Paris Favorite Tips by pieter_jan_v

Statues at Place du Trocadéro

Favorite thing: The Place du Trocadéro is an ideal starting point for a visit to the Eiffel Tower. From the terras you have a great lookoff to the tower and the "golden"statues at either side at the two parts of the Palais de Chaillot are great to combine in a picture.

The palace was constructed in 1937 on the foundations of the former Palais du Trocadéro.

At December, 10, 1948 the declartion of Human Rigts was agreed in this building by the United Nations Assembly.

From 1952 till 1959 the building was home to the NATO European Headquarter.

Souvenirs

Favorite thing: It's amazing how much Paris souvenirs are for sale.

It's hard to point the best/cheapest shopping area, but some of the Montmartre shops probably are.

La Poste

Favorite thing: La Poste is the French postal service. It's still an institution with a great deal of government influence. In former days the postal service was part of the PTT ministry from 1879 to 1990.

The post offices are well indicated at the Paris streets with the same signs that points to major attractions.

The present services are highly automated and become self-services, not always easy to understand where to start at.

The Wallace Fountains Dining & Drinking Review

Favorite thing: It's almost impossible not to encounter a drinking water fountain when you walk at Paris.

Interesting enough they are called Wallace fountains after Sir Richard Wallace, who inherited a large fountain, what he spended in the public Paris interest during the Franco-Prussian War of 1870. He founded a hospital and did everything to help the locals. The potable water supply became disrupted and prices went up; even the poor could not get water for free anymore.

Wallace spended much of his money to help out the thirsty needed and asked sculptor Charles-Auguste Lebourg to design the beatiful pieces of fountain art.

Nowadays there are 67 large model fountains, nine small model fountains, two colonnaded fountains and one applied model on the Paris streets.

Even outside Paris and France replica´s were installed.

Champs-Élysées Champs-Elysées Review

Favorite thing: The Champs-Élysées is one of Paris best-known avenues.

It's 1910 meters long and runs from the Obelix to the Arc de Triomphe.

In 1616 Marie de Medici decided to extend of the Tuileries Gardens to the West with an avenue. It took till 1864 till the Avenue des Champs-Élysées growed to about its present length.

The street runs in between the the Grand Palais and the Élysée Palace.

Many high class stores like Adidas, Benetton, the Disney Store, Nike, Zara, Cartier, Bel Air Fashion, Toyota, Gap, Sephora, Louis Vuitton, Hugo Boss, Lancel, Guerlain, Lacoste, H&M and Abercrombie & Fitch are located along the avenue and so are many cinema's.

Also the avenue is used as the finish location for de Tour de France cycling race and the anual parade on Bastille Day.

Boulevard de la Madeleine

Favorite thing: The Boulevard de la Madeleine is just a short boulevard, but is situated i three different city quarters.

I just love this street, because it's a great Moody Blues song.

Beaumarchais Statue

Favorite thing: The statue of Pierre Beaumarchais is located in Parc Saint Antoine, a tiny triangle just West of Place de la Bastille. The sculpture of the statue is Louis Clausade.

Pierre was a man of many talents as he was a watchmaker, inventor, musician, diplomat, fugitive, spy, publisher, arms dealer, financier and revolutionary.

He lived from 1732 to 1799.

Hew as born as Pierre-Augustin Caron, but changed his name after his marriage with Madeleine-Catherine Aubertin in 1756. Sadly she died a lear later leaving her man with many debts. Luckely he bacame the harp teachers of Louis XV's four daughters and gained more royal access.

In 1759 Pierre met Joseph Paris Duverney, who bwould became an important business partner. In 1764 and 1765 he went to Spain and made some nice deals, but it did not bring him much profits.

When he returned to France he concedntrate more an plays and he became famous for his Figaro performances. In 1768 he married Geneviève-Madeleine Lévêque who died two years later.

When his business partner Duverney died in 1770, Pierre was taken to court over the next four years about some leftover debts.

In 1778 Pierre played a big role in arms delivery for the American revolution.

In 1786 he married Marie-Thérèse de Willer-Mawlaz after living with her for twelve years before.

In 1755 Beaumarchais met with Madeleine-Catherine Aubertin and married her the following year. She helped Beaumarchais secure a royal office and he gave up watchmaking. Shortly after his marriage he adopted the name "Pierre-Augustin Caron de Beaumarchais

Public Toilets

Favorite thing: Paris has many state of the art self-cleaning public toilets.

And there are always the numurous café's and bars where you can use the toilet.

Internet Café's

Favorite thing: Paris offers enough possibilities to go on the Internet. You might have to use an AZERTI keyboard, but for the rest you will be fine.

Just look for an @-sign; there everywhere.

Paris Wi-Fi

Favorite thing: There's Wi-Fi available at busy public places in the center of Paris, even at public parcs and squares. Look for the sings of the photo.

More local info at telephone: +33-810-555421