves with a list of new acquaintances. An
international public vies to take part in this weekly happening; it is
necessary to reserve well in Take note: Jim
goes away for two or three weeks in August. JIM HAYNES
New York Times article Guidelines for Using a Cellphone Abroad By
ERIC A. TAUB |
For the strolls, I am using a symbol to designate the historical markers
