Ariane posted:

>Thanks. As I mentioned in a reply to
> Peter, I've gotten different reports on
> this. Some people have mentioned that
> they were able to bring back canned foie
> gras just fine, others report that theirs
> were confiscated. It looks like it might
> be a bit of a gamble, so we won't
> attempt to bring back anything we're not
> willing to lose.

The last time I was to France, Spring 2001 B4 911, I returned thru
Dulles. I had 2 tins of pate and other "stuff" im my luggage. Customs
didn't look at a thing, only my expressions.

With foie gras, you might consider mailing it to yourself. I have a lady
friend in France who mails a few tins of it to me every now and then
with no problems.

DOGS RULE

Ariane Jenkins > wrote:

> Would it maybe be "Fauchon"? I've heard that IS pretty neat, and was
> curious to check it out. I think there's a similar store also on place de la
> Madeleine called Hediard. Thanks!

Fauchon is overrated and wildly overpriced. Nice place to visit,
though. Hediard is smaller, much more limited in its selection and good
for some things, but is just as overpriced. To actually buy food, go to
Lafayette Gourmet instead. It's not cheap either, but a lot better
value than the two places above - and the food looks almost as good and
tastes even better.

Victor

On Mon, 14 Mar 2005 16:21:23 -0500, Hal > wrote:

>
> The last time I was to France, Spring 2001 B4 911, I returned thru
> Dulles. I had 2 tins of pate and other "stuff" im my luggage. Customs
> didn't look at a thing, only my expressions.
>
> With foie gras, you might consider mailing it to yourself. I have a lady
> friend in France who mails a few tins of it to me every now and then
> with no problems.

She may have done so, but to my understanding that is technically not
allowed. I did some quick Googling and found an article that said if you're
caught mailing contraband items to the U.S., the minimum fine is $100, maximum
fine is $5,000 and possibly one year in jail. I'm not sure I like pate THAT
much. <g>

Ariane
--
Dysfunction: The only consistent feature of all your dissatisfying
relationships is you.
http://www.despair.com/demotivators/dysfunction.html

On Mon, 14 Mar 2005 23:58:15 +0100, Victor Sack > wrote:

>
> Fauchon is overrated and wildly overpriced. Nice place to visit,
> though. Hediard is smaller, much more limited in its selection and good
> for some things, but is just as overpriced. To actually buy food, go to
> Lafayette Gourmet instead. It's not cheap either, but a lot better
> value than the two places above - and the food looks almost as good and
> tastes even better.

Thanks, Victor. I looked it up and have the address. No doubt we'll
be investigating many food shops while we're there, and it will probably ALL
look good to us!

Ariane
--
Dysfunction: The only consistent feature of all your dissatisfying
relationships is you.
http://www.despair.com/demotivators/dysfunction.html

Ariane Jenkins wrote:
>
> Would it maybe be "Fauchon"? I've heard that IS pretty neat, and was
> curious to check it out. I think there's a similar store also on
> place de la Madeleine called Hediard. Thanks!
>
> Ariane

Speaking of Fauchon, please please please stop in on Mariage Freres in
Paris. I love their tea (there's the relationship to Fauchon)--my
favourites are Bolero, Aida (I think it was Aida), and an orange-cinnamon
blend that reminds me of the my three months in Morocco. They have hundreds
of kinds of tea (including ones that cost about $100/100 grams), not just
flavoured ones.

rona

--
***For e-mail, replace .com with .ca Sorry for the inconvenience!***

"[America] is filled with people who decided not to live in Europe. We
had people who really wanted to live in Europe, but didn't have the
energy to go back. We call them Canadians." ---Grover Norquist in
Newsweek, November 22, 2004

On Tue, 15 Mar 2005 20:49:44 +0900, Rona Y. > wrote:
>
> Speaking of Fauchon, please please please stop in on Mariage Freres in
> Paris. I love their tea (there's the relationship to Fauchon)--my
> favourites are Bolero, Aida (I think it was Aida), and an orange-cinnamon
> blend that reminds me of the my three months in Morocco. They have hundreds
> of kinds of tea (including ones that cost about $100/100 grams), not just
> flavoured ones.

