I Prefer Paris

7th Paris Safety Tip

Last week I updated my list of 6 Paris Safety Tips and I was prompted by an incident by one of my tour clients to add one more important tip. I had a very sweet couple from San Francisco last week on their honeymoon and they took the RER train (the commuter railroad train) from the airport to the city at about 2:30PM. Unfortunately the woman had her purse stolen during the ride. Two men entered the train a few stops after they boarded and came close to them and then one of them accidentally/on-purpose dropped a bunch of change on the floor, which sent my good-natured clients scrambling to help him pick up the coins. Of course they were distracted, and the other guy made off with her bag before she realized it. The poor thing was barely in Paris for 20 minutes and her wallet with all her credit cards, I- Phone, and passport were stolen. (Luckily she had no cash in her wallet and she had a copy of her passport, so it wasn't that hard for her to replace her passport).

So here is my 7th tip: Either avoid taking the RER or just be very careful.

I have taken the RER numerous times from the airport and have never had a problem, and I actually find it the quickest way to get to the city, approximately 35 minutes. However, if you want to be safe or safer, take the Roissy bus that goes to the Opera or the Air France buses that go to Gare de Lyon, Etoile/Arche Triomphe & Porte Maillot, or Gare Montparnasse, which take about one hour. The RER costs 9.50 euros, the Roissy bus 10 euros, and the Air France bus 15 to 16.50 euros.

Below is my list again of my 6 Paris Safety Tips

1. Never carry your passport. Have a copy of it in your bag or pocket or you can keep the number in your phone or on a slip of paper in your wallet. You don't really need it as long as you have another photo ID such as a drivers license. Also, you don't need your passport to get the VAT refund at shops, as long as you have the number to put on the VAT form.

2. Always keep cash in your front pants pocket or a money belt if you are not wearing pants. Don't put cash in a purse, hand bag, or knapsack.

3. Beware of pickpockets in busy tourist areas/attractions like the Louvre, Notre Dame, outside Sacre Coeur, the Eiffel Tower,the flea market, and the Champs Elysees. Also beware in the metro and train stations Gard du Nord, Montparnasse, Gare de Lyon, etc.

4. The ring trick. Beware of men and women who come up from behind and "discover" a gold ring on the sidewalk in front of you. They will innocently tell you that you should keep it and then try to extract money from you. Just ignore them. Also beware of people coming up to you and asking if you speak English. Again, they will try and extract money from you and just ignore them even if you think you are being rude.

5. Unfortunately there has been a rash of I-Phone and smart phone robberies on the metro lately. I just heard of a friend who took his I-Phone out on the metro to call someone and thieves grabbed his phone as the doors were closing. Try and not take your phone out in the metro or on the platforms unless it's absolutely necessary, especially at night. Also, don't leave it out on the table at a restaurant or cafe. There's a new trick where someone will come over to your table and lay a newspaper or magazine over your phone and start to talk to you and then they will quickly grab the newspaper or magazine with your phone and leave. 

6. Beware of small groups of teenage girls who gather at popular tourist sites with clipboards who pretend they are deaf and ask you to sign a petition. They are not deaf at all and will try to extract money from you, acting all innocent. Just ignore them.

 

In addition to my Eye Prefer Paris Tours, we now offer Eye Prefer New York Tours, 3-hour walking tours of New Yorkís best neighborhoods including Soho, Meatpacking/West Village & Tribeca. Tours cost $195 for up to 3 people and $65 for each additional person.Come take a bit of the Big Apple on an Eye Prefer New York Tour!

Come experience my blog ìliveî with my Eye Prefer Paris Tours, which are 3-hour walking tours I lead. The Eye Prefer Paris Tour includes many of the places I have written about such as small museums & galleries, restaurants, cafes & food markets, secret addresses, fashion & home boutiques, parks, and much more.Tours cost 195 euros for up to 3 people, and 65 euros for each additional person. I look forward to meeting you on my tours and it will be my pleasure and delight to show you my insiders Paris. www.eyepreferparistours.com
 

 

New! Eye Prefer Paris Cooking Classes
I am happy to announce the launch of Eye Prefer Paris Cooking Classes. Come take an ethnic culinary journey with me and chef and caterer Charlotte Puckette, co-author of the bestseller The Ethnic Paris Cookbook (with Olivia Kiang-Snaije). First we will shop at a Paris green-market for the freshest ingredients and then return to Charlotteís professional kitchen near the Eiffel Tower to cook a three-course lunch. After, we will indulge in the delicious feast we prepared along with hand-selected wines.

Cost: 185 euros per person (about $240)
Time: 9:30AM- 2PM (approximately 4 1/2 hours)
Location: We will meet by a metro station close to the market
Class days: Tuesday,Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday
Minimum of 2 students, maximum 6 students.

Click here to sign up for the next class or for more info.

Door(s) of the Month: Rue Edgar Poe, Rue Georges Lardennois, and Rue Philippe Hecht

I have a special treat this month, a series of doors instead of just one. My Door of the Month in November was another series of doors on the rue Remy de Gourment in the 19th arr. near Buttes Chamont park. As I wrote in that post, there was a most charming hamlet of small houses with lush gardens high above the city. These are photos of some other doors on the surrounding streets of rue Remy de Gourment.

