The delightful taste of Paris cafe’s without the price

Two if by sea café,

HISTORIC PROPERTIES
1869 Upper Water Street
Halifax, NS
B3J 1S9
(902) 492-4600
Monday thru Friday 7:30 am til 5 pm
Saturday 8 am til 5 pm
Sunday CLOSED

http://www.twoifbyseacafe.ca/

One morning I was going down my Hotel’s street , heading to the waterfront and the harbour. At the corner of  Barrington and Duke . I noticed a small mall entrance, that says Historic Properties . I walked-in  out of curiosity; first I have seen a few shops (artisans and souvenirs), then I found it…close to the exit door and to the access-door for the Historic Properties boardwalk. Right on my left side, similar to a Paris small café. They have a wide variety of pastries (Viennoiseries) , like croissants, Pain au Chocolate (chocolate bread), muffins, cinnamon-buns, etc. They also have speciality coffees and teas  (Espressos , Cappuccinos, lattes, etc).

The seating area , is well located, just in front of the counter, it’s large enough to sit probably 50 persons (note that they are sharing the eating area with a small Subway restaurant), it can get a bit crowded depends on the time of the day. Since I was having breakfast at around 10am, it was perfect. After ordering your items, you will have to add your sugar, cream, etc. The dispensers are in the sitting area (since it’s used by everyone, it can be a little messy at time) .

My experience: I decided to order a Pain au Chocolat, with a Chai Latte . The waiter who took my order, did his job but not more then that ….I get that you might feel that you need to serve more clients, but please put the accent on the quality of services, not the quantity delivered. I was only hoping for a smile that morning (I am a tourist). He prepared my order, added some cinnamon on top of my latte (nice gesture), the latte was as beautiful as it was good to the taste, they are forming a kind of leaf on top of the latte. I will post my pictures later, you have to see it to understand.  Anyhow, he put my order on a small carrying-tray, but the latte was too full, so I spilled a little bit on my way to the table (High table with bar stole high chair, very nice and comfy). I didn’t knew where the napkins were (normal it’s my fist time there) , I returned to the counter, asked where it was and he just pointed at me . It was rude and again, I am a tourist , we help your business’s survive, try to keep that in mind .

After all this (no smile and rudeness) , I sat down , took a few pictures of the breakfast (for my reviews), and taste it . Boom, wow, fantastic, unbelievable. It’s like I was brought back to Paris, in a small café; where I was paying 4 Euros, only  for my chocolate bread . It was a delightful experience. No matter is the staff was not up to the task, with that first bit…. he was forgiven (almost) .

I was so pleased, that I even returned two more times (in one week). Ordered the same thing. On those occasions, it was a different staff member that took my order…but the faulty one was still around the counter, I suspect that he might be the manager or even the owner…but it’s just an impression. Before I end my review , here is a small advice to the staff members of the café ( you will probably read it) , please be more nice to your clients, at the end of the day it’s your job’s on the line.

Would I recommend this café….well, absolutely without any hesitation.

Romantic dinner on the Seine

Bateaux Dinner Cruise in Paris France

http://www.paris-tours.net/

 “Voir Paris et Mourir ”

         Reservations can be made online or via telephone: 888-317-1530      

Activity done in March 2010 (couple)

At first,  I was looking for a romantic and special activity to celebrate my husband’s birthday. I found this website and wonder if it was not a bit expensive? but I said, if I don’t try I will not no, if it was worth it or not. I booked online.

The evening of the dinner-cruise, we got to the pier and got on-board, The atmosphere was phenomenal , grandiose, we felt like royalty. The waiters pickup the orders for food and wine, then the music starts and the boat lives the pier. Simply magical !

The food was fantastic, from the appetizers to the deserts , wine was good, but what was on top of it all was the live band, the signer must have been an angel, I still have shivers when I think of that dinner-cruise, he had a voice simply out of this world, each note to the perfection, the music just go with the flow… with each new monument we’ve been facing, they played a new song that matched that attraction (ex: the statue of Liberty, New York New York, etc.) . What a memorable evening, one that I will never forget.

