Cell Phones for France

Update: 3/2019
So much has changed in the years since I originally wrote this post so I thought I'd update it.

Most people have a smart phone of some sort. And many of them are global ready - just check your phone's specs or call your carrier. Most (if not all) carriers also have some sort of international plan so be sure to check with them to find out about coverage, pricing, etc. And don't forget family members left at home. They need to have call access to France. You may need to activate their accounts with international access so they can call you if needed, just as back up.

Then their are app, so many that I can't list them all. But I do have WhatsApp and Messenger which I'll be trying out for when I'm on Wi-fi, standard in most places you rent now.

While I miss the ease of that cute little phone (below) that fit into my hand, I do like having the smartphone. It takes great photos (though I still carry my camera) and does many of the things I used to need my laptop for. And it saves space for books and has amazing mapping abilities.

Just be warned: don't be glued to it and use proper social etiquette when using it in public. Look up and enjoy the sights and people!
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I've had Call In Europe on my page for two years as a good source for getting cell phone service in France. Two years ago, I had an excellent experience with them, so easy to to deal with. I actually bought two little cell phones which came with chargers for American current and an adapter French electrical outlets, and   SIM cards

In case SIM card means nothing to you, per WiseGeek, SIM cards are: "A Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card is a portable memory chip used mostly in cell phones that operate on the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) network. These cards hold the personal information of the account holder, including his or her phone number, address book, text messages, and other data.") 

Once activated, Call in Europe billed us, at a very reasonable cell rate, for what we used. I let the account lag when I got back (per the instructions) and expected that when I was ready, I would simply reactivate the account again.

But the 1-800 number routes you to France. And although I speak decent French, there was NO WAY I could understand the automated voice on the other end except to "press 2" if you wanted blah de blah blah, etc. The email I sent in English was replied to in French (and said to call), and when I left my phone number (the cell that will accept international calls - since you must set that up with your carrier,) I never received a call back. 

So - disappointingly, off they go from my list. 

So what will I do? After a bit of panic, since I really want each adult to have a cell phone while in Paris, I have purchased some prepaid SIM cards from Amazon. Yes, don't they just have everything??

Now I can charge up the phones before I leave, AND have a French phone number to distribute to my family on this side of the Pond. All calls from them will be free for me, and we pay a reasonable rate for calls to each other and also to numbers outside of France. 

I chose Orange as the cell company. It is a the flagship mark for France Telecom and has been around a long time. When (if) we need more minutes, we will go to an Orange cellular store or a Tabac and buy more minutes. Just like in the States, you call the number carrier's number, enter the code you just bought, and the minutes will be added to the SIM card automatically! I have the option of having my US calls routed to my French phone - but I just say NO to that idea!! This plan also includes 3G internet, but we won't need that.

If you don't need a phone number ahead of time, your least expensive option is just to buy an inexpensive pay-as-you-go cell phone when you land. Unless you travel internationally a lot, your phone will most likely not work in Europe - contact your carrier if you don't know. If it does, you'll just buy a SIM card. Be warned - you will probably have to do the purchase in French, so I suggest you look up the vocabulary before hand. These options are generally much more affordable than bringing your phone from the US (provided you have a tri-band phone) and using your carrier's international plan. 

Need more information about planning a trip to Paris? Visit my website: ParisMadeSimple.com

Museum National d'Histoire Naturelle

The Arboretum in the Garden of Plants, Paris 

At last, a suggestion from a family member on something to visit while we are in Paris. Well worth the wait too!

The National Natural History Museum in Paris is considered to be one of the "greatest conservatories in the field of natural science" - The Michelin Green Guide. 

Amazing tin foil dragon in the Garden of Plants,
the Gallery of Evolution behind

The "museum" is comprised of many parts; for instance The Great Gallery of Evolution, Gallery of Endangered or Extinct Species, the Menagerie, the Gallery of Mineralogy and Geology, The Gallery of Paleontology and Comparative Anatomy, the Paris Zoo, The Museum of Man and others.

A beautiful bird at the Menagerie

Some of these museums are located in the Mouffetard quarter in the Latin Quarter so there is plenty to see around here. It's easy to access too, located very near the Gare d'Austerlitz.

