Secrets of Paris

IN THIS ISSUE:

* Win Crazy Horse Tickets This Tuesday at WH Smith Paris
* Dining Reviews: Japanese Noodles, Cheap Breakfast, and a Typical French Bistro
* Expat Health Insurance Recommendation
* Grand Reopening of the Forum des Images at Les Halles
* Holiday Gifts from the Paris Métro
* Holiday Bottles of Bubbly (and Water)
* Paris for the Armchair Traveler
* Christmas Markets in Paris
* Giving Back at the Holidays
* Secrets of Paris Tour Special for Newsletter Readers
* A Bit of Paris in San Francisco
* Gold in Them Archives
* Secrets of Paris Blog & Calendar
* Where to Find Naughty Paris
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* To Change Your Address or Unsubscribe, read this...

* From Heather’s Desk *
I just returned to Paris after a month touring for the Naughty Paris Guide in the United States, enjoying all of my favorite Americana – Halloween, presidential election excitement, Whole Foods, Philadelphia cheese steaks, tomato pie...I would have done more shopping except my timing was off: the exchange rate between the Euro and Dollar has actually gone back to $1.28 for €1 after peaking at $1.59 in July. But this is very good news for travelers amidst the doom-and-gloom economic news. Airline tickets have gone down, and there are some great deals out there if you’d like to get away. Paris has welcomed me back with chilly temperatures and the beautiful holiday lights decorating each neighborhood. I’ll be updating the Secrets of Paris blog throughout the month of December with holiday ideas for Christmas and New Year’s Eve events in Paris, starting here with a listing of the Marchés de Noël. Happy Holidays!

* Win Crazy Horse Tickets This Tuesday at WH Smith Paris *
Join me for complimentary wine and a chance to win two tickets to the Crazy Horse Cabaret (a value of €160) this Tuesday, December 2, at WH Smith Paris (248 rue de Rivoli, 75001, metro Concorde) where I’ll be giving a talk and book signing for the Naughty Paris Guide (www.naughtyparisguide.com). The event starts at 7:30pm and is free, but space is limited so please RSVP at books@whsmith.fr.

* Dining Reviews: Japanese Ramen, Breakfast, and a French Bistro *
The latest updates to the Paris Dining Reviews in the Secrets of Paris Resource Guide include Williams Café & Cocktail, an update to the BC (Black Calavados) review, a tasty Japanese noodle bar near Palais Royal, a typical French bistro and wine bar, and cozy dining in the oldest house in Paris.

* Expat Health Insurance Recommendation *
I’m in the French health care system (one of the benefits of paying French taxes), but many expats who live in France need to arrange for their own overseas healthcare plan. One of the loyal Secrets of Paris readers who has been living in Paris now for a few years sent this recommendation to me this week: “Found a new insurance company (they are based in Belgium and now have an office in Paris) that offers great policies for everyone students, visitors, embassy people and SENIORS (really amazing to find coverage for the group from 65-80!), It can be for 3, 6,9 months or longer and one of the policies INCLUDES coverage in the States.” The company is Vanbreda International - Global Solutions (15 rue Taitbout, 75009 Paris, tel: +33 1 73 02 89 83). Ask for Alex Tran, the Sales Manager for France.

* Grand Reopening of the Forum des Images at Les Halles *
For the past three years the Forum des Images (at the Forum des Halles, Porte St-Eustache) has been undergone massive renovations. Sponsored by the City of Paris, this cultural center focuses on the world of cinema, with over 4000 films a year, themed festivals, and a unique cinema library (the “Salle des Collections “) with a collection of every film ever made in or about Paris. One of the coolest features is the Petit Salon, where you and your friends can watch any of the films in the collection for just €15 in a mini cinema which seats 7 people. The free open house is December 5-7, with films such as Batman Returns, Manhattan by Woody Allen, The Apartment by Billy Wilder, On the Town with Gene Kelly and Frank Sinantra, and the cult classic Santa Sangre by Alejandro Jodorowsky in the presence of the director. The first festival is the New York Cycle, with the participation of director James Gray December 12-14.

