Happy Holidays!

Happy Holidays everyone!

From all of us at Discover France Adventures, Pure Adventures, Cycling Classics, GoToParis; we wish you a wonderful holiday season and a prosperous New Year in 2010!

Dollar on Strong Roll to Euro

Lots of turmoil in the currency market today and since this week. It is likely to continue next week before it turns around. Many analysts see the dollar much weaker than it is today during 2010. We are locking down forward contracts on currency to hedge against 2010 increase. We encourage any readers planning a 2010 vacation to consider prepaying their trip or get connected to the market news.

Here is a good place to read up:
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/markets/currencies.html

Happy Holidays!

Paris Museum Strikes Continue

Major sites including Versailles, Louvre, Rodin, and many others are impacted by the current unionist strike. Visitors be prepared to be shut out:

http://www.expatica.com/fr/news/community_focus/Paris-museum-strike-spreads-to-Versailles_-Louvre-.html

Christmas Market News

'Tis the season, and Christmas Markets are in full swing in France and across Europe. I pass along this link to the NY Times that has good info:

http://intransit.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/11/24/qa-the-christmas-markets-of-europe/?ref=travel

Unusual Paris Experiences

More interesting articles on specific subjects we don't think about everyday in Paris are linked below. Thanks to writer Marie Michaels for sending:

Since publishing the cemetery article, I have published a few more articles relating to Paris that may interest you, as listed below:

Paris for Military Enthusiasts
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2407778/paris_for_military_enthusiasts.html?cat=16

Top Visits for Claude Monet Fans in and Around Paris
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2354740/top_5_visits_for_claude_monet_fans.html?cat=16

Top Wine Tasting & Cooking classes in Paris
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2347154/top_4_wine_tasting_cooking_classes.html?cat=16

To add from our own experience; our chef Eric Freadeau runs a small cooking program for visitors to Paris, called Cookin With Class; we offer his programs at http://www.gotoparis.net/paris_cooking_tours.php

Loren

Top Cemetary Visits in Paris

Top 4 Visits to Cemeteries in Paris, France

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2338818/top_4_visits_to_cemeteries_in_paris.html

1. Cimetiere du Pere Lachaise (Pere Lachaise Cemetery)
8, Boulevard de Ménilmontant
75020 Paris, France

2. Les Catacombes de Paris (The Catacombs of Paris)
1, Place Denfert-Rochereau
75014 Paris, France

3. Cimetiere de Picpus (Picpus Cemetery)
35, rue de Picpus
75007, Paris, France

4. Le Cimetière des Chiens (The Cemetery of Dogs)
4, pont de Clichy
92600 Asnières sur Seine, France

Upcoming Events in Paris

15th Annual Chocolate Show: Oct 14-18
The Salon du chocolat extends over nearly 20,000 sq m, and brings together all professionals and lovers of chocolate who can use the opportunity to express themselves, exchange and share their passion.

The musical arts will be honored this year to celebrate the 15th anniversary of this delicious event. Against a background of opera, operetta or musicals, this unforgettable edition will display the fabulous history of Chocolate and its Salon.

Fashion shows displaying chocolate dresses, demonstrations by great chefs, original tastings, creations and new items…the Salon du Chocolat has been offering its visitors the best in terms of innovations and chocolate pleasure for 15 years.
Details see: http://www.salonduchocolat.fr/?lang=uk

Events at the Grand Palais - including Renoir In the 20th Century - a special exhibit:
http://www.grandpalais.fr/en/News/p-496-A_la_Une.htm

Fete des Jardins

Garden Festival - September 26 & 27

For its 12th edition, the Fête des jardins [Garden Festival] will lead Parisians behind the scenes of parks and gardens on 27 and 28 September 2009.

The Fête des jardins [Garden Festival] honors the trades related to the environment of the City of Paris (Ile-de-France).

The Garden Festival village, set up at Parc de Bercy (12th), will allow you to discover parks from their design to their daily life. The wide range of skills of the City workers is on display at the Chai de Bercy.

