For those of us who are NOT in Paris, this is exciting, magical, wonderful, fabulous!!!
For those of you who ARE in Paris, it’s cold, it’s freezing, the footpaths, sidewalks, steps, and roads are icy and dangerous …
but it’s SNOWING in Paris :-)
Sorry – I just have to share my exicitement, and also share some great videos to show you what it’s like. In this first video, my friend Marlys walked outside her door in Montmartre (near Sacre Coeur) to take these shots – wow!!!! Look at that dog LOVING the snow!!
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Oh I remember it snowed one Christmas when I lived in Paris (no, it doesn’t snow all the time) and it was FREEEEEZING!
Watching these videos reminds me of how COLD my feet were, as the leather of my boots eventutally got wet and it was so hard to keep your feet dry and warm. The only way to do that is to wear snow boots :-)
Here’s a video I just found which makes me feel sooo cold :-)
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In this video below (they’re speaking French) I got a surprise to see someone walking up the hill with their SKIS! to slide down Buttes Chaumont – here’s what they wrote on their Youtube page:
this morning at 10h45 in the 19 district of paris @ les buttes chaumont parc, the parc was closed cause of the snowing of the last days and for security reasons, shame for us that this wondeful parc with a fantastic view on paris was closed (stupid law and stupid french governement) so we decided to get in of course illegaly, lucky us the police wasnt there but security people of the parc icked us out kindly, some people were really pleased to see us inside and enjoying that snow and they took some videos and picture of us, then frustrated we decided to ride some streets of paris , also in canal st martin for the fun and under the sun, then we took the subway to reach bercy and see what can we do.. but the big parc was our dream , next time we will try to get in by night , after they all sleep in this city!
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So if you have been wondering what to do in Paris around Christmas time, whatever it is, make sure YOU’RE WARM!!!
If you’re in Paris, go check out any DAMART STORE where you can buy thermal underwear for women, men and children as there’s nothing worse than being cold in winter in Paris :-)
Hello! I’m reading your article on 10 day trips from Paris and am very intrigued by the Vallée de Chevreuse. I’m curious how you recommend getting from farm to farm once we get off the train, as well as if you can recommend certain farms to visit and others to skip. My wife and I will be in Paris the week between Christmas and New Years, so trying to get in a rural foodie trip if we can.
I very much appreciate your guidance and writing.
Best,
Stuart
Teena says:
Hi there Stuart! Thanks for dropping by my site :-)
Would you like to visit little villages in a huge national park with many bushwalking tracks? Or maybe you’d rather a day of cafe and restaurant hopping to sample the local produce – a real treat for foodies. How about a visit to a family-run farm which specialises in tastings of their cheeses, pates, honey, cider etc? You’ll need to leave Paris early and come home late – there’s so much to experience here.
Travel time: around 40 minutes from Paris, take the train line RER B to St-Remy-les-Chevreuse – http://www.parc-naturel-chevreuse.fr/en/accueil.html
Although I haven’t gone “from farm to farm” in this area, the website gives lots of great information in English:
I think it’s a great idea to plan ahead – contact the local Office de Tourisme, or Office d’Informations via email in advance. You don’t need to speak French, and you can use http://translate.google.com to write your questions in English, translate to French, and then email them.
You will also be able to go to their office and ask questions on arrival.
Ouverture du point de vente tous les jours .Opening of the shop every day.
ETE : de 9h à 10h30 et de 16h30 à 19h – HIVER de 9h à 10h30 et de 16h30 à 18h30 – En juillet et Aout de 16h30 à 19hWAS: 9am to 10:30 and from 16:30 to 19h – WINTER from 9 to 10:30 and 16:30 to 18:30 – In July and August from 16:30 to 19h
Fermé les lundis matins, mardis matins et dimanches matinsClosed on Monday mornings, Tuesday mornings and Sunday mornings
Matthew’s wondering where to take his girlfriend on 18th December.
Hi Teena
Thanks for your reply. I want to take my woman for a wonderful birthday night on 18th December – anything on that date? A concert maybe? Paul McCartney again?! Or an opera??
Thnks for your advice! Best.
Matthew.
Teena says …
Hey Matthew,
Thanks for dropping by my site about Paris :-)
To find out what’s on for a specific date, check out these websites:
Every time I visit Paris I always take a pre-dinner, early evening Champagne Cruise on the River Seine, it only takes an hour and you will get to see the beautiful historical building, Eiffel Tower and bridges from the water.