* Holiday Gifts from the Paris Métro *
Looking for an original Paris-themed gift for that special Francophile on your life? Nothing says “Paris” like the Métro, and you’ll find all sorts of gifts and gadgets at the boutique “Métro et Bus Paris, Objets du Patrimoine” (in the Châtelet-Les Halles RER station, near the exit to the “Place Carré"). There are umbrellas, watches, boxer shorts, t-shirts, tea towels, pens, notebooks, toys, coffee mugs and books all about the Paris Métro. The coolest gadget by far is the new “Easymetros,” a small cell phone-like tool that helps you find the fastest route along the Paris public transit system. Just punch in the name of the station you’re in and the station you want to get to, and it tells you (out loud) and displays on the screen the best route and how long it will take. The tool works in French and English, and costs €30 (more info at www.easymetros.com). The boutique is open Mon-Fri 10am-7pm. You can also order online, but it’s in French only.

* Holiday Bottles of Bubbly (and Water) *
Every holiday season, the big Champagne houses offer a bling bling special edition of their bottles which make pretty swanky gifts. This year, Moët & Chandon let you decorate your bottle with Swarovski crystals (there are pre-made holiday greetings or you can make it say what you want) for €65 (75cl) and €120 (magnum 150cl) available at the Champagne Bar at Galeries Lafayette Haussmann. There are also limited edition bottles decorated by famous designers, “coffret” box sets, and decorative ice buckets for all of the big Champagne brands at any major wine shop (my favorite, besides my neighborhood “cave,” is Lavinia, a huge wine store at 3 blvd Madeleine, 8^th). Of course, if you’re on more of a water budget, all of the French water brands have their own “Holiday Edition” bottles that are usually quite pretty, including Evian and Perrier. If you don’t want to seem like a total cheapskate, buy the Champagne of bottled water, Chateldon, available at Hédiard, Fauchon, Bon Marché’s Grand Epicerie, and Nicolas wine shops.

* France for the Armchair Traveler *
For those who want to dream while waiting to book their next trip to Paris, a subscription to France Magazine makes a great gift. And there are TWO different ones for different budgets:

The first is “France Magazine: the best of culture, travel & art de vivre” (www.francemagazine.org), produced four times per year by the French Embassy of the United States. It’s a very upscale, informative magazine, “Since 1985, sophisticated Americans have relied on France Magazine for authoritative coverage of French travel destinations, society, business and culture.” You’ll even occasionally see a freelance article by yours truly. ;) Gift subscriptions are $19.97 ($29.97 for two years).

The second is “France: Britain and North America’s best-selling magazine about France” (www.francemag.com). I have also written for them as a freelancer. Their articles tend to be more practical for people who own (or would like to own) property in France. Their online forum is quite active. Subscriptions in the UK are £19.99 for 12 issues, and overseas subscriptions are £80.00 (that’s not a typo).

Finally, if you want to get some free info on France in print, visit the Maison de la France (www.maisondelafrance.com, the official website of the French Government Tourist Office) where you can order the annual France Guide Magazine (or read it online). They also have free guides to wine touring, Jewish France, Gay France, regional guides, and a driving guide. Just click on “Publications” to find the list of available reading material. And don’t be surprised if you find my articles in there, too!

* Christmas Markets in Paris *
Every year there are little Christmas villages set up around Paris with regional gourmet foods, handcrafted gifts, hot wine, and sometimes Père Noël for les enfants.

Here are a few major ones:

- Avenue des Champs Elysées (on the Place de la Concorde end)

- At the Gare de Montparnasse, 6th

- At the Gare St-Lazare, 9th

- Outside the Eglise St-Germain-des-Près, 6th

- Outside the Eglise St-Sulpice, 6th

- At the Maison du Limousin (30 rue Caumartin, 9^th, Metro Opera) from Dec 1-27, open Mon-Fri 9am-6:30pm, Sat 2-7pm.

