Description | Places of Interest
 

Make your dreams come true in Paris.    Whatever your goals while in Paris let us assist you in reaching those goals within any budget.   For romance, for historic explor-ations, for neighborhood visits and for meeting the people of this magic city, count on Your French Connexion, LLC and our on-hands experience in the City of Light.   Besides the Louvre, Orsay, Picasso, and Rodin, experience some of the new museums from traditional to avant garde.

Walk or bike down the Champs Elysees, and view  Notre Dame and the City along the Seine before a view from Montmarte.  Beside The Marais, St. Germain and Les Invalides let us assist you find great back streets, ethnic neighborhoods and residential surprises.

Kid-friendly and/or accessible adventures are planned with care.

Why not cook in Paris?  We offer you a half-day private cooking class or a day of shopping and cooking with a chef and/or family.

Henri, raised in Paris, is an expert in helping you enjoy his city and our guide (another Henri) will delight you with day trips if you wish.

Description

There is something magic about the “City of Light” during the entire year that welcomes your heart, mind and spirit.

Perhaps it is the magic department store windows in winter reflecting the awe and imagination of the children or the roasted chestnut fires along the shopping streets.  For others it is Paris Opera and Ballet, concerts, and the fall fashions emerging anew each year. In summer the magic reflects itself in the music festivals from Jazz to Classical and the fireworks along with the beach at the Siene.

The dream continues for travelers of all ages. Try the cruise on the Batobus along the Siene getting off to explore points of interest.  In fall the changing colors, bring new fashions and old traditions.

In spring the Paris Marathon, or the French Open bring new and old to the streets of every section of our beloved city. Think of  biking parts of the city and shopping in out of the way places with our guide Henri Leers.

Henri's French Connexion insures that your stay in Paris will be long remembered. We provide you with current insiders expertise. Over 33% of our recommended Hotels and Restaurants in Paris are checked yearly and we update our events calendar frequently. This equals an inspection of every hotel within 36 months.

Recently restored Grand Palais in Paris was built for the Worlds Fair in 1900. 

Personally check our references and receive feedback from clients who share your interests and who are very pleased with their French Connexion planned trips   Email Us  or call 206 363 6575

We pay our own way and do not accept free meals or any commercials.  When we check new lodgings, the owners do not know our purpose nor do we charge any type of fee or give any commissions.

It is one of our goals to tailor your trip to your budget and your travel dreams.  The results of our inspections are expressly for the use of our clients - we always share both the positives and negatives.  We also book you only in safe neighborhoods.

Each year we have new clients who have been stranded by package hotels on previous trips and want to be sure of their location.

Walk the quarters of Paris take advantage of great public transportation to save yourself valuable time and money.

Be it an affordable hotel, deluxe accommodations or student digs for a week, month or year, we have the scoop on all of the best. In a city with 130 museums and over 2,000 restaurants you will appreciate our recommendations and well researched itineraries to match every budget. At the end of 2002 we were amazed at how high meals have risen and took weeks to find the best priced quality places from budget to three star Michelin restaurants.

Seeing Paris is experiencing history, fashion, diversity and  beauty in one great overview.

From the Place de la Concorde to the Madeleine, from the Eiffel Tower across the Champs Des Mars to the Ecole Militarie, from the Louvre to Montmarte we have designed walking and public transportation tours for the independent minded. For those who enjoy tours we can recommend several exceptional individual or group tours of Paris highlights.

Whatever period of history interests you from Before Christ and the Gallo-Roman Period to the Paris of the Valois and Bourbons we direct you to the sights and memories of yesterday. If you are a Napoleon fan or wish to explore the Third Republic and World War 1 and 11 we will enrich your research. If modern Paris and the ancient quarters are your destination Your French Connexion is your best source. Paris for children, teenagers and adults, Paris for play or for work, Paris by day or by night, let us help you and yours enjoy our city.

