03.27.09
Posted in Expert Advice at 4:44 am by Paris Ambiance Blogger
Could it be so simple? Being a very thorough person and sometimes given to excessive research, every now and then I find that I have completely outsmarted myself. But after years of trial and error, I have finally succeeded in simplifying my French cell phone adventures.
The adventures began years ago with an 8-week stay in Paris while my 18-year-old studied at the Sorbonne. We had rented an apartment, and she would be walking to class. Addicted to the convenience and security of a cell phone, I began researching the most economical way to have 2 cell phones for our trip. Since my cell phone company was astronomically high for overseas use, I finally decided to buy 2 inexpensive cell phones and order French Orange SIM cards online, so we would have a smooth transition from the moment we landed.
Unfortunately things do not always go as planned. This was certainly the case when I discovered our cell phones had the language set to Turkish! (As if French was not enough to navigate!) Later I was to discover that I had paid much more to order the SIM cards online, than if I had purchased them at an Orange store in Paris.
As the years rolled on, I clung to my well-used “French” phones, trying numerous different pay-as-you-go plans. Until this January, when it finally came together! As we arrived in Paris, I located the nearest Orange boutique and headed to buy SIM cards. When the assistant greeted me and offered to sell me 2 new cell phones and SIM cards for less than the SIM cards cost online in the U.S., I was beside myself! This was my best deal of the whole trip! (And I love good deals.) Could it really be that simple? Yes, just take your passport and find the closest Orange boutique in Paris; in one stop you can get your phone, your SIM card and purchase the minutes you need – Voilà!
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03.20.09
Posted in Expert Advice at 3:14 pm by Paris Ambiance Blogger
Every once in a while, you stumble upon a restaurant that suits you perfectly. This was our experience with La Bastide d’Opio. Staying in an apartment only a stone’s throw away, we would walk past the numerous restaurants lining the narrow streets near Sainte Sulpice in the 6th arrondissement. I have such fond memories of the delicious food in Provence that my attention was immediately drawn to La Bastide d’Opio. My husband loves a seat with a view, and the first little table was wide open and seemed to have our name written on it.
As we scanned the menu, we found just we are looking for under the Entrées or appetizers, cassolette de ravioles du Royan à la crème de basilic. We asked if we might order a larger portion for our meal. After checking with the chef, the waitress agreed to do so.
We were thrilled with the results. The delicate raviolis and goat cheese with basil cream became our newest comfort food. We must have repeated this same experience 4 times in our 7-day visit! Visit the web site and enjoy a moment at 9, Rue Guisarde : http://www.bistrot-opio.com/video.html
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03.04.09
Posted in Expert Advice at 1:18 am by Paris Ambiance Blogger
Strolling past the Poilâne bakery at 8 rue du Cherche-Midi, a photograph was irresistible. I guess it was my way of enjoying the bread vicariously. Instead of wearing it, I took a photo. Perhaps, this was a more enjoyable memory in the long run. (Though, I have definitely enjoyed eating the bread on several other occasions!)
Ever the curious tourist, I wanted to know more about this bakery. It seemed everywhere I looked its name was popping up in specialty shops or being advertised as the bread of choice on different restaurant menus. I discovered that Poilâne was a bit of a new kid on the block compared to some of the more ancient establishments.
It was 1932 when Pierre Poilâne left Normandy to open his shop in Paris. The Cherche-Midi store was his first location. In the artsy Saint-Germain-des-Prés area, the competition was fierce. When he began, there were five bakeries on the street. Now, there is only Poilâne. At last count, the Poilâne bakeries were producing over 10,000 loaves a day for their shops, retailers, and restaurants that offer their breads!
To learn more about the interesting history of Poilâne, visit their website: http://www.poilane.fr/
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02.25.09
Posted in Expert Advice at 11:20 pm by Paris Ambiance Blogger
Part of the icing on the cake of Paris is all of the beautiful things that are a part of everyday life – like flowers! How wonderful to walk along the street and pass open flower markets and flower shops! Not only are the flowers colorful and lovely, but the arrangements make such elegant presentations.
I remember how curious I was when I was first visiting Paris about the French etiquette and customs. Though not too different from our habits at home, it certainly seems easier to scoop up a beautiful hostess gift of flowers with all of the abundant selection right on your way. The traditional p’s and q’s of French flower etiquette is: An odd number of flowers (except 13) preferably in a vase, excepting white lilies or chrysanthemums which are for funerals, carnations which are bad luck, or any white flowers which are reserved for weddings, is the advised prescription. But I doubt such a refreshing gift would be refused in any form!
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02.20.09
Posted in Expert Advice, Planning Your Trip at 6:14 pm by Paris Ambiance Blogger
For years, we traveled to Europe booking our favorite 4-star hotels. Occasionally, we ventured out and tried a new hotel or a different area of the city. But as I have always thought, “If it’s not broke, don’t fix it.” Yet, times changed and our family grew. Our one $400 room would no longer fit everyone, so we added another now $450 room. We were constantly concerned that the children’s room be as close to ours as possible. (Though they were certainly growing up and did not share our concern.)
Our travel style began to change as well. Instead of continuing to be the stereotype American tourists who cram as many cities into a week as possible, we began staying longer at each destination and thoroughly enjoying each city. On a recent visit to Paris, we sympathized with a couple who breathlessly were trying to take it all in. The husband had surprised his wife with a well-planned trip to Europe – a different city every day!
