Returned Wed. from Paris and finally getting around to my trip report after some long days back at work.(The work piles were there to welcome me back!).
This was more a relax and enjoy Paris rather a %26quot;check-list%26quot; vacation so we saw about 1 or 2 attractions a day. Plus I%26#39;d been there before and my father was returning in the fall so we just walked around an enjoyed being in France. Our apartment was located on Ave. de Ternes in the 17th arr. near St. Ferdinand Church and the Poncelet market. The 5th apartment itself need a few paint touchups and a good dusting but other than that it was quiet overlooking the courtyard, roomy with a clean bathroom and large kitchen and lounge plus cable TV and free internet and phones. We didn%26#39;t eat out in Paris, prefering to utilize the well stocked Champion supermarche(complete with bird calls in the produce dept. and the incredible market where we picked up dinners of poli roti, fruits and vegs, Pauls bread and macaroons and some wonderful 7 euro Bordeaux wine.
The Etoile metro was a short 5-7 min walk uphill with Metro lines running to all major destinations. We managed to climb the Arc, stroll down the CE(touristy), ride the elevator to the 3 etage of the Eiffel Tower then walk back down, see the Pompidou and travel to Chartres and eat delicious crepes(Thanks to Rick Steves). Of course, my dad had to find a Starbucks(we travel 3000 miles to get the same coffee).
The cons of our visit-
Doggie-do: When you leave the touristy areas, the amount of poop on the street is astounding. We even saw a guy on the bridge to the Eiffel Tower let his dog relieve himself then walk away, leaving the droppings. Such a gorgeous city but this was a big turn off.
Not knowing that Sunday afternoon and evening, most stores and restaurants are closed. We ended up at the high end Galleries Gourmet with the other 100 people in the 17th looking for dinner. Their salmon quiche tasted divine!
The street vendors and gypsies have increased. We couldn%26#39;t even get near the Trocadero without 3 hawkers shoving their goods in our face. We finally answered in Spanish and they left us alone:) Plus the public drunkeness and the youth out binge drinking on the Metro and at night reminded me unhappily of England. This is a worrying trend IMHO.
The pros-
The french people for the most part let us use our horrible French and were polite and ready to serve. Just a bonjour and an attempt to use the language helps.
The food(bread, cheese and hot chocolate)-my goodness, the food was like heaven, even in the stores. The wine was cheap but delicious and the hot chocolate was so thick and creamy, not like our weak cocoa. The French seem to take pride in their cuisine and though the McD%26#39;s was packed with French, the food all seems to be fresher and well prepared.
Finally, after 2 trips to Paris I see the attraction and am making plans to return to France and continue learning French. For right now, my French wine and French CD will have to suffice
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Thanks for your trip report, sounds like you had a great trip, well, other than your cons.
Could you provide a link to your apt.? People are always looking for reccomendations.
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The apartment link is www.vrbo.com/18667
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Heather - the link is an apartment in the 8th. Your report says you were in the 17th. IS the link correct?
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Yes, my link is correct. As I understand it, the 8th arr. ends at the Arc. The apartment is close to it, but actually in the 17th. Don%26#39;t why they list it as the 8th-probably sounds better.
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