Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2000/01/25
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Hi John Codispoti wrote >When I asked the maître if he had a room, he replied: >" Oui monsieur, pour la nuit ou pour l' aprèmidi ?" >We stayed elsewhere Why on earth did you do that? Don't you know that it's quite normal for hotels in France to rent rooms for the afternoon? (And I personally have profited from this most civilised arrangement.)The maitre was just being polite! Good Lord- this is Paris we're talking about! Anyway, Bob, Paris is a great city, you'll love it. But be warned that it can be surprisingly chilly in March, (actually it can be downright freezing) so take appropriate clothing. When I go to Paris I usually stay with an old friend, so I can't offer help on the hotels. There are plenty of cheap comfortable chain hotels like Novotel, but for me the charm of the French hotel is best expressed in small establishments (probably like the one that upset John). You never know what surprises you'll get. France has changed a lot over the last 25 years, and I'm sure French LUGgers will forgive me when I say that I miss the charm of "old France" which has largely disappeared. Being as I'm a crazy Anglo-Saxon, they'll understand that these things attract me, even if they are not exactly "comme il faut." But for me there is something especially nice about the traditional, small French Hotel, with excellent food, paper-thin walls and antiquated plumbing. I remember a long time ago travelling through France and staying in an old-fashioned provincial Pension- those familar with French building will know how thin the walls are in those establishments. Anyway, somewhere on the premises was a couple who were preoccupied with celebrating their passion, noisily, and regularly, throughout the night. The next morning at breakfast presented a droll scene as all the guests checked each other out over their coffee cups as they tried to work out who had kept them awake all night! Somehow Novotels just don't have that extra sparkle. Anyway, Bob, if the French LUGgers don't help out, try this link http://www.tte.ch/France/index.html see if that leads you anywhere helpful. Remember that you will nearly always get a better deal at a hotel by phoning or going in person than will be advertised on a website. (Applies to Europe generally.) Best Rod