Thanks, Rona! I seem to remember you (or someone else) mentioning
that place and it sounds interesting--especially as a possibility for
souvenirs to bring home to my parents.

Ariane

limey > wrote:

> > "Pardonnez-moi Monsieur/Madame, mais ou-est le W.C., s'il vous plait?"
> > ;D
> >
> > Ariane
>
> OR --
> Pardonnez-moi, Monsieur/Madame, mais où sont les toilettes, s'il vous plaît?

The Belgians say "la toilette" (singular), whereas the French say "les
toilettes" (plural) and there is a joke saying that this is because in
France, you have to visit several before finding one clean... (I'm
French, living in France so it's a self joke !)

As you go to Arles, try to visit its famous provencal open-air market
(on saturdays morning, if I'm not wrong) because you should find there
many good things at a good price ! Saucissons, candy, patés, olives,
handicrafts (tablecloth etc.) etc. You can also plan to stop at Laguiole
to buy the knife that some people suggested, as it could be on your
itinerary : <http://www.laguiole-online.com/>

Have a nice trip !

On Tue, 15 Mar 2005 17:04:39 +0100, Lionel Dabbadie > wrote:
>
> The Belgians say "la toilette" (singular), whereas the French say "les
> toilettes" (plural) and there is a joke saying that this is because in
> France, you have to visit several before finding one clean... (I'm
> French, living in France so it's a self joke !)

LOL, sounds promising. <g>

> As you go to Arles, try to visit its famous provencal open-air market
> (on saturdays morning, if I'm not wrong) because you should find there
> many good things at a good price ! Saucissons, candy, patés, olives,
> handicrafts (tablecloth etc.) etc. You can also plan to stop at Laguiole
> to buy the knife that some people suggested, as it could be on your
> itinerary : <http://www.laguiole-online.com/>
>
> Have a nice trip !

Hmmm, unfortunately we will not be there on a Saturday, but my
guidebook said there's a large open air market on Wednesdays, too--we'd be
able to catch that one.

As for the Lagiuole, we _are_ in the market for new steak knives. Ours
were hand-me downs for when we first got married, and now I can only find
three of them. Thanks, Lionel!

Ariane
--
Dysfunction: The only consistent feature of all your dissatisfying
relationships is you.
http://www.despair.com/demotivators/dysfunction.html

Ariane Jenkins > wrote:

> On Tue, 15 Mar 2005 17:04:39 +0100, Lionel Dabbadie > wrote:

> Hmmm, unfortunately we will not be there on a Saturday, but my
> guidebook said there's a large open air market on Wednesdays, too--we'd be
> able to catch that one.

It will maybe be smaller than the one of the week end, but probably
nicer and more authentical ! And have a lot of fun in Arles : this
beautiful city is not only the city of Van Gogh but also the one of the
oldest woman in all history of France (and at the time, of the mankind).
She had sold her house in return for a life annuity and died at 124
years old... The buyer died much before her ! Not so good a business...
Her secret, according to her : eating chocolate every day... So try the
chocolates in Arles too ! :-D

On Wed, 16 Mar 2005 09:28:01 +0100, Lionel Dabbadie > wrote:
>
> It will maybe be smaller than the one of the week end, but probably
> nicer and more authentical ! And have a lot of fun in Arles : this
> beautiful city is not only the city of Van Gogh but also the one of the
> oldest woman in all history of France (and at the time, of the mankind).
> She had sold her house in return for a life annuity and died at 124
> years old... The buyer died much before her ! Not so good a business...
> Her secret, according to her : eating chocolate every day... So try the
> chocolates in Arles too ! :-D

LOL, you've convinced me! We're spending about 3 1/2 days in
Arles, which probably isn't long enough. But we'd like to at least make a day
trip to the Pont du Gard, maybe to Les Baux, Avignon, etc. I'm looking
forward to seeing the differences between southern and northern France.