On the programme: commented cruises on the theme of gardens and biodiversity aboard a "Bateau Parisien", demonstrations on taking cuttings, grafting, repotting, floral art, tastings, guided tours, exhibitions, workshops for children... Bring your diseased plants to Parc de Bercy! There will be concerts, show and original games taking place over two days.

It is also the opportunity to discover the vineyards of Paris, in the 12th, 15th and 20th arrondissements, thanks to the gardeners and the presence of an oenologist.

110 gardens will take part in the Festival, including five for the first time. Like each year, numerous shared gardens will also be present and 9 religious communities will open their gardens to the public on Sunday 28 September.

More information on the official website of the City of Paris
http://en.parisinfo.com/show-exhibition/1088079/la-fete-des-jardins

Opening hours:

Saturday 1.30 to 6.30 pm
Sunday 10.30 am to 6.30 pm
Festival Village open from 10.30 am to 6.30 pm Saturday and Sunday
Special opening hours for certain sites

Address:

Throughout Paris and the Garden Festival Village at Parc de Bercy (12th)

Paris Hotel Promotions September

Stay 3 Nights and Pay for only 2:

Hotel Pershing Hall (4 star deluxe) and Hotel Medicis (3 star moderate)

Stay 4 Nights and Pay for 3 in these cities:

Biarritz (SW Atlantic Coast/Aquitaine), La Baule (Brittany), Arles (Provence), Sainte Maxime (Cote d'Azur)

Cannes - rates starting at 130 euros/night in a double room in the deluxe 4 star Sun Riviera hotel!!

See www.hotelsparis.net for hotel info and to book space. Special deals and rates may need to be booked offline; just use the contact us link on that page, or call the number shown!!

Picasso Museum to Close for 2 Year Renovation

Paris' Picasso Museum shuts for 2-year renovation

(AP) – 2 days ago

PARIS — Paris' Picasso Museum is closing its doors for renovations, spiriting away its masterpieces under high security to government warehouses for more than two years while seeking to expand the much-visited but cramped site.

The museum will be free to all visitors Sunday, the last day before the work begins.

It will stop lending out Picasso artworks during the overhaul, which will begin with experts updating, computerizing and restoring the inventory, museum director Anne Baldassari said Saturday.

The museum, in a baroque mansion in Paris' Marais district, opened in 1985, and it traces the Spanish-born artist's prolific career. Picasso died in 1973.

Renovation of the 3,000-square-meter (32,000-square-foot) space will begin early next year. It is expected to last two years and cost euro20 million, the museum said in a statement.

"It needs modernizing," Baldassari said, citing electrical problems and the need to make it more accessible to people with reduced mobility.

She also wants to boost attendance — currently at about half a million people a year — and attract more young people by expanding exhibition space and adding halls for student activities.

While the museum has about 5,000 pieces in stock, it only displays 250-300 at a time, she said. "We can't continue like this," she said.

To guard against theft of the museum's riches during the renovation, the artworks will be packaged and shipped, under tight security, to storerooms managed by the national museum authority, Baldassari said. The entire process is very "locked-up and watched by police," she said on France-Info radio, declining to give further details.

Picasso's paintings, sculptures and sketches are among the world's most coveted artworks and are often targeted by thieves.

The museum will continue to host education and cultural events related to the Picasso collection at other sites while the renovation is done.

