Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Fun Fact 4

The motto of Paris is fluctuat nec mergitur. This is Latin for ''she is tossed by the waves, but she does not sink''. The coat of arms of France's capital features this Latin phrase.

Housing for international students

Situated in a private park in the 14th arrondissement, the Cité Internationale Universitaire de Paris offers international students an affordable room to live in. It was founded in 1925 to provide general and public services to visiting students, including students coming from the French Caribbean. 

The following countries have their own house:
Argentina, Armenia, Belgium & Luxembourg, Brazil, Cambodia, Canada, Cuba, Denmark, Germany, Greece, India, Iran, Italy, Japan, Lebanon, Mexico, Monaco, Morocco, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Southeast Asia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tunisia and the United States of America.



There are 40 houses in total, including a house for people who study at École Nationale des Industries Agricoles et Alimentaires.

Former residents of ''CIUP'' include author Aimé Césaire, former Empress of Persia Farah Diba Pahlavi, philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre and former President of Senegal Abdou Diouf.
Admission criteria can vary. Being a citizen of the country that the house belongs to is not always a requirement. For example, you don't have to be Dutch in order to live in the Dutch house. This is illustrated by the fact that Farah Diba Pahlavi lived there while studying in France. However, the Dutch house only allows students to live there if they will obtain a degree at a French educational institution. Exchange students can't live in the Dutch house. You can find the admission criteria for every house at the website (available both in French and English): http://www.ciup.fr/ 

Practical information
Address
17 Boulevard Jourdan, 75014 Paris
Arrondissement
14th
Website
http://www.ciup.fr/
Metro
The nearest metro station is Porte d'Orléans (red circle below).




  

Tuesday, June 18, 2013

Housing

Housing in Paris is expensive. Even a student room of just 9 m2 with a shared kitchen and a shared bathroom can cost  750 per month. One website that is particularly helpful when you are looking for a place to live is:

http://www.seloger.com/    

Click on recherche avancée to fill in what you are looking for exactly. Do you want to live in a building with an elevator, can't you do without air conditioning or do you prefer a furnished room? With this website you will find the perfect student room, apartment or house quickly.

Another website I recommend is:

http://www.pap.fr/

Click on + de choix... to tick boxes in order to find a room, apartment or house that answers to all your expectations.  

Students who are looking for a room should also take a look at the website of CROUS (Le Centre Régional des Oeuvres Universitaires et Scolaires de Paris):

http://www.crous-paris.fr/article.asp?idcat=AAD

This website is in French, but with the help of Google Translate (just copy and paste the full text) you will probably understand the content.

Good luck!




Eiffel Tower at 6:00 AM

Usually, people who are on a holiday break don't want to wake up early in the morning. But you will miss a once-in-a-lifetime experience if you sleep in every day during your trip to Paris. Seeing the Eiffel Tower at 6:00 AM is miraculous. No tourists, no people who are trying to sell small replicas of the Eiffel Tower, no noise. A few cleaners will be sweeping the tiles that surround the Palais de Chaillot. You could see an engaged couple posing for a photographer, so they can send wedding invitations with a romantic photo of them with the Eiffel Tower on the background. Around 6:30 AM some people will be running through the Jardins du Trocadéro, the park between the Eiffel Tower and the plaza. They are in a hurry, because they can't be late for work.   



 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Paris is beautiful in the early morning. Unlike New York, this city sleeps every night. The serenity of the city during dawn is something you will never forget. Be the first to buy a baguette or chocolate croissant at an artisan bakery at 7:00 AM and watch the city come alive.  
 
Practical information
Arrondissement
7th
Time
One hour to enjoy the silence until the morning traffic starts.
Price
Free.
Metro
The nearest metro station is Trocadéro (red circle below).
 
 

Monday, June 17, 2013

Florist ''Les Jardins d'Ilham''

As a girl who lived within walking distance of the colorful tulip fields that come up in people's minds when they think of the Dutch landscape, I like giving flowers to people. Flowers are an appropriate gift on any occassion, ranging from your grandmother's birthday to your friend who just graduated from law school. Luckily I found a florist in Paris who doesn't charge 20 for a decent bouquet (unless you purchase online). ''Les Jardins d'Ilham'' offers flowers that are already arranged, but you can also ask for a custom made bouquet.       

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 



Practical information
Address
30 Boulevard Diderot, 75012 Paris
Arrondissement
12th
Price
€ 5 for a flowerpot in one color.
Website
http://www.interflora.fr/cadeau/sommaire.htm 
Metro
The nearest metro station is Gare de Lyon (red circle below).
 
