Prix Culinaire Pierre Taittinger, Paris
Prix Culinaire Pierre Taittinger: “While the sweet fragrance of freshly pressed must was floating on the air, the Prix Culinaire Pierre Taittinger was born.”
Address: 45 Boulevard Raspail 75006
Arrondissement: 6
Begins: December 2, 2007
Ends: December 2, 2007
Hours: 7:00pm
Tickets: Invitation Only
WWW: http://www.taittinger.com
Email: lutetia-paris@lutetia-paris.com
Phone: 33 (01) 46 37 07 70
The Prix Culinaire Pierre Taittinger is a gastronomical delight featuring top chefs from eight European countries, all of which are to serve up a dish good enough to dub them the paramount French gourmet chef in all of Europe. All of the contestants are given five hours to prepare a meal that tingles the taste buds of the five jury members, all of which are presidents of the best gourmet institutions in the world. The first fantastic dish must be game and the second is one of the jury members’ choices so participants must be prepared for anything that might be thrown their way.
This invitation only event began in 1966 and was established by Claude Taittinger in memory of his late father Pierre Taittinger, who was a long time member of the exclusive Academie des Gastronomes. The event takes place in one of Paris’ premiere hotels - Hotel Lutetia - which housed infamous artists such as Picasso. This elite event is decadent in every way and the location generates artistic talents merely from its presence. If you would like to attend, we suggest you make yourself known and start to work towards getting one of the limited invitations. It will be well worth your troubles.
Paris Metro Stations for the Prix Culinaire Pierre Taittinger
If you are taking the metro to Prix Culinaire Pierre Taittinger our suggestion is Metro Line 10 to Sevres Babylone. This station is at the intersection of Rue de Sevres and Raspail Boulevard, which is the same road that the event is on.
Paris Hotels for the Prix Culinaire Pierre Taittinger
For as few as 90 euros a night, you can acquire a pleasing stay at Acacias Saint-Germaine. This hotel feels like home away from home with its snug atmosphere and dreamy summer garden. Spend your days walking the infamous Parisian left bank and your evenings sampling food at the Prix Culianaire Pierre Tattinger, if you were lucky enough to be invited! If not, there are plenty of restaurants near by perfuming the air with the wonderful smell of French cuisine.
Stay at the Saint Paul Rive Gauche for 154 euros a night and you will enjoy it immensely. The homely hotel features stone walls, open oak beam ceilings and Sputnik the hotel cat! Saint Paul Rive Gauche is situated near the Luxembourg Gardens and the Notre Dame Cathedral. It is on a side street - close enough to the hustle and bustle of daily life in Paris but far enough away that it is a quiet retreat after a long evening at the Prix Culianaire Pierre Tattinger.
What is better than staying at the event location? Nothing in our opinion especially if it is the exquisite art deco Hotel Lutetia that houses the Prix Culinaire Pierre Taittinger event annually. For 200 euros an evening, a stay at the Hotel Lutetia is a culmination of all things Paris. It lays in the center of Saint Germaine des Pres, one of Paris most fashionable districts, for all the shoppers out there. It is also a stones throw from the famous Seine River, Musee d’Orsay, Notre Dame Cathedral as well as the fantastic shops and restaurants that are housed along the river.
Supercross de Bercy, Paris
Supercross de Bercy: “A literally astounding show!”
Address: 8 Boulevard de Bercy, 75012, Paris
Arrondissement: 12
Begins: November 9, 2007
Ends: November 11, 2007
Hours: November 9 & 10 at 8pm; November 11 at 3pm
Tickets: On sale beginning July 15, 2007. www.ticketnet.fr
Numbered seats: November 9 & 11 = EUR70; November 10 = EUR79
Non-numbered seats: November 9 & 11 = EUR55; November 10 = EUR60
WWW: http://www.supercrossbercy.com
Phone: 33 (01) 41 40 32 32
If you want to see the worlds’ most electrifying and top motorbike riders doing their most challenging, sky high stunts then the Supercross Bercy is for you. The Supercross Bercy is one of the greatest 100% freestyle motorbike competitions in the world. With a third of the riders French, a third American and the other third from around the world, this contest brings in the best of the best. The riders are fearless, flying through the air doing gravity defying stunts. The Supercross Bercy’s location, at Paris Bercy Palais Omnisports, claims to be a fan favorite due to its superlative lighting, entertaining atmosphere, well organized seating arrangements and excellent view of the show. This annual show, in the Paris’ infamous 12th arrondissement, is sure to give you thrill that will leave you exhilarated for the rest of your stay in the city.