I know some of you will ask , is it an activity  for everyone?  Well, to be honest I only saw one child (4-5 years old) with her parents, she was pretty alive and kicking ( bored probably), but it added to the magic of the evening, she was cute and funny. Mostly I would recommend this  cruise to  couples ,  couples of all ages that are seeking a romantic evening (even if we are sitting on long tables with strangers everywhere, it’s still romantic).

Would I recommend this ? Yes, absolutely , most of all to couple’s in search of the special moment in Paris, it’s magical !

Tips: Take a taxi to go there  or walk if it not too far and dress casual, you don’t need to be elegant for that evening, I did and I regret it !

 

Value 5*( worth every Dollars your paying)

Service 3* ( the waiters do their best, they have a crowded boat when they leave the pier)

Location 5* ( easy to find and easy to access whatever your transportation or if your walking)

 

 

 

Paris-Shuttle

Paris-Shuttle

http://www.paris-shuttle.com

info@paris-shuttle.com

 

I used this transporter service, on my last visit to Paris in August 2011, I found the link on the web. Since I was travelling solo, I was feeling a bit insecure about taking the train or the bus, and the taxi fare could be very excessively costly. I decided to give them a try, so I made my reservation online, got my confirmation number (you have to take it with you and give it to the shuttle driver on the pickup), I only made the reservation for one way, because I was not sure if  I would like it or not, and I did. At first when I arrived at the airport CDG in Paris, you get your luggage and then you get outside, I was expecting them to be right at the door waiting for me, but it was not the case, they were a bit late….I tried to find-out where they were parked usually, very difficult to find an answer, then I I called them….they were on their way (lots of traffic that day). The shuttle arrived and we got to the Hotel in no time, the driver was very professional and the ride was pretty smooth.

I decided to do a reservation for the departure, I made it from the hotel and it was very easy. Next time I will book both trip (arrival and departure) it’s a bit less expensive, when we are in Paris we do want to save a few dollars (oups , Euros) .

Tips: Book online before it’s less expensive.
Would I recommend this transporter? Yes, reliable, and at a very good price!

 

Value 4* ( good price,  well organized)

Service 4* ( respectful, professional, handle your luggage’s)

Location 5* ( they will go where you want to go )

 

 

 

Notre-Dame de Paris

I am just standing in Front of the Cathedrale

Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris

 6 Place du Parvis Notre-Dame, 75004 Paris, France

http://www.notredamedeparis.fr/

Visited in March 2010(couple)

Like many of you , I had in mind that if I was going to Paris,  visiting the famous Cathedrale Notre-Dame de Paris, was a must and on top of my list .  I have no regret at all, the monument itself is very enigmatic  , full of mysteries , even more if you are a fan of the Da Vinci Code the movie . I have noticed lots of tourists walking in the Cathedrale with their Da Vinci books on hands, looking around for the famous symbols or sighs , it was a funny thing to watch.  But, even without the movies and the books that’s been done , it remains that the Cathedrale is a wonderful infrastructure, rich in history , splendidly preserved, independently of your religious beliefs , you can’t stay untouched by the  the Spiritual atmosphere that surrounds you when you are entering in the building .

I used the audioguide ( available in at least 10 language)  during my visit, it’s a real help when it comes to paintings, statues, the crypt, the treasury , etc.  unless you’ve went before or your a French historian, you should use one. Good to know, they have the children’s version of the tour with the audioguide, so the can understand the basic facts about each items and their history.

Tips: For the Cathedral and Paris in General:

           -Get there very early, because the later you get there, the longer line-up you’ll find.

           -Dress code in effect, so no camisole or short-shorts (Bermuda, tee-shirts fine).

           – Watch your bags at all time, it’s full of  pickpockets , they even figure ways to get your cameras, purses, etc.

*Thieves and Gypsies …they develop  more tricks  every day …they get your attention with things like : a  false Gold band on the ground ( they try to convince you that you dropped it , then you look at your hands, etc,) or while you are at crowded places , like train stations or the Cathedral, they will come to you, asking for direction ( help me I am lost) , or they could  just be acting being a blind person or handicaps . Be extra cautious, because  they even use kids (mostly when you go to ATM machine).