Rue Edgar Poe, Rue Georges Lardennois, and Rue Philippe Hecht, 750019
Metro: Bolivar

 

In addition to my Eye Prefer Paris Tours, we now offer Eye Prefer New York Tours, 3-hour walking tours of New Yorkís best neighborhoods including Soho, Meatpacking/West Village & Tribeca. Tours cost $195 for up to 3 people and $65 for each additional person.Come take a bit of the Big Apple on an Eye Prefer New York Tour!

Come experience my blog ìliveî with my Eye Prefer Paris Tours, which are 3-hour walking tours I lead. The Eye Prefer Paris Tour includes many of the places I have written about such as small museums & galleries, restaurants, cafes & food markets, secret addresses, fashion & home boutiques, parks, and much more.Tours cost 195 euros for up to 3 people, and 65 euros for each additional person. I look forward to meeting you on my tours and it will be my pleasure and delight to show you my insiders Paris. www.eyepreferparistours.com
 

 

New! Eye Prefer Paris Cooking Classes
I am happy to announce the launch of Eye Prefer Paris Cooking Classes. Come take an ethnic culinary journey with me and chef and caterer Charlotte Puckette, co-author of the bestseller The Ethnic Paris Cookbook (with Olivia Kiang-Snaije). First we will shop at a Paris green-market for the freshest ingredients and then return to Charlotteís professional kitchen near the Eiffel Tower to cook a three-course lunch. After, we will indulge in the delicious feast we prepared along with hand-selected wines.

Cost: 185 euros per person (about $240)
Time: 9:30AM- 2PM (approximately 4 1/2 hours)
Location: We will meet by a metro station close to the market
Class days: Tuesday,Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday
Minimum of 2 students, maximum 6 students.

Click here to sign up for the next class or for more info.

Flowers at Musée Carnavalet

Last spring I photographed some of the magnificent blooms in the gardens of the Musée Carnavalet. This year they were equally astounding and I had to share them once again with you. The sculptural quality along with the delicate shadings make these flowers works of art. In fact I believe they would inspire painters to paint them.

Musée Carnavalet
23 rue Sevigné, 75003
Metro: St. Paul
Open 10AM to 6PM Tuesday to Sunday
Admission to the museum and the garden is free

 

In addition to my Eye Prefer Paris Tours, we now offer Eye Prefer New York Tours, 3-hour walking tours of New Yorkís best neighborhoods including Soho, Meatpacking/West Village & Tribeca. Tours cost $195 for up to 3 people and $65 for each additional person.Come take a bit of the Big Apple on an Eye Prefer New York Tour!

Come experience my blog ìliveî with my Eye Prefer Paris Tours, which are 3-hour walking tours I lead. The Eye Prefer Paris Tour includes many of the places I have written about such as small museums & galleries, restaurants, cafes & food markets, secret addresses, fashion & home boutiques, parks, and much more.Tours cost 195 euros for up to 3 people, and 65 euros for each additional person. I look forward to meeting you on my tours and it will be my pleasure and delight to show you my insiders Paris. www.eyepreferparistours.com
 

 

New! Eye Prefer Paris Cooking Classes
I am happy to announce the launch of Eye Prefer Paris Cooking Classes. Come take an ethnic culinary journey with me and chef and caterer Charlotte Puckette, co-author of the bestseller The Ethnic Paris Cookbook (with Olivia Kiang-Snaije). First we will shop at a Paris green-market for the freshest ingredients and then return to Charlotteís professional kitchen near the Eiffel Tower to cook a three-course lunch. After, we will indulge in the delicious feast we prepared along with hand-selected wines.

Cost: 185 euros per person (about $240)
Time: 9:30AM- 2PM (approximately 4 1/2 hours)
Location: We will meet by a metro station close to the market
Class days: Tuesday,Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday
Minimum of 2 students, maximum 6 students.

Click here to sign up for the next class or for more info.

Daniel Buren Monumenta 2012

Monumenta is an annual art installation in the nave of the Grand Palais. An international artist is invited to fill the cavernous 13,500-meter space with a special project. Past artists were Anselm Kiefer, Richard Serra, and Anish Kapoor. The successful series attracts over 270,000 visitors during its six-week installation usually beginning in mid- May.

 This year Monumenta has chosen French artist Daniel Buren, who is best-known in France for his black and white striped columns sculpture in the Palais Royal. Buren has created a kaleidoscope of riotous color by constructing giant circles of colored film on white metal stilts using happy hues of orange, blue, orange, green, and red. Although the concept looks simple, it translates into an intricate and multi-layered experience. I went on a sunny day and the circles exuded brilliant, cartoon-colored reflections on the cement floor contrasting with much more subtle sweeps of color in the areas where the light was not directly coming through.

As I was photographing the exhibit I noticed another man crouching down also taking photographs and it was interesting to see his figure turn different colors each time he stepped into a different circle. I walked up the sweeping staircase to get another perspective and the overview of the almost endless sea of colored circles spilling into the space was breathtaking. Looking closely, I captured the reflections of the glass and steel ceiling in the colored discs. In the center of the space were mirrored circles on the floor that you could stand on and I got some fun shots of people posing themselves on them.

