Feels Like Home in Paris

Velib Part II

2007-08-18T04:06:00.000-07:00

It would seem that some bike rental shop owners are a bit upset by the success of the Velib rentals. Though the city said it was still recommending that any longer renters go to the shops, it would seem that people are choosing the Velib route over the rental shops. : (

The machines offer three language options, English, French and Spanish. So you can have a full explanation in a language you understand. You can use your credit card to purchase a pass and the caution will be held against your credit card in the even that you do not return the bike.

So it just might be a fun way to discover the city and burn of the calories from all those pastries.

Now you just have to find a station that still has bikes.

Velib - Paris goes cycling

2007-07-24T05:56:00.000-07:00

Recently I was asked by a guest to explain those Velib stations that have magically (well not really), popped up all over Paris. Well, to tell you the truth I don't fully understand them.

I do know that they are trying to have posts every 300 meters and that the idea is to have an alternative to using your car or even the metro or bus. It is primarily for short trips and for the moment, though some sites say that it is supposed to be for Parisians and tourists alike, it would seem to be more geared towards residents of the city of lights. Why would I say that? Well for one thing the site the city created for explaining their bikes is only in French, http://www.velib.paris.fr/. Secondly the greatest advantage is to take a 1-year membership, which costs 29 euros. Thirdly, I asked at a Paris info point about the use of the bikes and they explained to me that though the terminals are also in English, the bikes are really for Parisians rather than tourists and they suggested that it might be to a tourists advantage to simply rent a bike from a bike shop or from the RATP (the metro folks), at Chatelet.

Here is what is cool about it: The first 30 minutes are free. After that the cost is

1st Half hour	2nd half hour	from the 3rd half hour
1 €	2 €	4€ per additional half hour

I think this is going to be a great thing but I agree with the tourist office that if you wish to rent a bike for a full day - this is not the option for you.

I will go and test one of their machines. I know a friend of mine tried it the other day and had a really hard time. He is under the impression that the terminals privilege those who have a yearly subscription. Once there are more active terminals perhaps this will be less of an issue.

Happy riding

August in Paris

2007-05-21T11:48:00.000-07:00

A lot of people often think that Paris is not worth visiting in August because everything is closed.
This is a misconception which might once have been the case but is no longer accurate. The museums never close, the parks are still open, many many restaurants remain open and get this . . . the most interesting part to you as a tourist the crowds are less. This makes visiting the Eiffel Tower delightful rather than stressful, going to the Louvre time well spent instead of time lost in long lines.

Oh, mind you there are still a lot of people in Paris but at the same time things just seem to run a lot faster.

I rarely leave Paris in August as I enjoy the calm the reigns throughout. The city takes a deep breathe and renews itself.

So consider Paris in August before everyone else finds out.

Spring is in the air

2007-05-21T11:42:00.000-07:00

We have had a bit a crazy weather recently in Paris. In the month of April when (despite the song's optimistic tone), it tends to rain more than shine, we had Summer like weather. Then it was a return to much cooler weather and gray skies. A bit of rain and then some sun. A bit of sun and then some rain.

Finally it would seem that perhaps the weather is heading in the right direction. Summer is almost here.

Europe is full of Summer festivals and Paris always plays a big roll, from the Cinema en Plein Air outdoor film festival throughout Paris and Roland Garros tennis to special exhibits in and out of doors, this is a great time to come to Paris and pretend to be a "Parisien"

Tip: It is always wise to plan a Spring and Summer Paris holiday in advance as rooms and apartments fill up quickly and larger groups become much harder to accommodate

Can't Read those darn metro signs

2007-04-13T08:45:00.000-07:00

When you ride the MTR (metro), in Hong Kong, the signs are clear and precisely written both in Chinese and English. Ok maybe that is because Hong Kong was once a British territory but I have to say that the metro system in Asia is amazing.

Paris is not that bad either, it is pretty easy to use once you get it. What does stink about it however, is that signs about construction work in the metro system are ONLY IN FRENCH. So countless lost tourists find themselves dismayed about why the train is not stopping at the stop they were expecting to get off at.

So, guess what! I am here to help. Here is what you can expect if you are goig to be in Paris over the next few months:

Good news! Since December 23rd, the metro service has been extended to 2:15 am on Saturdays and the eve of holidays. This is an improvement by 1 whole hour. Not to mention that they also have boosted the service so you only have to wait 5 minutes between trains after 9 pm (in theory).

