Ask MetaFilter posts tagged with paris

Wrong. Shockingly wrong!

Morrigan — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 19:18:29 -0800

Extremely long shot horror movie question involving cats and the French subway system. In the late 1960s or early 1970s, I was scared witless by a televised movie involving a cat (cats?) in the subway system in France that somehow lured victims onto the electrified rail. Any idea what this movie was?

Study Abroad: Nantes/Paris

Solon and Thanks — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 14:47:16 -0800

I'm a French major (a sophomore) at an American university weighing my options for study abroad and I'd like some input, especially about Nantes, France. I apologize in advance if this sounds obnoxious; I'm aware that I'm a very lucky person to have this "problem."

My plans, until recently, were to study for February-June 2009 in Paris. I've just decided to investigate the idea of participating in two study abroad sessions, since it recently became affordable thanks to some scholarships that will apply. There is a program in Nantes that looks great and I've heard good things about, but I've never been to that area. It's similar to that Paris program afaik despite location.

So: I have many options. I would like to go abroad for the second semester of the upcoming year (spring 09), and perhaps for either fall 09 or the 09-10 school year. I don't know how to distribute this. (Paris full year? Nantes semester? Nantes full year? Paris semester? Both semester? Paris but not Nantes, vice-versa? I have more opportunities than just these two, so it's fine with me if an answer is "x city is overrated - don't bother.")

Paris is an amazing city, but perhaps too touristy for my needs (which are: learning French. I'm at an middle/upper-intermediate stage and really want to get better.) Though it would, I guess, be an easier place from which to travel during holidays/weekends. I've never been to Nantes but heard good things, and I'm guessing it would be much less expensive than Paris (though I'm doing a home stay either way, so rent/groceries aren't a factor.) I like Paris, but also like the smaller-town feel of places like Chartres.

To get to my point: What are your impressions of visiting each, or of living in either area? I've briefly visited Paris, so I'm specifically interested in hearing from people who have visited Nantes or Brittany, or have lived in either city. Any thoughts are much appreciated.

Algerian culture in Paris?

jammy — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 12:32:15 -0800

Bookfilter: I am looking for recommendations on books that examine the politics & history of Algerians in Paris, especially ones that do so through the lens of culture: language, music, dance, etc.

Where can I eat some good North African food in Paris?

oxala — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 11:48:26 -0800

Where can I eat some good North African food in Paris? Moroccan, Tunisian, Algerian etc. As with all tourists, I'm looking for authentic little cafes and diners rather than fancy restaurants, any "fusion" driven establishments, or places where tourists go. I have found a few suggestions using Google but I thought I'd see if anyone has any personal faves...

Do you know the name of this bar in Paris?

kcoshea — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 10:13:35 -0800

Do you know the name of this bar in Paris? I am trying to come up with the name of a bar in Paris that I went to in Paris a few times in 1998-1999.

There were two unique things about the bar which make it stand out in my memory:

1. They served ti punch as a sort of house specialty which seemed rather exotic at the time.

2. The bar had an outdoor space that was essentially a courtyard formed by the walls of the surrounding buildings. The walls surrounding the courtyard were ~3 stories high. I think the courtyard was created by removing a building, because as you enter the courtyard from the bar there was the remains of an apartment bathroom still intact against a wall to the right. There were blue-ish bathroom tiles, and I think maybe there was still part of a shower.

The bar was not fancy -- if anything it seemed "grunge-ish" sort of a place where musicians or artists might hang out. The courtyard had ~12-15 white plastic tables and chairs, with little candles on the tables.

I *think* the bar is/was on the right bank (maybe in the 11th? or the 10th? ) and just a little off the beaten path.

Living at Shakespeare & Co. bookstore in Paris?

Drohan — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 05:09:55 -0800

Tell me everything about staying at the Tumbleweed Hotel above Shakespeare & Co. in Paris. I've heard that writers can stay for free in beds upstairs from the Shakespeare & Co. bookstore in Paris if they do some chores and read one book a day. I'd know there's a book that describes a stay there in 1999, but I'm hoping to hear some more current anecdotal tales as I'm a writer with some time ahead of me in Paris. I phoned the store and was told to come in and talk to the owner.

Have you stayed there or known anyone who has? What should one know about inquiring about lodging? Is it clean? Is it at all private? Is it too good to be true? Tell me.

Please help me find appliance stores in Paris

devilshgrin — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 13:40:33 -0800

A friend of mine owns an appliance store in the United States. He will be taking a trip to Europe and while in Paris he was hoping to check out how they do things there. I have tried looking for appliance stores in the French version of Google Maps, also tried google.fr looking for "appliance stores" Paris. I have not come up with any good results.

