The France Thread

[wild_turkey 3159]

I guess the percentage of Americans could vary depending on the night, just like anywhere else. They have 2 seatings each night and we did the later seating. The restaurant is small and has ~10 tables. We sat off to the right side near the window where 3 tables were located. The other 2 tables near us were each couples who were clearly not American. I have no idea about the remaining ~7 tables, but I did not get the impression the restaurant was occupied primarily by Americans. The servers did speak enough English for us to comfortably make it through the meal without much confusion.

We ate at other nice restaurants in Paris including l'Astrance, but Frenchie is the one place we will definitely revisit on our next trip there.

[PenelopeWitherspoon 19100]

I guess the percentage of Americans could vary depending on the night, just like anywhere else. They have 2 seatings each night and we did the later seating. The restaurant is small and has ~10 tables. We sat off to the right side near the window where 3 tables were located. The other 2 tables near us were each couples who were clearly not American. I have no idea about the remaining ~7 tables, but I did not get the impression the restaurant was occupied primarily by Americans. The servers did speak enough English for us to comfortably make it through the meal without much confusion.
We ate at other nice restaurants in Paris including l'Astrance, but Frenchie is the one place we will definitely revisit on our next trip there.

How long ago did you go, by the way?

[G650 14242]

I'd recommend anyone who gets the chance to eat at Le Cinq once. Way, waaaay overpriced, but an memorable experience. As good of food as you will find anywhere too.

One place that is a little different and less modern is Brasserie Bofinger over by the Bastille. Alsatian food. Decor is straight Belle Epoque though.

[Onboard 2.0 9083]

2 minutes ago, G650 said:

I'd recommend anyone who gets the chance to eat at Le Cinq once. Way, waaaay overpriced, but an memorable experience. As good of food as you will find anywhere too.

One place that is a little different and less modern is Brasserie Bofinger over by the Bastille. Alsatian food. Decor is straight Belle Epoque though.

How very late 1900's that must be.  Must be over the top detailing everywhere I'd imagine  ?  A little nouveau goes a long way for me.

[wild_turkey 3159]

1 hour ago, PenelopeWitherspoon said:

2 hours ago, wild_turkey said:

We ate at other nice restaurants in Paris including l'Astrance, but Frenchie is the one place we will definitely revisit on our next trip there.

How long ago did you go, by the way?

Summer 2017.

[PenelopeWitherspoon 19100]

Summer 2017.

Right on. Different strokes for different folks. I mean, Astrance blew me away, and it's on my list to return to. But it didn't have the same impact on you.

 

[PenelopeWitherspoon 19100]

I'd recommend anyone who gets the chance to eat at Le Cinq once. Way, waaaay overpriced, but an memorable experience. As good of food as you will find anywhere too.
One place that is a little different and less modern is Brasserie Bofinger over by the Bastille. Alsatian food. Decor is straight Belle Epoque though.

Is Le Cinq the one that got that terrible review?

[G650 14242]

Just now, PenelopeWitherspoon said:

Is Le Cinq the one that got that terrible review?

No idea. The only pertinent news I've heard over the years is they went down to two stars for a couple years when they had a less than optimal chef, then got their third star back a couple years ago and the current chef is elite.

[wild_turkey 3159]

1 hour ago, PenelopeWitherspoon said:

Right on. Different strokes for different folks. I mean, Astrance blew me away, and it's on my list to return to. But it didn't have the same impact on you.

 

I really liked l'Astrance too, just not as much as I liked Frenchie.

l'Astrance had incredible food but the atmosphere and service seemed a little uptight. I went there for lunch and it seemed to be mostly business types, everyone wearing suits (myself included), very formal conversations with the servers, etc. They were extremely professional, but it felt like a business lunch that had incredible food. I sort of expect that from a restaurant with 3 Michelin stars, so I'm not really holding it against them, just saying how it was to me on that particular day.

Frenchie, on the other hand, also had incredible food but with a much more hospitable atmosphere. It was mostly couples who seemed to be on a date. The servers were professional but they were also jovial and had a way of presenting food and drinks that you couldn't help but smile or even laugh. Basically, they knew their food was awesome but they didn't take themselves too seriously. They wanted the dinner to be fun for us and it was.

I will make every effort to return to Frenchie the next time I visit Paris. I will likely visit another restaurant in the 3 star tier, but I doubt it will be l'Astrance since I've already tried it once.