- At the Village St-Paul (Metro St Paul or Pont Marie), Dec 5 from 2-8pm, Dec 6-7 from 9am-8pm.

- At the Parvis de La Défense (Metro/RER La Défense Grande Arche) from Nov 26-Dec 28, this is the largest Christmas Market in the Paris region, with 350 chalets. The skyscraper setting my not be cozy, but you’re sure to find something original here. Open Sun-Fri 11am-7:30pm, Saturdays 9:30am-8pm. And if you’re chilly, the Quatre Temps shopping mall is right there.

I’ll be adding more to the Secrets of Paris Blog.

* Giving Back at the Holidays *
If you’re going to send real cards instead of ecards for the holidays, consider buying them from your local charity. In France, you can purchase them from Handicap International, who also sell their Sac à Sapin every year for your Christmas trees. Find their holiday catalog online at www.boutique-solidaire.com.

If you see any Green Santas (Père Noël Vert) around Paris during the holidays, they are volunteers with the aid agency Secours Populaire Français collecting new toys to redistribute for the holidays to families in need. They will also wrap your Christmas presents for a donation.

The Croix Rouge (Red Cross France) sells holiday cards outside most shopping centers in France and special edition postage stamps at all post offices. See their catalog here: www.donnez-un-sens-a-vos-voeux.com.

The “Ruban Rose” sports bra by Shock Absorber is a pink sports bra introduced in October, with €5 of every bra sold through December 31 going towards the French Breast Cancer Association. Available at 3 Suisses and Galeries Lafayette Haussmann. 

* Secrets of Paris Tour Special for Newsletter Readers *
The price of Secrets of Paris custom tours haven’t gone up in three years, but the exchange rate has. To thank all of you for your loyalty during these financially tight times, I’m offering a free half day orientation tour with every full day custom tour sold before January 1, 2009 (the tour must take place before January 1, 2010). So you save 300 euros, and you get to spend an extra half day learning about all of the secrets of the City of Light with yours truly. For details, email Heather at secretsofparis@gmail.com. Read about my custom tours and vacation planning services.

* A Bit of Paris in San Francisco *
Terrance Gelenter of Paris Through Expatriate Eyes will be giving his Paris Report at Books, Inc (2251 Chestnut Street, San Francisco) on December 13. There will be cheese, wine, hourly raffles for free dinners in Paris and Parisian boutique gift certificates. Meet Paris authors such as Cara Black, and see others via video such as Diane Johnson, John Baxter and Heather Stimmler-Hall (you can see my short interview blurb here) For reservations and info email terrance@paris-expat.com

* Gold in Them Archives! *
Browse the Secrets of Paris Archives for more holiday and money saving tips! 

* Secrets of Paris Blog & Calendar *
Don’t forget to have a peek at my blog, where you’ll find news and photos from Paris and the latest news around town. The calendar has just been updated for December as well, don’t miss any of the great events.

* Where to find Naughty Paris *
You can now find the Naughty Paris Guide at American and Canadian bookstores (just ask if you don’t see it, they can usually get a copy faster than Amazon can send it), at every major online bookseller, and in Paris at Brentano’s, WH Smith, Abbey Bookshop, George V Four Seasons Gift Shop, The Five Hotel, Yoba Boutique, and the Yoba Luxury Lingerie stand at Printemps Haussmann.

* Are you on the list? *
If you’ve been getting this newsletter forwarded from a friend, please consider subscribing yourself. It’s free, and all you have to do is enter your e-mail address in the box at: http://www.secretsofparis.com/subscribe.htm. The benefit? You’ll get your own copy sent directly to your inbox every month, and I’ll have a better idea of how many of you are actually reading. Thanks! –Heather

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Please send all comments and questions to: secretsofparis@gmail.com

Secrets of Paris Newsletter is written and maintained by Heather Stimmler-Hall, copyright 2008, and may only be reproduced with written permission.