Running Around Paris
Paris may not be known as a particularly ‘sporting’ city. But every April this changes for the Paris Marathon. Over 35,000 runners crowd the streets of Paris on the day (this year it will be held Sunday, April 11) which sees Parisians swapping their fashionable shoes for a pair of basquette for the day.
The first Marathon International de Paris was held in 1896 and attracted 191 participants. These days of course its seems like the whole city turns out to see the runners, though there is noticeable lack of support
Paris marathon
around the final stretch in the Bois de Boulogne, the huge park on the city’s western edge.
But you don’t have to go so far out to cheer them along nor enjoy the special street music that has been organised for the event. The 42km route starts in the heat of Paris, in front of the Arc de Triomphe, before continuing down the Champs-Élysées and all the famous landmarks including the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame cathedral. If you think you’ve got what it takes to participate in the Paris Marathon, it’s not too late to sign u. Or if you just want to dip your toe in, you can join in on the 5km ‘Breakfast Race’ that takes place the day beforehand.
Add comment February 23, 2010
Grande Palais and upcoming exhibitions
The grand exhibitions (or ‘World Fairs’) of the 19th century have left many beautiful buildings around Europe such as the Brighton Pavilion near London, the Palau Nacional in Barcelona and the Grande Palais in Paris.
Often used to stage large-scale trade fairs and events, this impressive fin de siècle edifice also stages art and cultural shows, and has proved to have the perfect format for macro-sized shows where size really does matter.
Grande Palais exhibitions
On until February 21st is ‘Monumenta’, a contemporary art show where artists working in all media are given the chance to display their work underneath the Grande Palais’ soaring glass and steel dome. This year’s invited artist is Christian Boltanski, who has created a powerful image and sound installation, especially conceived for the space, titled ‘Personnes’. ‘Art Paris’ follows, the artistic event of the year when international artists descend on the city to showcase their work and network with French dealers. (March 18-22).
Elsewhere in the Grande Palais ‘A World in Colours’ (on until May 2nd) takes you on a journey through the science of colour, from the work of Gabriel Lippmann, the French scientist who made colour photography possible to its modern, digital ascendants. Hurry along with your kids, as also finishing in May is ‘What Dinosaurs Ate’ an animated show on the dietary habits of the world’s first creatures.
Add comment February 3, 2010
Paris in the snow – Getting back to normal
It has been an interesting few days here in Paris although not fun for everyone I know. A couple of friends have been stuck this end of the Channel Tunnel waiting for the Eurostar train but had to give up – after the delays for 3 days due to the snow.
I love spending Christmas though in Paris and its a wonderful time to be here with the festive season here. One thing that I did last week and which is great for families and also couples if you can withstands the cold (just dress up warm) is ice skating in Paris. One of the best places from in Paris is by the Place de l’Hôtel de Ville. The hotel is the best place
Paris ice skating
to head for as then you’ll find the ice skating just outside the hotel and for five euros you can hire skates and enjoy the rink.
A very happy 2010 and take care over Christmas if you are in Paris and in the snow.
Add comment December 23, 2009
Get ready for the Paris-Versailles Walk
Every year in September one thing I always enjoy doing is the Paris-Versailles Walk. A lovely walk which covers 16 Kms and which goes through the heart of Paris.
This year, the 27th September is the date for your diary and registration can be done online via http://www.parisversailles.com/ and timing, if you are serious runner, is done fairly which eadch runner having a chip which you attach to your running shoes laces.
So you on the 29th September? If you see me I’ll certainly not be in the front batch of people as I will be taking a somewhat leisurely run around!
Add comment September 8, 2009
Football in Paris, France
The start of the 09-10 football season is here and here in Paris I very much enjoy going to the Paris St Germain games.
PSG as they are known are the professional team in France who are Paris based and if you are in the French capital then why not pop down to Le Parc des Princes. PSG play in the top tier of French football and they have soem players you may know whether you are French or not. Players this season include:
- Claude Makélélé
- Sammy Traoré
- Zoumana Camara
Tickers are normally available and information on upcoming fixtures can be found vis the PSG official site.
Paris St.Germain tickets
5 comments August 10, 2009
Rental Owners Website Awards 2009
Just to bring your attention to the annual 2009 awards for the ‘Rental Owners Website Awards’ (ROWA) which is now open and for which you can now nominate your own or your favourite vacation and holiday rental website.