Edited February 25, 2019 by wild_turkey

[wild_turkey 3159]

Thinking about going back to Paris later this year. Last time around we stayed at the Park Hyatt Vendome. We would probably be more interested in the Airbnb or VRBO route this time. Any suggestions for which neighborhoods to consider staying in?

[G650 14242]

20 hours ago, wild_turkey said:

Thinking about going back to Paris later this year. Last time around we stayed at the Park Hyatt Vendome. We would probably be more interested in the Airbnb or VRBO route this time. Any suggestions for which neighborhoods to consider staying in?

St Germaine would be my pick if going Airbnb route.

[PenelopeWitherspoon 19100]

Thinking about going back to Paris later this year. Last time around we stayed at the Park Hyatt Vendome. We would probably be more interested in the Airbnb or VRBO route this time. Any suggestions for which neighborhoods to consider staying in?

5th, 6th, or 7th Arrondissement would be my first choice (that includes St. Germain) and the Marais would be my second (3rd).

[South Austin 52453]

Wife and I are going to Paris with another couple April 25 through May 4.  We booked a flat on Ile St. Louis.  We have our restaurants mapped out, and this same group went to Paris in 2017, so we're pretty well versed on museums and shit like that.  Here's my question for the board:

May 1 is France's Labour Day, and it seems like a lot will be closed.  That's the one day we were looking to take a day trip, maybe Giverny (where Monet lived) or Auvers-sur-Oise (Van Gogh's stomping grounds).  Will most things be closed in those parts?  Anyone been to France during Labour Day? 

[Onboard 2.0 9083]

1 minute ago, South Austin said:

Wife and I are going to Paris with another couple April 25 through May 4.  We booked a flat on Ile St. Louis.  We have our restaurants mapped out, and this same group went to Paris in 2017, so we're pretty well versed on museums and shit like that.  Here's my question for the board:

May 1 is France's Labour Day, and it seems like a lot will be closed.  That's the one day we were looking to take a day trip, maybe Giverny (where Monet lived) or Auvers-sur-Oise (Van Gogh's stomping grounds).  Will most things be closed in those parts?  Anyone been to France during Labour Day? 

Does France really celebrate labor ?

[South Austin 52453]

3 minutes ago, Onboard 2.0 said:

Does France really celebrate labor ?

Yes, and America would too if we embraced the 20-hour work week.

[PenelopeWitherspoon 19100]

Wife and I are going to Paris with another couple April 25 through May 4.  We booked a flat on Ile St. Louis.  We have our restaurants mapped out, and this same group went to Paris in 2017, so we're pretty well versed on museums and shit like that.  Here's my question for the board: May 1 is France's Labour Day, and it seems like a lot will be closed.  That's the one day we were looking to take a day trip, maybe Giverny (where Monet lived) or Auvers-sur-Oise (Van Gogh's stomping grounds).  Will most things be closed in those parts?  Anyone been to France during Labour Day? 

 

 

I flew back on that day because EVERYTHING was closed. I'd imagine most places in the countryside are also closed. 

 

However, you might be in luck. Looks like Monet's House and Gardens are open on May 1. So you have that going for you.

 

 

[Neonmoon 38129]

anyone have any Dordogne recommendations or must see/do/stay?

 

[ramirezut 63]

Just got to Paris ast Thursday and having an incredible time with the wife.

Amazing food, great people watching (we're staying in Saint Germain) and very friendly Parisians for the most part. 

One more day tomorrow in Paris, then off to Burgandy then Nice.

 

Pics to come soon.

[ramirezut 63]

View from our hotel in Paris. Stayed in Saint Germain de Prés, right on the edge of the Latin Quarter. View from our hotel overlooked the Rue de Buci, filled with a bunch of restaurants and cafes below. It really got busy at around 11pm and crowds were out until at least 3am each night. 

First meal was a seafood bistro around the corner of our hotel. Mrs RamUT had the St. Pierre fish with asparagus and clams, while I had the salmon ceviche with papaya and ginger sauce:

After a late lunch we took a stroll to Jardin du Luxenbourg. Some great people watching. We brought a blanket and a bottle of wine and took a nap on the lawns. 

[PenelopeWitherspoon 19100]

FYI, your photos are not showing up for me.

