David Bizer

menton1, The phone charge I mentioned is written on this website: http://www.amb-usa.fr/consul/niv.htm And yes, that is crazy! As for lines, I don't think the lines are any shorter at the US consulate in France. One tip for Americans: If you need to go to the Consulate in Paris, you should be able to go to the front of the line and flash your US passport. This should allow you to skip the line. It's one of the few perks Americans have in goverment affairs living in France. I haven't been in a couple of years, so don't quote me. While we are on the topic of lines. Does anyone know why Passport control in Philly does not have a US Citizen line? I really hope this isn't becoming a trend. One thing I have always appreciated traveling back to the US is having these special lines. When traveling in Europe, I'm always in the non-EU citizen line and it takes significantly longer. With increased security in the US, the non-US citizens are being scrutinized even longer, making these general lines a serious headache. Anyway...it's a new world order I suppose. Just needed to vent that little bit.

Fourthrider, Easy on the politics. Your statement is news to me. While I don't believe the French have put any such regulations in place, the only reason they might is because the US has put the regulations you mention in place for the French. The immigration and visa programs worldwide function on a mostly reciprocal basis. What you want from our citizens we want from you. Not too long ago, the United States changed the rules for many countries, including France, regarding entry requirements into the United States. While the French were once able to get on a plane and enter the US much like Americans could enter France, the United States is requiring machine-readable passports and interviews with the American consulate for visa approval. The new process takes so much time, not to mention a simple call for information to the US consulate in Paris costs 14.50 euros, that many French are having to cancel or postpone trips to the US. For more information you can consult: http://unitedstatesvisas.gov/visanews/index.html As for your trip, the French have not changed their rules. You can look at their site for more information as well: http://www.info-france-usa.org/visitingfra...nce/usvisas.asp Enjoy your trip.

Don't worry about whether or not you should try Maxence. I walked by yesterday and saw a for sale sign in the window.

For French speakers in the forum, there is an article on Bouillabaisse in today's Le Monde. Even if you can't read French, you can figure out the two restaurants they mention. I've never been to either. Has anyone had any experience with Port Alma (10, avenue de New York. 75116 Paris) or Bistrot d'Alex (2, rue Clément. 75006 Paris)?

I'm leaving for the South on Sunday for a couple of days. We are staying in the Luberon about 10km south of Apt. Can anyone give me some suggestions for casual restaurants in the region? I'm specifically looking for reasonably priced places, in any of the villages. I'd prefer to eat in small places where the locals might go. If anyone has experience with Fermes-Auberges, this info would be especially appealing. Also, if anyone has suggestions on any particular vineyards, or specialty food shops/producers, I want to do some shopping for local products. Thanks!

Just to clarify, the sales are set each year by the government. This summer, the sales began June 25th and are running until August 2nd. Most of the good stock has already been picked over, and the haute couture boutiques only run their sales for a week or so. However, if you are a serious shopper, you can still find some things for a real bargain as the prices go down further and further as the weeks go by. You can probably buy a fan in any Monoprix store. There is also BHV. They are likely to carry 50 different fans. August is HOT! Don't forget Paris Plage. I think it starts the 17th of July and runs for one month. Cheers,

Lou, Very interesting about the metro scent. I think they should increase the dosage! I've never experienced any large scale events around the neighborhood. I think the Tour will be the first in any kind of proximity. This is atypical, as the Tour usually doesn't begin in Paris. It's actually a special opportunity to see a historical event perhaps without the massive crowds which are always present at the finish on the Champs. The thing is, everyone crowds the Champs and I'm sure everyone will be crowding around the Eiffel Tower for the start, but if you get yourself somewhere along the route, say for instance the La Motte Piquet area, you are more likely to have a front row position than standing 5 deep with drunk Texans on the Champs.

Mark, While Louisa isn't a fan of the metro, I have to speak to the contrary...sorry Louisa I use the metro multiple times a day and while there are some inconveniences, like the increased scent in the summer, it's the best way around. Buses work well if you don't mind waiting and taking your time. Anyway...your choice. If you use the metro, go to Ecole Militaire, or better yet, take your morning stroll across the Champ du Mars and go to La Motte Piquet. You take the line 10 from there directly to Maubert Mutualite and the market is right at the exit. At 7am, you'll have no problem getting there and enjoying the area for a couple of hours. Getting to Montparnasse is a breeze too...either go back to La Motte Piquet and take the line 6 directly there, or walk over to Invalides and take the line 13 directly there. If you are taking the metro a lot, buy a carnet, which is a book of ten tickets and probably your best deal for 9,60 Have fun.

