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Post by zona on May 23, 2011 17:53:05 GMT
Hello, I am new to the board but have perused through all the Paris threads with interest. I am especially loving all the photo essays by kerouac -- it has been great for giving me some ideas of "off the beaten track" places to visit!
My husband and I will be in Paris from July-Sept this year and we are renting an apartment in the Rue des Petits Carreaux, just above Rue Montorgueil. After seeing posts here and on other sites, I have high hopes for living in that area for a few months. I'm especially looking forward to having the shops near at hand and being able to have a nice local market a couple times a week. (I live in Arizona and the farmer's markets are sparse during the heat of summer). Does anyone have experience with the Petits Carreaux area of the street -- is it a busy area, or more residential? If anyone knows any specific places of note in that area (restaurants, shops, clubs w/live music, parks, pretty neighborhoods and so forth) I would love to hear about them.
Having seen kerouac's fantastic photo essay of the Promenade Plantee, I am looking forward to jogging or walking there -- it looks beautiful. Are there other places in or near the 2nd where one can jog or walk for exercise without encountering too much traffic? Is that sort of thing done in the Tuilleries garden, for example?
So looking forward to hearing from everyone, and hopefully contributing some photo essays of my own to the board once we get to Paris.
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Post by Deleted on May 23, 2011 19:23:41 GMT
Thanks for your comments. The Petits Carreaux area is fine, and you will almost certainly enjoy it very much. No problem finding street markets in the center of Paris -- all of them operate 2 days a week, but it is probably more important to know that the market streets (with normal food shops there every day) operate 6 days a week (well, only until 13:30 on Sunday, but that should be enough).
Petits Carreaux itself is rather calm, but generally you only need to move a block or two to find more activity.
I'm sure you'll have a great time.
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Post by mich64 on May 23, 2011 23:30:17 GMT
Hello zona, how fortunate for you to be spending the summer in Paris. I do hope your accomodations have air conditioning to make your evening and sleeping comfortable.
I do not know very much of the area that you are staying but I am sure other members will have contributions for you.
I look forward to seeing your posts and hopefully pictures! We will be arriving in Paris in September.
Welcome and Cheers!
Mich
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Post by bjd on May 24, 2011 13:40:17 GMT
Mich, I don't understand the North American craving for air conditioning. I can think of many Julys in Paris where it has been cold and raining. Despite the occasional warm year, the Parisian climate is not one that usually needs air conditioning. And I think most rental apartments don't have it. Where I live the climate is generally hotter than that in Paris and very few people have air conditioning.
Zona, lots of people jog and walk in the Tuileries.
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Post by mich64 on May 24, 2011 17:08:49 GMT
bjd I think my explanation for liking airconditioning is that where I am from, we have such extreme difference in the climate between our winter and our summer, that we do not climatize well. Four months ago it was -30C and this past weekend it was 30C. I was so thankful that we had just had our unit installed after 12 years without. I had 8 people for dinner and along with hormonal hot flashes it becomes unbearable, the airconditioning helped immensely.
I would think you are accustomed to your more moderate climate, so if it gets a little warmer, your bodies adjust easier than ours. Do you think this is possible?
Being the poster was from Arizona, I believe she comes from a dry heat and Paris is more of a humid heat.
Cheers,
Mich
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Post by Deleted on May 24, 2011 17:33:30 GMT
This is a big debate on a lot of the travel sites -- the need for air conditioning in Paris in the summer. Generally, most Americans think that air conditioning is indispensable. Australians completely disagree. Other nationalities have varied opinions, but most people from tropical countries do not believe that it is necessary even if they themselves live in air conditioned surroundings.
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Post by bjd on May 24, 2011 18:13:29 GMT
Mich -- I understand that humid heat is harder to put up with but it just seems to me that people in North America tend to overdo it -- like sleeping with warm blankets and air conditioning in summer. It does get very hot here in summer, but most people deal with it by closing their shutters when the sun is shining in, or using ceiling fans.
And as I said, I have been in Paris on many occasions in July and more often than not, it has been crappy and raining. There is an occasional hot year (2003 comes to mind), but it's generally not bad and certainly doesn't require installing air conditioning.
My other great complaint about air conditioning is that in cities stores are freezing inside and the sidewalks are horribly hot because of the air conditioners blasting out heat, people sitting in parked cars with their windows closed, air conditioning on and heat coming out of the car. It makes for very unpleasant walking around.