Paris Metro Stations for the Supercross Bercy
Hop on the Paris Metro’s Line 14 and hop off at Bercy. The Paris Bercy Palais Omnisports is located just south of this station.
Paris Hotels for the Supercross Bercy
There are lots of hotels in Bercy, Paris suitably situated for this event.
For 65 euros you can have a comfortable stay at the Citotel Sport Hotel. The hotel is located only 3 metro stations away from the Palais Omnisports which makes for an easy trip for Supercross Bercy goers. There are also several other sites to be seen nearby such as the Paris zoo and Lake Daumesnil. You can’t go wrong with the Citotel Sport Hotel which offers a welcoming atmosphere and friendly staff at an affordable price.
Hotel Bella Époque is the epitome of French hotels. For a price of 120 euros per night, you can book a stay at this charming and simplistic Parisian hotel. Right near the heart of the city, you can experience the real magic of Paris. The setting is situated next to Bastille Square, the oldest square in France as well as the Opera House. After your time at the Supercross Bercy, you easily walk to Notre Dame cathedral, stroll the banks of the Saint Martin Canal, after which, you may take a seat at one of the many fine cafes and restaurants nearby for an excellent meal to round out the day.
The Le Marceau Bastille is located in the bustling center of the Bastille district. There is much to see and do here after your time at the Supercross Bercy is done such as visiting the infamous old Bastille prison where Maria Antoinette, among other famous Parisian’s, had a stay. The Le Marceau Bastille is newly renovated and offers an eclectic, artistic appeal like none other and is completely worth the 220 euro a night price tag.
Mysteries of Christmas in Paris
Address: Cathedrale Notre Dame de Paris, 6 Paris Notre-Dame, Place Jean Paul II, 75004 Paris
Arrondissement: 4
Begins: December
Ends: January
Hours: Every ½ hour from 10am-7pm daily
Tickets: EUR6, EUR3 for concessions
WWW: http://www.notredamedeparis.fr
Phone: 33 (01) 42 34 56 10
Every half an hour on the steps of the Notre Dame Cathedral, from December through January, a show entitled “Mysteries of Christmas” is performed. Each year the church enchants crowds with their telling of the nativity story, accompanied by music from composers such as Vilvaldi and Gonoud. The show is further enhanced with the soaring cathedrals beautiful Christmas lights, intricate stained glass and eerie gargoyles in the background.
Once the show is over you can take a leisurely stroll through the church, which is known to be the epitome of French Gothic architecture. The structure is still an active Roman Catholic church so you might be able to catch a free musical performance inside. If not, you can still wind your way through the eerie maze of halls full of ghostly statues. Make your way to the legendary South Tower and after climbing the mountainous staircase, you will come face to face with the hideous Gargoyles that kept hunchback Quasimodo company in Victor Hugo’s novel.
After you descend the South Tower, if the weather permits and you have children tagging along, there is a playground on the same side of the building. As you can see, the landmark Notre Dame Cathedral has much to see and much to do and is a worthwhile trip, especially for travelers with children.
Paris Metro Stations for the Mysteries of Christmas
To get to the Notre Dame Cathedral you will need to get on Metro Line 4 and get off at the Cite stop. A tip to ensure that you don’t miss your stop is that the lighting at the station is an unusual shade of green!
Paris Hotels for the Mysteries of Christmas
Located between the infamous Hotel de Ville and the old world Bastille prison, 2 star Hotel Pointe Rivoli is just what you have been looking for. The price is EUR87 per night and features exposed beams in the lounge as well as stone walls throughout the quaint premises.
