The Moulin Rouge Paris: Before Your Visit

Greg
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The Moulin Rouge Paris: Before Your Visit

The Moulin Rouge is unquestionably the most famous cabaret show in the world. I have had the privilege of watching the show 46 times to this date. Yep you read correctly, that is not a typo, 46 times and counting.

So who better to advise you of some of the details you should know before visiting the Moulin Rouge. If you’re wounding why I have seen it so many times is because I love watching my talented wife perform in the show and if I could I would watch her every night.

The current show which is being performed at the Moulin rouge is called “Féerie” which in English translates to “Fairy”. The Moulin Rouge currently consists of approximately 80 artists, 60 of which are Doriss Girls.

paris moulin rouge tickets prices

Fun Fact: Did you know that every show which has been performed at the Moulin rouge has started with the letter “F”

1963–1965: “Frou-Frou”

1965–1967: “Frisson”

1967–1970: “Fascination”

1970–1973: “Fantastic”

1973–1976: “Festival”

1976–1978: “Follement”

1978–1983: “Frénésie”

1983–1988: “Femmes, femmes, femmes”

1988–1999: “Formidable”

Since 1999: “Feerie”

Skip the Lines At The Moulin Rouge

If you were to attend the second show at 11pm which is the one I most often attend, you will notice the massive line on the street prior to entry. Don’t be alarmed because everyone will get a seat if you already have your ticket. The show will not start before they have seated everyone in the line.

There is however an advantage to be had for lining up early. The closer you are to the front of the line the better chance you have of getting a good seat. However this is not guaranteed, you may be unlucky and still be seated with your back to the show or with a partially obstructed view.

If you are attending the first show without a dinner then the line will be considerably shorter because there will already be customers dinning in the theatre prior to your entrance.

Many attractions in Paris such as the Eiffel Tower and The Louvre have a skip the line tickets which are purchasable prior to attending the attraction. To my surprise I did actually find a skip the line VIPentrance for the Moulin rouge.

Current Moulin Rouge Ticket Offers

For all ticket options and pricing to visit the Moulin Rouge Cabaret Show in Paris

More Details

I can’t vouch for these skip the line tickets however I did read that they also give you VIP treatment which means a seat on the balcony above the stage, gifts, Champaign and more. All I can do is point you in the right direction and let you make your own decision. From my perspective a 30minute wait in Paris to see an attraction is quick.

What To Expect When You Watch

For starters you can expect to see my amazingly talented wife on stage possibly dancing as a soloist if your lucky. She will be the one on stage camouflaged amongst the other 40 stunning Doriss Girls wearing similar costumes.

You can expect to see glamorous women and athletic men showcasing their talents as professional cabaret dancers. Bright, colourful, stunning costumes covered in beads and feathers accentuating some excellent performances and choreography. The dancing is broken up by a number of specialist acts and could range from breathtaking circuitry performers to hilarious comedians.

I do not recommend that you attend the Moulin Rouge if you are offended in anyway by topless women. I have only really heard two complaints from visitors to the Moulin rouge: The first complaint is that they were disgusted that the girls had no top on. That complaint is easy to fix, if you can’t handle topless women, DON’T GO!

Sorry but it really frustrates me when I hear this complaint. This is a 2015 cabaret show based in Europe, what do you expect? The show is performed by professionally trained dancer with tasteful choreography and gorgeous costume.   Let me reassure you however that it is not full nudity and only the top half of some of the girls are exposed.

The second complaint is as mentioned before about getting a bad seat. Yes the seats can sometimes be a bit squishy and you could be unlucky enough to sit with your back to the stage. If this occurs then I would suggest turning your seat around at least 90 degrees so you can enjoy the show.

Fun Fact: Did you know that some extremely famous performers have featured on stage at the Moulin rouge, some of which include: Liza Minnelli, Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, Ray Charles, Tony Curtis and many more…

Dinner At The Moulin Rouge

In the 36 times I have seen the Moulin rouge I have only had dinner there once. It has to be said that you shouldn’t expect a meal from Michelin chef however they are well presents. However since I ate there 3 years ago I have been told that the menu has been improved considerably.

The best thing about the dinner is that you get to spend about 4 hours at the show rather than just 2 hours for the normal ticket without dinner. The atmosphere is quite amazing and you can really feel the history in the ballroom when the lights are on.

Tickets Times and Prices

Dress Code: A jacket and tie is appreciated as dress code at the Moulin Rouge. They are however pretty understood that tourists may not have packed a suit and tie. At the bear minimum you should wear jeans and a nice shirt. However clothing that is not acceptable are shorts, Bermuda’s, sports cloths and sports shoes.

Surprisingly children form the age of 6 years old and up are accepted but please be aware as mentioned before that there is frequent partial nudity.

