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

Thank you Marina for sharing with us! I'm excited to try the mushroom recipe. The flavors sound exquisite. I was wondering if you have come across any restaurants in Paris serving traditional cuisine from the region?

Regarding taxis, when I first moved to paris almost 5 years ago, I wanted the low down on all sorts of things, as you might imagine. I asked the French guys in my office about tipping taxi drivers. The Director of Sales told me you give them nothing. And if you feel like it, you can round up on the change, which still amounts to nothing. I've usually abided by this advice and only tipped 1 or 2 euros for an airport trip, if the driver takes me on a direct route! I think the reason the drivers thank you so gracefully when you tip them is because they aren't used to getting tips. Another thing I've noticed is that some drivers expect tips from Americans, and get frustrated when you don't tip them. I don't believe in double standards, so I act French.

Interesting Article/Interview Pierre Hermé: Turning pastries into works of art

Update. While trying to obtain reservations for friends this morning, I found out a couple of things which might be of interest to the group. They only start taking reservations at 10am. I believe someone had mentioned 9am in a previous post. The restaurant will be closed for vacation 1-12 May.

In today's free Metro newspaper, there is a two page spread on Robuchon and the new restaurant. He wanted to have it open on Monday, April 7. That's his birthday. BUT, it's not going to happen. Nevertheless, he hopes it's open by the end of the month.

A couple of articles from www.parlerparis.com: *** OUR READERS ASK IS IT SAFE TO TRAVEL TO PARIS? "Due to the current war situation and the French position on the US led war we are concerned that our visit may not be all it can be. I am writing to you to find out your thoughts on our coming and if indeed we may have a few extra problems from the French. I am very concerned about not having a good time." Katie K. "No matter what country we go to, we always just "blend in." But I wanted to know just how is American acceptance now that "war" has started? Do you have any advice for us as we are not going to cancel our trip since we've been planning it for over a year now and we love France!" Jeff 'n' Di L. "We are concerned about anti American sentiment due to the miliary action being taken. Could you please advise of the current feelings toward Americans and if we should consider postponing our trip." Keitha P. "My wife and I are taking a group of high school students to France in June. Parents are concerned with the potential problems which might arise because of the problems in the world. There are rumors of the French being hostile towards Americans because of our President's position on Iraq. Please give me some insight into how my students will be greeted if we are allowed to proceed with our trip. Thank you for any information you can provide." Jerry K. * DEAR PARLER PARIS READER, I offer you my own PERSONAL findings and feelings as well as (bleow) of others of whom you should have high regard (see the statement from Patrick Goyet and article by columnist Dave Barry). I do not live in an isolated American world in Paris. Every day I do business with the French community, deal with the merchants in my own very French "quartier," meet several times a week with an international group of people at the Parler Parlor conversation group and socialize with French friends. In the almost nine years I have lived in Paris, I have never known anyone to mistake the policies of the American government and of the president with Americans as PEOPLE -- not before and not now. I have never been mistreated by anyone because of my nationality (quite obvious by my accent if not by my dress). I have never been mistreated by anyone because of my religion. Our French compatriots have been nothing but sympathetic of the disaster and loss from the attack on the World Trade Center and other U.S. monuments on September 11th. They felt our pain and they expressed it openly and genuinely. They understand the American interest to vindicate this loss. They understand that we have a president elected by less than the majority, as they have one who was elected by default. They know the acts of terrorism from a first hand basis. They know the ravages of war from a first hand basis. They live side by side with a Muslim community and they understand the possible consequences of unbridled aggression. They try not to be fearful nor to instill fear to cause unrational impulsive reaction. The anti-France sentiment displayed by the U.S. with such gestures as to have "French fries" be removed from all restaurant menus in the three House of Representative office buildings and be replaced with "freedom fries" is an insulting and infantile act, if not a hostile one. So, if you tell me that you have "heard rumors of the French being hostile towards Americans because of our President's position on Iraq," then remind yourself that these are just RUMORS, coming from the same people who have been hostile toward the French for the French government's position on war with Iraq. Do not be afraid to travel here! You WILL NOT find any displays of hostility from anyone just because you are an American. Of course, should YOU show disdain toward THEM, I cannot say how they might respond. R-E-S-P-E-C-T. Find out what it means to me...a little respect, oh yeah, just a little bit. Aretha, thanks for these important words for us to remember and live by. Adrian * Patrick Goyet, Director U.S.A., French Government Tourist Office wrote on March 14th in his newsletter, mailto:newsletter@francetourism.com: DEAR E-NEWS READER, In light of the current situation with Iraq and the different positions of the American and French governments, I wish to take this opportunity to address certain concerns you may have about traveling to France. I would first like to emphasize that Americans have always been and will always be welcome in France. Since the late 1940s it is estimated that 35 million Americans, over 12% of the U.S. population, have already come to France at least once in their lifetime. I am certain that a few American visitors will be asked about the U.S. Administration's policy on Iraq out of concern and a genuine wish to understand. But if indeed, as has recently been reported, there have been some unpleasant encounters, I strongly believe that they were few and far between. Speaking as a Frenchman and for the overwhelming majority of my fellow countrymen, I consider any such behavior embarrassing, offensive and ultimately very ignorant. We believe that travel is about people meeting people to better know and understand each other. In the end, there is much more that brings us together than what divides us. In life it is not the similarities that enrich us but rather the differences. We look forward to demonstrating our true hospitality and friendship on your next visit. * I also urge you to tickle your funny bone with Dave Barry's poignant view of the tension between the U.S. and France:http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/living/columnists/dave_barry/5398886.htm * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * TO READ MORE: Go to http://www.parlerparis.com * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Couple of points of clarification: It's not the French who are clueless about Indian food. The only people working in the Indian and Pakistani restaurants are Indian or Pakistani. Why wouldn't you want to eat ethnic food in France? Those of us who live here like variety as I'm sure you do in London, New York or wherever. I would fall off my chair laughing if you told me the only thing worth eating in London was British food. We have an amazing amount of variety here when it comes to cuisine. I've tried to push this point before, so I won't harp on it.

