I’m taking a blogging break this week, so enjoy the Best of Eye Prefer Paris. I’ll be back next week in the holiday spirit with my annual Christmas postings.
There are certain tourist things I have never done in Paris like The Catacombs (too claustrophobic), the Cluny Museum, and Notre Dame Tower.
Notre Dame Tower always has a long line, so I’ve pretty much written it off over the years. I was with tour clients two weeks ago at Notre Dame and only two people on line, so I figured now is my chance. I went back last Monday on a clear, sunny day. There was a bit of a line this time but the ticket taker said it would be no more than 30 minutes, which I can deal with, so I decided to stay. Ten minutes later I was schlepping up the winding, spiral 387-step staircase. It’s real endurance test as there is no place to rest in between steps. I made it to the top and the view was spectacular. I think it’s a better view than the Eiffel Tower because you see the older part of Paris, plus since it’s not as high, you see the details of the buildings much better. It was also great to see the famed gargoyles up front and close.
Some of my favorite shot are the ones of the nearby rooftops.
Notre Dame Tower
Open everyday
April 1 to Sept. 30, 10AM to 6:30PM
July & August Friday & Saturday till 11PM
October 1 to March 31 10AM to 5:30PM
Last entrance 45 minutes before
St. Eustache Church -B&W & color
Christmas/Holiday Tour of Paris for 2014
Paris is magical during the holidays and I am happy to announce a special Christmas/Holiday Tour of Paris for 2014. Clients will experience the marvelous shop windows, gleaming outdoor lights, beautifully decorated trees, and festive Christmas markets. The tour includes a visit to Galeries Lafayette and Printemps department stores, the Champs Elysees Holiday market, the yummy gourmet shops Fauchon and Hediard on Place Madeleine overflowing with delicious holiday goodies, and the rue St. Honoré, with designer shops Hermes and Lanvin. To warm up, we stop for an authentic hot chocolate at one of the top Paris chocolate shops.
Tour times 10AM-1PM or 2PM-5PM
Cost: 225 euros for 1-3 people, 75 euros each additional person. Hot chocolate is not included in price. Click here to book the tour or for more information.
Tours will be conducted everyday from December 20, 2014 to January 5, 2015 except on Christmas and New Years Day.
I am happy to announce the launch of Eye Prefer Paris Cooking Classes. Come take an ethnic culinary journey with me and chef and caterer Charlotte Puckette, co-author of the bestseller The Ethnic Paris Cookbook (with Olivia Kiang-Snaije). First we will shop at a Paris green-market for the freshest ingredients and then return to Charlotte's professional kitchen near the Eiffel Tower to cook a three-course lunch. After, we will indulge in the delicious feast we prepared along with hand-selected wines.
Cost: 185 euros per person (about $240)
Time: 9:30AM- 2PM (approximately 4 1/2 hours)
Location: We will meet by a metro station close to the market
Class days: Tuesday,Wednesday, Thursday,Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
Minimum of 2 students, maximum 6 students.
Click here to sign up for the next class or for more info.
I am pleased as punch to announce the launch of Eye Prefer Paris Tours, which are 3-hour walking tours I will personally be leading. The Eye Prefer Paris Tour includes many of the places I have written about such as small museums & galleries, restaurants, cafes & food markets, secret addresses, fashion & home boutiques, parks, and much more.
Tours cost 210 euros for up to 3 people, and 70 euros for each additional person. I look forward to meeting you on my tours and it will be my pleasure and delight to show you my insiders Paris.
Check it out at www.eyepreferparistours.com
Click here to watch a video of our famous Marais tour