Don’t let the 2 star rating fool you when it comes to the historic Hotel de la Place des Vosges. The building was built in 1650 at the same time as the square that shares its name. At one point it housed Henri IV’s mules and horses. Hotel de la Place des Vosges is no longer a stable but a completely remodeled, well-designed property filled with beautifully beamed ceilings, tile rooms and a great location near the square Place des Vosges, one of the city’s oldest squares. Book your stay now for EUR166 per night.
For EUR207 for one night, you can book a stay at the 3 star St Paul le Marais Hotel. Once a Parisian convent, this hotel is now a central spot that is surrounded by not only Notre Dame Cathedral but the Louvre and Place des Vosges. The hotel has many fine features like a relaxing lounge, an entertaining bar and a courtyard full of greenery to enhance your stay.
Salon du Cheval, Paris
Salon du Cheval: “The Night of Horses…”
Address: Paris Expo
Porte de Versailles, 75015 Paris
Arrondissement: 15th
Phone: 01 48 09 64 82
Begins: December 2, 2007
Ends: December 10, 2007
Hours: 10am - 7pm
Tickets: Adult - 12.50 euros; Children 6 to 12 - 8 euros; Infants under 6 - Free; Group Admission (15 person minimum) 10.50 per person
WWW: www.salon-cheval.com/
Email: servicegroupes@comexpo-paris.com
Paris’ 35th annual Salon du Cheval or “Living Room of the Horse” is a fantastic event that allows for guests of all ages to get to know the horse a little bit better. Throughout the event dates there is a “Living Room of the Horse” which has informative booths set up amongst exhibitions. There is also a demonstration set up for kids’ only - no parents allowed; sorry mom and dad! Parents can walk around freely while their children learn how to groom and care for horses in a fun learning environment, complete with live ponies!
The first big event is the Salon’s annual horse show. The finest show horses and jumpers from around the globe come to compete here annually at the door of Versailles from November 30 through December 2. Once the horse show begins to wind down on December 2, the next occasion begins - Le Defile de Paris or the Procession of Horses. Over 200 horses march through nearly 12 miles of Parisian streets, showing off of exceptional examples of more than 28 breeds that have come from near and far to attend the parade.
On December 7 two more events kick off at the Salon de Cheval. The first is the Spectacle la Nuit de Cheval which boasts many fun events such as: circus like performances, barrel racing and other rodeo events, dressage, the elegant Lipizzaner stallions, and if the crowd is lucky, an appearance by Stormy the “Zorse” (zebra/horse). The Spectacle continues on through until December 9. The second event that begins on December 7 is one of the biggest that occurs during the Salon festival. It is called Championat du Monde Cheval Arabe. This occasion invites all of the finest Arabian horses on the earth to attend. The Arabian is the oldest and most celebrated breed and the festival does excellent work commemorating one of the most beautiful and pure forms of the horse in the world from December 7 through the 9.
So come to Paris this winter to celebrate with the rest of the world, the beauty and splendor of the animal known as the horse.
Paris Metro Stations for Salon du Cheval
The best way to get to the Salon du Cheval by metro is Metro Line 12, getting off at Port de Versailles the Balard stop on Metro Line 8.
Paris Hotels for Salon du Cheval
Close to the Eiffel Tour and the Paris Expo, where the Salon du Cheval takes place, lies the 2 star Au Pacific Hotel. This hotel costs mere pennies for a night’s stay, 58 euros to be exact. Located on a quiet street, this quaint hotel has a subtle glow about which will make you feel right at home as you come back weary from a day at the Salon du Cheval’s events.
The 3 star Versailles Hotel couldn’t get any closer to the Porte de Versailles Expo center, literally! The expo center is only 200 meters away from the hotel, which is a very short walk for those attending the Salon du Cheval. The hotel itself is classy and sophisticated and is located right by the metro so guests have easy access to the rest of the city during their stay at this fine location.
The boutique Hotel Le Marquis is a 4 star stay for less; 175 euros per night. Neighboring the Eiffel Tour, this is the perfect spot for the guest who wants pampering at a very well kept, state of the art hotel.
If you won’t settle for less, stay at the 4 star Hotel Sofitel Paris Porte de Sevres. This hotel has luxury lurking in every corner - from the breathtaking views, to-die-for decor and fantastic fine dining and entertainment - it just doesn’t get better than this!