French Open, Tennis at Roland Garros in 2010

Love tennis?  Always wanted to see a match at the historic Roland Garros stadium in Paris? Here is news of a great offer from Roland Garros, in collaboration with BNP Paribas. It expires July 15 so if you can make plans for next June now, this is news you will be glad to use.

This is my email from Roland Garros:

We are pleased to inform you that from now on you will have the opportunity to make your reservations in advance for the Roland Garros 2010 tickets, thanks to a special offer with the BNP Paribas Masters 2009. We invite you to consult this offer downloading the reservation document that you will find in our web page www.tennis-billets.fr. This special offer will be valid until July 15, 2009. Click here to access the special offer.

If you would not wish to benefit from the BNP Paribas Masters 2009 + Roland Garros 2010 offer, the reservations will be open starting from December 2009.

For more information please visit our official web site: www.fft.fr/rolandgarros/billetterie/

Bonne chance! 

And if you don't go for the Open you can visit the Roland Garros stadium year round and book a tour of the historic courts and player only zone.  Plus there is a 'Tenniseum' that is a great visit. 

Sally Peabody

Sold at the Paris Soldes!

Shoppers beware!  The bi-annual Paris Sales (Soldes) are off and running.  This annual late June-July period of markdowns is to be found in boutiques both luxe and quotidian.  Sales in France are regulated and are always 'on' in January and in this summer season.  Shopping at prized stores like Hermes can resemble a rugby scrum in the early days as particularly coveted goods are snapped up early before they disappear.  The shops along the rue de Rivoli and rue St. Honore are generally jammed as are the Grands Magasins. But, don't be deterred.  If you love a particular line of fashion or accessories plunge in and score a few treasures.  Or, wait a few days and shop when the initial excitement abates a bit.  Signs in shop windows will give you an idea of the scope of the discounts available.  Bon chance.  Oh, and this season's sales run through July 28.

 

Combo deals on great Paris Museums

In Paris for only a few days and don't want to buy a two or four day Museum and Monuments Pass?

Here are a couple of sweet 'combo' tickets that may be of interest. Just discovered these when trying to figure out how a client could pack both Rodin Museum, Napoleon's Tomb at Invalides and the incomparable Orsay museum into one day. You must use these combos on the same day but if they work for you, this is a good option!

1.  The Musée d'Orsay /Musée de l'Orangerie Passport: 1 ticket for 2 museums on the same day, from Wednesday to Sunday  €13

2.  The Musée d'Orsay - Musée Rodin Passport: One ticket to visit two museums on the same day.  € 12 instead of € 14

3.  Keep your ticket!  In the week following the date on your Musée d'Orsay entrance ticket you can take advantage of reduced rates  to buy a ticket for the Gustave Moreau National Museum and also to visit the Palais Garnier (Paris National Opera).  

Remember, the Orsay is closed Tuesdays.  It is also open late on Thursdays, until 9 p.m. and these evenings never seem to be so crowded.  I'll be  on the lookout for other new combo options!

Paris Brocantes, Puces, Fetes and Fun

Visitors to Paris often have heard of the vast trove that is the Paris Flea Market, located just to the north of the peripherique in St. Ouen. This market, actually ten markets within the overall 'Flea Market', is world-famous and justifiably so. You can shop (or wish) for art and antiques, textiles, homewares, objets d'art that are museum quality or simply aged and charming. You can spend thousands of Euros or just a few Euros on treasures unique and delightful to your eye. Go on a weekend day unless you are a professional, then you are welcome on Fridays. Cash is expected for non-high-end purchases.

But.... there is more! France, as do most European countries, abounds in Festivals, Fetes, and various fairs that are equally social and shopping opportunities. In Paris, watch for signs for regional festivals where a particular region of France will show off its food and culture for a weekend or a few weekdays. Watch for 'Brocantes' which are temporary markets for nearly antique items from rugs to furniture to books to pottery and china, plus many other choices. These are typically frequented by Parisians and a few savvy visitors. A 'Braderie' is a rummage sale which is likely a spontaneous event not run by professional sellers. In all cases (except the regional festivals) it is fine to politely request a 'petite remise' or a discount, especially if you are buying expensive items or numerous items.

Paris is a moveable feast, fete, foire and always fun!

A Prime Route for Fine Teas

The rue de Lévis is the foodie street for the upscale and mostly residential 17th arrondissement. It is a splendid Paris Market Street. Excellent charcuteries, fruit and vegetable shops, boulangeries, patisseries, cafes, a fine cheese shop and..... great teas! La Route de Thé is an attractive small shop presided over by Olivier, an engaging young man with a passion for fine tea. There is an excellent collection of
'grands classiques', the renowed pure loose leaf teas from China, India, Ceylon, Nepal, Japan... all over the tea-growing world. And there are tons of choices for blended teas for any mood or time of day. I found an Oolong flavored with chestnut that I adore and plan to return for more.

Add a good selection of herbal teas, many unusual such as bamboo leaves for brewing, a range of attractive tea pots and tea pharaphernalia and you have a shop worth plotting out your best route to visit. Open Tuesdays through Saturdays, 10-7:30, Sundays, 10-6. 77 rue de Lévis. Metro: Villiers.

And, just in case you buy far more than tea along this street and a picnic shapes up, the verdant Parc Monceau or the Parc de Batignolles are within an easy walk.

Paris in the Springtime...

Springtime in Paris. The stuff of song and romance. I revisited a favorite haunt, the lovely Galleries Vivienne, off the Palais Royal and the rue de Petits Champs. This 1890's era passage couvert is one of the prettiest of these historic 'shopping malls' that still remain vital in Paris. Among the shops and galleries in the passage, here are some favorites. Lucien Legrand Filles et Fils is a beautiful small worth-the-journey winebar and shop, selling regional French wines, brandys and Eau de Vies for generations. Great for a winebar lunch and for picking up a special bottle or two. Legrand's adjoining Epicerie is a sweet little store chock full of jams, mustards, candies, oils and more. Great for gifts. There are numerous wonderful one of a kind shops in the Galleries Vivienne including those focused on fashion, kids toys, art, homewares, even antique postcards. If you have the slightest interest in superb scarves and shawls be sure to visit Wolff et Descourthis to be smitten by the intricately designed and coloured silk offerings. Gorgeous is just a starting point!


Lunch can be enjoyed at Lucien Legrand, at the Bistrot Vivienne, or A Priori Thé, a cute little salon du thé that is a great stop for afternoon tea and patisserie as well.

Lyon: The Culinary Capital of France?

Lyon is a fabulous city, well worth a visit on its own substantial merits, and easy to visit in combination with Burgundy or with a trip to the South of France from Paris. Thanks to la Maison de la France I had the delicious opportunity to visit Lyon and the Rhone Alpes region for three days this spring. I was reminded all over again what a delight this town is. Lyon is a city of engaging neighborhoods, characterful 'bouchons' full of piggy delights, a fabulous permanent food market named in honor of legendary Lyonnais chef Paul Bocuse, and, terrific marché volants. There are two well preserved Roman amphitheatres on the Fourviere Hill, both used for concerts, festivals and special events. There is a delightful Renaissance-era quarter. There are top bakers and chocolate makers. The house wines tend to be fruity beaujolais, from the nearby countryside. The city straddles the Rhone and Saone rivers with innumerable pretty bridges and broad quais to stroll. Add to this a palpable joie de vivre and a relaxed spirit that begins to hint of the French south, and you have a lovely city to explore and enjoy.