Copyright © 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

Walking Tours & Biking Tours in Paris

We have finally been able to add some new walking and biking tours in Paris. It has been many months in the works, but all are now showing at www.gotoparis.net

Some samples:

Versailles Bike Tour: 8 hours; 16.25 km
Le Chateau de Versailles awaits you in all its grandeur as you return to the time period of the most famous French kings and queens. Allow us to bring you the most famous "house" in the world as few others have experienced it. After meeting at our Paris office we'll ride our bicycles to the nearest RER station for the quick trip to Versailles.
Once at Versailles, we'll first visit the village market to buy baguettes, cheese, ham, wine or whatever you desire for our picnic later in the Chateau's gardens. We will spend most of our day riding through the tree-lined gardens and the average Versailles tourist doesn't realize that they can only visit a small fraction of the gardens on foot. More Bike Tours

Private Walking Tour for Groups up to 8 persons:

Latin Quarter Walking Tour

Starting at the Pantheon, the resting place of the "Great Men of France", we will stop at the church St Etienne du Mont (Tomb of St Genevieve, Patron Saint os Paris) before walking to the Luxembourg Gradens to discover the majestic Luxembourg palace and stop at the statue of Liberty (the first statue created by Bartoldi). We will continue along the St Sulpice church (with inside visit) and to Saint Germain where we will stop for a coffee at the cafe des 2 Magots (where Hemingway wrote his "Farewell to arms"). Then we'll have a look at the church St Germain des Pres before finishing our walk at the oldest at the oldest cafe in Paris: cafe Procope whose "customers" were named Voltaire, Bonoparte, Danton, Benjamin Franklin or Oscar Wilde! http://www.gotoparis.net/private_walking_tours.php

Electric Car Rental In Paris

Coming soon, a program similar to the bicycle rental program that is a huge success in Paris is the new electric car rental program. Check out this article:

http://abcnews.go.com/Travel/JustOneThing/story?id=8291655&page=1

Hotel Promotions in Paris

August is still LOW season in Paris! Some exceptional rates are available until Aug 31; see below and contact us at: contact@discoverfrance.com

Quality 3 star hotels:

Hotel Queen Mary or Tronchet - close to the Madaleine/Opera - from 130 euros per night in a double room including buffet breakfast for 2!

Tilsitt Etoile - near Arc de Triomphe - from 110 euros per night in a double room including buffet breakfast for 2!

Top Quality 4 star hotel:

Waldorf Madaleine - near the Madeleine/Opera - from 170 euros per night in a double room with buffet breakfast for 2!

Elysees Regencia or Bassano - near Champs Elysees - from 199 euros/night in a double room with buffet breakfast for 2!

Paris Flea Markets

Here is a cool story with a little history about Paris' well known flea markets. Even if you don't buy anything, they are fun to go see. Same thing out in the countryside; also look for signs titled "Brocante" where the stuff is more interesting and less 'junky'?! Another funny term is Vide Grenier = empty the attic. Do you think when the French go skiing in the BCBG Alpine resorts they say "oh la la, vide grenier!" when somebody wipes out good?

http://frugaltraveler.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/07/01/hunting-for-treasure-in-pariss-marches-aux-puces/?ref=travel

Tax in France restaurants drops - will the price?

VAT changes in France

After years of discussions between restaurants, the French government and the European Union, it finally happened! Instead of applying a 19.6% VAT on the bill, restaurants will now apply a lower tax of 5.5%. It had been a promise made by Jacques Chirac, and was a subject of conflict between the government and the restaurants union. So today, all the newspapers talk about this change, and how it should reflect on the overall bill. Officially, restaurants and cafés are supposed to reflect this tax change by lowering their prices. Officials also hope that the employees will see a raise in their paycheck, and that it will create more job in this industry. If you believe the media, it is the magical pill that will solve all the problems restaurants are facing right now, and will have everyone in France rush to the restaurants. Will it really shows on the bill? Personally, I don’t think so. I hope it does lower the price by a few Euros, but I wouldn’t count on it. Many restaurants say that they are struggling to make money, and have already announced that they will not use this to lower the price but to have a better margin.

It will take some time to determine the consequences of this change on prices, as the summer season is here, summer prices have arrived and depending on where you travel, some places charge a ridiculous amount of money compared to the quality of products/services they offer. So one piece of advice for all of you traveling, don’t jump on the first restaurant you see. Take some time to walk around and see the various options you have.