         –http://reservation.parisinfo.com/   I encourage you to order your Paris City Passport , it’s good for all the museums (even castles), the Parks, the Buses, Trains, You will save a bundle ….I promise!

Value 4* (worth a visit at least once in your life)

Price 4* ( a little expensive with the audioguide, but some of the money goes to the preservation of the site)

Location 5*( very easy to find)

CERCLE NATIONAL DES ARMÉES

 

CERCLE NATIONAL DES ARMEES
http://www.cnaparis.com/en

8, place Saint Augustin
75008 PARIS

Phone: +33 (0) 1 44 90 27 28
Fax: +33 (0) 1 44 90 27 55
Email: hotel@cnaparis.com

The Cercle National Des Armees In Paris, France
Travelled in March 2010 and August 2011 (couple)

This Institution, consist of two Hotel , The Saint-Augustin and The Sainte-Genevieve; These Hotels are only accessible to Military staff and their families ( you have to show your card at the check-inn). The price is very reasonable if you compare to other well known establishments in that area. I had the chance to stay at the Sainte-Genevieve for a week in March 2010 and then I stayed at the Saint-Augustin in August 2011 for more then 2 weeks.

When it comes to choosing the right place, you might not even have a choice, it’s on first comes-first served, and it also depends on the time of year, sometimes one are the other might be closed for a certain period of time . Whenever you know that you have a chance to go to Paris, you have your date fixed , contact them immediately to make your reservation , and if you have a preference in the Hotel you want to go , you have to mention it then.

The rooms are pretty small, so if you want to have a bigger room , you will have to take a deluxe -privileges double size room or even an Apartment If you travel with family . At both locations it’s the same thing; for ourselves we booked the double room, at the Sainte-Genevieve we booked a double-privileges and at the Saint-Augustin we booked the double room (what a mistake we did there). The double-privilleges is perfect if you are not travelling with children, it’s small but comfy, while the double room, is too small , but will be perfect if you travel alone (1 person).

Comparison, I found the Saint-Augustin better located, it’s just a few steps from all the major attractions Paris as to offer, very close to the subway station, train, etc. You even have a shopping mall in front of the door, so you can get a little treat for yourself ( lots of excellent wine for a few bucks). The room that we had as I already said was too small, the establishment was almost full, so no way to get a upgrade at this point, the look in general, it could use a good refreshment (painting, new beds, new tv’s, etc.) , it’s very very old, they have no refrigerator in the room , and it’s noisy as it can be, we were situated in between two young families , so heard arguments, crying, etc ….in resume they were pretty much alive and we were exhausted with the jet-lag and everything. But again, the location, made us forget about the less interesting things and we were outside most of the time. They have a lounge and a fine-dinning restaurant, but we did not tried, we prefer to eat at different places everyday, so we tried quiet a few ones.

The Sainte-Genevieve, I a bit far from the major attractions, but If you like to walk you will be happy , it’s an area of Paris where it more calm , depend on the time of the year, when we were there it was during an episode of manifestations, so Cops even block the entrance to our Hotel at one point, so we had to wait a while before we could get back in, but everything was ok. The room was a good size, we could see the garden in the back of the hotel , lovely. We had breakfast on site (a restaurant) a few morning, it’s just a regular European breakfast ( a few croissants , a coffee, a juice), don’t expect bacon or sausage there. Suggestion: go to a caffee, you will get more for your money, because you pay the same price at the hotel, too expensive for what your getting.

At both locations, you are surrounded by so much beautiful buildings, little caffees, gardens, parks, etc.
So, anywhere you choose to go , you’ll be happy about the location and the price.

Tips: -Use one shuttle service to get to the Hotel, http://www.paris-shuttle.com/ it’s not expensive and you’ll get to you location more relaxed.
-About tipping in Paris, Gratuities are already included in the price your are paying so even if the waiters look at you funny when it’s time to pay, don’t act on it, they’ve already received their money,One of them made a scene when I ask to get my 3 euros back (that was the change he owed me).