NOW FOR THE WORK

Metro line 5 - BREGUET SABIN station closed from Monday march 5th till Tues May 15th

Metro line 7 - PLACE MONGE - closed from Feb 26- 22 May

Metros 1 & 8 - REUILLY DIDEROT - closed from April 2nd till July 1st from 9:30 PM everyday except Saturday and the eve of holidays. Line 8 remains accessible from FALDHERBE-CHALIGNY or MONTGALLET stations. Line 1 will remain accessible from GARE de LYON or NATION

Metro line 9 - VOLTAIRE from January 8th till April 8th

Metro lin 14 - the line is being extended to the future station Olympiades - expect the following interruptions:

between CHATELET and BIBLIOTHEQUE F. MITTERAND - Saturdays from 5:30 am- 9 am the 7, 14 & 28th of April; Sundays from 5:30 am till 10:00 am le 1st, 15, 22nd and 29th of April

between SAINT-LAZARE and BIBLIOTHEQUE F. MITTERAND - Sundays 25th of March and 8th of April from 5:30 am till 10:00 am

During this time a shuttle bus will be in place between GARE DE LYON and BIBLIOTHEQUE

Metro line 8 - OPERA the station is closed to the public all day between the 5th of March and the 18th of May 2007. The lines 3 and 7 remain open during this period

Metro line 7 - LA COURNEUVE to PORTE DE LA VILLETTE - traffic is stopped from Saturday the 7th till Monday the 9th of April. There will be a bus in place running every 5-10 mins

Metro lin 4 - CHATEAU D'EAU - Costs from Jan 22nd till April 3rd.

metro lines 4, 5, & 7 GARE de l'EST:
Renovating of the SNCF and RATP spaces, direct access to the metro within Gare de l'Est is closed to the public from September 19th 2006 till April 16th 2007

They advise the following alternatives if you are ARRIVING AT GARE DE L'EST

Metro line 4 (in both directions) and metro line 5 (direction PLACE d'ITALIE): follow the signs in the station that will lead you to the metro entrance outside the station.

Metro line 5 (direction BOBIGNY): Use the access at the CHAUTEAU-LANDON staion (at the end of the platform of the SNCF station), take line 7 in the direction of LA COURNEUVE and transfer to line 5 at the STALINGRAD station.

metro line 7 (both directions): Use the access at the CHAUTEAU-LANDON station for line 7 (at the end of the SNCF station platform).

Happy riding

Visit: www.ratp.fr for more metro details

A little metro know-how. Buyer beware.

2007-04-13T08:44:00.000-07:00

Do not be fooled by random people who come up to you to help you get metro tickets. These people do not, most likely, work for the RATP (the Paris metro service company). If you are in doubt go to an info desk or the the guichet (counter).

I have had guests tell me that they spent 50 euros for a ticket that was supposed to be unlimited and reusable and all they had to show me was a one ride ticket worth less then 2 euros.

Visit the RATP site to plan your trip or to find out about the prices. You can view the page in English.

Our site's links' page is full of helpful links to help you plan you Paris holiday: www.feelslikehomeinparis.com/Links.html

I want to stay in "Central" Paris

2007-04-13T08:32:00.000-07:00

I am often asked by people for accommodations in central Paris. Though I know what they mean when they ask that, I almost feel like saying, "what is central Paris?" The thing is that most tourists don't understand the geography of Paris and overestimate the distances. If you go onto some of the Paris travel forums (I won't site them but I am sure you all know which ones I am talking about), you will find "experts" on Paris telling people to stay in the 5th, the 6th or 7th districts. I have nothing against these areas and have lived in the 5th and gone to school in both the 5th and the 6th (Junior year abroad), but Paris is so much more than just these areas and because of the escargot shape (snail shape), the 17th is just next to the 8th, and the 18th. The 18th is next to the 10th and above the 9th (where you have Opera), The 9th is just above the 2nd. So are you far? Not at all. I have taken a casual walk to the Marais from the 18th via the Champs-Elysee (in the 8th), through the Tuileries gardens (the 1st), past the Louvre (also the 1st) and I think it took me an hour or so. Paris also has a great metro system not to mention a great bus system. I think that all the districts of Paris merit being visited. If for nothing else but to experience Paris the way a Parisian does, going to local bakeries, pastry shops, bars and restaurants. Go to places where you might actually run into a Parisian. Ha, now wouldn't that be funny? I welcome your opinions on your Paris experience and would love for people to comment here about the interesting places they've visited.

Why a Paris rental apartment?

2007-04-13T08:22:00.000-07:00

Paris has always been a major tourist destination and it is not about to chanage. However travelers are becoming more and more savy as they learn that most Parisian hotel accommodations are pricey and small. This is why many people are turning to apartment rentals. Think of the added freedom, the larger spaces and the amenities that can't be beat, from cable TV (with more than just CNN), wireless internet access (some apartments with computers for your use) at no extra cost, fully equipped kitchens and inside tips on making your trip that more enjoyable. When I discovered that you could travel the world renting apartments, I thought wow, "where have I been all this time?" I mean it is nice to splurge sometimes for a hotel but we've all slept in rooms that were simply laughable, on beds that were harder, lumpier or noisier that most beds you have ever known, so why fork over all that cash and get little in return. Live like a local and really have something to write home about. So, yeah I am advertising here so of course I am going to toot my own horn, but I guarantee you will enjoy your stay. Feels Like Home in Paris