Fun Fact: Did you know that on the 23 November 1981 the Moulin Rouge Closed its doors for one night to present its show to Queen Elizabeth II

There are three time slots for the show all of which I recommend arriving at least 30minutes before start time. There is a 7pm dinner slot where you can enjoy a 3 course meal and live music, a 9pm performance without dinner and an 11pm late show without dinner.

Depending on the time of year and day of the week, the Moulin rouge will occasionally hold a matinee show which is performed about lunch time.

Depending on where you order your tickets, what time of year and what package you purchase the price can vary considerably. Price can range from around 110euro all the way up to around 500euros.

Also you should be aware that some tour companies may offer package deals which include a number of attractions bundled with Moulin Rouge tickets.

Moulin Rouge Ticket Options

Take a look at all of the available ticket options for the Moulin rouge. Standard Tickets, combination packages and VIP tickets including prices an dates.

See All Ticket Options
moulin-rouge-spectacle-feerie-danseuse-de-french-cancan

After The Show

You should be aware that the late show can sometimes finish as late as 2am in the morning. This means the all the trains and most public transport will not be operating. The only options you have to get back to your hotel would be a Paris shuttle, Taxi or Uber.

A common mistake I see every night is tourists trying to waive down a taxi out the front of the Moulin Rouge and getting upset when the say no or won’t stop. The reason for this is because there is a taxi rank on the other side of the street. It is illegal for taxi drivers to pick up a customer within a few hundred meters of a taxi rank.

If you walk to the end of the street they will stop for you or you can wait in the massive taxi line. However honestly if you have the Uber app I will vouch for this service over a taxi in Paris every time.

Don’t forget your coat! There is a coat and bag check station on the way in to the show however it is not free. Some items such as camera cases and back packs are compulsory to be check in before entry.

Photos and Souvenirs

During the day you can grab some Moulin Rouge Souvenirs from the store located around the corner on Rue Lepic. Otherwise after and before the show there is a small glass counter in the foyer which also sells souvenirs.

Photo and video recordings are prohibited in the Moulin Rouge, the staff are quite aggressive and strict about this. It is for good reason as well, the entire show is protected under copywrite laws plus there are a number of partially nude women which do not need to be spread all over the internet.

Just before the show there are photographers walking around asking if the customers would like a photo together. We did purchase this option once but I can’t remember how much it cost. I still have the Moulin Rouge match box with our picture on it in a shoe box at home.

So There You Have It! Everything I could think of that will prepare you for your visit to the Moulin Rouge. The show is amazing, well worth the money and i personally recommend attending. It will be one of the highlights of your tip to Paris. For more information visit their official website, comment below or sent me an email.

Emergency Telephone Numbers in France You Should Learn

Greg
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Emergency Telephone Numbers in France You Should Learn

Hopefully you will never have to use any of the Emergency Telephone Numbers during your stay in France however it’s crucial that you remember at least one or two of these numbers. The two numbers I would recommend you remember is 18 or 112, you would have the most success in most situations with these.

Dial 112 – European Emergency Services

This number is utilized not only in France but all over Europe as well. It is a general number with operators which understand over 40 languages. It should only be used in a case of emergency which requires police, fire assistance or emergency medical assistance.

This number can often be dialed even when your phone says there is no signal. Like most of these numbers it does not require money or credit to dial. NOTE – Mobile telephones will require a sim card to be inserted to access these numbers.

Dial 114 – Hearing Impaired Emergency Services

This French emergency phone number also utilises police, fire and Medical emergencies but is equipped for people with hearing impairments.

Dial 18 – Fire and Accident/Pompiers/

The reason why I recommend this being one of two numbers that you remember when in France is because the French Pompiers handle a wide variety of emergency services. If the emergency you require assistance for need further services the Pompiers will divert your call or forward your emergency to the correct service.

Dial 15 – SAMU/Medical Emergency

If you require urgent or critical medical attention then this is the number which is used within France. After speaking with an operator your case will be assessed and you will most likely receive an ambulance at your premises if necessary.

Dial 17 – Police Emergency

This French emergency number is for reporting an offence or life threatening situation which requires immediate attention. If the call is not urgent then you will need to find the number of your local police station.

Dial 115 – Emergency Shelter

If you dial this number you will speak with a “Samu Social Services” Operator. This service provides emergency temporary shelter to the homeless however many of the shelters are often full if left to late.

Dial 119 – Child in Danger (Child Protection)

This is a number if ever you feel a child is in danger or if you suspect a child is being mistreated whether it is sexual, physical or verbal.

Dial 116 000 – Missing Child

This number is used in many countries around Europe to report children that have gone missing. It was reported that in 2014 a child went missing every 2 minutes. It is reasons like this that it’s great to have a multi country network collaborating to find missing children.

Dial 196 or 112 – Sea or Lake Emergency Calling From Land

If you have witnessed a sea or lake emergency while viewing from the shore then you should call one of these numbers. The 196 number is not a substitute for the VHF Channel 16 or 112 numbers. It is suggested that you call 112 first and then follow up with the 196 number.