Great news! The latest Postcards from Paris Video Newsletter is ready.
Postcards from Paris
30th October 2010
Bonjour tous le monde! Hello everyone!
How have you been? I hope you’ve been having lots of adventures and planning a trip to Paris – always a fabulous past-time :-)
I’ve had laryngitis for a couple of weeks, I know – how weird is that? haha
So that meant I had to curtail all my video making until I got my voice back. I’m soooo pleased it came back yesterday – woohoo!!
So here’s today’s Video Newsletter for you … hope you like it :-)
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Using Google Maps for Paris, France
I’ve had emails asking me about how to plan trips to Paris in advance, which streets to go down to get to the metro or specific restaurants, chocolate stores etc etc. OK – let’s jump in and click on the video!
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Google Maps make it soooo much easier to plan ahead! you can even print out the maps AND the directions, so you can plot your walking tours from your accommodation to all the great places close by. Let me know how this works out for you if you try it. To read more about Google maps in Paris France, pop over to the page.
My Book of Photos of Paris
I am soooo excited! I’ve been working on this for absolutely ages, even had one book published but I wasn’t 100% happy with it. I’m almost finished and hope to have my photo ook available within the next few weeks and I CAN’T WAIT!! I know a lot of you have contacted me about this, and I thank you for that – so it’s finally nearing completion and will look something like this:
It’s a collection of some of my photos taken in Paris, with a brief description of each one.
When I look at the photos, each one conjures up a memory of a slice of time in Paris, and has me yearning to return. I’ll keep you posted when it’s ready!
The French Language
I love speaking French, but I don’t get nearly enough practice; that doesn’t stop me looking online for interesting things to say in French, and I’ve found some fabulously funny sayings which I think you might like – pop over to this page to read more:
Les Arts Decoratif – Decorative Arts Museum, Paris, France
I love this place – and I love getting their Newsletter, it’s always chock-full of fab photos and wonderful things I wish I could see each month in Paris.
So this is the next best thing – I pop over to the website and browse to my heart’s content :-)
On this snapshot of the website, you’ll notice a small British flag – that means you can click it to read the site in English – perfect!
What I love about this book is the way it’s presented, each lesson is mostly photos so it is so easy to understand and grasp. If you’ve been looking for an inexpensive book to help you learn French, this book might be just what you’re looking for.
Well, we’ve come to the end of today’s Video Newsletter – I hope you’ve enjoyed it!
Ciao for now, Au revoir, a bientot! (Goodbye, more soon!)
Like stand-up comedy?
After a sensational evening last Wednesday with The International House Band and Meow Meow performing choice cuts from the Cole Porter and Jerome Kern songbooks it will be Emo’s turn to take to the stage at La Java on Wednesday 8th September : He may not have deigned to play his clarinet with The House Band but he was in the audience digging the music just as in turn the House Band will be in the audience laughing at his bizarrely logical humour.Tickets are going fast so get booking.
Karel Beer
the semi-legendary
Emo Phillips
in all his glory will be Standing-Up at
La Java
105, rue du faubourg du Temple Paris 10
Wednesday 8 September 8-30pm
http://www.emophilips.com/
tickets if you pre book by email15 €
card carrying members and students a snippet at 12€
Tickets on the night not pre-booked a whopping 20€
In praise of … Emo Philips
Brian Logan The Guardian 12 August 2010
He tells semi-surreal jokes so short and sharp that they make the audience jolt as well as laugh
Many comedians deserve a newspaper’s praise but only one comes on stage with a Joan of Arc bob, big buggy eyes and a voice that is quavering and quizzical – and as camp as the fields at Glastonbury. Emo Philips is a pith artist, really. He tells semi-surreal jokes so short and sharp that they make the audience jolt as well as laugh. Those who see the Chicagoan play the Edinburgh fringe this month will get plenty of proof of this, but many of his gags are known by people who have never heckled a stand-up in their lives. This is bound to have turned up in more than a few inboxes: “I ran three miles today, and finally I said, ‘Lady take your purse.'” After winning his first major success in the 80s, Philips was often dubbed an alternative comedian, but his jokes are much cleverer, cleaner and funnier than that term suggests. He is the elder statesman of the one-liner : “I think my ex-wife had weekly lessons with the devil on how to be more evil. I don’t know how much she charged him.” Indeed, his comedic style could easily feature on Radio 4 (you might say it already does, so many British comics have ripped him off). His jokes are often informed by a sense of cosmic injustice that means all people are cursed with rotten luck. Rather than get angry about it, the Philips way is to coin cheery one-liners. “I saw an old woman changing a flat tyre, and I walked right by, like everybody else,” goes one classic. “Then I thought what kind of person am I?