fresh, it's really difficult. my first advice to most people who want Indian is to send them to London. i haven't found anything in Paris that can compare to what's on offer in London, especially in the high-end category. i took a look at the Dip site. if you want something casual, with the usual fare, try this place: L'Etoile du Kashmir, 63, rue de Charonne. the service is good, the food is good, and the area is cool to walk around and go out. there is a lot happening on the rue de Charonne and vicinity. i went to a Hookah bar afterwards...can't remember the name or address..but a fun way to let your indian dinner digest. for really good indian...i think it's still london. have you ever eaten at any of the places in Passage Brady? I think that's the Indian Street in Paris. Cheers

Here are two of my favorites near your place: Le Repaire de Cartouche 8, Boulevard des Filles-du-Calvaire 01 47 00 25 86 Metro: St. Sebastien Froissart This is a quaint French bistro. It was written up a while back as one of the new hot bistros in Paris. The downstairs part of the restaurant (ask for a table "sous-sol" when you reserve) has a great atmosphere, and the food is excellent. Here's a link to an article written in January in the Intl Herald Tribune, Patrica Wells: Le Repaire de Cartouche Au C'Amelot, 50 Rue Amelot, Paris 11; tel: 43-55-54-04. No credit cards. Closed Saturday and Sunday. Here is a link to a very old Patricia Well's article. http://www.iht.com/IHT/DINE/pw0308.html It's also written up in the March issue of Paris Notes if you have access to that publication. Let me know what you think if you decide to go. Also, there is an exhibit on the Titanic at Cite de la Science. Your son might like it. http://www.cite-sciences.fr/francais/ala_c...anic/index.html

Voila: http://www.viamichelin.com/