Mark, Just another thought. If you really like markets, besides the obvious one on Rue Cler itself, you can visit the market under the elevated metro on Blvd. La Motte Piquet. It runs under the metro between LaMotte Piquet and Dupleix. It's open on Weds and Sun. There are more non-food items on Wednesday. There is also a fabulous market on Avenue de Saxe from Place de Bretueil to Avenue de Segur. This one is on Thursdays and Saturdays. On Saturday, the choice of food products is some of the best in the city. These markets are close by to where you are staying. Oh yeah, one more, just across the river on Av. President Wilson. This one is on Wednesdays and Saturdays. It's a nice walk across the Pont D'A'lma, then up thru the market and you keep going to Trocadero for great views of the Eiffel Tower. Cheers,

Where is the Carmes Market? I've only heard of Maubert, Monge and Mouffetard in the 5th? If you are interested in oils, I can make another suggestion. Mille et Une Huiles Besides the high quality of the product, if you visit them at one of the markets, you can taste just about anything they have on offer which is great when buying oil. Here's a list of where you can find them. It's also on their site. Paris : - Marché de Bastille, boulevard Richard Lenoir, Paris 11° Every Sunday morning. de 8h à 13 heures métro Bréguet Sabin or Bastille This is one of the best markets in Paris as well...Huge!! - Marché de Maubert, place Maubert Mutualité, Paris V° Every Saturday morning de 8h à 13 h Métro Maubert Mutualité - Marché des Enfants Rouges, 39 rue de Bretagne, Paris 3° Every day 9h à 14 h et de 16 h à 20 h Sunday de 9h à 14 h, Closed Mondays Métro : Arts et Métiers ou Saint Sébastien Froissard - Printemps Nation, Avenue du Trône, Paris 20° Everyday except Sunday de 10h à 19h30 Thursday nights until 21 h You probably can't taste here. I love their Spanish oil. Check it out.

E. Dehillerin 18 r Coquilliere, 01.42.36.53.13 hours: Tues-Sat 8-6, Mon 8-12.30, 2-6 www.e-dehillerin.fr M.O.R.A. 13 r Monmartre, 01.45.08.19.24 hours : 8.30-5.45, closed at 12 on SAT

The official site: Tour de France Time and routes for the Paris Start

Mark, A couple of great (non-starred, just good cooking) places right near rue Cler would be the following: Cafe du Marche - Rue Cler -great lunch and people watching on the market street Le Comptoir du 7eme - at the Metro Ecole Militaire La Brunie - 29, rue Surcouf Le Florimond - 19, Av. de la Motte Piquet Le Clos des Gourmets - 16, av. Rapp Le Square - 31, rue Sainte Dominique (the other side of the Invalides from where you are staying) L'affriole - 17 rue Malar

Here is one slightly less cumbersome way to use accents directly in any windows based program. It's what the French use to convert when they are stuck with English keyboards. Go to Control Panels, then Regional Settings and click on the tab Input Locales. In the first box in the window, you can click add and select French (France) or (Quebec). When you install the France Locale, there will be a small blue box which appears on the lower right of your screen with the rest of the small icons you have there. You can now switch between English and French keyboards by holding Alt and Shift together. You will see the box change from EN to FR and vice versa. When you are in French mode, the keyboard thinks it's French. The tough part is that you can't see the actual keys! However, you can remember, or make a list of the common accents and their locations: é = 2 è = 7 ç = 9 à =0 ù = ' I still haven't been able to find the accent for the "o" in "a bientot" Hope that helps someone.

Try Le Comptoir du 7eme. This is a locals place at the Metro Ecole Militaire. It's packed every night. The menu is simple, but well prepared and extremely reasonable. They have big salads, including one of the best "chevre chaud". They also have a great confit de canard, poulet roti, and tartare. They are also open on Sunday. The only downside is that they've really kicked up the music volume at dinner. If you aren't into that, try lunch-time. Cheers, David