paris: paris Metro

Showing posts with label paris Metro. Show all posts

Paris Signs

I'm addicted to Paris signs especially in the Metro. It can help if you get lost looking for the exit...

I learned today at The Paris Chronicles the white 'beveled' Metro tiles are quite special - they not only reflect more light but have become a chic addition to many homeowner's kitchens and bathrooms.

I love the separate exits in the Metro. No fighting incoming riders like in New York's MTA. Any wonder NYC makes the top of the list for rudest city?

FYI you won't be able to use the machines if you don't have a chip in your credit card so be sure to have euros onhand.

Leaving the inner sanctum of the Metro can set you up

For spectacular views like l'Opera Garnier. But you'll be on an island, Pl Charles Garnier with at least 4-5 possible crossings on offer.

I'm immersed reading Thirza Vallois on my new Kindle. She keeps you busy every single step looking this way and that, taking in historical data I previously overlooked. No wonder I see red in Paris. Formerly the cobblestones were streaming with it.

The Pont Neuf Metro lets you out on a 16th century bridge once teaming with booths, markets, jugglers, prostitutes...

Only les Bouquinestes were allowed to stay...

And the pigeons...

I'll be keeping my eyes peeled for Paris signs advertising 'La Formule' lunches come March...

Bonjour Paris Signs!

Take the Paris Bus!

Yesterday one of you said she'd prefer not to take the hot, stuffy Metro to her new Paris job, so today I'll show you how to take the bus to work.

Paris must have one of the best public transportation systems on the planet if not THE BEST. Walk up to the bus shelter and *note the buses stopping are listed on the side.

Now this is the cherry on top! Every bus shelter has a 'working' digital sign telling you exactly when you're bus will arrive (or if it won't arrive at all because of a demonstration...ahem).

There are clear maps (really they are) telling you where you're going and indicating if you are on the right side of the street. Interactive Paris bus map here.

Including a map with ALL the buses in the immediate vicinity. Paris since 2006 has a special night line of buses running after midnight btw.

No need to buy Pariscope when bus shelter signs tell you what's on.

The side of all Paris buses will tell you their first and last destination.

Please board at the front of the bus and smash your Navigo magnetic card against the box thing. Or you can buy a ticket from the driver.
~

Do say 'Bonjour Monsieur/Madame' to the driver svp.

Inside you'll find a bus map + another digital sign telling (in French) the next stop/la prochaine arret

The bus is quite a civilized way to see Paris and get around, definitely more scenic than the Metro.

Please do exit/partie out the backdoor. The red button is to alert the driver of your stop/arret

Once you know the buses in your area you can go online to check out it's route. Easy peasy.
Line 38 runs north to south through the city center and provides memorable views of the Latin Quarter, the Seine river, or Notre Dame Cathedral.

Line 68 offers a vantage of the Musee d'Orsay, Saint-Germain des Près, the Seine, The Louvre, and the Opéra Garnier.

Line 28 offers lovely views of the Ecole Militaire, the Assemblée Nationale, the Seine River, le Grand Palais, and the Champs-Elysées.

Line 96 winds through beautiful spots on the right bank, including Hotel de Ville, the medieval Marais neighborhood, and trendy Bastille. Info from Go Paris.

These days Bear & I take the bus all the time in Paris. But almost never in NYC. New York has contests to see which bus is slowest :( Do you take the bus in Paris?

Men Are Animals

In Bergdorfs windows men are animals...

They've done this before...

This is not the first time they've put wolves in sheeps clothing(woolen suits etc.)

Or let the lamb and the wolf sit down together for a shave and a haircut, two bits!

Artic wolves and penquins are on friendly terms in Bergdorf's mens windows...

The Paris Metro thinks men are animals, but not so well behaved/bien elevee as Bergdorfs...

French frogs caught jumping the turnstile is a non, non.

SVP do NOT spit out your gum inside le Metro! Wait until you are outside....

Evidently la femme Francaise can behave badly blabbing loudly on le bus! Who knew?

Back to sane Bergdorfs where dapper cats...

Take trustworthy dogs for a spin in the Park...

This little dog is waiting patiently for the Xmas windows across 5th Avenue.

Aren't we all...

BONJOUR Les Animaux!

Rendez-vous at Cafe Pouchkine

Cafe Pouchkine, watercolor, 9" x 11"

I had a teatime rendez-vous with PastryParis author, Susan Hochbaum near Metro Franklin D. Roosevelt. *NEVER agree to meet anyone near this metro. In fact avoid it at all costs. It's totally confusing + it was pouring cats and dogs out to boot. Where was Leslie Caron to lead me out the right exit? I turned around and went home :(

Thanks to email we re-connected later at Cafe Pouchkine - Printemps..

That's Susan about to take her seat at the counter. Go early before it gets crowded. Word is out. Or else the cafe is being bombarded by PBers :)

I hit it lucky - la vendeuse is completely involved packing up pastries and misses me taking pastry shots. On the left a Russian witty version of the quelle ordinaire French choquette (Chouquette Botchka) - those little sugared puffs you buy a bag of for 1-2 euros.

What is a 'Medovick'? Does it matter?

Everything at Cafe Pouchkine is pretty amazing and worth a try...

I decide on the rosey-raspberry jelled concoction on the left...

Extremement jolie!

Clever Pouchkine lets you eat on top of rows of macarons, chocolate truffles and nougat so you never lose focus on their pastries...

Susan asks if this is a favorite of mine? Not at all. I'm ready to experiment these days after eating at least 20 tarte au citron meringuees...

Third time Susan is indulging in this Pouchkine fantasie...

Susan's description:

'I don't know what it's called but it was a rolled lemon poppy cake with salted butter caramel. The meringues around the side melted like snowflakes in my mouth.'