Tom600

I am interested in one day (or part of one day) cooking or French wine classes during our June, 2005 Paris visit. On line I have only found one possible, L'Atelier Saveur et Savoir with Marie Nael in the 7th. Anyone in touch with this sort of food activity? Many major cities in the USA have these sorts of classes, intended for locals and often taught by the staffs of the great chefs. Any insights or experiences would be welcomed. One of us speaks some French, but food knows no oral language - except yum! If they can enjoy us, we a ready!

Soon we will take our first trip to Paris. At the end of the journey we will be "put up" for a meeting near the Opera (in a swank hotel) and will be taken to a couple of well known restaurants. We are on our own for the week before the meeting and would like to stay in a neighborhood in easy walking distance from some more casual-friendly bistros and markets. (One of us has some difficulty walking very far.) What neighborhood or cross streets would you suggest? Names of places (hotels and/or food places) would be great, but even a metro location would get us started. Simple is best.