New Paris Walking Tour

Chocolate & Pastry Tour - Paris

Walking along the very picturesque Rue du Cherche Midi, we start our " sweet tooth " experience at the bakery Poilane, founded in 1932. You will first taste their famous sourdough bread (made from stone-ground flour and baked in a wood-fired oven), and then try their renowned "Punitions" (= punishments) butter cookies. Depending on the day of your visit, you may even be able to visit the cellar where they bake their bread.

Continuing along Rue de Rennes towards Rue de Sèvres, your next destination is “La Maison du Chocolat" where you will have a wide tasting of their different chocolate flavors imported from Venezuela, Madagascar, Mexico… Your tour continues to Rue Bonaparte and Pierre Herme's shop, "the Picasso of Pastry"! There you will experience some of his creations with the names of "Dune", "Mogador", "Ispahan","Satine", a real fireworks for your taste buds!

Then you’ll cross Boulevard St Germain to reach Rue de Seine for a stop at Gerard Mulot’s, a pastry chef who still makes patisseries the traditional way, which became popular worldwide. You will taste the different types of éclairs, the St Honoré, the cherry clafoutis...On the same street, you will visit the boutique of Pierre Marcolini , the "dream maker" who challenges conventional techniques and ideas! His chocolate creations are delicate, harmonious, very intense and therefore alive … a moment of pure pleasure!

Your “Chocolate and Pastry Discovery Tour” will end in one of the oldest and probably the most famous pastry shop worldwide : La durée, where you will treat yourself to the best macaroons in the world.

Tour rate is valid up to 8 people; the tour is 3-hours long with English-speaking guide

$550 total regardless of 1 or 8 persons and anything in between!

Unique Dining Experience in Paris

Passing this along, found on Budget Travel:

http://current.newsweek.com/budgettravel/2009/06/skyhigh_dining_in_paris.html

Warhol Exhibit at the Grand Palais - Paris

The Galeries Nationales du Grand Palais in Paris present the exhibition Le Grand Monde d'Andy Warhol (Andy Warhol’s High Society) from 18 March to 13 July 2009.

In 1962, Andy Warhol painted the portraits of Marilyn Monroe and her rival Liz Taylor, and reinterpreted the Mona Lisa and Elvis Presley. From 1967 up until his death in 1987, he produced, on commission, the portraits of dozens of personalities – some famous, others unknown – offering a world fascinated by appearances a flattering, dizzying mirror, a view of “Andy Warhol’s high society”. In doing so, he restored the status of a neglected genre, applying new codes which were to leave an indelible mark on the history of portraiture.

Alongside stars of the stage and screen (Brigitte Bardot, Jane Fonda, Mick Jagger, Sylvester Stallone), the exhibition Le Grand Monde d'Andy Warhol presents the portraits of artists, collectors and dealers, political figures (Willy Brandt, Edward Kennedy), fashion designers (Yves Saint-Laurent, Sonia Rykiel, Hélène Rochas) and members of the jet set (Lee Radziwell, the Princess of Monaco). Some better known than others, all take on something of that aura which Warhol’s genius sought to bring out.

With this series, Warhol painted the portrait of an entire society, and set in place a new form of serial, almost industrial, artistic production. A selection of 250 works, taken from the thousand or so portraits he painted from the early 1960s onwards, are presented in the exhibition Le Grand Monde d'Andy Warhol. They are arranged according to different themes looked at by Warhol at key moments in his career.

Practical information:

Galeries Nationales du Grand Palais Official Website

http://www.grandpalais.fr/en/Homepage/p-617-Homepage.htm
3, Avenue du Général Eisenhower
75008 Paris
+33 (0)1 44 13 17 17

Open daily, except Tuesday
Opening times: 10 am to 10 pm / Closes at 8 pm on Thursdays
Entry: €11, concs. €8

Published on Franceguide.com

Paris Hotel Offer, Restos, More

Travel Snippets - baggage fees increase at UA, Hotel St Paul, More:

United Airlines is raising its checked bag fees by $5. Oh boy, doubtful it will keep anyone home but just another nick isn't it?! Speaking of fees, anyone flown a discount airline lately? I booked some flights on Allegiant Air the other day. Posted fare was $29 each way! Pretty good. For 3 people it ended up around $430 after all the nickel and diming. So, what's better the big legacy carrier way or the discounter way? Why can't we just have a price to fly that is posted up front - all inclusive?!