The spectators looked to be happy and playful in the space and I think it could be an excellent exhibit for kids.

I am curious to see how the colors would reflect if I went to see the exhibit at night.

Daniel Buren Monumenta
Till June 21
Grand Palais
Ave. du General Eisenhower, 75008
Metro: Champs Elysees- Clemenceau
Open 10AM-7PM, Monday & Wednesday, 10AM to midnight Thursday to Sunday
Admission 5 euros
http://www.monumenta.com/en

 

In addition to my Eye Prefer Paris Tours, we now offer Eye Prefer New York Tours, 3-hour walking tours of New Yorkís best neighborhoods including Soho, Meatpacking/West Village & Tribeca. Tours cost $195 for up to 3 people and $65 for each additional person.Come take a bit of the Big Apple on an Eye Prefer New York Tour!

Come experience my blog ìliveî with my Eye Prefer Paris Tours, which are 3-hour walking tours I lead. The Eye Prefer Paris Tour includes many of the places I have written about such as small museums & galleries, restaurants, cafes & food markets, secret addresses, fashion & home boutiques, parks, and much more.Tours cost 195 euros for up to 3 people, and 65 euros for each additional person. I look forward to meeting you on my tours and it will be my pleasure and delight to show you my insiders Paris. www.eyepreferparistours.com
 

 

New! Eye Prefer Paris Cooking Classes
I am happy to announce the launch of Eye Prefer Paris Cooking Classes. Come take an ethnic culinary journey with me and chef and caterer Charlotte Puckette, co-author of the bestseller The Ethnic Paris Cookbook (with Olivia Kiang-Snaije). First we will shop at a Paris green-market for the freshest ingredients and then return to Charlotteís professional kitchen near the Eiffel Tower to cook a three-course lunch. After, we will indulge in the delicious feast we prepared along with hand-selected wines.

Cost: 185 euros per person (about $240)
Time: 9:30AM- 2PM (approximately 4 1/2 hours)
Location: We will meet by a metro station close to the market
Class days: Tuesday,Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday
Minimum of 2 students, maximum 6 students.

Click here to sign up for the next class or for more info.

How to Save Money Dining in France

Dining out is one of the largest expenses when traveling and today is an important guest post about money saving tips when dining in France, by Wini Moranville, author of The Bonne Femme Cookbook, Splendid Meals that French Women Cook Everyday.

After 20 years of spending major chunks of the summer in la belle France—through strong dollar and weak—I’ve come up with a few dining strategies to make that dollar stretch a little further.

Keep in mind that even with the relatively weak dollar, France can still be a good deal. While it’s true that the 20-euro three-course menu at my favorite Paris bistro now sets me back $25 rather than $18, it’s still much less expensive than a similar meal in America. When was the last time you enjoyed a memorable three-course meal at a stateside American bistro for $24, tax and tip included? And don’t get me started on the wine—it’s a great deal over there; at casual restaurants, you rarely have to spend more than 5 or 6 euros for a good glass (tax and tip included)

By understanding the basics of dining in France, and keying into some tricks for keeping the total bill down, you’ll spend less and enjoy dining more.

La carte, s’il vous plait. The word for menu is not “le menu.” If you’re looking to see the list of the foods the restaurant serves, ask for “la carte.” The word “menu” refers to a prix fixe (fixed price) meal of two, three, four (or more) courses, with a few choices in each course. Note that menus are generally a much better value than configuring your own meal from the “a la carte” options available. However, if you don’t want to eat that much, simply order a “plat” (but don’t confuse this with entrée—see next point).

An “entrée” is not what you might think. It’s a first course (akin to what we might call an appetizer). When you consider the word, it makes sense—an entrée being something with which you enter the meal. The main dish is called a “plat.” If you simply order an entrée, you may get puzzled looks from the waiter or worse, go away hungry (and France is no place to do this).

Most all restaurants post their menus outside their doors, so check them out before you ask to be seated. And read the fine print! Those wonderful 15 euro fixed-price menu options you see posted outside have a habit of disappearing once you sit down inside. This isn’t always a matter of “bait-and-switch” tactics. Sometimes, the fine print below the cheaper menu options (in French only) will say “served only at lunch and exclusive of weekends and holidays.” (Midi seulement, sauf dimanches et jours feriés.)

“Une carafe d’eau, s’il vous plait.” Learning these words will save you lots of money! Tap water is free, but you have to know how to ask for it. Otherwise, if you simply ask for water, waiters will conveniently assume you mean bottled water, for which you’ll pay anywhere from two to five Euros. (By the way, the phrase is pronounced "een cay-RAFF d'oh, see voo play")

Tipping? Rarely, if ever, do you need to tip in cafes and restaurant. Look on the menu and/or on your bill: the words “Prix Nets” means net prices, and that taxes and service included. However, in the past few years, it’s become more and more common to leave small change in cafés (for example, if your bill is 19 euros, and you pay with a 20, leave the extra euro on the table). And for exceptional service in a restaurant, leave a little extra—up to 5 percent. Note, however, that credit card slips generally do not provide a line for adding a tip; bring a little cash into restaurants if you think you’ll wish to leave a tip.