One of the cool buildings at the Menagerie

I have brought both of my daughters, on different trips, to the Menagerie. I've read everything from horrific to sad reviews of this place. The horrific review was from the Let's Go guide which, frankly, is written by and for young adults looking for young adult fun, not from parents' or kids' perspective. However, we really enjoyed it. Although it's Zoo-like, it is not a modern zoo. The animals are housed in older buildings, which in themselves are cool. I have always felt the animals were well taken care of and provided an excellent opportunity for kids to learn about animals. I've always wondered if this was where Madeleine said "Poo-poo" to the tiger, but perhaps it was at the Paris Zoo located near the Bois de Vincennes.

The Aviary at the Menagerie

I visited the Museum of Man when I was 10 and thought it was fantastic. Unfortunately, the Zoo and Museum of Man are among a few of the museums that are closed for renovation while we'll be there. So the Zoo goes on my list for next time!

Flamingos in Paris!

Click here for more information about these museums.

And for more information about planning your trip to Paris, visit my web site ParisMadeSimple!

My Bags are Calling

No, not the one's under my eyes, but the one's I strap onto my back and wheel behind me as I take to the skies for another French adventure. Somehow, I never feel so empowered as when I'm walking through the airport, especially with a backpack on. Happy memories of taking off into the unknown with my L.L. Bean frame pack and my Rick Steves' guide book and my best friend and really, not many clues between us!

No, the travel part is no longer fun. I remember the days when my mother dressed me up in a nice suit to make the trip to Europe, the meals I picked from a fancy menu weren't bad and the Stewardesses didn't look over-worked and under-paid. They were glad to bring me head phones and another soda. They didn't look at me as just another pain-in-the-butt child.

Despite the numerous complications of modern travel, I still love it. I plan ahead for the food, don't really plan on getting sleep and don't worry too much if I'm called aside to get patted down - I'm just not that proud. I've had babies and the idea that someone might feel my boobs while looking for a weapon just doesn't freak me out as much as the idea that they might not even look. I'm perfectly willing to explain to my children why a stranger should not touch them but that a security guard at the airport may have to and that there is a difference. They're just doing their job and I'm just another stranger passing on by.

I feel like I'm late, like I should have been working on this packing list months ago. Only 7 weeks more and I'd better have everything worked out. Of course, I'm not just packing for myself, so there's a bit more than just me making sure I have enough underwear.

So, when I go for two weeks to the most chic city on earth, what do I pack? Ok, I admit that when I was only slightly younger, I poured across the internet to see WHAT they were wearing. I do believe in "blending in;" it's the best security tip I have. Plus, I just like to be "in fashion." But I've now matured enough so that if my orthotics don't fit into the 5 inch heals and my Chanel suit hasn't made it to the dry cleaners lately, I'm OK with that.

In fact, I am freed of that for two reasons:  (1) I'm getting more, ah-hem, mature, and (2) the last two trips have revealed a whole new generation of French women who feel OK wearing comfortable shoes and jeans! So while there are still plenty of the chic, beautiful people crowding chic bars and strutting down boulevards, I still fit in with the rest!

So the picture is of the luggage I use for the two weeks. A rolling suit case that's actually small enough to be considered carry-on in a pinch, a great L.L. Bean backpack that is very comfortable and leaves my hands free, a shoulder bag (which can be packed away,) and a small backpack for days in the city (it will be packed away in the suitcase.) These are things I can easily handle myself and can even carry up/down escalators and stairs in the Metro. Never mind what the airlines will let you bring. Be sure YOU can handle the bags before and after the airport!

Stay tuned for the actual packing list!

For more about preparing for a trip to Paris, visit ParisMadeSimple!

Fête des Mères

Today may be Mother's Day in the States, but France celebrates Fête des Mères on May 27th this year. It's celebrated on the last Sunday in May (unless Pentecost falls then, when Mother's Day moves to the first Sunday in June.) This is a day that was initiated by the little Emperor - Napoleon - and made official by France in 1950.

With everyone so busy today and my love of all things French, maybe I'll declare the 27th as a 2nd Mother's Day chez moi!

Happy Mother's Day to all my fellow Francophiles!

Election Day in France

Today is a big election between Sarkozy and Hollande. There's a lot riding on this election, not just for the French but for the entire Euro zone. Will the French decide to stay conservative or go socialist again? Hollande is in favor of winning, but we shall see.