Ariane
--
Dysfunction: The only consistent feature of all your dissatisfying
relationships is you.
http://www.despair.com/demotivators/dysfunction.html

Ariane Jenkins > wrote:

>On Wed, 16 Mar 2005 09:28:01 +0100, Lionel Dabbadie > wrote:
>>
>> It will maybe be smaller than the one of the week end, but probably
>> nicer and more authentical ! And have a lot of fun in Arles : this
>> beautiful city is not only the city of Van Gogh but also the one of the
>> oldest woman in all history of France (and at the time, of the mankind).
>> She had sold her house in return for a life annuity and died at 124
>> years old... The buyer died much before her ! Not so good a business...
>> Her secret, according to her : eating chocolate every day... So try the
>> chocolates in Arles too ! :-D
>
> LOL, you've convinced me! We're spending about 3 1/2 days in
>Arles, which probably isn't long enough. But we'd like to at least make a day
>trip to the Pont du Gard, maybe to Les Baux, Avignon, etc. I'm looking
>forward to seeing the differences between southern and northern France.
>
>Ariane

The first batch of Herbes de Provence came from a place called
La Compaigne des Herbes
13520 Les Baux

I have no idea if that is where you plan to visit, but the herbes
mixture from there was excellent

--
Susan N.

"Moral indignation is in most cases two percent moral, 48 percent indignation, and 50 percent envy."
Vittorio De Sica, Italian movie director (1901-1974)

"Ariane Jenkins" > wrote in message
...
> On Wed, 16 Mar 2005 09:28:01 +0100, Lionel Dabbadie >
> wrote:
>>
>> It will maybe be smaller than the one of the week end, but probably
>> nicer and more authentical ! And have a lot of fun in Arles : this
>> beautiful city is not only the city of Van Gogh but also the one of the
>> oldest woman in all history of France (and at the time, of the mankind).
>> She had sold her house in return for a life annuity and died at 124
>> years old... The buyer died much before her ! Not so good a business...
>> Her secret, according to her : eating chocolate every day... So try the
>> chocolates in Arles too ! :-D
>
> LOL, you've convinced me! We're spending about 3 1/2 days in
> Arles, which probably isn't long enough. But we'd like to at least make a
> day
> trip to the Pont du Gard, maybe to Les Baux, Avignon, etc. I'm looking
> forward to seeing the differences between southern and northern France.
>

The Pont du Gard is a truly astounding sight. I also highly recommend
Carcassone, a walled medieval city. Both are rather touristy - unavoidable
so - but are still worth it.

Peter Aitken

Peter Aitken > wrote:

> > LOL, you've convinced me! We're spending about 3 1/2 days in
> > Arles, which probably isn't long enough. But we'd like to at least make a
> > day
> > trip to the Pont du Gard, maybe to Les Baux, Avignon, etc. I'm looking
> > forward to seeing the differences between southern and northern France.
> >
>
> The Pont du Gard is a truly astounding sight. I also highly recommend
> Carcassone, a walled medieval city. Both are rather touristy - unavoidable
> so - but are still worth it.

Sure. Another nice place to go near Arles (about 1 hour) for those who
like natural landscapes and walking in the nature is "Les calanques".
Very easy to go because one entrance is on the campus of Luminy
(University of Marseille) and another one is in the city of Cassis.

<http://images.google.com/images?q=ca...ent=safari&rls
=fr-fr&sa=N&tab=wi>

On Thu, 17 Mar 2005 07:51:59 +0100, Lionel Dabbadie > wrote:
> Peter Aitken > wrote:
>>
>> The Pont du Gard is a truly astounding sight. I also highly recommend
>> Carcassone, a walled medieval city. Both are rather touristy - unavoidable
>> so - but are still worth it.

For some reason, I didn't see Peter's post (news server sometimes drops
posts), but we will be making an overnight stop in Carcassonne on the way from
the Perigord region. I've been warned about how touristy it is, but the
photographs of the medieval city look so lovely, we're willing to risk it.