Soupe et Sandwiche? Mais non! In France, I often hear Americans saying “Gee, let’s find a little spot where we can get just a little soup and a sandwich.” Rarely will they find it. With notable exceptions (such as bouillabaisse), soup is a first course, to be enjoyed simply with bread. You can certainly order a sandwich in an informal café, but it may be hard to find a cup of soup to go with it. Soup and salad—served at the same time—is equally difficult to find. Remember—you can eat sandwiches for lunch the rest of your life here in America. If you’re looking for something inexpensive and simple, why not head to a café the offers a “plat du jour”—the entrée of the day? For $10 Euros or so (tax and tip included), you’ll like enjoy an uncomplicated local specialty you simply won’t find at home.

Breakfast Down the Street! Remember that you’re usually not obligated to have breakfast in your hotel, and that it can cost around $8 to $10 for croissant, bread, coffee, and juice. You’ll do much better down the street at a café or a bakery, where a croissant and a café au lait will cost half as much. Better yet, you get the added bonus experiencing village or city life as the neighborhood kicks into gear for the day—and that’s a sight you just won’t see in even the most charming of hotel breakfast rooms.

Finally, quit drinking Coca-Cola—it’s one of the most expensive things you can order in a cafe. If you’re looking to save money, go for a cafe expres (espresso, which usually costs about one Euro and allows you to dwell in the cafe as long as you wish). Or, better yet, have a glass of wine. It will usually be cheaper than a soda, and much more….French.

Click here to order The Bonne Femme Cookbook.

Food and wine writer Wini Moranville hails from Amerique profonde, but spends most of her summers in France, where, over the last 20 years, she has discovered the simple, beautiful side of everyday French cooking. She collected recipes and inspiration in her recent book,The Bonne Femme Cookbook: Simple, Splendid Food That French Women Cook Every Day (Harvard Common Press), which has been featured in The Boston Globe, The Chicago Tribune, The Wine Enthusiast Magazine, The Minneapolis Star Tribune, The Sacramento Bee, and other publications. Wini's articles have appeared in Relish Magazine, Better Homes and Gardens, Country Home, Master Chef magazine, and others, and she has contributed to numerous cookbooks.

 

 

In addition to my Eye Prefer Paris Tours, we now offer Eye Prefer New York Tours, 3-hour walking tours of New Yorkís best neighborhoods including Soho, Meatpacking/West Village & Tribeca. Tours cost $195 for up to 3 people and $65 for each additional person.Come take a bit of the Big Apple on an Eye Prefer New York Tour!

Come experience my blog ìliveî with my Eye Prefer Paris Tours, which are 3-hour walking tours I lead. The Eye Prefer Paris Tour includes many of the places I have written about such as small museums & galleries, restaurants, cafes & food markets, secret addresses, fashion & home boutiques, parks, and much more.Tours cost 195 euros for up to 3 people, and 65 euros for each additional person. I look forward to meeting you on my tours and it will be my pleasure and delight to show you my insiders Paris. www.eyepreferparistours.com
 

 

New! Eye Prefer Paris Cooking Classes
I am happy to announce the launch of Eye Prefer Paris Cooking Classes. Come take an ethnic culinary journey with me and chef and caterer Charlotte Puckette, co-author of the bestseller The Ethnic Paris Cookbook (with Olivia Kiang-Snaije). First we will shop at a Paris green-market for the freshest ingredients and then return to Charlotteís professional kitchen near the Eiffel Tower to cook a three-course lunch. After, we will indulge in the delicious feast we prepared along with hand-selected wines.

Cost: 185 euros per person (about $240)
Time: 9:30AM- 2PM (approximately 4 1/2 hours)
Location: We will meet by a metro station close to the market
Class days: Tuesday,Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday
Minimum of 2 students, maximum 6 students.

Click here to sign up for the next class or for more info.

Top Myths About Paris

 I decided to continue the next two days with the theme of practical Paris tips.Today is an informative excerpt from Practical Paris, Everything You Need to Know About Paris but Didn't Know to Ask by Karen Henrich, available on Amazon kindle.

MYTH #1: Paris is really, really expensive.
Explanation: In any city of the world, the sky is the limit when it comes to what you can pay for things. Compared to most other major tourist destinations in the world, in fact it is very possible to get by quite cheaply in Paris. Admission costs for museums and attractions are extremely reasonable, public transportation is a downright bargain and many restaurants feature attractively priced set menus. The main staples of life in Paris are plentiful and cheap: baguettes, wine, cheese, fruit and patisserie desserts. Where expenses can add up is having lots of drinks in cafés and bars. But since the café culture is one of the great pleasures of being in Paris, our advice is to once in awhile pay the price, sit back and watch the world go by.

MYTH #2: Paris is not safe.
Explanation: In general, European cities are safer than North American ones, since guns, gangs, personal property/bank robberies and drugs in Central Paris are not as common. The most common hazard in Paris, particularly for tourists, is pick-pockets, who mainly operate in highly populated tourist areas. Parisian pick-pocketers are very skilled and usually you would never even know if you were ripped off until much later. They search for easy opportunities to snatch a purse, wallet or cell phone. Simply don't provide these opportunities or make it easy to be a target, and you will be fine.

