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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.

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: “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!

The Autumn Festival: “A crossroad for avant-garde and forward-looking artistic creation.”

Address: 16 rue de Rivoli
75001 Paris, France
Phone: + 33 01 53 45 17 17

Begins: September 12, 2007
Ends: December 22, 2007
Hours: Hours vary
Tickets: Prices vary. You can book tickets by calling or logging onto the website.
WWW: www.festival-automne.com
Email: info@festival-automne.com

Paris’ Autumn Festival is a world renowned gathering of many ultramodern artists. It is a delightful taste of many scopes of art including: theatre, dance, cinema, music and visual arts. Artists and festival goers alike can enjoy many of the fine displays that the festival has to offer at different locations throughout Paris. There are conferences that are sprinkled throughout the exhibits so people can tune into more specific details about their favorite exhibition.

This event, which is in its 36th circuit this year, is designed to open up the eyes of event goers and people around the world through artists who are thought to be ahead of their time within their respected industries. Artists thoughtfully craft works which bring lookers and watchers into their forward thinking world while bringing them into contact with non-western cultures, the focus this year being on Middle Eastern creations. The Autumn Festival works hard to show the world new, commissioned and highly experimental works from these artists so don’t convey a restricted statement of mind but rather come equipped with an open mind and a willingness to travel the day away and visit as many of these fantastic exhibits as possible, the entire autumn long. 

In Paris’ 1st arrondissement, the Louvre Museum’s galleries and auditorium is holding a plethora of wonderful events from music to visual arts. Some of the modern musical acts to perform are Anton Webern, Arnold Schoenberg, Mark Andrea and Frederic Pattar on November 9 and a concert featuring Bela Bartok, Salvatore Sciarrino, Jorg Widmann and Matthias Pintscher on November 16. Rounding out the Louvre’s musical involvement with the event is a tribute to Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart by Jorg Widmann. Each of these musical events is 8.50 to 14 euros. From halls to walls, the galleries will feature artists Anselm Kiefer and Bill T. Jones’ “Walking the Line” exhibit from November 20 – November 24. This exhibits prices are 18 to 30 euros per person.

The 4th arrondissement holds many venues which capture the arts for the Autumn Festival. One such place is the Centre Pompidou. The Centre Pompidou is housing 10 events from the realms of theatre, dance and music. Most of the theatre performances are 10 – 14 euros and include Abbas Kiarostami’s “Looking at Tazieh,” Rabih Mroue’s performance, Walid Raad’s “I Feel a Great Desire to Meet the Masses Once Again” and Tim Etchells “That Night Follows Day.” The venue is holding four fantastic dance exhibits are Eszter Salamon’s “And Then,” Emmanuelle Huynh’s “Le Grand Dehors,” Raimund Hoghe’s “Bolero Variations” and Alain Buffard’s “(Not) a love song.” All of these events are 10 – 14 euros too. Two spectacular musical events at the Centre Pompidou are a concert which features Franco, Donatoni, Jerome Combier and Salvatore Sciarrino as well as an outstanding exhibition by Xavier le Roy titled “Le Sacre du Printemps.” These events, too, are 10 to 14 euros per person.

The Theatre de la Ville, which is also in the 4th arrondissement, boasts two wonderful performances – one by Mathilde Monnier’s dancers entitled “Tempo 76″ and the other by Merce Cunningham called “Crises/Eyespace/CRWDSPCR.” The Theatre de la Ville’s pricing for these two shows is between 13 and 26 euros. 

The area near the Bastille, the 11th arrondissement, is also holding a good many events in several local venues. The Theatre de la Bastille is showing 4 exquisite theater performances (Lars Noren’s “La Veillee,” Jean-Luc Lagarce, Les Possedes and Rodolphe Dana’s “Derniers remords avant l’oublie,” Amir Reza Koohestani’s “Recent Experiences” and Tg Stan and Thomas Bernhard’s “Sauve qui peut”) along with one exclusive dance show by Meg Stuart/Damaged Goods and titled “Eira.” Pricing here is approximately 7 to 20 euros per person each show.

Also in this vicinity is the Paris National Opera house. The hall is boasting two performances by Racheed Al-Bougaily, Saed Haddad, Nouri Iskandar, Daniel Landau, Kiawasch SahebNassagh, and Nieuw Ensemble as well as a wonderful showing by Hiba Al Kawas, Shafi Badredding, Alireza Farhang, Samir Odeh-Tamimi, Rashidah Ibrahaim and New Ensemble. These unbelievable musical events are to be held in the amphitheatre; some of which are holding special meet and greets after the show so fans can meet the composers. Pricing for the Paris National Opera’s house Autumn Festival events are from 7 to 14 euros.