 

Restaurant ''Les Embruns''

When in Rome, do as the Romans do. When in Paris, eat what the Parisians eat. A crêpe is a thin pancake and it is one of the favorite dishes of French people, young and old. You can order savory or sweet crêpes. The list of toppings is endless.    

Restaurant ''Les Embruns'', close to train station Gare de Lyon, is a crêperie or pancake restaurant where you can get acquainted with the French pancakes. The locals will probably go for a pancake with hazelnut chocolate spread (crêpe au Nutella) or a ham and cheese pancake. It is recommendable to make a reservation for a table in case you are planning to visit this restaurant. The fantastic pancakes attract many locals. Even during lunch time the restaurant is packed with people. Thanks to the amazing staff this doesn't mean it takes a long time to serve you. I made my order within two minutes and ten minutes later a smiling waitress came to my table with a crêpe with hot chocolate sauce and almonds. It took me longer to eat it! At first € 3,20 seemed a bit overpriced for a cup of tea, but ''Les Embruns'' serves the tea with a metal flagon with enough hot water for three cups. On top of that you will get a free bottle of still water. 
   
 
Practical Information
Address

8 Rue de Lyon, 75012 Paris
Arrondissement
12th
Price
A pancake, a green tea and a bottle of still water (1 liter) cost in total  8,10.
Metro
The nearest metro station is Gare de Lyon (red circle below).




Monday, June 10, 2013

Fun Fact 3

Every year 5.5 million people visit the Louvre, one of the most famous museums in the world. However, the Louvre is not the most visited attraction of Paris. Disneyland Paris attracts 13 million people annually, more than twice as many visitors as the Louvre.



Restaurant ''Pirosmani''

Restaurant ''Pirosmani'' is an authentic Georgian restaurant in the fifth arrondissement with a mid-priced menu. The delicious Georgian cuisine attracts expats and students from the post-Soviet states and even French locals. 


 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

People who are not from the Middle East or the former Soviet Union will be happily surprised by the taste of Georgian food. It is probably different from anything they have eaten before. The flavors will delight them.
 
There are many Georgian dishes worth trying.
I advice people to try khachapuri first. This is the Georgian version of cheese pizza.
 
Vegetarians will love nigvziani badrijani, eggplant filled with a mixture of spinach and walnuts, decorated with pomegranate.
People who prefer a meat dish should order khinkali, a dumpling with spiced meat inside. When a group of Georgian friends choose this dish they like to bet who can eat khinkali without spilling the sauce.
 
Georgia is one of the oldest wine producing regions of the world. Wine connoisseurs know they should travel to Georgia to find exclusive wines that can compete with French wine. People who like red wine should go for Saperavi. People who prefer white wine will most likely enjoy Tsinandali. Keep in mind that Georgian wines often contain more alcohol than non-Georgian people are used to, so becoming tipsy is inevitable. Especially if you visit the restaurant with a Georgian friend, who will love to treat you to another glass, and one more after that one...

Practical information
Address

6 Rue Boutebrie, 75005 Paris.
Arrondissement
5th
Price
Two people who share the dishes mentioned above will spend approximately € 35.
Metro
The nearest metro station is
Cluny- La Sorbonne (red circle below).




Sunday, June 9, 2013

Museum ''Palais de Tokyo''

Palais de Tokyo is the most original museum of Paris. This modern and contemporary art museum wants to be different and it is indeed. It allows young artists with diverse backgrounds to show their work. Your visit won't be boring, because the museum gives space to visual and performing artists, literary writers, furniture designers and film makers. Children can participate in art workshops or play hide and seek in this massive building of 22,000 squared meters. Besides the temporary exhibitions there is a garden, bookshop and restaurant. Go to the top of the building for an amazing view of the Eiffel Tower, which is within walking distance of the museum.   




 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 



Practical information
Address
13 Avenue du Président Wilson, 75116 Paris.
Arrondissement
16th
Time
Between two and four hours.

Price

€ 10 (regular price)
€ 8 (people between 18 and 26 years old, people older than 65 years old, families, teachers, groups of more than 10 people)
Free entrance for children, unemployed people, people who live on social welfare, disabled people and journalists.
Visiting hours
12.00 - 24.00 (Wednesday till Monday, closed on Tuesday)
Website
http://www.palaisdetokyo.com/en
Metro
The nearest metro station is Iéna (red circle below).