Be it an affordable hotel, deluxe accommodations or student digs for a week, month or year, we have the scoop on all of the best. In a city with 130 museums and over 2,000 restaurants you will appreciate our recommended and well researched itineraries.

Seeing Paris is seeing History, Fashion, Diversity and Beauty in one great overview. Enjoy!

We can offer day trips from Paris by Mini Bus or with private drivers to: 

• Normandy and Mt. St. Michel

• Landing Day Beaches 

• Versailles

• Giverny and Monet's Gardens (with or without Lunch) 

• Private tours of Loire Valley and day trips from the City of Tours

• Private Airport Transfers

• City Tours of Paris

Email Us  or call 206 363 6575 or fill out our Questionnaire
We will design a great plan for your Paris stay.

Places of Interest

CHAMPS-ELYSEES Silhouetted against the sky beginning at the Louvre, stroll the Tuileries Gardens, cross the Place de la Concorde and up the Champs-Elysees to the Arc de Triomphe. Within these four miles are many gardens,  and the Orangery Museum, with its  Monets' and Matisses' masterpieces. One could spend at least one full day if not two between the Obelisk at the Place De La Concorde and the Arc de Trimophe.

Side streets are most delightful with bookstores and antique shops.

LOUVRE AREA Within the World's largest Palace the wealth of history, architecture and artistic works beckons. From the lighted Pyramid entrance surrounded by pools, you enter a world that brings sculpture, oriental art, boyj modern and Impressionist masterpieces plus a shopping arcade and restaurants. The Sully, Denon and Richeliu wings display some of the world's best art. Each wing's treasures are displayed in five languages. Closed on Tuesdays, open late on Monday and Wednesday and free on some Sundays and Holidays.  Enjoy!

EIFFEL TOWER To get the full effect of the view, gardens, Palaces and Champ-de-Mars begin at the Trocadero Metro Station and walk through the gardens to view the Eiffel Tower. Descend to the tower and after visiting continue through the Champ-de-Mars to the Ecole Militaire. This outstanding architectural wonder is a highlight of Paris. There are four Michelin starred museums well worth your time: The Maritime,  the Museum French Monuments, the Museum of Mankind and the Henri Lanlois Cinema Museum and film library.

THE INVALIDES In 1861 when Napolean's body was placed in Visconi's designed tomb, the Invalids was nearly two hundred years old. The buildings to this day remain a home for veterans and the military services. The army museum is outstanding and lies on either side of the main courtyard. Napoleon's son and his brothers also are interred in the magnificent Church of St. Louis des Invalides.

THE OPERA QUARTER Henri knows this stretch from the Boulevard de la Madeleine to Place de la Concorde by way of the Opera and Place Vendome like the back of his hand.  "Here is the Paris of my youth still full of the lively crowds, cafes and shoppers paradise. Hidden along its streets, parks, are inexpensive restaurants and great family owned hotel values." 

THE FAUBOURG ST-HONORE After you view the colonnade of 52 Corinthian columns that grace the Greek Temple Church, The Madeleine, stop at the flower marts outside the church. Later cross over to Fouchan to view the superb luxury foods before strolling down the rue Du Fabourg St-Honore. Besides the Fashion Houses, art galleries and antique shops, explore the secondary streets for great picnic fare in the park. Here stroll by the Elysee Palace, France's White House, and the American and British Embassies. Sorry, none are  open to the visitor, but you could aim for people watching.

MONTMARTE The Place de Clichy reflects the diversity of Paris,its people and its nightlife. 

As you climb the upper reaches of Montmarte  Paris' Bohemian past appears. Throughout the 19th century life here centered on cafe groups of artists. After  1914 it became the night life center of Paris. Here the pilgrim, the sightseer, and the historian trace ancient steps and streets all ending at the Sacre-Coeur Basilica.  For over 100 years, occupation and wars have not interrupted worship. 

There is a wheeled train we highly recommend as it covers the steep and historic quarter with ease. 