[Onboard 2.0 9083]

Nice is one of my favorite places in the world.  Dinner at Chateau Eze if you can swing it.  Pricey, but not stupid expensive.  15th c. stone fortress perched on a shear cliff 500' above the Med, looking out over Cap Ferrat.  Make sure to hit the farmers market if you can, it's Tuesday mornings I believe.

Edited June 6, 2019 by Onboard 2.0

[ramirezut 63]

4 hours ago, Onboard 2.0 said:

Nice is one of my favorite places in the world.  Dinner at Chateau Eze if you can swing it.  Pricey, but not stupid expensive.  15th c. stone fortress perched on a shear cliff 500' above the Med, looking out over Cap Ferrat.  Make sure to hit the farmers market if you can, it's Tuesday mornings I believe.

Didn't get a chance to visit Eze (as everyone was telling us to). Just not enough time out there. Had we done it over, we would have spent a few less days in Paris and more days in Nice/Côte d'Azur. We spent pretty much a whole day at Paloma Beach on Cap Ferrat: 

[PittsburghTiger 6175]

At the beach in St. Tropez with the German cousins and we saw this at the beach today, all day. This is the best information I could find just with my phone.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/news/Russians-record-breaking-superyacht-revealed/

[ramirezut 63]

View from our hotel in Paris. Stayed in Saint Germain de Prés, right on the edge of the Latin Quarter. View from our hotel overlooked the Rue de Buci, filled with a bunch of restaurants and cafes below. It really got busy at around 11pm and crowds were out until at least 3am each night. 

First meal was a seafood bistro around the corner of our hotel. Mrs RamUT had the St. Pierre fish with asparagus and clams, while I had the salmon ceviche with papaya and ginger sauce:

After a late lunch we took a stroll to Jardin du Luxenbourg. Some great people watching. We brought a blanket and a bottle of wine and took a nap on the lawns. 

So realized, yea my photos weren't showing. Second try:

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

[ramirezut 63]

Nice is one of my favorite places in the world.  Dinner at Chateau Eze if you can swing it.  Pricey, but not stupid expensive.  15th c. stone fortress perched on a shear cliff 500' above the Med, looking out over Cap Ferrat.  Make sure to hit the farmers market if you can, it's Tuesday mornings I believe.

Some of the fun in Nice. Stayed at the Palais de la Méditerranée, off Prom de Anglais.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

[Onboard 2.0 9083]

5 hours ago, ramirezut said:

Some of the fun in Nice. Stayed at the Palais de la Méditerranée, off Prom de Anglais.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk
 

Niiiiiice,  Nice is nice.  Love the little sea side clubs, drinks, great little snacks,  but hate the actual beach with all the rocks.  Hope you got to do the farmers market. (Tuesdays I think).  We hit that little beach club in your last pic a couple days for mid afternoon lounging and drinks.

[ramirezut 63]

I feel you on the rocks. It was hard not buy some water shoes, but vendors were trying to sell those water shoes for €25.  F all that noise. 

The Farmer's market was fantastic, got some great picnic bites and bought the wife some flowers!

[Onboard 2.0 9083]

18 hours ago, ramirezut said:

I feel you on the rocks. It was hard not buy some water shoes, but vendors were trying to sell those water shoes for €25.  F all that noise. 

The Farmer's market was fantastic, got some great picnic bites and bought the wife some flowers!

Yep, we just hit it the last morning we were there. I could have spent a couple hours hanging out sampling everything.  The unbelievable colors, the array of different foods, drinks, juices, vegetables, candies, and fruits was amazing.

[4th and 5 4914]

Going to have about 48 hours in Paris with wife and two teens. Grateful for any restaurant recs and things to do. None of us have been there. Staying right by the Louvre. Trying to squeeze in as much as possible in what little time we have. Thanks in advance. 

[utee94 15805]

On 6/21/2019 at 11:32 AM, ramirezut said:

I feel you on the rocks. It was hard not buy some water shoes, but vendors were trying to sell those water shoes for €25.  F all that noise. 

The Farmer's market was fantastic, got some great picnic bites and bought the wife some flowers!

Yup, I always pack my water shoes when headed for the Riviera. It's beautiful, but those beaches suck ass.  

[ramirezut 63]

Going to have about 48 hours in Paris with wife and two teens. Grateful for any restaurant recs and things to do. None of us have been there. Staying right by the Louvre. Trying to squeeze in as much as possible in what little time we have. Thanks in advance. 