Does anyone have a suggestion for how I might be able to locate appliance stores in Paris? Do they have appliance stores like we have in the US? (i.e. washers, dryers, refrigerators, electronics under one roof)

Mappable results would be major plus.

Romantic dinner in Paris

vega — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 11:59:49 -0800

Where can I take my wife for a romantic rooftop dinner in Paris? The mrs and I got married about two years ago and for a number of reasons (money, blah blah blah) we were not able to go on a honeymoon. Until now, that is. We're going to Paris! I want to surprise her by taking her to dinner in a rooftop with a view overlooking the city. Can you help me find the place?
There isn't unlimited budget for this, but I'm looking at this as one of those once in a lifetime opportunities...

14 hours in Pairs!!! What should I do?

ss448 — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 07:21:44 -0800

Never been to Paris before and am traveling through on wednesday!! Help!! I'm traveling via Paris on June 12th and I'll be there for 14 hours...what should I do??

I know nothing about Paris. I want to go to the Louvre but I don't know how practical that will be. I saw train directions from the airport on their site...but how easy will that be? how much would a cab cost me (USD)? (I am flying in to Charles de Gaulle Airport.)

What else can I do? any cool events, concerts, must-go-to shops and street fairs I should know about? I'm into the art scene, music scene and big into exploration. I thrive on trying new things and I would love to maximize the 14 hours in Paris. Keep in mind I am on a budget. HELP please!

(I have the most basic knowledge of french, I can speak enough to greet someone....should i be worried??)

Late-night solo dining in Paris?

sueinnyc — Mon, 26 May 2008 17:27:34 -0800

Where can I comfortably get dinner in Paris, by myself, late on a weeknight? I don't get much sympathy for my predicament, but these days I sometimes find myself alone in Paris and in need of dinner around 9 or 10 p.m. Are there any good places in Central Paris where I can find a decent meal late on a weeknight where I can either get the food to take away or where I will not feel uncomfortable or look out of place eating alone?

I really don't like eating in restaurants alone, although I feel relatively comfortable eating at NY-style diners and fast-food-style places on my own. The hotel in which I usually stay, which is otherwise fantastic, does not serve hot food in the evenings.

Ideally this would be in or near the western part of the 2e arrondissement.

Which Paris metro ticket should I buy for a four day visit?

soulbarn — Tue, 20 May 2008 10:53:28 -0800

In Paris for four days. Riding the Metro in the center city, not out to the burbs, probably four boardings per day max. What kind of ticket? Per-ride? Daily? Weekly? Some other special ticket I don't know about?

Eerie art

anonymous78 — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 14:48:59 -0800

About a month ago I saw an exhibit at Le Palais de Tokyo in Paris that included tree-like sculptures set around big, white, globe-shaped lights. Does anyone know the artist's name?

Creative Writing Musts in Aix & Paris?

annabellee — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 08:35:54 -0800

Help me create a literary tour of both Aix-en-Provence and Paris. I'm looking for a slew of places, activities, pastimes, even readings with which to enrich a group of teenage creative writing students this summer.

From the touristy (we'll certainly have coffee and write in our journals at Les Deux Magots) to the lesser known, I welcome all suggestions. Even quiet or provocative spaces for writing would be splendid.

I know Aix's literary draws are fewer, but I'm looking for good recommendations for both cities.

Foodies: ID this soup!!

CreativeJuices — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 11:35:18 -0800

Foodies: Please help me ID this soup!! Also, what are some of your all time best soup recipes? Foodies, help me ID & find a recipe for a pea soup I had in Paris last year. It was the best soup I have EVER had! It was like agreen pea soup with a fried egg and bacon floating on top. It also had some sort of diving nectar (maybe great quality balsamic vinaigrette??) What is this? Just a ritzy French version of pea soup? If you can, point me towards a recipe!! On 2-for, what are you fav soup recipies? Thanks!

Strange Places in Paris

Julnyes — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 13:41:07 -0800

What odd things are there to do in Paris? I will (hopefully) be in Paris for a few days in the beginning of May and I am looking for something truly odd to do there.

Is there anything in Paris similar to The Museum of Jurassic Technology ? That place was a highlight of my trip to Los Angeles.

I looked into the sewer tour and the catacombs, but they just weren’t doing it for me. Thanks for any suggestions.

SFO-Paris: Cheap Tickets?

ferdydurke — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 09:52:25 -0800

What is your advice for finding cheap San Francisco-Paris tickets for a trip this summer? We want to fly from San Francisco (or environs) to Paris in late July and return in early August. Tickets seems expensive at the moment. The least expensive start around $1,500. Should we wait to purchase tickets, and risk prices going even higher? Are there deals that we aren’t finding on expedia, orbitz and the like?

