Renting a Car in Paris

When it comes to getting around Paris, there is certainly no shortage of choices. From bus, to metro, to train, to taxi, you’ll find plenty of quick and easy ways to get from here to there. Still, with so many public transportation options, some travelers simply prefer the convenience of renting their own vehicle. If you’re one of those people, here are a few tips to help you with renting a car in Paris.

Plan Ahead – It’s always a good idea to rent your car ahead of time, before you leave for your trip. This way there is less of a chance of any surprises once you get there, and you don’t find yourself stranded without the transportation you were anticipating. A good rule of thumb is to book your rental car at least three weeks prior to your trip.

Know Where You’re Headed – There are a lot of options and locations where you can rent a car in Paris, so it helps to have a clear idea of where you plan on spending the majority of your time. For instance, if you plan to use the rental car outside of Paris city, it’s recommended that you rent a vehicle in Versailles, because it is easily accessible, but much less busy.

Come Prepared – The rules of the road apply in France, just as with most countries, and you’ll want to familiarize yourself with them before you hit the road. For example, both U.S. and Canadian driver’s licenses are accepted in France, but you must show proof of said license before you can rent a vehicle. If you think your travels may bring you into Western Europe, however, you will need to get an international driver’s license.

Know What to Expect – Keep in mind that, due to a higher rate of automobile accidents, most U.S. insurance companies won’t insure you while driving in Paris.  Expect to pay anywhere from $10-$30 per day for insurance through the rental agency.  Also, be aware that most vehicles in France are small, compact and feature stick shifts. Finally, familiarize with the traffic signs and signals before you hit the road to avoid any possible mishaps.

Be Careful – It sort of goes without saying, but if you’re planning on getting behind the wheel of a rental car in Paris, do so with caution. The streets of the city are often quite congested, and traffic is known to move pretty fast. Additionally, finding adequate parking can be a challenge as well. Be sure you know what you’re getting yourself into, and that you’re comfortable driving in a different country before you take the plunge and rent a vehicle.

If you’re planning on spending the majority of your trip in the city, you’re probably better off skipping the rental car and just using the ample public transportation options. On the other hand, if you plan on heading outside the city limits, and exploring the less populated areas, a rental car can be a great tool to help you with your sightseeing adventures. If you do choose to rent a vehicle, just be sure that you understand the risks and are well prepared ahead of time so there aren’t any unexpected mishaps along the way.

Christmas Time in Paris

Paris any time of year is beautiful, but at Christmas time it’s simply magical.  The already charming atmosphere is transformed into a spectacularly festive and light-filled landscape that creates the perfect setting for romance or an enchanting holiday celebration with the whole family.  The region seems to come alive with excitement and warmth with local markets bustling with holiday shoppers and endless activities to help usher in the wonders of the season.  One thing is for certain – Christmas in Paris is a truly unforgettable experience.  Here are a few reasons why.

The Decorations

Each year, several neighborhoods, shopping areas and historical sites throughout Paris are brilliantly lit up with dazzling Christmas lights, bringing joy and wonder to everyone who bears witness.  Boring department store windows are suddenly brought alive with enchanting light displays and famous landmarks become transformed into awe-inspiring holiday arrangements.  This time each year the trees along the famed Avenue des Champs-Elysées are adorned with magnificent lights, stretching all the way from the Place de l’Etoile and the Arc de Triomphe to the Place de la Concorde.  Even Notre Dame Cathedral is ushered into the Christmas spirit, boasting a grand and lavishly decorated tree on its main plaza.  It is a magical sight that is simply not to be missed!

The Markets

The infamous Christmas Markets of France are unique and unforgettable traditions that help to make celebrating the holidays in Paris so magical.  Originating in the Alsace region and repeated every year for centuries, visitors can enjoy a scenic stroll through the winding market streets, feast on delectable treats like gingerbread and mulled wine, and shop the many merchants to find handcrafted toys, clothing and other unique gift ideas.  Many of the markets around the Paris area also offer a number of delightful events and activities, such as ice skating and visits with Santa himself.  It’s the perfect place for the whole family!

The Activities

There is certainly no shortage of things to do and experience in Paris at Christmas time.  Whether it’s a blissfully chilly skate around the ice rink or a romantic trip to see the Eifel Tower, you’ll find yourself immersed in the enchanting holiday spirit.  Attend midnight mass at Notre Dame or finish your holiday shopping to find unique treasures for everyone on your list.  Visit the quaint boutiques of local artists or take in a show.  For an absolutely unforgettable experience, bring the kids to Disneyland Paris.  They’ll be talking about it for years to come.  However you choose to spend your time it’s certain to be magical.

Of all the places and ways to celebrate the holidays, Christmas in Paris is one of the most incredible experiences a person can have.  Picture an already enchanting, romantic destination somehow transformed to become even more incredible.  Dazzling lights and decorations adorn the landscape and the cold, crisp winter air is belied by the warmth of the holiday spirit.  From morning to night you’ll be amazed and inspired by the magical Christmas atmosphere that envelopes the city.  Chances are you’ll make Paris the place to be for holidays to come.