I guess we do get used to heat/cool depending on where we live. When I return to Canada in spring or fall, the Canadians are out in shorts and t-shirts and I have a jacket on. To me, 15° is not t-shirt weather. On the other hand, up to 30° is fine -- I find it's hot above that.
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Post by mich64 on May 24, 2011 19:53:52 GMT
bjd, I think in spring when it is 10C - 15C it feels so good to us after so many months at -20C or colder that is why we quickly put on the shorts/capris and keep them on into the fall because we know what is to come.
I only need airconditioning when it is above 26C or so. I am quite comfortable sleeping with just a sheet and the windows open at night. I like to listen to the loons on the lake. We do not get above 26C many days of the summer here, but when we do I am happy to put on the A/C. Strangely enough we have been getting really warm weeks in May the last few years, like I said 30C the other day! Extremely unusual. I also have to admit my hot flashes appreciate the A/C in the vehicle. All a matter of personal needs I guess.
Cheers,
Mich
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Post by bjd on May 24, 2011 19:57:58 GMT
I think in spring when it is 10C - 15C it feels so good to us after so many months at -20C or colder that is why we quickly put on the shorts/capris and keep them on into the fall because we know what is to come.
Mich -- that's exactly what my sister says!
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Post by mich64 on May 24, 2011 20:12:10 GMT
Well, we both cannot be wrong!  Cheers! Mich |
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Post by zona on May 24, 2011 20:35:03 GMT
Wow, thanks everyone for your comments. Quite the debate about air conditioning! We really didn't consider it a requirement, and it is not listed on the apartment's amenities so I am sure it doesn't have it. I think it will be okay for us, even if it is more humid than AZ. We spent several years aboard a sailboat in the Caribbean and did fine with the heat/humidity for the most part (although some of that may have been because we could just jump off the side into the water). I am hoping the weather while we are there will run the gamut from "crappy and raining" (as mentioned by bjd  ) to sunny and fair. I plan to pack a versatile and "fashionable" wardrobe (based on kerouac2's diligent research ;D ) so that I'll be prepared. Honestly, we will just be happy to get away from the summer weather here which can be rated "sauna" at best and "oven" at worst. I am glad to hear that the Rue des Petits Carreaux can be considered calm, that might mean we could leave the windows open at night for ventilation. I was concerned we might be across the street from a nightclub or something! |
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Post by bjd on May 25, 2011 7:38:02 GMT
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Post by zona on May 25, 2011 17:15:05 GMT
Thank you bjd, that was a very useful link! I see a boulangerie and fromagerie downstairs, as well as a pharmacy and Marche U across the street. For a suburban-dweller like me this will be a fantastic change of pace from having to get in the car to do the shopping. Looking forward to getting a taste of city life (and a taste of fresh bread and cheese!).
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Post by lagatta on Jun 5, 2011 11:10:40 GMT
Relatively few people here in Montréal have air conditioning - perhaps in high apartment blocks or modern condos, but I know practically nobody who has it. That is a huge amount of energy consumption - I try to find more environmentally-friendly ways of staying cool for the very, very few hot muggy days.
It is true that I'll probably put on sandals at cooler temps than people in southern France. I don't wear shorts in the city, but it is a happy day when I can put on a skirt without tights or leggings!
What a pity that Phoenix is such a mess of sprawl that people can't walk to do their daily shopping. In the coming decades this planning will have to change.
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Post by zona on Jun 6, 2011 0:06:12 GMT
Lagatta, a few years back I worked in Montréal and loved it. I was there from January to June and really experienced the full range of weather! I loved the underground part of the city especially during the cold months, and really enjoyed the walkability to everything -- it's one of my favorite places.
The city of Phoenix is very much a product of the post-automobile, post-air conditioning era. Nearly every home here has air conditioning, although I did once live in a house with "swamp cooling" installed which works okay in the drier hotter months but not during the humid summer monsoon season. Unfortunately a car is a necessity to live here comfortably due to the sprawl. I have on several occasions walked to my nearest grocery store to shop (it is a mile and a half away), but it is not something I'd attempt once the temps are above 100 degrees (37 celsius).
So I am looking forward to being car-free in Paris. It will be such a nice change to be able to use the Metro to get around! I'm wondering what Parisians find most cost-effective: buying a carnet and using the tickets as needed, or buying a monthly Navigo Mois pass? I guess I would need to do the math and figure out which makes the most sense for us. We will be there for ten weeks.