> Sure. Another nice place to go near Arles (about 1 hour) for those who
> like natural landscapes and walking in the nature is "Les calanques".
> Very easy to go because one entrance is on the campus of Luminy
> (University of Marseille) and another one is in the city of Cassis.
>
><http://images.google.com/images?q=ca...ent=safari&rls
>=fr-fr&sa=N&tab=wi>

Hmmm, I see what you mean. We'll definitely consider Cassis, although
it's a bit further than I'd planned to go on this trip, anyway. There's
really so much I wish we could fit in this vacation, but our itinerary is
probably ambitious enough as it is, especially for two first-timers. :-/

Ariane
--
Dysfunction: The only consistent feature of all your dissatisfying
relationships is you.
http://www.despair.com/demotivators/dysfunction.html

Ariane Jenkins > wrote:

> We'll definitely consider Cassis, although
> it's a bit further than I'd planned to go on this trip

If you do, you will have to take the opportunity to try their most
famous dish : "La Bouillabaisse" !

<http://www.cliffordawright.com/history/bouillabaisse.html>

Ariane Jenkins > wrote:

> an overnight stop in Carcassonne on the way from
> the Perigord region

During your trip, try to be at the level of Sète (about half way between
Carcassonne and Arles) at noon and go eating in the small village of
Bouzigues. If you like shellfishes, you'll enjoy definitely your stop
but you will also be able to try specialities from Sete, such as "les
tielles", or "la seiche à la sétoise" etc. Their cooking is very good,
but also original and different from that of other French Mediterranean
regions (like Marseille)

Lionel Dabbadie > wrote:

> specialities from Sete, such as "les
> tielles", or "la seiche à la sétoise" etc.

In english :

<http://www.patisserie-aprile.fr/fetgb.html>

Ariane Jenkins > wrote:

> LOL, you've convinced me! We're spending about 3 1/2 days in
> Arles, which probably isn't long enough. But we'd like to at least make a day
> trip to the Pont du Gard, maybe to Les Baux, Avignon, etc. I'm looking
> forward to seeing the differences between southern and northern France.

There is an amazing range of difference in the landscape of southern
France all by itself. I've been to Arles when my daughter was studying
in Montpelier. I think there was a bit of a market going on then and
I bought a pair of siwmming trunks. For things nearby, I think the
Gorge of the Ardeche is quite an impressive sight. Honestly, I could
spend a year or two just exploring the southern parts of France.
Talk to the people, eat late in the evening, sit in an open air
cafe in Montpelier and listen to music and sip coffee or wine late
into the night . . . sigh. Now I want to go back.

Bill Ranck
Blacksburg, Va.

On Thu, 17 Mar 2005 16:36:21 +0100, Lionel Dabbadie > wrote:
> Lionel Dabbadie > wrote:
>
>> specialities from Sete, such as "les
>> tielles", or "la seiche à la sétoise" etc.
>
> In english :
>
><http://www.patisserie-aprile.fr/fetgb.html>

That sounds like a great festival! Lionel, you're going to have to
quit posting all these tempting suggestions, or we'll never make it back
home. I already have some (smartass) friends telling me to make sure and
leave some food behind for the French!

Ariane
--
Dysfunction: The only consistent feature of all your dissatisfying
relationships is you.
http://www.despair.com/demotivators/dysfunction.html

On Thu, 17 Mar 2005 17:27:00 +0000 (UTC), > wrote:
>
> There is an amazing range of difference in the landscape of southern
> France all by itself. I've been to Arles when my daughter was studying
> in Montpelier. I think there was a bit of a market going on then and
> I bought a pair of siwmming trunks. For things nearby, I think the
> Gorge of the Ardeche is quite an impressive sight. Honestly, I could
> spend a year or two just exploring the southern parts of France.
> Talk to the people, eat late in the evening, sit in an open air
> cafe in Montpelier and listen to music and sip coffee or wine late
> into the night . . . sigh. Now I want to go back.

I hear you, Bill... It's been that way for every country I've visited
so far. You could spend years exploring it and still not see/experience/taste
everything. Three weeks seems like a generous amount of time until you get in
the middle of planning and realize that there's so much you want to see, it'd
take a lifetime! But we console ourselves with the possibility of returning
to France someday. It may be a while, but I'd like to visit the Alsace
region, Burgundy, Bordeaux, etc.--basically, all the regions we won't be
seeing this time around. And I'm sure we'll find lots of places we'd like to
revisit, too.