Paris-Nice Is Up For Grabs

The UCI World Tour continues. The Union Cycliste International (UCI) World Tour brings together the world’s greatest cyclists to compete in the world’s legendary road races. The 18 UCI pro teams selected according to ethical, financial, administration, but above all sporting criteria will participate in the 2011 calendar events spanning over 10 countries. The most notable races include Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia and the Vuelta a España, but others like Paris-Roubaix, Tour de Flandres and Tour Down Under are favorites of many cycling enthusiasts.

Peloton pushing the limits

The UCI started its season with the Tour Down Under in Australia on January 18-23. Racers journeyed over to France this week for the second event, Paris-Nice. This 8 stage tour began March 6 in Houdan and will finish Sunday, March 13 in Nice.  After riding almost 1000 km, Tony Martin (HTC-Highroad) leads the GC with Andreas Kloden (Team RadioShack) and Bradley Wiggins (Sky ProCycling) staying close to his wheel. The next two stages will be difficult with many challenging climbs. The tour win is still in reach for many of the top competitors.

Could this be a sign of what to expect in the Tour de France this July? Although Andy Schleck is not competing in this race, other possible TDF winners, like brother Frank Schleck, are looking strong and performing well as we near the most anticipated cycling event of the year. While you’re waiting for July don’t miss another exciting race in May, the Giro d’Italia.

5 Most Beautiful Parks in Paris

Paris is a spectacular city with so many amazing sites to see, it is no wonder why it is the most visited destination in the world with 27 million tourists a year. The museums, theaters, churches, fountains and statues are a few enticing attractions that draw in many visitors. Accordingly, the peaceful and stunning parks catch the attention of a number of travelers.

Paris boosts about its 400 plus parks all of which offer something unique. Here are a few favorites:

Jardin des Plantes
This is the oldest garden in France, created in 1626 to cultivate herbs for medical purposes. Today, it is one of France’s most popular botanical gardens. The park is situated on the River Seine and covers 69 acres. The most important attraction at the Jardin des Plantes is the Natural History Museum which is located on the grounds along with a small zoo and the labyrinth.

Museum of Natural History

Jardin du Luxembourg
Originally owned by the duke of Luxemburg, hence the name, this 55 acre park is probably the most popular in Paris and rightfully so. Throughout the park visitors can admire the many statues including the Statue of Saint-Geneviève. At the center of the park is the Grand Basin, an octagonal pond, where children bring small boats. The park is in no short supply of chairs and quiet places to sit and people watch.

Parc André Citroen
If you enjoy a more modern style then you will love the Parc André Citroen. Finished in 1992, the park is known for its variety. The park has two very modern greenhouse pavilions complete with dancing fountains. Within the park grounds there is a White Garden, Black Garden, Changing Garden, Scent Garden, and Garden of Movement all of which deserve a visit.

Bois de Boulogne
The Bois de Boulogne is an enormous park at the western edge of Paris. What sets this park apart from others is its several gardens, the most important being the Parc de Bagatelle. The Chateau de Bagatelle, the famous rose garden, and the magnificent iris display in May are visible from the Parc de Bagatelle.

Parc Monceau
The park was created in 1778 and many structures still stand: among the best known are a rotunda at the edge of the park, a small pyramid and a picturesque corinthian colonnade. The flower gardens of Park Monceau are well-known and are an ideal place for a romantic evening stroll; perhaps this is why this park is said to be one of Paris’s most romantic. This park is a favorite with children because of the number of playgrounds found here.

Parc Monceau

If you are interested in visiting Paris let us know. We can help with hotels, rail passes, day tours, etc.

Exciting Changes in France to Look For

2010 brought a lot of changes to France. Millions of Euros were spent by the government to upgrade their public spaces and technology for visitors. Some of these renovations are still underway, but others are set in place and ready for visitors to marvel at them.

Paris:

• The top floor of the Orsay, containing its Impressionist and Post-Impressionist rooms, is scheduled to reopen this spring.
• The Eiffel Tower’s online reservation system is up and running. With this new system in place, attendants, at the tower, scan your ticket (which you’ve printed at home) and put you on the first available elevator.
• The east wing of the Army Museum in Paris, which exhibits “From Louis XIV to Napoleon I,” covers French military history from 1643 to 1814, with a focus on Napoleon, is finally complete. Highlights include a projection screen illustrating the Battle of Waterloo and the famous portrait of Napoleon by Ingres.

Normandy

• The first phase of the Mont St Michel’s project to return the island to its original form was completed in 2010. The new dam on the Couesnon River offers a fabulous view of the abbey. Next up is the construction of huge parking lots, followed by a pedestrian footbridge to replace the old causeway. The entire project should be completed by 2014. See the changes to the Mont St Michel on our Normandy and Brittany Combo Tour.

Alsace

• In Colmar, big plans are in the works to expand the Unterlinden Museum, which is one of the most visited in all of France because of its beautiful Isenheim Altarpiece. Our Alsace Bike Tour stops in Colmar.

High tech changes:

• Every McDonald’s in France now offers free Wi-Fi.
• As more of France adopts chip-and-PIN technology for credit cards, U.S. credit and debit cards may not work at self-service ticket machines, gas pumps, automated tollbooths, and parking garages with automatic pay points. The best advice is to carry sufficient cash in euro bills and coins, since there’s usually an option to pay cash.

As you can tell France has had some exciting construction years. Be among the first to see all the new features in person. More stimulating changes are set to take place in the next couple years so make sure you are there to see the results.