These are just a handful of the venues and the artists serving in this years exciting Autumn Festival. There are many other galleries, museums, theaters and venues that are housing the likes of visual arts, dance, theatre, music, cinema and other forms of art in their halls. To further look at different talents appearing at the Festival or at any of the other Festival locations please look on the Autumn Festival’s website, which is linked above.

Paris Metro Stations for Autumn Festival Events Listed

1st Arrondissement
Metro Line 1: Royal Palace, Louvre Museum, Tuileries Garden

4th Arrondissement
Metro Line 11: Rambuteau, Hotel de Ville, Chatelet

11th Arrondissement
Metro Line 5: Bastille, Breguet-Sabin

Paris Hotels for Autumn Festival

Located in the 1st arrondissement, the 3 star Hotel des Tuileries Paris is a charming dwelling featuring unique decor that fuses modern amenities with old world Parisian toile and prints. For 143 euros a night, you can stay at a place fit for a queen, literally! Marie Antoinette once stayed here with Louis XVI. It just does not get anymore Parisian a stay than that.

The Les Jardins de Paris Marais is located in the center of the 4th arrondissement. It has a very cozy and simplistic interior which makes it look and feel like home. Starting at 135 euros per night, this 3 star hotel is near the metro as well as other legendary attractions like the Bastille.

The Standard Design Hotel is more than meets the eye. It is not of standard design but rather features very chic and trendy room designs starting at 131 euros per night. This 3 star hotel is located in a quiet, historic neighbor very and is only mere feet from the front stoop of the Bastille. There are many other attractions which you can stroll too such as Notre Dame, Opera Bastille and other local bars, restaurants, theaters and shops.

Again, these are just a few of the locations in which Autumn Festival goers can stay at when they are not strolling through the exhibits. There are many other venues scattered throughout the city and many other places to stay, as this event is massive and takes over the entire city each fall. These arrondissements that we’ve featured, and the hotels and metros near them, are just some of the more popular places that Paris’ tourists often like to stay.
 

Christmas Lights in Paris “The City of Light…”

Phone: + (33) 892 683 000
Starts: Mid-November
Ends: Beginning of January
Open: Every evening.
Prices: Free

Paris at Christmas time. This statement stands firmly behind Paris’ “City of Lights” alias. Tourists from around the globe come to see the city bathed in a beautiful golden light each year. Notre Dame Cathedral puts up a massive tree each year next to its infamous tower. The quaint little Christmas Market is set up for folks to browse and find great treasures for loved ones. People lace up to put their ice skates to the test at the infamous rink in front of Hotel de Ville in the heart of the city. Shops, hotels, galleries, cathedrals and museums alike dress up in good, cheery Christmas style. But the one thing that draws most attention is the light show along the Champs Elysees. No other light demonstration in the world can compare to the radiant glow that is cast along this busy street in Paris each Christmas season.

Paris Metro Stations for the Christmas Light Show on the Champs Elysees

The best metro lines to get you to the Christmas Show along the Champs Elysees are Paris Metros 1 and 13. Both of these lines cross onto the same platform. These lines will take you to the very place that the Paris’ heart beats, the 8th arrondissement.

Paris Hotels for the Christmas Light Show on the Champs Elysees

If you are looking to stay within your means try a stay at 2 star Hotel D Argenson located right in the 8th arrondissement, just a stones throw away from the Champs Elysees. This quaint hotel, which starts at a mere 70 euros a night, evokes the same cozy sentimental feeling you get when staying at grandma’s house.

To get more bang for your buck book your Parisian days at the Hotel Best Western Bradford Elysees. This hotel is a short walk from the light show on the Champs Elysees and features large, airy rooms for a very comfortable stay. Starting at a mere 130 euros per night, the mind boggling price, aside from the light show, is the best part!

If you want to stay right where the action is there is only one place to go, literally, and that is at the 4 star Hotel Marriot Champs Elysees Paris. This is the one and only place to stay along the historic avenue that houses the annual Christmas light show.  For starting rates of 593 euros per night, you too can truly discover the magic of Paris at Christmas time.