THE MARIS Closed on weekends the buildings of this Renaissance quarter are best viewed on weekdays. Don't miss the important manor homes, Hotel Carnavalet, The Hotel De Sully and Place Des Vosges with its 36 houses with arcades and steeped pitched slate roofs.  Picnic in the gardens and courtyards. Other sites not to be missed are Victor Hugo's House, the Hotel Sale. In June and July drama and musical festivals in full swing.

CITE AND QUAYS Reserve at least one full day if not two for the Quays, bridges, and a tour of the Cite and Ile St-Louis. Here, where Paris was born, the Seine gives the Cite life and meaning and there is something ancient and magic in the air. Flower and bird markets, and the Valois Parish Church of St-Gemain echo nearly twenty centuries of Paris life. Notre Dame and Sainte-Chapelle echo beauty, love, power and devotion. The Holocaust Museum lives as a testimony of the evil of the past and the faith for the future.

The new "Green Areas" of Paris are be major attractions as well as the palm lined "beach" along the Seine. For our winter travelers - a designed independent outing list for rainy days s ready for those who desire.

THE ORSAY MUSEUM Once a palace, then rebuilt as a railway station the Orsay is today an outstanding and friendly museum. Located along the Seine and facing the Tulleries, this museum of impressionist art is a terrific day adventure. There is a section of activities for those 5 to 15 years of age. The painting, sculpture, music, architecture, opera and literature that reflects the period from 1848 to 1914 are highlighted.  The  English commentary via self directed tours is worth far more than its $6.00 fee. We have revisited at least six times in the past few years and depart each time more and more impressed.

PALAIS-ROYAL QUARTER Old, old Paris with its National Library, The Palace Royal and gardens of Richelieu are close to side streets featuring foods of the world. Take your picture at the foot of the equestrian statue of Joan of Arc as you wander down the Rue St-Honore. Many visit St. Roch and the starred Museum of Decorative Arts. This area must be walked to be appreciated! Walk off the mains streets and wow!

HALLES While it is still possible to eat pig trotters, onion soup and snails at 5am in several small restaurants, the morning markets have moved.  The George Pompidou Center is breathtaking, and the street entertainment excellent. Great place for families traveling with children as well as the modern artist fan. Ancient quarter.(Pompidou reopens January 1, 2000!)

ST-GERMAIN-DES-PRES,  ST-SEVERIN AND MAUBERT QUARTERS From the 6th Century a center of powerful Abbes dominated learning in France. What now remains is St. Germain-Des Pres Church and the nearby Cluny Museum which anchors this quarter of art galleries, lovely streets, small markets, and antique shops. The Roman Baths, tapestries, and walking streets enhances your Parisian visit along these Left Bank sites.

SORBONNE, PANTHEON, AND LUXEMBOURG QUARTER One of the most pleasant gardens of Paris. the Luxembourg Gardens blend with harmonious vistas where students, lovers and visitors walk. Nearby the 6th century Church of St Sulpice displays Delacroix's genius murals. Walk among the buildings of the Sorbonne, stopping at the Pantheon and St-Etienne du Mont. Eat at the student "digs" and let them practice their English.

FROM ALMA SQUARE TO BOIS DE BOULOGNE AND OTHER LESSER-KNOWN QUARTERS Depending on your interests one could spend delightful days on a walking tour of the wealthy residential sections of Paris or venture into the Royal Forest of the Bois De Boulogne with its parks, race track, and Children's Park.

Ancient cemeteries have thousand of visitors a day and at St. Martin Canal nine locks rise above the surrounding plain. A peaceful journey indeed!

China Town with its new high rise living, The Goblins Quarter and Place De La Bastille, are but a few of the not so well known areas of the city. 

Then there is La Defense, an utopia for the vacationing urban planner! Your French Connexion can arrange a trip to make exploring Paris a dream come true whatever your interests and within any budget.

Enjoy Paris - Every season is an adventure to treasure the rest of your life.