Indispensable Museums and Monuments Pass

The Paris region Museum and Monuments pass is your best bet for hassle free visits to 100 + Museums and Monuments in and around Paris (the Louvre, Orsay, Versailles, St. Chapelle...) This is particularly useful for the major venues which often have long lines. In 2,4 or 6 day versions.

Note: starting in June 2010 the passes will have a one year expiration date (once you activate them they are only good for the two, four or six consecutve days). This mainly impacts folks who buy the passes and keep them for future use...

Go to http://en.parismuseumpass.com/ for full details, prices, and how to order before leaving on your trip (in English) or, where to buy the passes in and around Paris. You don't want to stand on a long line at the Louvre to buy a pass to save you from standing on lines.....

Summer Specials at Paris Hotels

Paris hotels, both humble and haute, often run great summer specials. If you are traveling in July and August be sure to look for a hotel with AC or 'climatisée' as it can be quite warm in the city. If you prefer a private apartment talk with Your Great Days in Paris. We have excellent sources for well-run short stay rental companies offering everything from simple studios to three bedroom apartments with gourmet kitchens and killer views.

Rue du Chocolat, Bayonne, France

http://www.bonjourparis.com/story/pays-basques-rue-du-chocolat/

Enjoy this story I wrote for Bonjour Paris on the fabulous chocolat to drink, eat, and savor in Bayonne, France. Bayonne is the home of chocolate in France... and it is a great chocoholics destination today!

L'Avant Comptoir

Yves Camdeborde has had a smash hit with le Comptoir in the heart of St. Germain des Prés. It is tough to get a table, easier at lunch than dinner. For the past few years spontaneous consolation could be found just around the corner from Le Comptoir at the Creperie du Comptoir where delicious crepes, innovative and classic, could be purchased day and night. Last fall, Camdeborde and co. renovated the tiny creperie into a clever small-plate serving 'comptoir' with delicious mini-portions of hearty southwestern French food and some tapas-y things. There are still crepes too... still tiny, still delicious, and a great idea for a light dinner or snack while waiting for a table at Le Comptoir. Carrefour de l'Odeon, Paris 6.

Burgundy and Baroque Opera

Consider the International Baroque Opera Festival In Burgundy
July 7 through July 25, 2010

Burgundy is a splendid region to visit and it is easy to access by train or car from Paris. In addition to all of the superb wine and regional cuisine there will be an outstanding Opera Festival this July. Based in Beaune, a soignee small city that is heart to the region you can enjoy superb performers like Les Arts Florissants and much more.

The International Baroque Opera Festival has been the leading European festival for baroque opera and has become the biggest “Händel” festival in France. Great baroque conductors (Léonhardt, Brüggen, Christie, Herreweghe, Kuijken, Jacobs, etc.) perform here in works as varied as opera, sacred or secular music, making Beaune the event for enthusiasts.

To open the festival, the opera “Il Ritorno di Ulisse in Patria” by Monteverdi will complete the Monteverdi trilogy that was begun in 2005 with the Roman conductor Rinaldo Alessandrini.

This year, the Festival is also celebrating the 30th birthday of the “Arts Florissants” with Jean –Philippe Rameau; William Christie will be conducting two of his lesser-performed works, the ballet “Anacréon” and the opera ballet “Pygmalion”.

The young conductor Jérémie Rohrer and his orchestra “Le Cercle de l’Harmonie” will be offering the heroic drama “Thamos, roi d’Egypte”.

Download the 2010 program

Visiting Paris With Kids? Check out Bonton

If you are visiting Paris with children 12 or under, or, are shopping for kids or grandkids for fashion or accessories with that ineffable French 'touch', the new Bonton flagship store in the upper Marais will be a trove of temptations. Bonton is the 'little brother' of Bonpoint, the well known luxury French children's clothing firm. Bonton spreads its wares over three architect designed floors. While adults shop for children's clothing, homewares, accessories and furniture, kids can watch movies, get their hair cut in an old-fashioned barber shop, eat cupcakes or curl up in the library area with a good book. Brilliant concept and beautiful things!

5 Boulevard des Filles du Calvaire. Paris 3.

Your Night At Paris (anfd French) Museums

Nuit des Musées

Date: 15 May 2010

Like culture but not standing in lines to enjoy art and design? Definitely plan to be in Paris for the Nuit des Musées, or anywhere in France for that matter. On one spring night, museums across France open until 1am, offering a chance to see the Louvre, and hundreds more, for free - no tour buses in sight.

Nuit des Musées Website (http://www.nuitdesmusees.culture.fr)