Other more useful info:

Hotel St Paul - Paris, 6eme
Hotel Saint-Paul-Rive Gauche***, a residence dating from the end of the XVIIth century, is ideally situated in the 6th arrondissement of Paris in the rue Monsieur le Prince near numerous monuments and museums. This historic thoroughfare is named after the Prince de Condé, cousin of Louis the XIVth.

It is getting on for four centuries that its walls have breathed the very spirit of the Latin Quarter situated as it is between the Sorbonne and the Luxembourg gardens. It is owned by the 4th generation of the same family of hoteliers who strive to maintain the high standards of this bijou dwelling.

Breakfast is served in a striking vaulted cellar in which we find an authentic well. This led, some time ago now, to the hotel being named the “Hotel du Reservoir”. Some claim that Franciscan monks once lodged here. http://www.hotelsaintpaulparis.com/english/home.html We are offering promotional rates throughout June & July:

Stay 4 & Pay 3 Nights - rates according to room category - contact us for preferred rates Stay 3 & Pay 2 Nights - rates according to room cateogry - contact us for preferred rates Discover France Special Offer: FREE room upgrade to Superior catetegory and basket of fruit or box of chocolates! Must book 3 or more consecutive nights. (not combinable with above)

Other:
Bistro recommendation; borrowing from Newsweek:
http://current.newsweek.com/budgettravel/2009/05/paris_restaurant_buzz_frenchie.html

More restaurant recommendations - this from Budget Travel:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29959028/

If I had a choice, I would opt for a bistro every time. I'm just a casual dude, and even in bistros in France you eat well. I particularly like the recommendation above, I bet the service is very good as they are new. But, for anyone going in July & August - don't get bothered if service seems slow or even surly. Its high season, and things take time, so enjoy; nobody is going to drop l'addition on you without you asking first!

L

Paris News & Links - Promo Starting May 12

The following items have come to me recently, so I pass them along for our readers.

Rail Europe - big discounts on Eurail Pass - starts May 12 - 'while supplies last'. Don't wait, that is tomorrow! http://www.usatoday.com/travel/news/2009-04-30-rail-europe-promo_N.htm

Paris with Kids - posted on MSNBC website, I wasn't sure at first what I was reading. I must say there seems to be a little exaggeration here especially with respect to the Euro and Dollar being almost at parity! Maybe this journalist is new to forex?! Also, the tip about the family rate at the Meurice...well, lets hope your pockets are deep! If you want a better 'value' for your family stay, consider checking out the Adagio Apar'hotel offers.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30252390/

Louvre Exhibit to display exceptional pieces that were moved to protect them on the eve of World War II. This is a very interesting story, and I would think very interesting visit while in Paris:
http://www.usatoday.com/travel/destinations/2009-05-06-louvre-war-exhibit_N.htm

Paris Happenings

Here are a couple stories, written by others (professionals), that anyone going to Paris would be interested to read. Check it out:

100 Years of Jazz in Paris - special exhibition:
From the dripping paint of Jackson Pollock to the paper cutouts of Henri Matisse and the tap routines of Fred Astaire, jazz has inspired some of the greatest artists of the past century. read more...


Paris Tasting Tour

It's easy enough to find your average bistro in Paris. The challenge is discovering those off-the-radar spots that locals keep to themselves. Clotilde Dusoulier leads us to seven restaurants that are destinations in their own right. read more....