Ariane
--
Dysfunction: The only consistent feature of all your dissatisfying
relationships is you.
http://www.despair.com/demotivators/dysfunction.html

Ariane Jenkins > wrote:

> For some reason, I didn't see Peter's post (news server sometimes drops
> posts), but we will be making an overnight stop in Carcassonne on the way from
> the Perigord region.

In the Périgord (Dordogne) region, don't fail to see Brantôme and,
especially, Rocamadour, which is one of the true wonders of the world.
Also, if you have time, Domme and Sarlat-la-Canéda. If you are going to
be in Arles, it is only a relatively short distance to Aix-en-Provence,
another must-see. If you get to the coast, don't forget to sample
bourride, one of the greatest fish soups/stews imaginable, especially
when made with monkfish (lotte or baudroie). It is always spiced with
aïoli (very garlicky mayonnaise).

Victor

On Thu, 17 Mar 2005 23:51:18 +0100, Victor Sack > wrote:
>
> In the Périgord (Dordogne) region, don't fail to see Brantôme and,
> especially, Rocamadour, which is one of the true wonders of the world.
> Also, if you have time, Domme and Sarlat-la-Canéda. If you are going to
> be in Arles, it is only a relatively short distance to Aix-en-Provence,
> another must-see. If you get to the coast, don't forget to sample
> bourride, one of the greatest fish soups/stews imaginable, especially
> when made with monkfish (lotte or baudroie). It is always spiced with
> aïoli (very garlicky mayonnaise).

Unfortunately, we will only be in the Dordogne region for two nights,
but we will be near Sarlat. Rocamadour doesn't sound far, and we will have a
rental car. I had also hoped to visit some of the prehistoric cave paintings
in the area.

A college friend of mine spent a year studying in Aix-en-Provence, and
she loved it. I'm not sure if we'll make it there on this trip, but we'll
surely travel there another time.

Ariane
--
Dysfunction: The only consistent feature of all your dissatisfying
relationships is you.
http://www.despair.com/demotivators/dysfunction.html

"Ariane Jenkins" > wrote

> Unfortunately, we will only be in the Dordogne region for two nights,
> but we will be near Sarlat. Rocamadour doesn't sound far, and we will
> have a
> rental car. I had also hoped to visit some of the prehistoric cave
> paintings
> in the area.
>
> A college friend of mine spent a year studying in Aix-en-Provence, and
> she loved it. I'm not sure if we'll make it there on this trip, but we'll
> surely travel there another time.

Oh, I hope you have the best time.

nancy

On Thu, 17 Mar 2005 18:29:04 -0500, Nancy Young > wrote:
>
> Oh, I hope you have the best time.

Aww, thanks, Nancy. I'm so glad we're finally getting to go, I've
been curious about France ever since middle school, which when they started
kids on foreign languages.

Ariane

P.S. When are you going to drag Ron to Ireland to stay with your relatives?


--
Dysfunction: The only consistent feature of all your dissatisfying
relationships is you.
http://www.despair.com/demotivators/dysfunction.html

"Ariane Jenkins" > wrote in message
...
> On Thu, 17 Mar 2005 18:29:04 -0500, Nancy Young >
> wrote:
>>
>> Oh, I hope you have the best time.
>
> Aww, thanks, Nancy. I'm so glad we're finally getting to go,
> I've
> been curious about France ever since middle school, which when they
> started
> kids on foreign languages.

Me, I took Spanish. Como esta, Isabelle? Estoy bien, y tu, Juan?
(laughing)
I think there was supposed to be an usted in there. Where's Sylvia???

> P.S. When are you going to drag Ron to Ireland to stay with your
> relatives?

Man, talk about culture shock. Didn't realize saying we'd stay in hotels
would
be such an insult. Sorry!

My big adventure these days is I might go to the supermarket. How pathetic
is that? Luckily they have these things, they call them carts, so you can
hang
onto them if you think you might collapse. (please leave a cart in the
parking
lot for me?)