MYTH #3: You can’t wear jeans in Paris.
Explanation: We’re puzzled by where this myth originates, possibly because Paris is considered the fashion capital of the world. In fact, jeans are worn everywhere in Paris, by everyone, even Galeries Lafayette sales staff! While there are frequent sightings of funky and high fashion, Paris on the whole, is a casual city. However, Parisians are usually never sloppy and look put together no matter what they wear. Parisians are not known for wearing exercise-type wear out on the street, baggy, floppy shorts or short shorts, unless the latter are worn as a fashion item. These clothing choices will flag you as a tourist, especially if non-stylish, exercise-type white running shoes are worn with them.

MYTH #4: It is unsafe to take the metro, especially at night.
Explanation: The Paris metro system is filled with tourists and Parisians at all hours of the day and night and is considered safe. Likewise with buses and night buses. Something to be aware of: some people try to bypass buying a metro ticket so may squeeze up against you and come through the turnstile with you. Don’t be alarmed, they are not trying to rob you. Usually people will ask you if you mind if they do it. But unless you speak French, you will likely not know what they are asking!

MYTH #5: Parisians are unfriendly and rude.
Explanation: Yes, you can certainly encounter rudeness by Parisians but it has been our experience that generally people are kind, helpful and friendly. Upon first meeting, Parisians can appear to be less casual and more reserved by North American standards, however, this does not translate to unfriendliness. Be aware that often what you put out is what you get back, so if Parisians are approached in the right way from the beginning, chances of a more pleasant interaction increase. An attempt to speak the language goes a long way with Parisians. Always begin a conversation with ‘bonjour’, especially when entering a store. Asking immediately, ‘do you speak English?’ riles many Parisians and will start you off on the wrong foot. Think about it, if foreigners are constantly asking if you speak their language in a country where English is the official language, then how would that make you feel? Use your best school French and have fun with it; Parisians love to correct and help people with their admittedly difficult language!

MYTH #6: Paris operates the same as most other modern cities catering to large numbers of foreigners and tourists.
Explanation: Yes and no. On one hand, generally service is competent, however, there are often long lineups and service can be slow to downright not good. Keep in mind that Parisians still pay for groceries, pharmacy and restaurant tabs with personal checks. The bottom line: Parisians are more concerned with lifestyle than with the pursuit of commerce. Let that be your guide. Relax, have fun with this cultural difference and enjoy the less stressful pace of life.

MYTH #7: The food is weird/bad.
Explanation: As is the case everywhere in the world, you can get weird, strange or bad food in Paris. Generally speaking though, the food, ingredients, cooking techniques and presentation are of a much higher caliber in France, considered the culinary capital of the world. 'Bad food' can translate to 'you ordered the wrong thing' and probably a dish that the North American palette is not used to such as tripe, for example. Establishments almost exclusively catering to large tourist groups may not be your best dining bets. Observe the plates of patrons at cafés/restaurants and ask them what the food is like. Portions can often be surprisingly large. Generally, the French have more than one course, eat slower and the food is of much better quality (farm-grown, less chemicals and preservatives etc.). Eating and drinking in Paris is a divine culinary experience.

MYTH #8: Paris is just like it is back home.
Explanation: It’s not, and why should it be? For some reason, visitors to Paris are particularly intolerant about differences such as laissez-faire service, less than pristine, modern washrooms, and the fact that another language is spoken (in other words, not their language). When people visit any other country, they expect and accept that differences exist, but for some reason, perhaps due to its leading reputation in so many areas, these things are less tolerated in Paris. You are on another continent, in another country, where another language is spoken and where the culture and customs are different. Period.

Click here to order Practical Paris ($2.99 for Kindle version)

Karen Henrich is the publisher of TapBook Publishing and compiled her Amazon top selling guidebook, Practical Paris largely in Parisian cafés, in the very same establishments formerly frequented by the likes of Ernest Hemingway, Gertrude Stein and other illustrious writers past. See TapBooks titles by visiting Amazon.com and typing 'tapbooks' in the search bar.

 

In addition to my Eye Prefer Paris Tours, we now offer Eye Prefer New York Tours, 3-hour walking tours of New Yorkís best neighborhoods including Soho, Meatpacking/West Village & Tribeca. Tours cost $195 for up to 3 people and $65 for each additional person.Come take a bit of the Big Apple on an Eye Prefer New York Tour!

Come experience my blog ìliveî with my Eye Prefer Paris Tours, which are 3-hour walking tours I lead. The Eye Prefer Paris Tour includes many of the places I have written about such as small museums & galleries, restaurants, cafes & food markets, secret addresses, fashion & home boutiques, parks, and much more.Tours cost 195 euros for up to 3 people, and 65 euros for each additional person. I look forward to meeting you on my tours and it will be my pleasure and delight to show you my insiders Paris. www.eyepreferparistours.com
 

 

New! Eye Prefer Paris Cooking Classes
I am happy to announce the launch of Eye Prefer Paris Cooking Classes. Come take an ethnic culinary journey with me and chef and caterer Charlotte Puckette, co-author of the bestseller The Ethnic Paris Cookbook (with Olivia Kiang-Snaije). First we will shop at a Paris green-market for the freshest ingredients and then return to Charlotteís professional kitchen near the Eiffel Tower to cook a three-course lunch. After, we will indulge in the delicious feast we prepared along with hand-selected wines.