In the midst of all our travel style changes, we discovered Paris apartments. What a discovery it was! For almost the same price as one of our small hotel rooms, we could have a beautiful two-bedroom apartment. No longer did we have to get dressed and rush down to breakfast, we had our own full kitchen to eat whatever and whenever we wanted. Later, as we traveled with other couples, it was nice to share an apartment with a lovely living room to sit and discuss all the adventures of the day.
Since then, we’re sold. As long as we are staying at least 5 days, we book an apartment and experience Paris like a Parisian. We have discovered our own favorite areas, usually the ones that make us feel like we have our own little niche in the city. From luxurious to charming, each apartment is different. Many offer the usual amenities of home; so much so, we are never ready to leave!
Our experiences have left us so inspired that today we have our own company that offers Paris apartments to travelers. Paris Ambiance lists apartments for owners and managers with no additional charge to renters. It’s your chance to live like a Parisian! We welcome you to visit: www.ParisAmbiance.com
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02.11.09
Posted in Expert Advice at 1:18 pm by Paris Ambiance Blogger
Don’t you love a good story? Well, I have one for you! You may remember my recent blog about the Rue Princesse handbags, which I described as my new favorite French find. In case you don’t remember, we discovered these fabulous handbags in the heart of Saint Germain at 11 Rue Princesse. A visit to the Rue Princesse store became a recommended must do for every trip to Paris.
So, as you can tell, I really love these handbags. While doing some research for that blog, I contacted the Rue Princesse office in Paris to see if they might be considering bringing their line to the US. They transferred my call to a gentleman who informed me that they had no current plans for the US markets. For whatever reason, I could not accept this answer and began to try to convince him what a success I thought Rue Princesse would be in the US. (I can be very enthusiastic when I am convinced of something.) So for about 20 minutes, I unloaded all of my enthusiasm for the cause. I happened to mention that my husband had even tried to call the owner last summer to express our interest in the handbag line. He seemed to be aware of this call and apologized that we had not received a response.
In a final plea, I told him we would be in Paris in January and would love to discuss doing a test market in Texas with Rue Princesse. He agreed that perhaps we could meet, and said he would send me an e-mail with his contact information. When I received the e-mail, I was a bit shocked to find I had been speaking to Laurent Morel-Ruymen, the CEO and founder of Rue Princesse. Wow, I thought I had been trying to convince someone in the marketing department!
Somehow, he did still meet with us in January. And after many discussions, my husband left Paris as the US Distributor for Rue Princesse. In March, we will officially present Rue Princesse at the Dallas Market. If it seems like a whirlwind adventure, it has been. But our enthusiasm has not waned to introduce to you our favorite French find coming to a store near you! For now, you can visit: www.RuePrincesse.com
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02.07.09
Posted in Expert Advice at 12:44 pm by Paris Ambiance Blogger
Why does it seem that the pastries in Paris are truly as delicious as they look? Which is not always true closer to home. We have often consulted with French friends to see if perhaps the lightness of the pastries had to do with some ingredient that was different in France. We have conjectured everything from the water to the butter as a possibility for the special touch. I would certainly love to know the answer. Until then, maybe I will be content with less temptation at home.
This particular tart is from Gérard Mulot whose delicacies we discussed in an earlier blog. But the choices of pâtisseries around Paris are mind-boggling. It seems one can hardly walk down a street without viewing a beautiful assortment lusciously displayed. Certainly, that is another reason to start planning our summer visit!
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01.30.09
Posted in Expert Advice at 3:32 pm by Paris Ambiance Blogger
Paris captivates me. It is simply true. So many little things delight me. Years ago, when we first visited Paris, I was pretty much beside myself as I walked along the streets, my smile brimming from ear to ear. I was always amazed that not many people smiled back. Later, I discussed this with a Parisian friend. She said most French people would probably think someone smiling for seemingly no reason was a bit strange. Well, I am sure I qualified 100%!
On our last visit, we stayed in a wonderful apartment located on a narrow street that intersects rue du Faubourg- Saint-Honoré. Sotheby’s is right there on the corner. During the holidays, the lighting was decorated with a wreath hanging beside the entrance. Something in the scene caught my eye, and I snapped a picture. Now that we are home, the image reminds me of how much I love the wrought iron work throughout Paris. The details are so elegant. The work of a craftsman is strategically placed to bring beauty into daily life. I never want to grow accustomed or cease to really see it. Perhaps, living with your eyes wide open and in full delight is part of being captivated by Paris.
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01.20.09
Posted in Expert Advice at 4:47 am by Paris Ambiance Blogger
The French have an incredible ease and cleverness for combining the old and new. With a background in Interior Design, I have often admired rooms filled with fabulous antiques seamlessly accented with contemporary pieces. Integrating the past and present is an art that I enjoy experimenting with in my own home. Yet, more than an art form, as with most French rationale – it just makes sense – to create a home that tells the story of its residents both past and present.
This concept is not only reflected in French interior design, but also can be viewed throughout Paris. Sometimes I like to think what I might have created if I had been asked to design a new entrance to the Louvre. No doubt, I would have tried to fashion a structure that would blend in with the time period of the existing buildings. But what was chosen? The design of a Chinese American architect, I. M. Pei, was selected representing the old and new. His explanation, “The solid is for the dead, but the transparent is for the living.”
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01.13.09
Posted in Expert Advice at 1:02 pm by Paris Ambiance Blogger
Certainly, the hardest part of a trip to Paris is leaving this beautiful city. After a little over two weeks, the time has come to say, “Adieu.” But “Adieu” is a farewell that indicates goodbye for an extended or permanent period of time. Long ago, I realized the only way I could part with Paris was to plan my next visit before I left – done. So instead I say “A bientôt!” ~ “Paris, I will see you again soon!”
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