04.03.09
Posted in Planning Your Trip at 1:42 pm by Paris Ambiance Blogger
A taxi ride in Paris can be an adventure, especially if your pronunciation is not 100% (sometimes even if it is 100%). I am the first to admit that my pronunciation is often less than perfect. But there are a few words that seem to elude me no matter how much practice I give them. The number- one offender is: T-R-O-C-A-D-E-R-O. (This area is the best spot for taking pictures of the Eiffel Tower, and is one I often like to visit. You may read my previous blog on Trocadéro for more details: http://blog.parisambiance.com) Unfortunately, the frequency of my taxi rides to Trocadéro has not increased my success ratio for communicating the name to the driver.
However, pronunciation is not always the issue with taxi confusion. For example, recently my husband and I jumped into a taxi en route to a friend’s home for dinner. My husband boldly stated the name of the street. The driver replied: “You have a terrible French accent.” Now, I took a little offense to this comment since I had taught him myself! As things were to turn out, the driver had actually never heard of the street, and it was his confusion not ours. (Yes!)
The advice I can offer for taxi rides is to write the address of your destination on a piece of paper. Though I can usually give the driver perfect directions, writing the name down is always the easiest. Most of the drivers prefer just to enter it into their GPS. After all, have you ever met a man who would prefer directions from a MRS. over a GPS?
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03.31.09
Posted in Planning Your Trip at 9:40 am by Paris Ambiance Blogger
Many people think I must be “practically fluent” in French. Not because I have demonstrated this in any way, but because of my love of all things French, doing business in Paris, and if the truth be known, the multitude of French courses I have begun. I started taking French with my girls and as each of them passed me by, they kindly offered encouragements like, “Oh, Mom, you have so many other things going on…” Or “Isn’t it suppose to be easier when you are younger?” (Of course, that was one of my particular favorites, as you can imagine!) On the heels of that one, I encouraged myself remembering the experts do say that doing crossword puzzles and learning foreign languages are ways to prevent brain deterioration, or something scary. So I am encouraged to continue my efforts.
I also do hope that I have learned enough to “fudge” every now and then. Perhaps, I will pronounce just one word so correctly that even my French friends will stand in awe. However, I think I find it most troublesome when I am reading educated authors who drop little French phrases adding to the ambiance of their literary work, and I do not have a clue what they mean. Some are obvious, or at least an educated guess will get you close. But other times I am purely baffled. Unfortunately, looking the words up in a French dictionary does not always help, if the saying is an idiom for something different than what an exact translation will render.
So, just in case there are those of you in the same boat, I will update you on some of my previous findings.
What is it when girl friends are having a “tête-à-tête” or a “head to head?” Definitely, it is guessable, but that is code for a private conversation.
When a globetrotting writer refers to her “pied-à-terre,” does that mean she is down to earth or literally “foot on the ground?” No, guess again. “Pied-à-terre” is a small living quarter usually in a large city, and typically a second home.
Recently, I read one author who was describing the French fashion sense as having a certain “je ne sais quoi.” This sounded so chic, but how does “I don’t know what” become a compliment? Perhaps because the phrase in this usage has come to mean a certain indescribable or indefinable characteristic that makes it stand out from others.
Well, we all must start somewhere. Sometimes I just start apologetically with, “Je ne sais pas.”
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03.25.09
Posted in Planning Your Trip at 9:45 am by Paris Ambiance Blogger
The cobblestone square of Saint-Germain-des-Prés offers a starting point for exploring this fabulous Left Bank area of Paris. From here, in one direction via rue Bonaparte one may visit antique and fabric shops and the irresistible Ladurée tea salon. Or one may take the wider thoroughfare, rue de Rennes, the opposite direction leading to more contemporary shops.
This exploration certainly can offer a day or afternoon well spent, and is often one of my favorite ways to savor moments in Paris. The area is also home to some of the city’s most well known cafés, such as Café de Flore and Les Deux Magots, whose reputations were fueled by their literary and artistic patrons from Hemingway to Picasso. As you explore, don’t miss the all the side streets that offer specialty shops and fabulous bakeries. Though the charm of Saint-Germain is no secret, I have not ceased to find a new discovery with every visit.
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03.06.09
Posted in Planning Your Trip at 12:00 am by Paris Ambiance Blogger
On a cold winter day, with the wind whipping through the Tuileries Gardens, we bundle up and take a walk. Many of the trees are stripped of their usual foliage, and the crowds are thinned by the season and the weather. But even in these imperfect conditions, one can hardly resist the opportunity to rent a wooden sailboat to float in the fountain. Memories of the children chasing their toy boats with sticks around this vast pond inspires the desire to recreate the atmosphere. Spring will be here soon, and all will begin to change. As the warm sun beats down, the chairs, benches, paths and walkways of the Tuileries will overflow once again. For me, I hope to find a spot by the pond to watch the children with their sailboats. With so many options to fill your days in Paris, sometimes it’s nice to have a quiet moment to reflect on the simplest pleasures.
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02.24.09
Posted in Planning Your Trip at 4:23 pm by Paris Ambiance Blogger
Several years ago, we had the incredible opportunity to attend the Coeur de France Ecole de Langues in Sancerre, France. After several years of trying to study French in my spare time, I decided a more radical jumpstart might be required. I began researching different schools in France in hopes of having a short immersion experience and enjoying the countryside at the same time. I do not think we could have found a better option than this wonderful school nestled in the Loire Valley wine country.
