Paris Delices City Guide

Maison de l’Alsace
Legendary Alsace “One of the 7 lands of Christmas”
Purchase Christmas delicacies and arts and crafts from one of France’s more Germanic influenced regions, Alsace.

Onsite events

December 6, 2007 at 4:00pm - Saint Nicolas
Ho, Ho, Ho! You better watch out Santa Clause is coming to town!
St Nicolas at the Maison de l’Alsace
Celebrate the season with Saint Nicolas and the Strasbourg Choir while feasting on slices of spice cake and hot chocolate.

Is your French a bit comme ci comme ca…why let that stop you from partaking in a festive culinary or craft experience at the Maison de l’Alsace?

Baking workshop “Little Christmas Cookies (Bredele)” with Suzanne Roth
Tuesday November 27 and December 4, 11, and 18 from 2:00pm to 4:00pm
Please call in advance to reserve your place +33 (0)1 53 83 10 10
Cost: 5 € per person

Workshop “Advent Wreath” with Chrisali
Thursday November 29 and December 6 from 3:00pm to 5:00pm
Please call in advance to reserve your place +33 (0)1 53 83 10 10
Cost : 40 € per person

If you go…
Maison de l’Alsace. 39, avenue Champs Elysées 75008 Paris
The Christmas market is open from November 24, 2007 to December 28, 2007 11:00 am to 8:00pm

Photo courtesy of La Maison de l’Alsace, rue des Champs-Elysées. L’Internaute Magazine / Cécile Debise

Paris Visite

Provides unlimited access to the Ile-de-France public transportation network:
Metro, RER, Buses, Trams, SNCF overland suburban trains, the Montmartre funicular, Montmartobus, Noctilien and Optile bus

Paris’ mass transportation system enables visitors to cover large distances in a relatively short amount of time for a reasonable price. The pass is ideal the visitor who will frequently use Paris’ public transportation network. Valid from the first day of use and not from the date of purchase, the Paris Visite Pass can be pre-purchased from Paris Delices’ Concierge. Purchase your pass for 1, 2, 3 or 5 consecutive days.

After you have received your Paris Visite pass, complete the card with your first and last name, the serial number and your planned start date. The card and coupon must be kept together at all times and must be shown together in the case of control.

Advantages

You also will have the chance to enjoy discount rates at RATP’S partners’ venues upon presentation of the Paris Visite transit pass.

Culture

Arc de Triomphe : a breathtaking view of the Champs Elysées!
Special rate: €6.20 instead of €8.00

The Palais Garnier: a temple of the lyric and choreographic arts.
Special rate €5.00 instead of €8.00.

The Pantheon: a temple to great men.
Special rate €5.70 instead of €7.50

Jacquemart André Museum: a unique collection and a dazzling residence
Discount rate: €7.00 instead of €9.50

The Guimet Museum: splendour and serenity of Asia in Paris
Discount rate on museum ticket: €4.50 instead of €6.50

Sightseeing

Bateaux parisiens : A very Parisian guided boat cruise.
25% off per adult.

Open Tour : Enjoy the view from the top on 4 different sightseeing tours of Paris.
Special rate: €22.00 instead of €26.00.

The Montmartrain: Guided tour of the Butte Montmartre on small passenger road trains.
30% off.

The Grévin Museum: Experience the spirit of Paris
25% off

Cité des Sciences et de l’Industrie, à la Villette : Discover a whole new world
Discount rate: - €2.00

The Wine Museum: Treat yourself to a change of scenery!
50% off

The Stars at the Rex: Journey behind the scene into the heart of film!
50% off

56 Montparnasse Tower: Come and discover the most beautiful view of Paris.
35% off.

Shopping

Galeries Lafayette: the world’s biggest department store
10% off + 1 gift

Show

Crazy Horse : Enjoy a closer look at the plastic arts
More information at: www.lecrazyhorseparis.com
Buy one ticket and get 50% off the second

Hotel du Petit Moulin Paris 

A converted 17^th century boulangerie, the Hotel du Petit Moulin’s stunning interior was re-created by one of Paris’ most flamboyant fashion designers, Christian Lacroix.

The hotel’s 17 meticulously dressed rooms reflect the extravagance Lacroix is known for - walls are papered with toile de Joüy, collage frescoes or simple mosaics; floors or either bare or carpeted in white polka-dots; 60’s kitsch is juxtaposed with antique cornices, consoles and moldings and ad hoc furnishings include Arne Jacobsen Swan chairs and Venetian mirrors.

Room rates from 180€.

