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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02.24.09
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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02.18.09
Posted in Sights in Paris at 2:38 pm by Paris Ambiance Blogger
The 3rd edition of our guidebook, A Paris View, is on the way! In 2005, we published our first edition of A Paris View. Created exclusively as an e-book, our travel guide is updated yearly with the newest Paris information. With links to monuments, tours, and restaurants, your trip planning is made easy. Paris is at your fingertips!
From the details of planning and packing to a three-day tour of the best of the City of Light, A Paris View is designed to lead you step by step. The tour plans offer flexible options to synchronize with the opening days of different museums and sights. This ideal travel tool provides details for sightseeing, shopping, and dining that you need to maximize your time in Paris.
Watch for the release of our newest edition later this month at: 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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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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02.04.09
Posted in Sights in Paris at 2:52 pm by Paris Ambiance Blogger
Once while visiting London, I came across a quaint shop in an artsy district with this little saying posted in the window:
Counsel to Keep
A man should hear a little music, read a little poetry, and see a fine picture every day of his life, in order that worldly cares may not obliterate the sense of the beautiful, which God has implanted in the human soul.”
-Goethe
Perhaps, this is why I always find my visits to the Paris museums so inspiring – I have a full dose of fine pictures to refresh my mind with a sense of beauty. Our most recent trip to the Musée d’Orsay was one of the highlights of our time in Paris. There is nothing like a Monet to capture a wonderful place in time!
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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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