Hotel Jeanne D'arc

hotel jeanne d'arc
Originally uploaded by bobmorton.

One of the cheapest Paris hotels in terms of location, quality and price is the Hotel Jeanne D'arc. This hotel is in a charming 17th century building off the pedestrian square called Marché Sainte Catherine.

Rue Charlot

Rue Charlot
Originally uploaded by salisasaki.

Paris is changing everyday. The Marais area is expanding north and now the "Haute" Marais is the "in" place to be. Over the past 2 years, the entire rue Charlot has become an up and coming trendy street for shopping and strolling.

First Day of Paris Sales!

sales !
Originally uploaded by *heloise*.

Today is the first day of the Paris sales. There are lines even to go into certain shops. Then there are lines for the dressing rooms, and then there are also lines to pay for items. Several French people take the day off to do the sales, as if it is a sport or leisure activity. Some skip lunch and shop instead. The sales run through the summer and are held twice a year.

La Piscine Pontoise

La piscine Pontoise
Originally uploaded by michalahav.

Swimming in Paris is often a necessity during the summer months. There are 35 public swimming and several are magnificent and clean. Among some of the most beautiful are the Piscine Pontoise and the Piscine Château-Landon which dates from the 1880s. The prices and the listing of pools can be found here.

PARIS CINÉMA

The Paris Cinema Festival starts today through July 11th. There are 15 films featured from rare directors and each film costs only 4 euros. Some of the best ways to watch a film during summer is outdoors. The festival offers two productions for free and in the open air at the Parvis de L'hôtel de Ville (4e arr.) and Butte Montmartre (18e arr.).

Nice Paris Views

Centre Georges Pompidou
Originally uploaded by Staou.

One nice place to relax and have a coffee and also take in a lovely view is the Georges restaurant/cafe on top of the Pompidou Centre. The entrance is a red elevator marked, "GEORGES" in the front leftside of the Pompidou Centre. Also it is possible to enter GEORGES throught the escalators located inside the centre. Here the food is fine but the best part is the view, so perhaps a coffee or tea could be the best bet here.

FETE DE LA MUSIQUE

FETE DE LA MUSIQUE
Originally uploaded by Leona.

Tommorrow is Fete de la Musique in Paris. This means free music (all genres) all day long all over Paris and surrounding suburbs. There are big acts including Orchestra Baobab from Senegal.

Trendy Paris Hotels

Tereza at the hotel Costes, Paris.
Originally uploaded by yatabazah.

Summer is here and several people are looking for a nice hotel in Paris. There are so many hotels to choose from that it is almost impossible to decide! At the moment, there are several different categories. In terms of fashionable, trendy hotels, the Costes Hotel always remains a popular choice. There are several new hotels that have opened up and that are featured in French fashion magazines including: Hôtel Amour which is smaller and fairly well priced, and the Hotel Murano which has a slight "Miami" feel to it. Personally, I find the smaller more intimate hotels and bed and breakfasts offer more charm when in Paris. There is also the Hotel du Petit Moulin which is interior designed by Christian Lacroix. This hotel is a bit more intimate in an ancient boulangerie and in a more quiet area of the Marais.

Edith Piaf's Grave at Pere Lachaise

Edith Piaf's Grave at Pere Lachaise
Originally uploaded by Jamie and Kathy's Excellent European Adventure.

Edith Piaf is one of my favorite French singers!

Summer Travel

paris
Originally uploaded by Green Gorilla.

Summer has finally arrived in Paris and travelling around France is definitely a must. The Guide du Routard the typical French travel guide also has editions in English.

Square du Vert Galand

Square du Vert Galand
Originally uploaded by LGP1.

One great place to have a picnic is the Square du Vert-Galand. At the tip of Ile de la Cité and overlooking the Seine, this spot is ideal for sitting down and relaxing in Paris. The closest metro stop is the Pont Neuf. One movie filmed in and around this area that I love is called The Lovers on the Bridge or Les Amants du Pont-Neuf with Juliette Binoche.

Skate Paris

Skate Paris
Originally uploaded by JordanSayRelax.

Now that the weather is heating up, every Friday evening in Paris through out the next few months, there is Pari-Roller night. The course changes each week and several hundred rollerbladers takeover the streets of Paris. The automobile traffic is not a problem due to the police and traffic bladers controlling and making way for the bladers. The blading begins around 10 PM and ends around 1AM. Nice way to get some late night exercise. Rollerblades can also be rented at Nomade Shop in the Bastille.

Vach'Art, Paris 2006

Vach'Art, Paris 2006
Originally uploaded by TV Boy.

All around Paris lately there are random cows on the street. These cows have also been displayed around the world. In French it is called Vach'Art and in English it is called the CowParade. I am not sure what this all means, but there are charity organisations involved and you can vote on your favorite cow!