Air France Les Cars & Paris: A Bus for All Reasons

Whether travelers are flying into Charles de Gaulle or Orly Airports, Air France’s Les Cars (French for “motorcoach”) offer an uncomplicated and inexpensive way to reach the center of Paris – or vice verse. And, you don’t have to be an Air France passenger. Les Cars are air-conditioned, have special luggage compartments and do not require tired travelers to tow their suitcases up and down stairs. The ride takes between 45 minutes and one hour, time of day and traffic depending.

Details:

•TO PARIS (from Charles de Gaulle):
The coaches departing CDG leave from four different stops:
Terminal 1 - Exit 34 (Arrivals level)
Terminal 2A-2C – Exit C2
Terminal 2D-2B – Exit B1
Terminal 2E-2F – Gallery level, Exit 3
WHEN: Every half hour from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.

•FROM PARIS to Charles de Gaulle:
The coaches depart from:
Place de l’Etoile, Porte Maillot, Gare de Lyon, Gare Montparnasse
WHEN: Every 30 minutes from 5:45 a.m. to 11 p.m.

•TO/FROM ORLY AIRPORT:
Coaches leave from both Orly-Sud and Orly-Ouest with stops/pick-up at:
Place del'Etoile, Porte d'Orleans, Gare Montparnasse, Les Invalides.
WHEN: Every 30 minutes from 6 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.

•COST: From 11.50 – 18 € for adults; From 5.50 – 8 € for children

•HOW: Book online or call the reservations center in the US: 1-866-996-9727
www.lescarsairfrance.com OR www.linkparis.com/air-france-buses.htm

Ski Courcheval!

The French Alps offer legendary skiing, great winter-long snow conditions, and the world’s largest linked slopes area. Courcheval is part of this region known as “Three Valleys” ski area, which offers nearly 400 miles of gorgeous groomed trails and slopes, and stunning scenery that sweeps from Mont Blanc to the Swiss and Italian Alps. Parisian skiers often jet down to Courcheval for the weekend—there’s even a little airport right on the slopes. Four “villages” offer a range of accommodations, a number of spas, and–surprise!–some excellent gourmet dining.

Chocolatine tip: For visitors in Courcheval on Tuesdays (through March 8), the Bar des Verdons at the top of the gondola hosts a very lively Happy Hour from 5:30 to 7:15.

JANUARY SALES: Insider Tips!

Starting today, January 12 (until February 15), the “legal” winter sales are on all over the city of Paris. It’s a veritable shopping field day for those who know how to strategize, be physically comfortable during the frenzy, and tackle some of the lesser known, but equally fabulous, shops. Here are a few recommendations for where to shop like a Parisian this month!

Galerie Vivienne
5, rue la Banque
This beautiful former mansion, with glass arcade and mosaic floors, houses a multitude of exquisite shops, galleries, a charming tearoom, and interior décor. Pssst: The Nathalie Garcon shop offers delectable women’s fashions at excellent discounts.

Bonpoint
6 rue de Tournon
A beautiful 3,000-square-foot concept showroom inside a Paris mansion, features themed rooms, a formal garden, tea room... And an exquisite collection of children’s clothing.

Dandy Parisien
19, rue Guisarde
Elegant (“never flamboyant!”) and distinctive men’s clothing in a trendy shopping setting.

Désordre Urbain
96, rue Nollet
One-of-a-kind fashion accessories by more than 50 designers make this a treasure hunt extraordinaire!

Maalkita
49, passage des Panoramas
Ready-to-wear, eco-friendly, and urban chic... Everything is made from beautiful organic fabrics! Lots of home décor items, too.

Fête des Rois: Let us all eat cake!

Epiphany, or the Feast of the Magi—known as Fête des Rois—falls on January 6. Twelfth Night takes place on this day and the 12 Days of Christmas come to a close. Most of Europe celebrates this holiday and, since the Magi, or Three Kings, brought their legendary gifts to the Christmas Baby on this day, it’s customary to give a present to young children. For centuries, France has carried forward the tradition with an Epiphany cake—galette des roi—which can be enjoyed on January 6 or throughout the month of January . All this week patisseries and sweet shops showcase their own specialties of this delicious cake, which is made with pastry dough and almond cream. What makes it extra special is the “feve,” or prize, hidden in the cake. (Traditionally a bean, the feve, was used as the prize, and the name has stuck.) A coin or tiny ceramic king is baked into the pastry today and whoever happens to find it in their piece becomes “king for the day!”

As Chocolatine wishes you a Happy, Healthy, and Prosperous New Year, we also hope you enjoy this delightful tradition— and may the feve be yours to discover!