About Paris France Blog

Marathon de Paris

Address: S.O. Athlétisme - 2 rue Rouget de Lisle TSA 61100 - 92137 Issy-les-Moulineaux Cedex
 
Date: April 2008
Start Time: 8:45am
Tickets: Free

WWW: http://www.parismarathon.com
Phone: 01.41.33.15.68
Email: infos@parismarathon.com

About the Paris Marathon

It is said that the very first marathon was run in 490 B.C. In this year, the Athenians won a famous battle that put an end to the very first Median War. A solider by the name of Philippides was sent as a messenger to let the citizens know that the war was over. It is said he ran so far for so long that he died of exhaustion upon his arrival. Marathons were run annually in his honor. The tradition continues on today all over the world. The Paris Marathon, first begun in July 1896, always seeks to commemorate Philippides heroic journey.

Even today, the race is still 40 kilometers long, which is symbolic of the distance between Paris and Athens. The race begins at the Champs Elysees and ends at Avenue Foch but not before winding through favorite Parisian landmarks like the Bastille, Rue de Lyon, Tuileries and Versailles.

Each year more than 36,000 gather to run in the marathon. More than 95 countries are represented, although only 20% of runners are foreign. Another 28% comes directly from Paris and the other 52% are from provincial France. Participants are treated like royalty and nearly all come to the Saturday evening Pasta Party to fuel up. Sponsor REEBOOK also gives away over 3,000 items to runners. Runners can pick up some gear as well as their chip and registration information the Marathon Expo.

The Paris Marathon does have a little twist when compared to others. Each runner must get a colored bib that signifies their starting time. Times range between 3 to 4 ½ hours. Those who have proof of current race results that are dated within two years can receive a red or yellow bib, proving that they are an “elite” participant and one to watch for at the finish line.

As for the spectators, nearly 200,000 line the streets of Paris to cheer and party. Events are organized. Foods and drink stalls abound. Almost 100 musical acts play at venues throughout the city. To boot, over 50,000 gifts and prizes are handed out to spectators. All are welcome to the Marathon Expo at Porte des Versailles as well, which is free to the public and features running related events and gear.

Participants can register online or by mail. Registration is limited to 35,000 and is follows the rules of “first come, first serve.” Those who register early, between September and October have a 53EUR fee. October through November registrants will incur a 70EUR fee and those registering between December and January will have an 85EUR fee.

Getting to Paris Marathon

Participants and specatators can find their way to the starting line by way of the Champs-Elysees-Clemenceau metro station which runs along lines 1 and 13. To find the finish line, visitos can take metro line 2 to the Porte Dauphine station. There is no direct transfer to Avenue Foch, however, this is the closest rail station.

Paris Marathon Hotels 

Here is a short guide to Paris Marathon hotel accommodation.

Located at 5 rue Ponthieu, less than a quarter of a kilometer away from the marathon starting point, the three star Hotel Elysee Park is an ideal location to enjoy the race and the whole of Paris. It is also close by several metro lines that will help get you to Avenue Foch in no time at all. Rates for a single room here start at 100EUR per night.

Located at 3 rue Ponthieu, the three star Hotel Mathis Elysees Matignon is always a favorite because of its beautifully up kept and charming historic interior. It is also close by several metro lines, including Franklin D. Roosevelt, which will help get you to Avenue Foch in no time at all. Rates for a single room here start at 170EUR per night.

Located at 38 rue du Faoubourg Saint Honore, the Hotel de Castiglione is the best bang for your buck. It has a lofty four star status but a very affordable price tag which starts at 131EUR per night for a twin sole use room and breakfast. It is also close by the Champs Elysees-Clemenceau metro station.

Photo courtesy of Wikimedia.org

Paris’ Venetian Carnival: “Le grand rendez-vous du!”

Address: Port de Plaisance
Arrondissement: 16^th
Begins: March 31
Ends: April 1
Hours: 2:30 – 5:30pm
Tickets: Free
WWW: Paris’ Venetian Carnival Website
Email: Venetian Carnival Email

About Venetian Carnival in Paris

Paris brings back the primeval Venetian carnival with a rich show of vibrant costumes, unique masks, brilliant head pieces and one of a kind water displays. “The City of Lights” seeks to transform itself into “The City of Canals,” while honoring the Venetian ‘watery’ customs.  In doing so, nearly all of the city’s waterways are filled to their limits with hundreds of decorated boats while musicians play and cloaked celebrants dance. Nearly 20,000 visitors come to witness this spectacular display of color and ancient history.