I’ve just been sent a link via http://Twitter.com/laroussecuisine – and after watching the video I just had to share it with you – this is fantastic!
Simple ingredients, but you must follow the instructions from the Chef to get the absolute best results – go ahead, try it out soon!!
Let me know how you go – I’d love to hear they were delicious :-)
Video: How to make your own Croissants
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Now there’s no excuse if you don’t live in Paris – you can make these anywhere in the world!
The recipe provided with the video is as follows:
“For 1 lb. of dough. Difficulty: medium.
Ingredients: 2 cups of flour, 1/3 cup of whole milk, 1 tsp of baking yeast, 2 1/2 tbs of granulated sugar, 2 tsp of salt, 1/2 cup of butter.”
I’m behind schedule with my Newsletters and I do apologise – I’ve been working on too many projects at once, and Paris is always in my head, but I just didn’t sit down and type my cheery news to you … and I’m going to fix that right now :-)
I hope you’ve been having a faaabulous week, month, wherever you on this amazing planet, and I’m sending a hearty “BONJOUR!”
“So,” I hear you ask, “What’s been keeping you so busy?”
And a good question that is too :-)
One thing which I’ve been working hard on is the website redesign – you may not notice much of a difference, but I just needed to make the pages seem less cluttered, easier to find your way around, and pleasing to the eye. I’d LOVE to know what you think if you notice the difference (pop down to the bottom of the newsletter and Add A Comment) – I’d appreciate hearing whatever you have to say. Anything you miss? Something you’d like reinstated or brought back? Something you;d love me to consider adding, which hasn’t been on the site before? Go ahead – let me know your thoughts :-)
Video Tip: How to make your own Croissants
If you’re an armchair traveller, and have little chance of tasting a real French croissant any time soon, why not make your own? Here are some simple instructions from a great chef:
Quick recap from recent months, for all those new subscribers (THANK YOU SO MUCH for signing up!) – a sweet quick little video with some words of love – mots d’amour – to try out as you whisper sweet nothings into your sweetie’s ear.
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after words of love, my thoughts turned to food, and I started reminiscing about …
My favourite delicatessen in Paris – Charcuterie – run by the Charcutiere
Last time I stayed in Paris I rented a lovely apartment in the 11th arrondissement, right at the Metro Voltaire.
This coin – corner – of Paris was fabulous and it was the first time I’d stayed around there. Each day I popped into the local shops, got to meet the butcher, the baker, the candlestick maker … well, no, not the candlestick maker – I couldn’t find one :-)
But I did get to know the owners of the deli who were absolutely delightful, and persevered as my rusty French came out of the closet in the early days and gradually improved over the 5 weeks I was there. My friend Sigrun from Iceland came to stay for a few weeks, and we spent many a lovely hour in the deli looking at all the wonderful food prepared by the owner. On many a day Sigrun and I would walk our little feet off as we explored and shopped and had a fabulous time, then we’d head home, grab some delights from the deli (cheese – fromage, pate, ham – jambon, salad – salades), grab a baguette from the lovely girl in the bakery, and we’d head upstairs to the apartment to make a picnic. Of course no picnic is complete without a glass of red wine – une verre de vin rouge, and before long we’d need to have a little siesta – un p’tit dodo – before heading out in the late afternoon or early evening to find a new place to have dinner.
Here are some photos of some of our lunches:
OOOhhh doesn’t that look delicious? If it wasn’t night-time as I write this, I might just duck out and buy some of these goodies right now :-) Here’s another photo – this one has grated carrot – carotte rapée, vine-ripened tomatoes – des tomates, brie, camembert – les fromages; ooh la la! It was divine!
Doesn’t that orange carrot rapee look so fresh and delish? The dressing was some kind of vinegar, not too strong, and really tasted delicieuse.
So are you wondering why I’m telling you about this little pique nique?
When you’re visiting a new city or holidaying somewhere fabulous, it is a great treat to get to know the local shopkeepers, practice your rusty French and buy some tasty delights for lunch or a light supper.