Paris + Cote d'Azur

Here is another reason to visit the French Riviera, specifically Antibes:

Picasso, 1945-1949 : l’ère du renouveau (Age of Renewal)

Exhibition 28th March to 14th June 2009 at the Picasso Museum, Antibes

Since summer 2008, the Picasso Museum has reopened its doors. After two years of renovation work mainly focussed on safety, accessibility and climate control, the public has discovered a new museum offering more comfort for visitors and better preservation conditions for the works of art exhibited. This reopening means the return of the museum collection to its visitors and the planning of temporary exhibitions for the years to come.

The first of these, “l’Ere du renouveau” (the Age of Renewal) from 28th March to 14th June 2009, will be the occasion to see in a new light what is often described as Picasso’s Antibes period. From the vanitas of winter 1945 darkly influenced by the war years, to the creations filled with light at the end of the 1940s, the exhibition will be composed of approximately 200 works of art (paintings, sketches, ceramics) from important public and private collections, including certain works created during his stay at the Grimaldi castle but kept by the artist, which will now come back to the studio where they were conceived. Thus the artist’s production will be put into context over a wider period of history, situating the “Picassos of Antibes” in a creative and particularly rich chronology during those happy years, of which the painting La Joie de Vivre constitutes a sort of emblem.

NB The museum will be closed for exhibition preparation 10th – 27th March and for several days from 15th June (contact the Museum for exact closure dates, and dates of guided visits).

Practical information : Open all year, closed on Mondays and French bank holidays (1st Jan, 1st May, 1st Nov & 25th Dec). 16th Sept to 14th June : 10am – 12am and 2pm to 6pm

April Hotel Promotions

Stay 3 and Pay for only 2 Nights!
4 & 3 star hotels near the Arc de Triomphe, Champs Elysees, and Bastille

also available in Cannes, St Malo, Juan les Pins, and Bordeaux

Stay 4 and Pay for 3 nights! Select hotels in Paris and Riviera.

Last minute rates from 88 euros/night in Cannes and Bordeaux - subject to availability

Paris Last Minute: from 104 euros/night for 3 star hotel up to 180 euros/night for deluxe 4 star hotel!

All offers are to be checked manually, please contact us by email to know availability for your dates. contact@discoverfrance.com

Michelin Restaurant Promotion

The centennial issue of the MICHELIN guide was launched on March 5, 2009.

When it first came out in 1900, the MICHELIN guide France made no mention of restaurants or even hotels. It was above all a guide for motorists who could pick up their free copy in garages and tire dealers. The book contained a wealth of practical information to make traveling more pleasant.

It wasn't until 1920 that the first restaurants—and Parisian hotels—made their debut in the guide. At the time, the restaurants had their own "star-less" rating system. Today, the MICHELIN guide is the reference for gourmet dining.

Recently, new symbols indicate the possibility of reserving a non-smoking room or table, the availability of Wi Fi in the establishment, or access to a spa.
Today, some 1.2 million Michelin guides are sold in the world every year. The centennial issue of the MICHELIN guide France was launched on March 5, 2009.

In celebration of this event, Michelin is declaring March 9 to April 5 Le Mois Gourmand (Gourmet Month). Over 900 restaurants featured in the 2009 issue will be proposing special offers.

"Centennial edition" offers will be proposed by starred restaurateurs featured in the 2009 MICHELIN guide: special menus that are affordably priced, workshops with chefs, guided tours of wine cellars with tastings, dinners in the restaurant's kitchen with explanations from the chef… are just a taste of the activities proposed throughout the event.

Today's most highly decorated chefs are French. Joël Robuchon has 25 stars under his belt for his twelve establishments around the world. Hot on his heels, Alain Ducasse holds 18 distinctions for thirteen restaurants. Brit Gordon Ramsay follows with 10 stars for seven establishments. Two Americans—Thomas Keller (7 stars for three restaurants) and Jean Georges (5 stars for three restaurants)—complete the top five.

The Guide proposes a selection of 8 500 establishments with some 550 restaurants being awarded stars: 26 with three stars (the only newcomer being Eric Fréchon of Paris's Le Bristol), 73 with two stars and 449 with one star.