Nice to see you. Keep a travelogue?

nancy

On Thu, 17 Mar 2005 20:27:40 -0500, Nancy Young > wrote:
>
> Me, I took Spanish. Como esta, Isabelle? Estoy bien, y tu, Juan?
> (laughing)
> I think there was supposed to be an usted in there. Where's Sylvia???

LOL... She'll start asking when you're going to visit her in Spain.

> Man, talk about culture shock. Didn't realize saying we'd stay in hotels
> would
> be such an insult. Sorry!
>
> My big adventure these days is I might go to the supermarket. How pathetic
> is that? Luckily they have these things, they call them carts, so you can
> hang
> onto them if you think you might collapse. (please leave a cart in the
> parking
> lot for me?)
>
> Nice to see you. Keep a travelogue?

Always. I doubt we'll have internet access this time unless we
make the effort to go to an internet cafe, but I keep a journal and I'll post
about it when we get back. And if I can figure out how French post offices
work, you'll get a postcard. <g>

Ariane

Ariane Jenkins > wrote:

> Lionel, you're going to have to
> quit posting all these tempting suggestions, or we'll never make it back
> home.

LOL...

OK, I stop then (but there is no doubt that all suggestions that other
people did for you are worth to be seen ;-)

On Fri, 18 Mar 2005 04:11:25 GMT, Ariane Jenkins
> wrote:

>
> Always. I doubt we'll have internet access this time unless we
>make the effort to go to an internet cafe, but I keep a journal and I'll post
>about it when we get back. And if I can figure out how French post offices
>work, you'll get a postcard. <g>
>
>Ariane

Last nisit to France, I had no trouble getting connected with a
dial-up modem. I did forget to bring a French telephone plug (big) but
the phones themselves had the same jacks as they do here in the body
of the phone. I just unplugged the cord at the phone, and connected it
to my modem.

That presupposes your ISP has a presence in France. Mine which was
ibm.net and later attglobal.net keeps up a database of access numbers
all over the world.

Once the modem dialed, it behaved just as it does in the US.



Rodney Myrvaagnes J36 Gjo/a


"In this house we _obey_ the laws of thermodynamics." --Homer Simpson

Ariane - if you're driving, then what are you planning to do about
accommodations? Are you going to wing it and stay where it appeals to you,
or make reservations?Enquiring minds would like to know.

Dora

Oh yes.... You'd have to move to a country to really get all the
experiences you want to have. And even then, I'm sure there are people
from the North of France who have never experienced everything the
south of France has to offer, and people from Provence who have never
been to Brittany or Normandy, etc etc. For that matter, although I
live in California, I've never yet made it to Arizona, although I
definitely want to see the Grand Canyon in my lifetime, and it's
practically next door. (Assuming I have a 600 mile backyard, that is.)

This is entirely my preference, but I'd rather see a small part of
another country very well, than rush through the whole country, trying
to see "everything" for 15 minutes. I spent two weeks in Italy a year
and a half ago, and it was a GREAT way to see Umbria, which is in the
heart of the Italian hills. I was stationed in one place and took daily
trips to different cities in the region, and really got to see it well.
I adored every hour I was there, and could enjoy it with some depth,
and with the inviting knowlege there was much more of Italy left to
see. Which means, of course, that I'll just have to go back soon. =o)

Melissa

On Fri, 18 Mar 2005 11:39:25 -0500, Rodney Myrvaagnes >
wrote:

> Last nisit to France, I had no trouble getting connected with a
> dial-up modem. I did forget to bring a French telephone plug (big) but
> the phones themselves had the same jacks as they do here in the body
> of the phone. I just unplugged the cord at the phone, and connected it
> to my modem.
>
> That presupposes your ISP has a presence in France. Mine which was
> ibm.net and later attglobal.net keeps up a database of access numbers
> all over the world.
>
> Once the modem dialed, it behaved just as it does in the US.

Thanks, but we don't have a laptop and AFAIK, we're not staying
anyplace which has computers and internet access for guest use.

Ariane
--
Dysfunction: The only consistent feature of all your dissatisfying
relationships is you.
http://www.despair.com/demotivators/dysfunction.html