Cost: 185 euros per person (about $240)
Time: 9:30AM- 2PM (approximately 4 1/2 hours)
Location: We will meet by a metro station close to the market
Class days: Tuesday,Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday
Minimum of 2 students, maximum 6 students.

Click here to sign up for the next class or for more info.

Best of EPP: Paris Taxi Tips

I am taking a blogging break this week but not leaving you high and dry. I have updated some valuable insider Paris tips this week.

Hailing a taxi in Paris is not as easy as New York but the following tips should help for a smooth ride.

Taxi Rates

The starting rate is 2.20 euros when you hail a taxi on the street. If you call for a taxi, it's usually higher because the meter starts from where the driver is called from. The minimum taxi ride is 6.10 euros, so don't think you are getting ripped off if the fare reads less on the meter. A fourth passenger is an additional 2.95 euros. Fees are listed in the rear door window. There is a 1 euro charge for bags, strollers, and large items that go in the trunk. Don't pay the driver any additional fares besides the ones listed above.

How to Hail a Taxi

You can hail a taxi on the street or at a taxi stand. You must take the first taxi available on the taxi line. A taxi with a white or green light on top means they are available. Taxis with a yellow light that's on underneath the taxi sign, a red light on top, or an unlit sign means they are not available. Some drivers will balk at taking a fourth passenger, but by law they should.

Communicating with Your Driver

Some drivers speak english. I find the best way to tell them where you are going is to write the name and address down on a piece of paper including the arrondissement, or a card from the place you are going to (e.g. hotel restaurant), and hand it to them. Even with my semi-fluent french and a decent accent, drivers still have a problem understanding where I am going.

Calling for a Taxi

You can ask your hotel or restaurant to call a taxi for you. Here is a the name and number of a English speaking line for the Taxi G7 service. You must give them an exact street address. Usually it takes between 8 and 15 minutes, unless it's a busy time.

G-7 Taxi service 01 41 27 66 99 locally or +33 1 41 27 66 99

Eye Prefer Paris Photos for Sale

I am happy to announce the sale of prints of my Eye Prefer Paris Photos.  I am offering 17 of my most popular and iconic images for sale including my courtyards, doors, architectural details, statues, and monuments. They will make great gifts for all your Francophile friends, relatives, and colleagues but don't forget to buy some for yourself.

Click here to see photos and for full details including sizes, prices, and shipping. Here is a sample of some of the photos.

New! Eye Prefer Paris Cooking Classes
I am happy to announce the launch of Eye Prefer Paris Cooking Classes. Come take an ethnic culinary journey with me and chef and caterer Charlotte Puckette, co-author of the bestseller The Ethnic Paris Cookbook (with Olivia Kiang-Snaije). First we will shop at a Paris green-market for the freshest ingredients and then return to Charlotteís professional kitchen near the Eiffel Tower to cook a three-course lunch. After, we will indulge in the delicious feast we prepared along with hand-selected wines.

Cost: 185 euros per person (about $240)
Time: 9:30AM- 2PM (approximately 4 1/2 hours)
Location: We will meet by a metro station close to the market
Class days: Tuesday,Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday
Minimum of 2 students, maximum 6 students.

Click here to sign up for the next class or for more info.

I am pleased as punch to announce the launch of Eye Prefer Paris Tours, which are 3-hour walking tours I will personally be leading. The Eye Prefer Paris Tour includes many of the places I have written about such as small museums & galleries, restaurants, cafes & food markets, secret addresses, fashion & home boutiques, parks, and much more.

Tours cost 195 euros for up to 3 people, and 65 euros for each additional person. I look forward to meeting you on my tours and it will be my pleasure and delight to show you my insiders Paris.
 Check it out at www.eyepreferparistours.com

Best of EPP: 6 Paris Safety Tips

I am taking a blogging break this week but not leaving you high and dry. I have updated some valuable insider Paris tips this week.

A friend of mine's mother was recently pick-pocketed while waiting on line at the Louvre and thieves got all her money and credit credits. This incident prompted me to write a post about safety tips in Paris. Paris is pretty much a safe city all around especially with violent crime. However, like any big tourist city, there is a population that thrives on stealing from or scamming innocent tourists. Here are 5 safety tips so your trip won't be ruined by a pickpocket or thief. 

1. Never carry your passport. Have a copy of it in your bag or pocket or you can keep the number in your phone or on a slip of paper in your wallet. You don't really need it as long as you have another photo ID such as a drivers license. Also, you don't need your passport to get the VAT refund at shops, as long as you have the number to put on the VAT form.

2. Always keep cash in your front pants pocket or a money belt if you are not wearing pants. Don't put cash in a purse, hand bag, or knapsack.