Saturday night in Paris

londongeezer — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 13:50:40 -0800

Things to do in Paris tomorrow (Saturday) evening? For a couple of adults, a couple of children (11 & 12) to do together. We're taking the whizzy new 2hr 20min train from St Pancras for an overnight stay. Days will be full of museums, markets etc. But the evening? I don't want to be too specific, we're open to anything. Can muddle along in French. Restaurants/shows/exploration/any other recommendations welcomed.

Looking for a European holiday apartment.

DirtyCreature — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 15:54:09 -0800

Where is a good place in a European city for a non-European to buy a small but nice two bedroom apartment for holidays? Looking for a city environment. How much would I need to spend? Are there any regulatory hurdles? Where do I find them? I was kind of leaning towards Paris but am fairly open. I am also open to Eastern Europe in safe areas and don't want to have to worry too much about the apartment when I am not there.

Who is this Marius Girard guy?

ObscureReferenceMan — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 14:38:53 -0800

ArtFilter. Need help finding info on the artist Marius Girard. In going through some of my uncle's stuff, I found two pieces of art. They are paintings - scenes from Paris, signed "Marius Girard". They are titled "PARIS Le Moulin Rouge", and "PARIS - La Place du Tertre et Sacre Coeur". They look like watercolors, but might be "prints" (not sure of the correct term - reproductions of an original).

A quick google search resulted in a few random hits (including two that were to online shops selling framed prints - one for $100, one for $1000). I also found Girard prints on ebay starting at $10 for lots of 4, 5, or 6. But I don't know if those are originals or prints or what.

Does anyone know this artist? Or where I can find out more about his work/history? Or even a source for finding out about (maybe obscure) artists. Thanks!

Photographic archive in Paris?

gravelshoes — Thu, 27 Dec 2007 08:17:19 -0800

Help me identify a photographic archive in Paris About a year ago I read an article about a not particularly well known photographic archive in Paris. The very large collection has quite a strong ethnographic leaning and is based in the large house and gardens of a deceased philanthropist, who I think the archive was named after, but I'm not certain. I also think I remember the article saying that the collection was not in central Paris. Any ideas?

All about Palais-Royal.

By The Grace of God — Thu, 27 Dec 2007 07:17:20 -0800

I am looking for stuff on the Palais-Royal just before the French Revolution. This is for a science fiction idea that an obscure idea-factory in my brain seems to have given me for Christmas.

I'm as interested in the daily life of the place and the sociology and economics of it as I am about its part in the Revolution.

The architecture and stuff is interesting as it serves this knowledge, but I'm mainly curious about this as a metaphor for something that takes place in a different place and time.

Academic accounts, fictional ones, etc. are welcome.

Cuisses de grenouille

SBMike — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 12:27:33 -0800

Best place for frog's legs in Paris? I'm going to Paris for a week on vacation and have already found many good suggestions for things to do in some previous questions. One thing I would like to try though are some authentic frog's legs. Where are the best (reasonably-priced) places to go?

Alexandra David-Neel and Georges Bataille

arcadia — Sat, 03 Nov 2007 09:03:58 -0800

Did Alexandra David-Neel ever meet Georges Bataille? I'm researching connections between Tibetan Buddhism and Surrealism. If you can give me evidence that Alexandra David-Neel and Georges Bataille met one another, I will be forever grateful. If you can lead me to actual evidence, transcripts, whatever, I will explode with gratitude. Also interested in contact between David-Neel and any other Parisian avant-gardists, especially Surrealists.
Thanks!

RER open in Paris on Christmas Day?

skylar — Sun, 28 Oct 2007 12:34:15 -0800

Two questions about Christmas in Paris, France. First, will the Metro and - crucially - the RER line be open on Christmas Day? Secondly, can anyone suggest great things to do that will definitely be open in Paris on Christmas Eve?

Buddhism and Surrealism in Paris in the 1920s

arcadia — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 02:41:23 -0800

How do I found out about books, museums, exhibitions, and artifacts relating to Buddhism in Paris in the 1920s? I'm writing a dissertation that involves Buddhism and Surrealism. I am trying to find archives, libraries, books, museums, etc., that have information about the influence of Buddhism and Tibet in Paris between 1900 and 1945, most importantly during the peak of Surrealism, about 1924 to 1939. Who can I contact in Paris who might be able to help me? What public institutions would have archives that would show what exhibitions happened in these years and what artifacts were in them?