Bistrot Victories was a great little bistro near the Louvre --the wife and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

[52-80 19147]

4 hours ago, 4th and 5 said:

Going to have about 48 hours in Paris with wife and two teens. Grateful for any restaurant recs and things to do. None of us have been there. Staying right by the Louvre. Trying to squeeze in as much as possible in what little time we have. Thanks in advance. 

Les Climats pretty nice eatery on the upscale end.  Lavomatic is a speakeasy fronting as a laundromat...long as your teens have moustaches. 

[wild_turkey 3159]

Yup, I always pack my water shoes when headed for the Riviera. It's beautiful, but those beaches suck ass.  

St-Tropez has a nice sand beach.

[HenryJames 66038]

21 hours ago, 4th and 5 said:

Going to have about 48 hours in Paris with wife and two teens. Grateful for any restaurant recs and things to do. None of us have been there. Staying right by the Louvre. Trying to squeeze in as much as possible in what little time we have. Thanks in advance. 

Was this originally written as a telegram?

[PittsburghTiger 6175]

On 6/23/2019 at 12:19 AM, wild_turkey said:

 

St-Tropez has a nice sand beach.

 

Just spent 10 days there. Got home this past Friday. Pampelonne is a wonderful beach.

[sidis 9823]

Woot woot. 
 

https://www.routesonline.com/news/38/airlineroute/287106/norwegian-adds-paris-cdg-austin-service-from-may-2020/

[Vito Andolini 9124]

I saw the news about the non-stop flights, but then a little bit of research is showing some indicators Norwegian Air doesn’t have the best reputation (and I’m being kind). 

Anyone have personal experience? We don’t need elegant air service, just a carrier that doesn’t shit the bed with the fundamentals.

[thunderlounge 7813]

On 10/25/2019 at 1:52 PM, Vito Andolini said:

I saw the news about the non-stop flights, but then a little bit of research is showing some indicators Norwegian Air doesn’t have the best reputation (and I’m being kind). 

Anyone have personal experience? We don’t need elegant air service, just a carrier that doesn’t shit the bed with the fundamentals.

 

Reputation aside, I'd be more worried about their solvency and whether or not they will make it long enough to run your flight. Their financial foundation isn't great, and it's a bit of a risk, IMO. If everything goes well financially, be prepared for chaos if something breaks or there are irregular operations for weather as they have no partners to move people around. (Travel insurance, just sayin.)

Other than that, it's your typical ultra low carrier. Bring whatever you want/need for food/drinks, get all cramped up, pay for any extras, and eventually get there.

 

 

[Onboard 2.0 9083]

25 minutes ago, thunderlounge said:

 

 

Other than that, it's your typical ultra low carrier. Bring whatever you want, and eventually get there.

 

 

Or not.

[PenelopeWitherspoon 19100]

I saw the news about the non-stop flights, but then a little bit of research is showing some indicators Norwegian Air doesn’t have the best reputation (and I’m being kind). 

Anyone have personal experience? We don’t need elegant air service, just a carrier that doesn’t shit the bed with the fundamentals.

Why not fly BA to London (Direct from Austin) and then either connect there or take Eurostar? CDG is a fucking nightmare. It's also very far out of Paris. If paris is your destination, Eurostar drops you off at Gare du Nord, right in the middle of town.

 

[Pato del Muerto 52485]

Earlier this month, we put a couple of days in Paris in front of some work stops for my wife in Zurich and Frankfurt. 

So we flew delta from SLC to CDG. That’s a long damn flight. 

Stayed outside of Paris proper at La Défense in Puteaux, because we wanted a Hilton property that had rooms large enough for 4 and we know that some European hotels are very small. But the place is on a large train station, so it’s not a big deal to get into Paris using the metro. 

Then got on a train from Gare de Lyon to Zürich. 

Also, don’t fly out of Frankfurt unless you absolutely have to. The security is nuts. 

[BTW 370]

Bump.

Booked the Norwegian direct flights to/from AUS/CDG for this coming June.  I figure even if its no frills, can't be the <10 total travel time vs connecting once or twice.

Never been and the tentative plan is to do 3 days in Paris, then either Avignon for a couple of nights then three nights in Nice before a final night in Pairs before we head home.

Alternatively, we would go straight to Bordeaux for 3 nights, then 3 nights in Biarritz followed by three nights in Paris.