3. Beware of pickpockets in busy tourist areas/attractions like the Louvre, Notre Dame, outside Sacre Coeur, the Eiffel Tower,the flea market, and the Champs Elysees. Also beware in the metro and train stations Gard du Nord, Montparnasse, Gare de Lyon, etc.

4. The ring trick. Beware of men and women who come up from behind and "discover" a gold ring on the sidewalk in front of you. They will innocently tell you that you should keep it and then try to extract money from you. Just ignore them. Also beware of people coming up to you and asking if you speak English. Again, they will try and extract money from you and just ignore them even if you think you are being rude.

5. Unfortunately there has been a rash of I-Phone and smart phone robberies on the metro lately. I just heard of a friend who took his I-Phone out on the metro to call someone and thieves grabbed his phone as the doors were closing. Try and not take your phone out in the metro or on the platforms unless it's absolutely necessary, especially at night. Also, don't leave it out on the table at a restaurant or cafe. There's a new trick where someone will come over to your table and lay a newspaper or magazine over your phone and start to talk to you and then they will quickly grab the newspaper or magazine with your phone and leave. 

6. Beware of small groups of teenage girls who gather at popular tourist sites with clipboards who pretend they are deaf and ask you to sign a petition. They are not deaf at all and will try to extract money from you, acting all innocent. Just ignore them.

 

In addition to my Eye Prefer Paris Tours, we now offer Eye Prefer New York Tours, 3-hour walking tours of New Yorkís best neighborhoods including Soho, Meatpacking/West Village & Tribeca. Tours cost $195 for up to 3 people and $65 for each additional person.Come take a bit of the Big Apple on an Eye Prefer New York Tour!

Come experience my blog ìliveî with my Eye Prefer Paris Tours, which are 3-hour walking tours I lead. The Eye Prefer Paris Tour includes many of the places I have written about such as small museums & galleries, restaurants, cafes & food markets, secret addresses, fashion & home boutiques, parks, and much more.Tours cost 195 euros for up to 3 people, and 65 euros for each additional person. I look forward to meeting you on my tours and it will be my pleasure and delight to show you my insiders Paris. www.eyepreferparistours.com
 

 

New! Eye Prefer Paris Cooking Classes
I am happy to announce the launch of Eye Prefer Paris Cooking Classes. Come take an ethnic culinary journey with me and chef and caterer Charlotte Puckette, co-author of the bestseller The Ethnic Paris Cookbook (with Olivia Kiang-Snaije). First we will shop at a Paris green-market for the freshest ingredients and then return to Charlotteís professional kitchen near the Eiffel Tower to cook a three-course lunch. After, we will indulge in the delicious feast we prepared along with hand-selected wines.

Cost: 185 euros per person (about $240)
Time: 9:30AM- 2PM (approximately 4 1/2 hours)
Location: We will meet by a metro station close to the market
Class days: Tuesday,Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday
Minimum of 2 students, maximum 6 students.

Click here to sign up for the next class or for more info.

Best of EPP: Insider Tips: Restaurant Tipping

I am taking a blogging break this week but not leaving you high and dry. I have updated some valuable insider Paris tips this week.

My partner Vincent had an unnerving incident happen at a restaurant that prompted me to write this post.

Vincent was at Cafe Ruc, a popular and fashionable restaurant/cafe right near the Louvre that attracts Parisians and tourists.  He was dining with an American friend, and although they ordered in French, they spoke English during their dinner. When they asked the waitress for the check, she evidently overheard them discussing whether or not to leave her an additional "tip" beyond the 15% service charge already included in the bill. The waitress immediately--and a bit smugly--piped in,"you know, the tip is not included". His friend challenged her and said that it was French law that the tip was included. She sheepishly backed down and said that they didn't have to leave anything.

So here is the the simple truth about tipping in Paris and the rest of France: A 15% service is ALWAYS included in your bill, regardless of what the waiter or anyone else says. Again, it's a French law that the service is included.  If they say it's not included, they are lying and trying to rip you off. If you are charging a meal, notice there is no tip box on the credit card receipt. It's because the service is included.

With that said, it is customary to leave a 3 to 5% tip in cash on the table. For instance, if you have a lunch costing 20 euros, you should leave a one euro or 75 centimes gratuity. For a coffee, leave 25 centimes.

Many of my tour clients take my tour at the end of their stay and it kills me when they said they have been leaving 15 & 20 % tips all week long. I tell them they could have bought an Hermes scarf or a half pair of Louboutin shoes with that money. ( I like to think in practical shopping terms).

So now you know how to be a savvy local and show the Parisians you are not a dumb American tourist.

New Eye Prefer Paris Photos for Sale

I am happy to announce the sale of a new set of prints of my Eye Prefer Paris Photos.  I am offering 20 of my most popular and iconic images for sale including my doors, architectural details, statues, and monuments. They will make great gifts for all your Francophile friends, relatives, and colleagues but don't forget to buy some for yourself.

Click here to see photos and for full details including sizes, prices, and shipping. Here is a sample of some of the photos.