Hôtel de la Mare

Finding a reasonably priced hotel in Paris is difficult. Even a sober hostel can cost you € 40 per night if you want a private room. For just € 10 more you can book a single room at the newly renovated  Hôtel de la Mare with a kitchenette that includes a fridge, a water boiler for making tea or coffee and cutlery. Cooking yourself will cut down your expenses significantly. Furthermore, this is a safe and clean place to stay. The staff is friendly and helpful. Next to the reception there is a table with magazines from different countries, so there is always something to read in case you want to relax after an active day in Paris.  



Practical information
Address
20 Rue de la Mare, 75020 Paris.
Arrondissement
20th
Price
The cheapest single room costs € 50 per night. The cheapest double room costs € 80 per night.
Website
http://www.hoteldelamare.fr/fr/  
Metro
The nearest metro stations are Jourdain and Couronnes (red circles below).
 

Friday, June 7, 2013

Opening a bank account in Paris

If you move to Paris it is wise to open a bank account with a French bank as soon as possible. International transfers take time and sometimes cost extra money. For your daily expenses a local bank account is inevitable. However, choosing a bank can be tricky. There are many options and as a foreigner it is hard to distinguish between these banks. 

Neuflize is a good option for wealthy people. This bank only accepts clients who are willing (and able!) to put at least  € 200.000  in a bank account with Neuflize. The service of this bank is excellent.  

I opened a bank account with Crédit Agricole, because it is the partner bank of my bank in the Netherlands. I am very satisfied with the staff. The employee of Crédit Agricole who assisted me was kind and went out of her way to help me, even though I am a simple student. 

Some people are enthusiastic about BNP Paribas and others regret their choice for this bank, depending on the office that they were involved in. The advantage of a bank account with BNP Paribas is that there are ATM's on every corner of the street (metaphorically speaking). Disappointed clients mention inflexible employees who don't like foreigners.  

There are at least ten other banks present in Paris, so just walk inside an office and see if the staff is welcoming, easy-going and multilingual. If you want to open a bank account right away, make sure you have the following documents: your passport and a proof of residency, including a gas and electricity bill. The rental contract is often asked. If you are a student they might ask for your student card or a document that states that you are enrolled at a French educational institution. I brought a letter of credit from my Dutch bank, but this is usually not an obligation.


   

Fun Fact 2

The twenty arrondissements of Paris are arranged in the form of a clockwise spiral, starting in the middle of the city, with the first on the right of the Seine. Every arrondissement has its own mayor.

Rue Georges Lardennois


From Rue Georges Lardennois on Bergeyre Hill you can see the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Paris, better known as the Sacré-Cœur. This stunning church is on top of the hill of Montmartre, which is 3.3 kilometers away from the street mentioned above. 
 
 
Locals like to go to this street after a visit to Parc des Buttes Chaumont. It takes an accurate map to find Rue Georges Lardennois. Go to the southern entrance of Parc des Buttes Chaumont, Avenue Simon Bolivar. Walk westwards. The first street on your right should be Rue Manin. Don't enter this street. Just make sure you have passed this street. The next option to turn right is by stair climbing. Once you have taken the stairs turn left and at the end of the street you can see the Sacré-Cœur.   

Practical information
Arrondissement
19th
Time
Ten minutes to take photos and to rest on the bench.
Price
Free.
Metro
Either go to Bolivar or Colonel Fabien (red circle below).



Thursday, June 6, 2013

Parc de Belleville

Parc de Belleville was built on a steep hill in 1988. It is the highest park in Paris (108 m.)
 
Take the long stairs to enter the terrace on top of the hill for a spectacular panoramic view over the city. Have a photo taken of you with the Eiffel Tower on the background. The park has carved paths that lead you to past water sources which were once used to supply water to the city. The longest waterfall of Paris (100 m.) that cascades into lower ponds is also worth seeing
The more active visitor will happily notice that the park contains a wooden playground for children, ping-pong tables and an open-air theatre.

Practical information
Arrondissement
20th
Time
An hour for photos, a relaxing walk and a picknick.

Price
The entrance is free.
Metro
The nearest metro stations are Pyrénées and Couronnes (red circle below).

Fun Fact 1

The name Paris derives from that of its earliest inhabitants, the Gaulish tribe known as the Parisii. It is believed that the name of the Parisii tribe comes from the Celtic Gallic word parisio meaning "the working people" or "the craftsmen".

Source: Georges Dottin, La Langue Gauloise: Grammaire, Textes et Glossaire. Paris: C. Klincksieck.