Nine restaurants were promoted to the two-star rank: l'Atelier de Jean-Luc Rabanel in Arles (Bouches-du-Rhône), le Saint-James in Bouliac (Gironde), Guy Lassausaie in Chasselay (Rhône), La Mère Brazier in Lyon (Rhône) , L'Espadon de Michel Roth au Ritz in Paris (1st arrondissement), Le Castellas in Collias (Gard), Le Casadelmar in Porto Vecchio (Corsica), Le Faventia in Tourrettes (Var) et the famous british Gordon Ramsay at Trianon in Versailles (Yvelines).

Moreover, 63 restaurants have won their first star, including Le Prieuré in Ambierle (Loire), Les Rosiers in Biarritz (Pyrénées-Atlantiques), La Poularde in la Chapelle-sous-Guinchay (Saône-et-Loire), Le Fogon in Paris (6th arrondissement), Le Jules Verne in the Tower-Eiffel that was bought by Alain Ducasse in 2008 (7th arrondissement), L'Arôme in Paris (8th arrondissement), L'Agapé in Paris (17th arrondissement), La Bigarrade in Paris (17th arrondissement).

This article was published by Maison de La France Canada.

Airlines 'Slash' Fares

That according to the Wall Street Journal March 4; Personal Journal.

We have been hearing and seeing the same thing however. I just purchased a ticket to Paris for $685 roundtrip March 28-April 4th from PHX-CDG with 1 stop in ORD. Pretty darn good!

Check our new link partner Cheap Flights: http://www.cheapflights.com/

L

Hotel Promos for Paris

'SMOKIN' last minute hotel rates for March in Paris and other cities. contact us to book, they are not shown on our site. All rates are per night, double room, and include breakfast and tax:

89 €
De la Presse - Bordeaux
Sun riviera – Cannes

95 €
Jardin de Villiers*** - Paris

105 € - all Paris
Bailli de Suffren***
Jardin le Bréa***
Pavillon Bastille***

110 € - Paris
George Washington***
Etoile Park***

120 €
L’Avenir*** - Paris

129 €
Queen Mary*** - GREAT HOTEL - Recommended!!

139 €
Dauphine Saint Germain*** - GREAT HOTEL - Recommended!!

More options exist in 4 star and also great promotions for STAY 4/PAY 3; and STAY 3/PAY 2

France to Change Hotel Rating System

The following article below was posted on Maison de La France website recently. For anyone who does not know, France has always had a 4 star hotel rating system. We have always had trouble to explain to people seeking 5 star, that in fact nothing is better than 4 starL as stated below.

Could this change the price of a stay? Possibly, but it can cut both ways. In fact, it seems that hotel owners will have a new set of standards to work toward. what is currently a 3 star hotel might become a 4 star hotel automatically given the amenities currently on site and as such an owner may decide to raise rates as a higher rated hotel. On the other hand, it may allow an owner to stay as a 3 star and drop rates to be competitive with others in that category.
*********

To stay competitive, increase tourism revenues and to remain the world’s number one travel destination, Hervé Novelli, Secretary of State of Commerce, Business and Tourism, recently presented his modernization plan for the French hotel infrastructure, that makes quality the number one priority.

After the introduction of a new France logo and tagline late last year, the initiative represents the second step in the larger strategic plan, “Destination France 2020,” introduced last year by Christine Lagarde, Minister of Economy, Industry and Employment to support the renewal of the French tourism industry.

The 3-year hotel modernization plan features a new voluntary hotel classification system. It introduces a more internationally recognized 5-star category (previously French luxury hotels were identified as 4****L) and stricter standards for all categories from the one to five-star hotel. To encourage hotel owners and chains to apply for the category of their choice and bring their properties up to standards, the French Government, through the public banking institutions Caisse des depots and Oséo will make available special loans. The loans will be at preferential rates and intended for small hotel owners in particular to facilitate renovations and upgrades to their establishments. Similar loans will be available for the improvement of hotels of all categories. There are over 17,000 hotels in France most of which are family-owned and operated hotels.