New! Eye Prefer Paris Cooking Classes
I am happy to announce the launch of Eye Prefer Paris Cooking Classes. Come take an ethnic culinary journey with me and chef and caterer Charlotte Puckette, co-author of the bestseller The Ethnic Paris Cookbook (with Olivia Kiang-Snaije). First we will shop at a Paris green-market for the freshest ingredients and then return to Charlotte's professional kitchen near the Eiffel Tower to cook a three-course lunch. After, we will indulge in the delicious feast we prepared along with hand-selected wines.

Cost: 185 euros per person (about $240)
Time: 9:30AM- 2PM (approximately 4 1/2 hours)
Location: We will meet by a metro station close to the market
Class days: Tuesday,Wednesday, Thursday,Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
Minimum of 2 students, maximum 6 students.

Click here to sign up for the next class or for more info.

I am pleased as punch to announce the launch of Eye Prefer Paris Tours, which are 3-hour walking tours I will personally be leading. The Eye Prefer Paris Tour includes many of the places I have written about such as small museums & galleries, restaurants, cafes & food markets, secret addresses, fashion & home boutiques, parks, and much more.

Tours cost 195 euros for up to 3 people, and 65 euros for each additional person. I look forward to meeting you on my tours and it will be my pleasure and delight to show you my insiders Paris.
 Check it out at www.eyepreferparistours.com

Best of EPP: Definition of Brasserie, Bistro, Café, and Salon de Thé

I am taking a blogging break this week but not leaving you high and dry. I have updated some valuable insider Paris tips this week.

I was asked to explain the different distinctions of French eating establishments by a client last month, and I thought it would make an informative blog post. Below are four categories: Brasserie, bistro, café, and salon de thé.

Brasserie
A brasserie is a restaurant that serves the same menu all day, sometimes with a few specials/plat du Jour. The cuisine is classic French with dishes like charcuterie, plats de mer, steak tartare, onion soup, and confit de canard.  Brasserie also means brewery and many of them serve a good selection of beer on tap. Some well known Parisian brasseries include Brasserie Lipp, Bofinger, Vaudeville, and La Coupole.

Bistro/Bistrot
A bistro is a small, informal, neighborhood restaurant with simple food, usually with a single owner or chef-owned. They are open at set times, approximately from 12PM to 2 or 2:30PM for lunch and 7:30PM to 10:30 or 11PM for dinner and most of the time closed either Sunday or Monday, or both. Legend has it that how the name bistro came about is when Russian soldiers were at a restaurant in Montmartre on Place du Tertre in 1812, their food was too slow in coming, so they yelled "Bistrot! Bistrot!", which means quickly in Russian. Some of my favorite bistros are Le Reminet, Chez Janou, L' Atelier d'Antan, and Chez Dumonet.

Café
The most common eating establishment, the café, focuses more on beverages including coffee, tea, wine, and beer, and many now have cocktails and Happy Hour. Cafe's are open all day and night serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner and the same menu is served throughout the day, with more casual fare of sandwiches, croques, omelets, and salads. Most cafes have outdoor terraces which open all year round with heat lamps in winter. Some classic cafes include Cafe de Flore, Cafe de la Paix, Les Deux Magots, and Le Fouquet's.

Salon de Thé

More informal than a café, a salon de thé specializes in cakes and pastries along with tea and and coffee.They are usually open from morning to early evening and sometimes serve light lunches and small dishes. Popular salon de thé's include Ladurée, Carette, Angelinas, and Mariage Freres, and one of my personal favorites is Comme a la Maison.

 Eye Prefer Paris Photos for Sale

I am happy to announce the sale of prints of my Eye Prefer Paris Photos.  I am offering 17 of my most popular and iconic images for sale including my courtyards, doors, architectural details, statues, and monuments. They will make great gifts for all your Francophile friends, relatives, and colleagues but don't forget to buy some for yourself.

Click here to see photos and for full details including sizes, prices, and shipping. Here is a sample of some of the photos.

New! Eye Prefer Paris Cooking Classes
I am happy to announce the launch of Eye Prefer Paris Cooking Classes. Come take an ethnic culinary journey with me and chef and caterer Charlotte Puckette, co-author of the bestseller The Ethnic Paris Cookbook (with Olivia Kiang-Snaije). First we will shop at a Paris green-market for the freshest ingredients and then return to Charlotteís professional kitchen near the Eiffel Tower to cook a three-course lunch. After, we will indulge in the delicious feast we prepared along with hand-selected wines.

Cost: 185 euros per person (about $240)
Time: 9:30AM- 2PM (approximately 4 1/2 hours)
Location: We will meet by a metro station close to the market
Class days: Tuesday,Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday
Minimum of 2 students, maximum 6 students.

Click here to sign up for the next class or for more info.

I am pleased as punch to announce the launch of Eye Prefer Paris Tours, which are 3-hour walking tours I will personally be leading. The Eye Prefer Paris Tour includes many of the places I have written about such as small museums & galleries, restaurants, cafes & food markets, secret addresses, fashion & home boutiques, parks, and much more.

Tours cost 195 euros for up to 3 people, and 65 euros for each additional person. I look forward to meeting you on my tours and it will be my pleasure and delight to show you my insiders Paris.
 Check it out at www.eyepreferparistours.com