Practical information:

• 24×24 hours reception
• wheelchair access
• small pets allowed
• air conditioning
• elevator
• laundry service
• room service
• bar
• paying wifi internet access
• room massages on request
• fax and photocopies service at the reception
• private parking close to the hotel
• event booking
• check-in 14h check-out 12h

If you go…
Hôtel du Petit Moulin. 29/31 rue du Poitou, 75003 Paris

Telephone: +33 (0)1 42 74 10 10
Website: www.paris-hotel-petitmoulin.com
Email: contact@hoteldupetitmoulin.com
Metro: Saint Sébastien Froissard or Filles du Calvaire - metro line 8

Le Bristol
Steeped in tradition, the stunningly elegant and positively Parisian, Hotel le Bristol, is the definition of understated luxury and flawless service. The hotel has recently expanded its impressive line of services, and indulges in the pleasures of childhood by offering your little one a unique VIP treatment upon check-in.

The hotel provides the following services:

• Le Bristol, a decadent 2 star Michelin restaurant
• Luxury Spa Treatments by Anne Semonin
• Fashion High Teas
• Personalized children’s program
• Family program
• Concierge
• Bar
• Banqueting room
• Business Center
• Room service
• Laundry service

If you go:
Le Bristol. 112, rue Faubourg St. Honoré, 75008 Paris
Telephone: +33 (0)1 53 43 43 00
Website: www.hotel-bristol.com

The Printemps Department Store Paris offers its international customers a 10 % discount on all purchases. Simply print out the discount card from the Printemps site and present the card with your passport to the cashier. You may also obtain a card from the Welcome Service, located on the ground floor of Printemps de la mode.

Printemps is also happy to offer its customers:

12% TAX REFUND
12% VAT refund for international visitors residing outside the European Union, living in France for less than 6 months, and with purchases over 175 € bought the same day in the same store. Information is provided at one of the Printemps Service Points or at the Welcome Service.

SERVICE POINTS
For quick and simple shopping, 9 service points are available throughout the Printemps store. You may inquire about the following services : formalities for the 12% tax refund, restaurant reservations, expeditions abroad, hotel deliveries, taxi and beauty institute reservations.
Printemps de la Mode - Levels 0, 1, 3
Printemps Beauté et Maison - Levels -1, 0, 2, 3, 5
Printemps de l’Homme - Level 4

SHOP HANDS FREE AND PAY ONLY ONCE!
Shopping becomes much easier with the convenient shopping booklet. Purchases are available approximately one hour after payment has been made. Ask a Printemps sales person for more information.

DELIVERIES
Have your purchases delivered to your hotel in Paris or shipped world-wide. Ask for more information at the Welcome Service.

FOREIGN CURRENCY
Printemps accepts foreign currencies - U.S.$, ¥, £, Can.$, Aus.$ and CHF at the cash desk, in the entire store.

Kong
Perched cosily under the glass veranda of the historic La Samaritaine building, Kong has one of the most seductive views of, the city on the Seine.
The décor is Philippe Starck, the cuisine is Franco-Nippon, and the desserts are Pierre Hermé.

Kong. 1, rue du Pont-Neuf, La Samaritaine, 75001 Paris
Telephone : +33 (0)1 40 39 09 00
Menu à la carte : 9 - 35€

Le Jules Verne
Located on the second floor of the Eiffel Tower, the Jules Verne, with its impregnable panoramic view, proposes a French menu from the staff of Alain Ducasse.

Le Jules Verne. Champs de Mars, Tour Eiffel, Pilier Sud, 75007 Paris
Telephone : +33 (0)1 45 55 61 44
Menu : 56 - 126 €

Maison Blanche
Lying under the roof of the Théatre des Champs Elysees, the Maison Blanche, with its cream and violet décor, offers sweeping views of the Seine. The chefs, brothers Laurent and Jacques Pourcel, continue to impress with their inventive and seasonal cuisine.

Maison Blanche. 15, avenue Montaigne, 75008 Paris
Telephone : + 33 (0)1 47 23 55 99
Menu : 90 €

Le Georges
Tucked under the steel and glass of the Centre Georges Pomidou, Le Georges’ panoramic view and stunning contemporary décor is a feast for the eyes. Dine on the infusion cuisine and observe the BCBG Parisians in motion.

Le Georges. Centre Georges Pompidou, 19 rue de Beaubourg, 75004 Paris
Telephone : + 33 (0)1 44 78 47 99
Menu : 60 €

If you are seeking a truly gourmet adventure, then Paris Delices highly recommends this “not to miss 2008 event ” scheduled 18th of May. Reserve your place now as space is limited.

Paris Chocolate Adventure with Mort Rosenblum and David Lebovitz
May 4 to May 10, 2008
First week almost sold out!
Second week, May 18-24, to be added (tentative)

Come to Paris and taste some of the world’s finest chocolates with experts Mort Rosenblum, author of Chocolate: A Bittersweet Saga of Dark and Light, and David Lebovitz, author of The Great Book of Chocolate and The Perfect Scoop.