If you’re going to be out for the day, you can pop in and buy your goodies before you grab the metro or bus, just remember to take a knife to cut tomatoes etc, and perhaps a couple of paper plates.
Having a picnic in one of Paris’ many gorgeous parks is a delightful way to pass the time, and it will also save some money (which you can put towards a yummy dinner at Le P’tit Manger later that evening).
Or maybe you’ve decided to take my all-time favourite barge cruise for two and a half hours – perfect for a take along picnic! If you don’t want the hassle of cutting up the deli food, buy pre-prepared sandwiches baguettes – sandwiches made with baguettes – at the local bread shop or deli.
Think outside the box when travelling – don’t feel like you have to sit in a café for lunch every day (although I do love to do that – a LOT), try to have some picnic time and get to know the parks of Paris – you’ll have such a grand time, I’m sure of it!
If you’d like to know where my favourite deli is, here’s the address:
Ph. Ronceret
138 rue de la Rocquette
75011 Paris
Here’s the map – so if you come by metro, you need to be on the northern corner of Rue de la Rocquette where it crosses Rue Voltiare. If you walked west on rue de la Rocquette (to the left on the map), its about 10 minutes to Place de la Bastille (and it’s a very interesting walk, I love the quaint little shops in rue do la Rocquette):
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Speaking of French food :-)
I’ve just come across a quick little video online showing the treats inside a Parisian pastry shop – les patisseries – the pastries.
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Boulangerie = bakery
Patisserie = pastry shop
That’s it for today, hope you enjoy these little snippets, there’ll be more next week – I’m planning on catching up with all the great Parisian goodies I want to tell you about :-)
I’d LOVE to hear from you, clidk the ADD A COMMENT link below and post me a message :-)
Have you tried coffee at La Cafeotheque?
My husband and I loved the coffee here on our recent trip to Paris (we are self professed Melbourne coffee snobs).
They roast their own beans and the main Barista trained in Sydney.
Perfect every time.
La Cafeotheque
52 rue de l’ Hotel de Ville, Paris 75004.
Michelle
Melbourne, Australia
Thanks Michelle!
I’m ALWAYS on the lookout for Italian-style coffee the way we Aussies prefer it, and this is a GREAT FIND!
When I’m next in Paris I will be checking out this Sydney Barista on my first day :-)
For where to eat, there are hundreds of restaurants in a very small amount of space, so you will be spoiled for choice – just walk down any street and you’ll find a café, restaurant, bistro or brasserie where you can dine. You can also check out my pages here:
Click any of the famous French food photos above to read more about all of these delicious French foods – yum yum!
As I don’t know what age you are, I can’t recommond where you should go clubbing, but if you buy the Pariscope booklet as soon as you arrive, it is filled with places to go and things to do for the period of time you’re in Paris. You can buy these where you see magazines and newspapers sold.
At first I thought this was going to be a joke video …
I was thinking all kinds of slapstick thoughts when I saw this video title, but as I watched it I was totally amazed!
Yes, you CAN actually open a bottle of wine without a corkscrew! Let’s hope you have a shoe nearby to use :-)
Even if you don’t speak French you can undertand the actions in this video – so in future, don’t panic if you arrive at the picnic without your corkscrew – all is not lost :-)
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Do you know any cool tricks like this? Let me know :-)
Paris is filled with families so there is no reason why you won’t enjoy Paris with yours – you can have a marvellous time and create many wonderful memories. Here are other links for you to look at. Some of these activities are for summer time, but some of them are still fun in colder seasons too:
Once you have booked your accommodation, you could ask the Concierge or Front Desk to recommend babysitters if you and your wife would like to go out on your own at some point.
Have a great trip, do let me know what you love most about Paris after your holiday :-)
this morning at 10h45 in the 19 district of paris @ les buttes chaumont parc, the parc was closed cause of the snowing of the last days and for security reasons, shame for us that this wondeful parc with a fantastic view on paris was closed (stupid law and stupid french governement) so we decided to get in of course illegaly, lucky us the police wasnt there but security people of the parc icked us out kindly, some people were really pleased to see us inside and enjoying that snow and they took some videos and picture of us, then frustrated we decided to ride some streets of paris , also in canal st martin for the fun and under the sun, then we took the subway to reach bercy and see what can we do.. but the big parc was our dream , next time we will try to get in by night , after they all sleep in this city!
the semi-legendary
Tuesday September 21 8-30pm
LET'S CHAT