My daughter and I stayed for a 2-week session. (They offer programs for as little as 1 week or as many as 8 weeks.) Sancerre is a hilltop town just large enough to hold your interest, but not so bustling that you are distracted from your work. As a matter of fact, Sancerre seems somewhat of an extension of the school, as the shopkeepers and restaurant staff are eager to help you work on your French and keep you immersed in the culture. (My experience in Paris seems quite the opposite, since usually the waiter’s English is far better than my French. I hate to make them suffer!)
I think the most impressive aspect for me was how our class was able to combine our small group of friends and family, all working at varying beginner levels. Marianne, our teacher and co-owner of the school, has an amazing ability to adapt to different personalities and proficiency levels. Though classes are offered for beginners to advanced students, if the proficiency levels are not too different, a family or group can study together. Coeur de France offers a free online placement test to determine these possibilities.
We were quite comfortable in the lovely apartments on the upper floor of the 16th century La Thaumassière mansion, the Coeur de France home. Every morning, we would eat breakfast in our apartment and simply walk down to the ground floor for class. Our mornings were occupied with classes, and our afternoons were filled with optional excursions. Is there a better way to learn and practice your French? For us, it was perfect! For more information visit: http://coeurdefrance.com
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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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02.13.09
Posted in Planning Your Trip at 11:58 am by Paris Ambiance Blogger
For whatever reason, I have a number of travel companies that send me a weekly update on travel specials. I guess I am hoping that one day - right when I need it - the travel deal of the century will be waiting in my e-mail. Well, though I had no plans of going to Paris this month, there are some pretty good deals!
This week I received notice from Travelzoo that Continental and other airlines are offering trips to Paris from Houston for as low as $413 roundtrip including tax, for travel through early May. They go on to say that these prices are the lowest they have seen in years.
I am also aware of a number of apartment owners in Paris that are offering discounted rental rates for February and March, for even less than the usual low season discounts. The rates are as low as 790 EUR for a week for a charming one bedroom apartment, click here for more information.
Last time I checked, a number of these apartments still had openings for these special rates. Paris at almost half price - this may be too much to resist!
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01.27.09
Posted in Planning Your Trip at 2:04 pm by Paris Ambiance Blogger
Have you ever walked past a person or place and felt you had just passed someone or something that must be important? It was this feeling that drew us inside Le Procope. Amid the holiday lights, we were greeted to our left with a glass case housing Napoleon’s hat. We began to suspect we had found a place in history. We were drawn further inside, thinking that somehow we would come to understand our interest in this particular restaurant. Not wanting to advertise our ignorance, we sort of stood there hoping someone would announce its significance. But no, we only received a proper pronunciation.
We did not know that we had just stumbled into the oldest café in Paris. Some sources say it is the oldest restaurant in Paris, but I had always heard that honor belonged to La Tour d’Argent established in 1582 as an inn for the dining pleasure of aristocrats. (Even a visit to the web site is an experience: http://www.tourdargent.com) Le Procope was actually established in 1686, as a café for fashionable men only 20 years after the introduction of coffee. Later, when the Comédie française opened across the street, Le Procope became the café associated with the theater. Throughout the years, the restaurant hosted Rousseau, Voltaire, Victor Hugo, Benjamin Franklin, and Thomas Jefferson. And the story goes that Napoleon who was a frequent visitor had left his hat as a pledge. The literary and social history of Le Procope is documented by the décor. The web site offers a glimpse through photos of this inviting establishment, click here to visit the site.
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12.18.08
Posted in Planning Your Trip at 4:45 am by Paris Ambiance Blogger
For many years, I have felt that one of the greatest gifts I could give my children was the opportunity to travel and experience different parts of the world. Of course, with Paris being my favorite place, they have had that opportunity more often. At first, we had to transition into a love of international things by mixing in a few American “pleasures” along the way. Yes, we stopped once at McDonald’s on their first visit to Paris. We also tried to incorporate fun stops into our day, like the children’s park, Jardin d’Acclimatation, in Bois de Boulogne.
Somehow, it really worked - all my children love France. Recently, my daughter was asked to write a song for a class about her hometown. Not really being sure she could come up with the imagery she had in mind, she asked if she might write about Paris instead. Her teacher agreed. After all, Ben Franklin said, “Every man has two nations, and one of them is France.” With that confirmation, my daughter wrote her little Paris song. The song possessed such sentimental value that I placed it on our website: www.ParisAmbiance.com. I hope you enjoy it!
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12.16.08
Posted in Planning Your Trip at 11:23 am by Paris Ambiance Blogger
As the season is upon us for sending and receiving Christmas cards, I offer this Christmas fresco from the Louvre. Located at the entrance to the Italian Renaissance area in the Denon wing, I always look forward to viewing this fresco painted in the 16th century by Bernardino Luini.
This year, the Louvre web site presents “The Christmas Story” through seven different works of art. You may enjoy this tour at:
http://www.louvre.fr/llv/activite, then type “The Christmas Story” into the search bar. Click on the first picture and begin the
Louvre Museum’s Thematic Trail of the Christmas Story.
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