Either way, I'll be watching the Euro as I need to convert some cash to pay for our apartment and would like to do it when the Euro is low. Today it's at $1.30 per Euro. That's already pretty good, but hoping for lower.

The transition of French Presidents is pretty quick - same month, no long lame duck session as we have in the United States. So we're hoping things will have settled down by the time we get there in July!

Good luck to both candidates!

Paris Guide Review - RICK STEVES' PARIS 2012

First off, I have to say that any time I read a guide by Rick Steves (and friends,) I feel like I've come home and am snuggling comfortably on the couch for some a good trip. This was true immediately when I received this guide, perhaps because I know Paris pretty well and love the city more than almost anything.

I also appreciate his attitude about being a "temporary local." This is how I like to travel, perhaps somewhat because that's how I learned to travel from my Aunt when I was young and from Rick Steves during my trek across Europe in 1986 - see my post: Travelling Through Europe with Rick Steves - 1986 Style.

Touring Paris, even if just while reading this guide, will be exciting, entertaining, and fun. Rick Steves' descriptions and tours bring Paris alive. For me, it just whets my appetite and tempts me to fly out of here TODAY!

What I LOVED about RICK STEVES' PARIS 2012:

• The descriptions of sites are fantastic. Having been there many times, I still learned a lot and found many places that I need to work into my bucket list. His hints about lines and which passes are useful are great!
• The neighborhood tours, complete with maps of the route and descriptions of the suggested stops, make them easy to follow. It's a great way to save money and avoid getting trapped on a touristy tour.
• The guide is small but packs SO much information. It's easy to store in a backpack and not look like a dork when you whip it out to see what's next.
• The guide briefly covers all the details needed for preparing for the trip, including wonderful cultural clues. I especially loved that he included my most important tip: Up your level of manners - never forget to say "please" and "thank you" EVERYWHERE! Believe me, even if that's the only French you learn, you'll get a long way with those two phrases used generously.
• He did a good job finding a variety of places you'll love to stay. Although my list of places to find apartments is different, I agreed with his assessment that if you stay in Paris more than a week or are traveling as a family or group, get a place of your own instead of a hotel room.
• As usual, I found his attitude respectful and reverent. He shined with the historical backgrounds presented and his cultural sensitivity.  

What I didn't like:

• Although the guide covered a wide variety of sites and museums, he didn't really get off the beaten path. He covered the things most people know or have heard about. I will review another guide that really has me wanting to step "out of bounds" a bit more.
• The map of the city was poor, concentrating only on the central arrondissements, even though he covered some areas outside of these neighborhoods. There are plenty of great maps out there, but it's nice not to have to juggle more than one book at a time. 

Overall, I highly recommend RICK STEVES' PARIS. My general attitude is to read many guide books BEFORE you go and only take one or two. This should definitely be on your list to slide in your day pack!

For more information about planning a trip to Paris, visit ParisMadeSimple.

Kids Books that Made Me Love France - Even Before I Got There

In the early 50's, my aunt married a young French doctor and moved to Paris to become a French wife. I've always admired her ability to jump into everything and just go. The result of this marriage is that my only first cousins were from France (how exotic in the 60's and 70's in Maine) and that I didn't get to know this family until I stayed a summer with them at 10. But it also meant that I received exotic gifts occasionally. There were clothes and games all wrapped neatly in exquisite tissue papers and a gold sticker with the store's name on it.

I also received some pretty cool books. Here are my three favorites:

Paris by Miroslav Sasek, Copyright 1960 - mine is in French  but it's available in English. This is  a cool exploration of Paris, with a beatnik sort of style

Babar's French Lessons by Laurent de Brunhoff, Copyright 1960 - I used to pour over this book, wishing I could live this glamorous life that Babar lived and wishing I could speak French! As a Paris-obsessed mom, I have used this over the years to interest my kids in the language and culture. After all, who can resist these little Elephants!

 La Cuisine est Un Jeu d'enfants by Michael Oliver, Copyright 1963 - Cooking is Child's Play is also in French and contains recipes that every good, little French girl (and probably boy) should have known how to cook. I always loved the pictures and the book was useful to learn the language of cooking. Recipes take you through the courses of a proper French meal,  from Soups and Hors-d'oeuvres to desserts. The recipes include classics like onion soupe, Coq au Vin, Rabbit in Mustard sauce, and Creme a la Vanille (vanilla custard.)