The awards are sponsored by Holiday Velvet and there are a number of catergories you can nominate for and these include:
- Best vacation rental owners Homepage
- Best Content
- Photo Award
- People’s Choice Award
The awards are judges by a panel of experts from the travel and I.T. industry and reflect the move to being involved
Rental Owner Awards
with pushing standards on the Internet and to promoting the travel industry online.
The good news is that any Vacation or Holiday rentals website owner can participate and you can enter your own website. To enter simply go to the Rental Owners Website Awards 2009 website online.
5 comments July 20, 2009
Paris hotel or rental apartment
When visiting Paris, France, it is sometimes confusing wondering what type of holiday accommodation to go for. Do you choose a Butique hotel, a hotel or a holiday rental apartment for example?
From experience as a traveller as as someone who spends a lot of time in Paris, France, I tend most of the time to go for holiday apartments, although it depends. If I am in Paris only for 1 or 2 nights then I find that a hotel is a good choice because on is quite likely to eat out anyway if only for 1 or 2 nights. If I am staying got more than 2 days then I find the space, havign a fridge and other facilities(including for example a washing machine sometimes) means that a holiday rental is far beter.
A boutique hotel is an option but I prefer a good holiday or vacation apartment in a very good central location. The prices tend to be cheaper than a hotel and companies such as Holiday Velvet offer a wide choice of apartments. I
Paris rentals
really love this option and I save a lot of money on food and I have the choice of sometimes eating in the apartments or eating out – something which is difficult much more so in other holiday accommodation types.
25 comments May 25, 2009
Paris Bridal Fair
The Paris Bridal Fair is an annual event that will be held on the 27th to the 29th of June at the Parc des Expositions de la Porte de Versailles. During this event catwalk shows take place and everything a bride-to-be could possibly want to have can be purchased here such as bouquets and bell ringers.
There will be over 100 exhibitors and the hall covers approximately 8000 square meters of exhibition space. This bridal fashion trade event was a huge success in 2008 with more than 2.500 visits from all over the world, over 3
Bridal Fair Paris
days. The exhibition played host to 135 bridal fashion exhibitors of whom 35 abroad. This year will be the 12th edition of the International Bridal Fashion Trade Show.
The represented countries were France, Great Britain, Italy, Portugal, Czechoslovakia, The Netherlands, Turkey, Andorra, Sweden, Belgium, Hong Kong, Spain, Rumania, Israel and Poland. Over a hundred labels were representing a product range such as wedding gowns, children’s wedding apparel, woman’s formal wear, men’s suits, accessories and more.
The event opens every day at 9 a.m. and will last untill 7 p.m. There is no entrance price for this Paris Bridal Fair.
Add comment April 28, 2009
Paris host chocolate addicts from around the world
The European chocolate fair will be held in October 2009 in Paris. With a hundred chocolate makers from around the globe, Paris will be offering the taste buds of all travelers. Countries such as Germany, Belgium, Japan, Canada, Italy and Russia, all get together to bring you chocolate that started once off as a local homemade recipe.
chocolate
This is not only for the chocolate lovers, but it is also a educational for those wanting to know the true history and ingredients of the chocolate seen in your local supermarket.
This European festival, held in Paris offers you more than just a taste of chocolate. It also offers a glamorous ¨chocolate dress fashion show¨, coco butter beauty show and lots more.
The highlight of this event would be the famous chocolate awards. Let’s see who walks away this year with the famous European chocolate award.
Add comment February 17, 2009
Paris welcomes chairs with wheels (Part 2)
Take note when spotting the French Tourisme and Handicap label, and take advantage of the services. You can visit the French Handicap Association online and submit all inquiries before planning your site seeing itinerary.
Important to ask questions when planning your holiday:
· Make sure to get the answers to your questions in writing, confirmed by your travel consultant.
· How the airline will transport the wheelchair
· How will you be boarding the aircraft, will it be a jetway or stairs.
When renting a self catering unit:
· Find out on what floor the apartment is
· How wide is the door to the room
· How far from the entrance is the parking
Paris will truly make your stay an unforgettable experience. Thanks to the French Handicap Tourism board, travelling to this amazing city is as easy as a wheel down the park.
Happy holidays
Add comment February 3, 2009