Paris & France Hotel Promos

Hey readers - did you book your hotel yet? If you know anyone, we can get all of the following deals:

Hotel Medicis*** - Nice = 80 euros/night

99 euros/night double room with breakfast in Paris at the following 3 star hotels:

Hotel Bailli de Suffren (15eme)
Jardin Le Brea (6eme)
MacMahon (17eme)
Pavillon Bastille (12eme)

Very Nice 3 star Hotel Queen Mary - 125 euros/night

Stay 3 nights and Pay for 2! Limited availability - but its there, I just booked it yesterday!

Contact us with specific dates and room type and we'll quote back asap:
contact@discoverfrance.com

Strikes in France January 29

PARIS (AFP) — International and domestic air and rail travel will be severely disrupted in France on Thursday due to a nationwide strike to protest against President Nicolas Sarkozy's government, officials warned.

Airlines will have to cancel 30 percent of their flights departing and arriving at Paris's Orly airport and 10 percent of flights from the main Roissy hub, aviation officials said.

The SNCF state rail company said only 60 percent of TGV high-speed trains would run and warned of even greater disruption on regional trains. It predicted just 35-50 percent of its Lyria high-speed service to Switzerland.

But Eurostar trains to London and Thalys trains to Germany and the Netherlands will not be affected, it said.

Metro and overland train services will also be badly disrupted, the RATP transport authority said, but buses and trams were expected to run normally.

French workers, spooked by the global crisis and fearful for their jobs, are preparing their biggest one-day strike since Sarkozy took office in 2007.

GOOD Airfare Sale to Paris

From LAX on Air Tahiti Nui; from $789*

So, for Americans only and in the Los Angeles area. Its worth passing on; and don't forget to read the microscopic print associated with *

http://www.airtahitinui-usa.com/atnspecial/atnspecial.asp?id=1259

Free Admission Policy Change For Museums

Soon to be free to all persons Under 25 are all the French National Monuments and Museums which does include the Louvre and Musee d'Orsay in Paris. Currently, the freebie is good to age 18, but in a recent speak French President Sarkozy said the measure will go into effect on April 4 this year. This story appeared on MSNBC and no further info is available.

This will have a big impact on visitors to Paris mostly, but of course applies to "National" monuments and museums throughout France. For a list of sites, see www.monum.fr

Heading to Paris - Bring the Overcoat!

Weather in Paris and across France and Europe continues to wreak havoc this week:

The French weather service called it "the coldest night of winter" so far with temperatures ranging for minus nine degrees Celsius in Paris -- the coldest since 1997 -- and minus 20 degrees Celsius in the northern Ardennes region.

The rare sight of snow was seen in the southern Mediterranean port of Marseille, closing the local airport and leaving some 12,000 households in the region without electricity.

Demand for power for heating has soared and raised the risk of power cuts, especially in Brittany and the southeast.

Heavy snow has forced the closing of the mountainous French-Italian border since Tuesday night.

UPDATE: Pictures of snow in Marseille and Aix en Provence. VERY rare:
http://www.lefigaro.fr/actualite-france/2009/01/09/01016-20090109DIAWWW00443-vague-de-froid-vos-plus-belles-photos.php

Snow In Paris

Snow - yes - that white stuff - is very rare in Paris. Therefore, no wonder the Roissy Charles de Gaulle airport was shut down on Monday!

"1,658 people will be accommodated by Air France Monday evening in hotels at the airport hub at Roissy after the cancellation of 120 Air France flights of the 400 scheduled since the beginning of Monday afternoon, mainly to European destinations but also some long haul services," the airline said.

Traffic was back on track Tuesday, but the website Aeroports de Paris www.adp.fr was not discounting future disruptions but advised checking with the individual airline company.

Other disruptions including traffic/truck access in and out of Paris as well. Low, cold temperatures are forecast through the week. Check this site for official weather info: www.meteo.fr

L