Does anyone have an opinion on one itinerary over the other or maybe just some pro/con thoughts.  It's the first trip for us both and we are just wanting a fairly rounded French experience.

[sidis 9823]

26 minutes ago, BTW said:

Bump.

Booked the Norwegian direct flights to/from AUS/CDG for this coming June.  I figure even if its no frills, can't be the <10 total travel time vs connecting once or twice.

Never been and the tentative plan is to do 3 days in Paris, then either Avignon for a couple of nights then three nights in Nice before a final night in Pairs before we head home.

Alternatively, we would go straight to Bordeaux for 3 nights, then 3 nights in Biarritz followed by three nights in Paris.

Does anyone have an opinion on one itinerary over the other or maybe just some pro/con thoughts.  It's the first trip for us both and we are just wanting a fairly rounded French experience.

both of those itineraries will be enjoyable but for a more "rounded" french experience, you will get a bit more diversity with itinerary 1.  i think you might enjoy splitting those three days in avignon with lyon. 

you may trade a day each from bordeaux and barritz to stay a day or two in the loire valley to "round" it out a bit more if you go with itinerary 2.

both would be a great trip.

Edited January 14, 2020 by sidis

[52-80 19147]

1 hour ago, BTW said:

Bump.

Booked the Norwegian direct flights to/from AUS/CDG for this coming June.  I figure even if its no frills, can't be the <10 total travel time vs connecting once or twice.

Never been and the tentative plan is to do 3 days in Paris, then either Avignon for a couple of nights then three nights in Nice before a final night in Pairs before we head home.

Alternatively, we would go straight to Bordeaux for 3 nights, then 3 nights in Biarritz followed by three nights in Paris.

Does anyone have an opinion on one itinerary over the other or maybe just some pro/con thoughts.  It's the first trip for us both and we are just wanting a fairly rounded French experience.

Avignon is a nice little walkable medieval town and a good contrast to Paris.  Bordeaux better served with a rental car and perhaps local guidance.  Biarritz is resortlike and not really representative of what I think is French.. do the first

[PenelopeWitherspoon 19100]

I skipped Avignon and did Arles when I was there in June 2018. I loved Arles and am itching to go back. Lots of really nice stuff close by as well, including Pont du Gard.

Let us know what you are interested in in Paris. On TOS, there were tons of Paris recs. Paris is probably one of my favorite places in the world. If feels like coming home everytime I visit. Just watch out for the protests.

[Txzen 498]

Avignon is great in and of itself, but it's also a convenient gateway to some truly spectacular bits in Provence - Gigondas (30min drive), lavender fields around Sault (1hr), the spectacular Vaison-le-Romain (1hr, go straight to the upper older medieval town). Not that he's my first choice, but Rick Steves has a nice circular driving/sightseeing tour in that area which is pretty spot on. Or you could get lost and find your own corner of heaven (Bedoin, Villes-sur-Auzon). Wander. Eat. Drink. 

[4th and 5 4914]

7 hours ago, BTW said:

Bump.

Booked the Norwegian direct flights to/from AUS/CDG for this coming June.  I figure even if its no frills, can't be the <10 total travel time vs connecting once or twice.

Never been and the tentative plan is to do 3 days in Paris, then either Avignon for a couple of nights then three nights in Nice before a final night in Pairs before we head home.

Alternatively, we would go straight to Bordeaux for 3 nights, then 3 nights in Biarritz followed by three nights in Paris.

Does anyone have an opinion on one itinerary over the other or maybe just some pro/con thoughts.  It's the first trip for us both and we are just wanting a fairly rounded French experience.

 

I’m sure I am in the minority here, but I would skip Paris and hit as many towns in the south of France as time allows.

Arles,, Uzes (Pont du Gard via canoeing the Gordon), Avignon, Nimes, the areas mentioned above in Provence and hit the Med at Cassis. The south of France is spectacular  

 

[DaysOff 7947]

You can't skip Paris if you've never been, but I'm aligned with Penelope. We're taking the kids there for spring break.

[PenelopeWitherspoon 19100]

You can't skip Paris if you've never been, but I'm aligned with Penelope. We're taking the kids there for spring break.

This. If it's your first time, you have to go to Paris. But the South of France is amazing.

[G650 14242]

Everything from the Riviera up through Provence and over to Haute Savoie right to the Swiss or Italian border is pretty awesome.