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Father Christmas at the Bastille in Paris
One day walking through the Bastille plaza, I saw the Christmas trees being set up around the green July column. By the next evening, purple was once again the sparkling color lighting up the Bastille July column. For the Christmas holiday, Pere Noël was riding the merry-go-round and another day he was dancing with a marching band. Every day is different in the Bastille!
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Fixed Taxi Fare Between Paris and Airports – Strike Tips
Strikes getting the best of you? Book a taxi on the G7 Book a Taxi page in advance to get to the airports. Usually you can either step outside and into a taxi or book the same day. With the strikes, you want to reserve a taxi, with G7 whether going to the airport or into Paris. Taxi stands are outside the airport and do not usually have to be booked in advance. Rates vary between Rossy-Charles de Gaulle (CDG) and Orly (ORY). After an expensive experience pre-fixed rates, I had a rude surprise. Being stuck in traffic to the airport Roissy-Charles de Gaulle one day, an anxious feeling came over…
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Madame Eiffel Tower Celebrates 130 Years
In May 2019, the Eiffel Tower turned 130; however, why not celebrate the birthday all year long. To celebrate this event, an interactive Fall Event is underway at the Eiffel Tower until the end of November on the esplanade, under a dome covering about 300 m2, is free and open to everyone. Visitors walk over screens on the ground that reproduce the image of the girders .... which feels likes walking over nothing, experience the monument’s wind resistance and become painters of the Eiffel Tower
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Paris History One Translate App Away
The upside down paddles on the sidewalks around Paris are history markers of the city. The Philippe Starck-designed paddles are in French. When walking and not speaking French you can read them. Shocking? No. Simply install the Google Translate application on your smartphone. How to do it follows this short story. Background story The paddles first appeared in 1992, the year I moved to Paris. The city of Paris contracted with JCDecaux to install the “pelles Starck” to inform the strolling passer-by about a monument, an event, an historical moment, a theater, a passage, etc. Jacques Chirac, then mayor of Paris, initiated the project. For me the shape of the…
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Quirky Paris Souvenir Ideas – Made in France
While wandering around BHV/Marais I noticed bits and pieces of hardware, wall paper and cleaning products made in France. Across the street at City Hall's Paris Rendez-Vous boutique concept shop I found unusual souvenirs made in France. A while ago, I found Bring France Home near Place des Vosges that only sells souvenirs made in France. Are you looking for quirky Paris souvenir ideas and inexpensive?
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Paris Plages 2017 – Villette Update
Update for Paris Plages: Clémence from the Seine-Saint-Denis Office of Tourism contacted me with information in English about the Basin de la Villette section of Paris Plages. Paris Plages takes place in two locations every year: along the Seine (Parc Rives de Seine) and in the Bassin de la Vilette. Bassin de la Villette is the new hoping part of town in the northeastern section of Paris. Paris Plages began July 8 and continues to Sunday September 3. As they say on the Mairie de Paris’ webpage: "What would summer be without Paris Plages". For maps of where to go swimming (baignait) what's happening along the basin and what's to…
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Use Lulu Dans Ma Rue When You Need Help
From our balconettes (Parisian wrought iron window fences), we are enjoying our carrots - getting fatter every day, fresh cherry tomatoes, and wild strawberries; the plants are blooming. BUT who will water them while we are on vacation? Lulu Anna. The city of Paris (Mairie de Paris) has a service called Lulu dans ma rue (Lulu on my street). Need a helping hand taking things to the cellar (cave)? Ironing? Water your plants?
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Planning for July 14 (14 Juillet) in Paris
When planning your fireworks visit, you can be in the Fan Zone of the Champ-de-Mars or the esplanade of Trocadéro to enjoy front row seats. The bridges offer a side view as we had on Pont d'Alma. On their webpage, the magazine, Vivre Paris, has a map showing alternatives for bridges, parks and rooftops.... Imagine the logistics of moving this many people, which means that numerous metro stations were closed. And entering any nearby and open metro station was impossible due to press of flesh! Our quandary: How to get home to the Bastille from Pont d'Alma .....
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Living in Paris on a January Saturday Morning
Ever wonder what Parisians do on the first Saturday of the Paris sales? Go shopping. On this particular morning around 10:30, it was sunny, crisp and comfortable for our walk from the right to the left bank over the Seine. Ahead of the shopping crowd, we found our replacement Grohe shower hose with the surprise 20% sale price at BHV. It was a surprise….
Enjoy Paris Through My Eyes