Paris Metro Stations for the Venetian Carnival

To get to the Venetian Carnival, most travel to Bastille metro station situated on Paris’ Metro Lines 1, 5 and 8. The station is located near its namesake and some of the very few remains of the former prison can be found on line 5.

Paris Hotels for the Venetian Carnival 

The one star Hotel Baudelaire Bastille is conveniently located at 12 rue de Charonne, just a quarter of a kilo from the Bastille metro station and the canals where the Venetian Carnival lives. The Baudelaire is also minutes away from some of Paris’ trendiest areas like Gare de Lyon and Gare d’Austerlitz. The price for a single room starts at 55EUR, perfect for a traveler on a budget.

Three star Bastille Speria features a prime location, 1 rue de la Bastille, near Place de la Bastille, Place des Vosges and Marais, for a steal of a price. Just a stone’s throw from the Bastille metro station and the Venetian Canal this hotel also offers off street parking, a rarity for a city of this magnitude! A single room starts at the comfortable price point of 80EUR.

Le Marceau Bastille is a four star gem of a hotel that is located at 13 rue Jules Cesar. And like its boulevards namesake, you will be treated like royalty in this recently renovated, artsy hotel. The hotel sits just over a quarter of a kilometer away from the Venetian Carnival so walking the cultured streets is a must! The Marceau is the perfect blend of modern atmosphere, coziness and hospitable services, all rolled into the standard room packages price of 180EUR or the single room price of 381EUR.

Festival of the Imagination: “Defining exploration, discovery, revelation and hopes the world over.”

Address: Maison des Cultures du Monde, 101 Boulevard Raspail, 75006, Paris
Arrondissement: 6th

Begins: March
Ends: April
Hours: Varies to Event
Tickets: Varies to Event

WWW: Festival de l’Imaginarie
Email: esber@mcm.asso.fr
Phone: +33 (0) 1 45 44 41 42

About Festival of the Imagination

The Festival of Imagination is held annually in Paris each spring. This innovative event seeks to promote cultural from the nearest, as well as the farthest, reaches of the earth.

This fascinating program is as diverse as the people of the world. Each culture brings its own traditions, whether modern or olden to the table for a spicy mix of contemporary, academic, minimalist, sophisticated, chic, modern and folk performance pieces. In the past these events have been through the spoken word, song and/or dance of Japanese puppetry from Sado Island, dance music from Cape Verde, choirs from the Syrian Orthodox Church, folk music from the Hmong of the Golden Triangle and many other exotic and entertaining peoples.

As the name states, the only limitation on this festival is the imagination!

Paris Metro Stations for Festival of the Imagination

To get to the Festival of Imagination at the Maison des Culture du Monde, you can take Metro Line 4 to station St Placide in Montparnasse or Metro Line 12 to station Notre Dame des Champs, also in Montparnasse.

Paris Hotels for the Festival of the Imagination

Here is a short guide to Festival of the Imagination Hotels.

Perfect for those on a budget, the Hotel de L’avenier has a minimal cost of 56EUR per night for its three star status. Located on a quiet street on the Left Bank, right beside Montparnasse, a stone’s throw from the Festival of the Imagination, this setting also provides easy access to Le Jardin du Luxembourg, the spirited St Michel’s district and the Notre Dame des Champs station on Metro Line 12. 65 rue Madame, Paris, 75006

The Best Western Aramis Saint German is situated in the lively St Germain district. The hotel attracts lofty guests that are drawn to the warm, home away from home atmosphere that the staff and hotel itself provides, although the best part may just be the 83EUR per night pricetag for such a delightful three star stay. 124 rue de Rennes, Paris, 75006 

For those seeking a bit of luxury, the Grand Hotel Littre, which sits between Montparnasse and the St Germain district, provides just that. It is a first class five star and the 200EUR per night price tag promises to be well worth your while