Other French cities

[Sarastro]

Might there be some interest into expanding the general scope of this forum to included other French cities in addition to Paris?

[luckyluc]

Bonjour Sarastro, Yes why not!

I will be leaving for Germany next week but when I return I will definetely write a blog entry about a charming little town named Verneuil sur Avre in Normandy. A very dear friend of mine live there and I had the chance to visit it often.

[Becky (Berkeleytravelers)]

Perhaps there could be a general "France" section (for other areas, as well as cities) that ultimately might have subtopics as it expands?

[luckyluc]

Great idea. That can easily be done.

[Becky (Berkeleytravelers)]

COPY OF "PARIS HOTELS" posting:

This is a site I have used several times to find and reserve hotels (you can use it for cities all over France, but I have used for Paris). It is possible to sort by area, by number of stars, etc., and has good interactive functions. www.francehotelreservation.com/

[holger]

;D


Would be delighted to have an Other French Cities/Areas site. I have been to Lyon and Dijon as of last June along with the return to Paris. This August September will be in the Loire, the Dordogne and Provence with a return to Lyon on the way back to Paris.

[cybee]

Yes, I think that would be a fine idea also (i.e. adding an "other French cities/areas" category) (yes, perhaps under a general "France section" as suggested above)! The only other place in France that I would personally know about is Biarritz, but I would be happy to share my experiences/ thoughts thereof that I am able! It would also be fun to read about other French places (for purposes of future trips!) .

[GitteK]

I have found this link to the most beautiful villages in France (or that's what they claim). I doubt if I will ever make it out to the villages beyond the Périphérique....

www.villagesdefrance.free.fr/page_gerberoy.htm

[Becky (Berkeleytravelers)]

Gitte -- I hope at some point you will have a long enough vacation to give some other areas a try (not necessarily as an alternative to Paris, but as a lovely "add-on" to a trip). They are of course very different from Paris, but also are very much a part of the culture (consider that even Parisians seem to be very strongly attached to whatever roots they have in the countryside). There are many wonderful villages in France, in all different areas (check out the web site for "Les Plus Beaux Villages de France": www.les-plus-beaux-villages-de-france.org/

(BTW: did you read any of the "here she comes" thread on TA? The experiences recounted there pretty much sum up my own thoughts.)

[holger]

;D

Gitte,

Given the types of exploration you love to do and do so well in Paris, I really think you should explore the old city part of Dijon. You could do it in a very long day by taking the TGV in the early morning and returning on the last TGV to paris. The little streets, alleys, gardens and the incredible mix of architectural styles is fascinating. Almost evry small side street has wonderful surprises.

There are also lots of places to sit and snack and people watch. Much as I adore Paris, I have to admit it was in Dijon that I looked in all the real estate windows at what was available. Just day dreaming but fun.

[GitteK]

Thank you so much, both of you. I was mostly joking, because in fact I have this secret plan of maybe renting myself a petit automobile next summer 2008 and take 2-3 days out of Paris - out in the "blue".
Dijon sounds very interesting indeed - thanks holger.
Some day I would love to go to Provence and maybe Dordogne - it should be beautiful there.
This June I am going to Reims (first time) and Chartres (second time, but first time was in 1973 !). Also Germain-en-Laye is on my to-do list for this summer (though maybe not a village proper).

Holger - have you ever been to Prague ? If not, you must some day - Prague is overwhelmingly beautiful, a almost intact baroque city that evokes the days of Mozart and Haydn. Prague was never bombed during WW2, so almost all the historic buildings and churches have survived. Not without reason is it called The Golden City. Also listen to Smetana's "Die Moldau" and you will know why.

[holger]

Gitte,

Prague is on our to do list. But not with a tour. I love the Moldau and have since college when I first heard it. Now that I have become enamoured with paris, I don't know when we will go to Eastern Europe. Would like to visit Prague, Vienna and Budapest on our own and stay in small hotels. There is also a small travel agency which has what they call Untours and rents apartments in these cities so you could do a week in each.

But we are just starting on France so at nearly 72, I have to stay healthy, wealthy and with enough money to travel and of course live another 20 years or so.

[Truffaut]

I know this is off-topic, but Holger you really must visit Prague. As I told Teresa, it's the only city I've visited that I thought was as beautiful as Paris. Hurry, before it changes anymore for the worse. And while you're there, spend 2 days in Karlovy Vary (Carlsbad). I was with a group tour (I was performing in Czech Republic, Austria and Hungary), and we were all very concerned about being marooned in some backwoods spa town for two days. We were all absolutely thrilled with the experience and I would return in a heartbeat. Also, had the most exquisite roasted rabbit with wild cherry sauce....

[Shoesy]

Speaking of Smetana's Moldau, the music of the Israeli national anthem "Ha-Tikvah" was taken from it.

[holger]

;D

OK. Truffaut and Giite, where should we stay in Prague? I have a conference in July 2008 in Glasgow and we will visit friend in Plymouth and go to London for a few days. Thought of Paris but maybe we will go to Prague from there. If not it would have to be 2009. But Gitte, your pictures were enticing.

[terezacz]

Hi holger,

you didn´t ask me but I can help, I live in Prague. What are your interests? Do you want to stay as close to sights as possible? Do you prefer modern or antique interior? What is your price range?

[holger]

Antique but with modern conveniences. We are iin our 70s. Prefer a walk in shower to a tub. Would love painted ceiling in the room. As central as possible. Price range up to $200 for two people.

Thanks.

[rosie]

:)Holgre, the Hotel Sax in Mala Strana ("lesser town") is near the Charles Bridge and 15 mins walk to the old town square and we had a good price on a suite but it was in winter. Great location and comfortable. It is owned by one of the car manufacturers of the Czech Republic

www.sax.cz/intro.php?pic=1

[terezacz]

Holger: my friends from USA stayed in these 3 hotels, I checked them at TA and they have got very nice reviews:

www.cloister-inn.com/
www.domus-henrici.cz/
www.antikhotels.com/antik.php

[Truffaut]

Tereza, isn't there a somewhat famous and large Art Nouveau hotel right in the middle of the old town? I can't remember the name, but I remember that it looked lovely.