Included will be:
• Visits to the hidden laboratories of master Parisian chocolatiers, including chocolate sculptor Jean-Charles Rochoux and the elusive Jacques Genin, meeting them and sampling their specialties.
• A private guided tasting at La Maison du Chocolat with their experts.
• Fabulous evening soirée aboard Mort’s house boat docked in the Seine, across from the Musee d’Orsay.
• Lunch in Normandy with cookbook author Susan Hermmann Loomis, at her famous country home On Rue Tatin.
• Visits to David’s favorite markets and landmark food meccas including Le Grande Épicerie, Poilane bakery, and the stunning chocolate boutiques of the Left Bank.
• Absinthe tasting (if you dare!) at one of the world’s only Absinthe boutiques.
• Outdoor market tour and lunch under the historic and grand arches of Place des Vosges, the most beautiful square in Europe.
• And lots more!

Included is 6 nights at gracious 4-star left bank hotel, double occupancy, most meals with wine included and all breakfasts. Space limited to 9 guests.
For pricing and further information, or to reserve your space, contact Jeannette Hermann at JTRoseParis@aol.com.

June 19 – September 16
Musée d’Orsay
Temporary Exhibition - From Cézanne to Picasso, Masterpieces from the Vollard Gallery

A pioneer among late nineteenth-century art dealers, Ambroise Vollard (1866-1939) played a decisive role in the development of Modern Art until the early decades of the 20th century. Thanks to his intuition, his talent for business and his boldness, he has achieved a special place in the art market by his passionate defence of unknown or “banned” artists. In particular Vollard was the first to organise a one-man exhibition devoted to Paul Cézanne in November 1895; he exhibited the Nabis and he supported several young painters such as Derain and Rouault. His enlightened investments now seem incredibly far-sighted.

Vollard maintained a special relationship with each of “his” artists, whilst his extraordinary sensitivity enabled him to discover the unique talent of each. In particular, he encouraged Maillol and Renoir to produce sculpture.

Moreover, the way he developed relationships between creators, great collectors and other art dealers gave the small world of Parisian art an international dimension.

Finally, Vollard also played a crucial role in the world of publishing, which was then undergoing profound changes. He published many albums of original lithographs and “artists’ books”. He was also the author of monographs on Cézanne, Degas and Renoir, not to mention the account of his memories.

All these activities make Vollard a true promoter of Modern Art and one of the major figures of the art world of his time.

Resources : Musée d’Orsay

HOW TO DINE IN PARIS

TIMING EVENING MEALS
As many Parisians choose to dine around 8:30 pm, many Paris restaurants will not be ready to serve until 8pm . If you would like to dine earlier, expect to be the first to arrive or to share the restaurant with other vacationers.

RESERVING YOUR TABLE IN PARIS
Reserve your table. Many restaurants are small, independent businesses owned by individuals. They are often closed on Sunday, Saturday afternoon, one week in December, and the entire month of August. We highly recommend that you call in advance to ensure the restaurant is open and can seat you. As is common courtesy, cancel your reservations if you have a change in plans.

NON-SMOKING TABLES IN PARIS
If you prefer to dine separately from smokers, ask for “non-fumeur” (non-smoking) table when you call to reserve your table. Many Parisian establishments now have a special non-smoking section or will seat you at their best non-smoking table. If you dine early, around 8pm, you may find that restaurants will be less smoky than later hours.

BEING SEATED
You must wait to be seated when entering a restaurant or bistrot. Someone will soon greet you and either take your name if you have reserved or ask you “combien de personnes?” (how many people) before seating you. In a café or brasserie, you may seat yourself, unless the establishment is especially crowded or you need assistance. One will find that the staff will treat you more kindly if you take the time to ask for a table

WATER
Restaurants never require their guests to order bottled water. If you would like to be French ask for the complimentary ‘carafe d’eau’. If you choose to order bottled water be sure to tell the server “l’eau gazeuse” (with gas) or “l’eau plat” (flat, without gas).

Drinks are rarely served with ice.

In the summer months, when flocks of tourists plant their feet on the Parisian soil, lines at Paris’ largest museums begin to grow longer. You will find that the Louvre’s Denon wing is bursting at the seams as visitors crowd around Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa and the Winged Victory of Samothrace. The line at the entrance of the Musée d’Orsay, home to the world’s largest Impressionist collection, wraps around the museum’s façade and out onto the street. With only a few precious days to visit Paris, it is possible to admire the master’s without battling the crowds, at some of the city’s more decadent and petit museums. continue reading »