Paris Travel Notes

Paris snapshot in time 1911

2011-05-08T06:59:00.003-04:00

Trocadero 1900 Paris Exposition

2011-05-01T06:57:00.000-04:00

From the US Library of Congress postcard collection.

Pantheon and the rue Soufflot

2011-04-24T06:56:00.002-04:00

From the US Library of Congress postcard collection.

Louvre Paris 1900

2011-04-17T06:55:00.001-04:00

From the US Library of Congress postcard collection.

Hotel-de-Ville Paris

2011-04-10T06:54:00.000-04:00

From the US Library of Congress postcard collection.

Grand Palais 1900 Paris Exposition

2011-04-03T06:52:00.003-04:00

From the US Library of Congress postcard collection.

Eiffel Tower and Trocadero 1900 Exposition

2011-03-27T06:50:00.001-04:00

From the US Library of Congress postcard collection.

A few tips on traveling to Paris

2010-12-31T02:59:00.001-05:00

A few things you've probably already read or heard about traveling to Paris but I'll reinforce them here anyway. I also be adding more over the next few days.

When using the Metro keep your backpack securely sealed and if possible wear it on your front. Trust me on this.
If you're going to be in Paris for at least a week get a Navigo pass for the Metro and busses
If you don't use a Navigo Metro pass always carry plenty of Metro tickets with you.
Carry a good pocket map of the city -- preferably a map arranged by arrondisement. You can find them for just a few euros at nearly any bookstore in the city.
Pick up the latest issue of Pariscope at any newsstand or kiosk -- for .40 cents it will will give you all the details of nearly everything happening in the city for that week. We use it especially to find the free concerts. In French only.
Use your credit card when possible unless your fees are exorbitant but always have plenty of euros.
Unless absolutely necessary do NOT use currency exchanges to get euros. Use your ATM card to get cash just like you would at home. You will have to pay a small fee but it's certainly better than the currency vendors terrible exchange rates.

And for New Year's:

Many if not most sites, attractions, etc. will be closed New Year's Day so plan accordingly. There are still plenty of things to do, like free concerts in many of the local churches and consider spending quality time strolling through the cemeteries of Pere Lachaise, Montparnasse or Montmartre.
No fireworks at the Eiffel Tower but there will be lots of strolling through the Tuleries and along the Champs Elysees.
Unless you're determined to see the inside of yet another gothic church, stay away from Notre Dame. The queues just to get inside or go up in the towers are incredibly long.
Also the pedestrian traffic around the major tourist sites are verging on chaotic and lending toward insanity. Stay away unless you absolutely must go and join a quarter of the planet's population trying to get to the top of the Eiffel Tower. Instead think about the top of the Tour Montparnasse where you can get an incredible view of the Eiffel and Paris, too, of course.

Napoleon's Tomb Les Invalides Paris 7th arr.

2010-04-25T11:15:00.000-04:00

Juliette Recamier

2010-04-23T18:34:00.001-04:00

When you see Juliette, tell her I said bonjour and will stop by and pay my respects the next time I'm in town. You have to look hard for Juliette at the cemetery in Montmartre -- ever modest even when she was the toast of Paris she's now quite elusive. You'll find her in Division 30.

Reason 3,426,266 to go to Paris - Degas

2010-04-21T18:32:00.000-04:00

The Dancer by Degas

Gambetta's monument in Place de la Republique

2010-04-18T11:04:00.003-04:00

This monument is now gone.

Dumas monument Place Malasherbes Paris 17th arr.

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Place du Pantheon Paris 5th arr.

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Pont et Place de la Concorde Paris 8th arr.

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Notre Dame Paris 4th arr.

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Place de la Republique Paris 10th arr.

2010-03-14T10:57:00.001-04:00

Saint Augustin Paris 8th arr.

2010-03-07T10:52:00.002-05:00

Paris Panorama from the right bank to the left

2010-02-28T10:51:00.001-05:00

Boulevard de la Madeleine Paris 1st & 9th arr.

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Ste. Marie Madelleine Paris 8th arr.

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Jardin des Tuileries Paris 1st arr.

2010-02-08T10:46:00.002-05:00

Musee de Cluny Paris 5th arr.

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Parc des Buttes Chaumont Paris 19th arr.

2010-01-24T10:42:00.001-05:00

Bois de Boulogne Paris

2010-01-17T10:41:00.001-05:00