On another note, has anyone attended one of the weekly organ recitals at St. Eustache? It sounds like something I'd like to check out but wondering if anyone has any opinion?
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Post by Deleted on Jun 6, 2011 3:50:17 GMT
Working Parisians generally have a Navigo pass, but people who don't work can sometimes go for days without taking public transportation. It all depends on how much you plan to be moving around every day.
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Post by bjd on Jun 6, 2011 7:18:15 GMT
I was about to answer the same thing as Kerouac. I wouldn't invest in any kind of pass until you see how much you will actually need to take the subway or buses. I find Paris a particularly walkable city, so you may spend lots of time walking from one place to another instead of going a couple of stops on the metro.
I usually spend a week at a time in Paris, and rarely use up a full carnet of 10 tickets.
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tallyhotravel
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It is my goal to live many lives in one lifetime.
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Post by tallyhotravel on Jun 6, 2011 8:16:01 GMT
Hi zona. As an American who lives in an area which necessitates both a car and air-conditioning, I can tell you not needing both of those is a big part of why I love being in Paris every summer. I've rented apts. with and without a/c, and the one I'm in at the moment does not have it. As this summer seems to be warmer earlier (to me at least), on the third day I went to Castorama and bought a floor stand oscillating fan for 18€. Perfect!
As for the metro, Paris' fabulous public transportation system is something I take full advantage of. While walking is a treat, I don't hesitate to hop the bus or the subway to get around. When I'm here for long periods, I charge my Navigo, whether for a week or a month. It is worth the money to me to know no matter where I am or the time of day or night, if I need a lift, I'm covered with my Navigo.
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Post by zona on Jul 4, 2011 14:14:27 GMT
My husband and I have been in Paris a week and I have enjoyed having a home base as an apartment rather than a hotel. We have been trying to do a walk a day. So far: Rue du Bac, Ile St. Louis/Ile de la Cite, parts of St. Germain and the Latin Quarter, and Parc de Bercy. We also went to the Louvre yesterday, just to see what it would be like on free entry day (1st Sunday of the month). At 9:15am the line at the Pyramid entrance stretched all the way into the Cour Carree but we just skated on in through the Porte des Lions. There was literally no one in line at that entrance.  The Mona Lisa was mobbed as expected but the rest of the museum was surprisingly uncrowded. Also went to the museum of the Moyen Age and really enjoyed the way the exhibits were put together there. Student docents were on hand answering questions and providing additional information in several languages, which was great. I would recommend it to anyone. I have been putting all my photos on Picasa and trying to figure out how to upload some of them here. Until I figure that out, here is a link to our personal blog if anyone is interested. I am a few days behind writing the posts, but I plan to write something or post photos there daily for the next 8 weeks. saltscape.blogspot.com/Btw for any music lovers, we did attend one of the pipe organ recitals at the 16th century St. Eustache church near Les Halles and it was very good. The recitals are held on Sundays at 5:30pm and are free. They only last half an hour, and there is ample time to skedaddle if you are not interested in attending the 6pm Mass that follows. |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 4, 2011 14:33:59 GMT
Of course we are interested in your blog! (but I'll look at it later -- I have to run out right now)
The Porte des Lions is a great secret entrance, but it doesn't last too long. The Louvre security people come and herd a hundred of so people out of the main line from time to time and send them over there.
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Post by bixaorellana on Jul 4, 2011 16:24:27 GMT
This is such enjoyable and informative reading, Zona -- thanks! I have been putting all my photos on Picasa and trying to figure out how to upload some of them here. Until I figure that out, here is a link to our personal blog if anyone is interested. That is a lovely, interesting blog. Of course we are greedy to have your pictures here, too! Please check your private messages. I've written you about posting Picasa photos on this forum. |
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) to sunny and fair. I plan to pack a versatile and "fashionable" wardrobe (based on kerouac2's diligent research ;D ) so that I'll be prepared. Honestly, we will just be happy to get away from the summer weather here which can be rated "sauna" at best and "oven" at worst.
The Mona Lisa was mobbed as expected but the rest of the museum was surprisingly uncrowded. Also went to the museum of the Moyen Age and really enjoyed the way the exhibits were put together there. Student docents were on hand answering questions and providing additional information in several languages, which was great. I would recommend it to anyone.