Dial 1616 or VHF Channel 16 – Emergency at Sea Call When Not on Land

The primary distress call when at sea should be to VHF Channel 16 however you can also call 1616, 112 or 196 for professional services that will assist in the case of an emergency while on water.

Dial 3237 – Find a Pharmacy Plus Website

Finding a Pharmacy that is open can often be a hassle. If you dial 3237 or enter your details to this website you can find a chemist quickly and easily at all hours.

french emergency number
Photo Author | Dave Dugdale

Paris Emergency Phone Numbers

Here are some local numbers that might help you if your living Paris. If you are living somewhere else in France then these services would have different numbers.

Dial 01.43.37.77.77 – Emergency Doctors (SOS Medecins)

This service is for people that require emergency GP appointments or house calls. Each case will be assess on a case by case basis to determine the urgency of your situation

Dial 01.43.37.51.00 – Emergency Dental Care

Emergency dental is similar to the SOS Medecins service where you situation will be assessed on a case by case basis and you may require a house call or urgent appointment.

Dial 01.40.05.48.48 – Anti Poison Centre

Anyone who has been suspected of ingesting a poisonous substance should use this local Paris number. Please be aware that a call to 112 or 15 may be crucial prior to calling the poison control hotline.

Dial 01.43.35.40.86 – Emergency Electricity Services

Situations such as suspected electrical dagners or fallen power lines are to be reported to this local Paris telephone number.

Dial 01.43.35.40.87 – Gas Leak Assistance

A gas leak can lead to catastrophic consequences so if a gas leak is suspected it is recommended that you call this local number.

Dial 01.40.33.80.60 -Spousal Abuse Hotline

If you are the victim of a spousal or domestic abuse situation the operators are happy to offer their professional services.

Don’t Hesitative Just Dial! I should point out that a few of the numbers above may not have English speaking operators so if you French is not up to scratch then this could be an issue. In case of emergency or a life threatening situation 112 is the best number to call from all over Europe.

The Best Baguette in Paris Competition

Greg
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0
The Best Baguette in Paris Competition

When we first arrived in Paris I really did not like baguettes, I thought they were dry crunchy and hard. Then I tried a well-made, fresh, traditional baguette, it was love at first taste.

There is often a huge difference between the baguettes that you get from a restaurant to the one you buy at quality French boulangerie. If your new to French baguettes or simply a baguette lover I would suggest one of the boulangeries listed below whom have won the “best baguette in Paris competition” in the past.

The competition is known as the “Grand Prix de la Baguette de Traditional Francaise de la Ville De Paris”. Every year a winner is chosen by a panel of judges using a complex scoring system to award the tittle of the best baguette in Paris for that year.

paris baguette competition

It is a huge honor to be chosen as a competition winner and immediately provides more than just a financial benefit. Prize money for the winner varies from year to year but the minimum prize money is currently 4000€.

The winners will also receive a contract to supply the current president of France and the Elysées Palace with fresh baguettes every day for 1 year. Bragging rights is also a huge advantage, winners plaster a large sticker on the front window that says “winner of best baguette competition”, this helps drive loads of foot traffic.

Currently the 18th Arrondissement seems to have a strong hold over the competition with 6 out of the past 10 winners coming from the area. Le Grenier à Pain Abbesses has amazingly won the competition twice.

best baguette in paris

The competitions judging panel is made up of experts, retired bakers, bloggers, journalists and a few lucky members of the general public. If you’re interested in becoming a judge for next year’s competition then keep an eye on and submit your application here.

On the morning of the competition, hundreds of bakers line up to enter two of their best traditional baguettes into the competition. Due to strict competition guidelines many bakers are sent home without being judged because they don’t meet the minimum entry requirements.

There are two main criteria’s that must be met in order to qualify for entrance into the competition. Both baguettes must measure between 55cm to 65cm long and weigh between 250g to 300g.

Learn The Difference Between a Good and Bad Baguette

During the day each juror must sample 50 baguettes and score them based on a number of criteria’s. The scores are then totaled and combined as a whole to produce the finalists for the day from which they will chose a winner.

Here Is a List Of Winners For The Last Nine Years

2015: Djibril Bodian, Le Grenier à Pain Abbesses, 38 rue des Abbesses, 75018
2014: Antonio Teixeira from the Délices du Palais, 60 Boulevard Brune, 75014 Paris
2013: Au Paradis du Gourmand, 156 Rue Raymond Losserand, 75014
2012: Baker Sébastien Mauvieux of Mauvieux, 159 rue Ordener, 75018
2011: Pascal Barillon, of Au Levain d’Antan, 6 rue des Abbesses, 75018
2010: Djibril Bodian, Le Grenier à Pain Abbesses, 38 rue des Abbesses, 75018
2009: Franck Tombarel, of Le Grenier de Félix, 64 avenue Félix Faure, 75015
2008: Anis Bouabsa, of Au Duc de la Chapelle, 32 rue Tristan Tzara, 75018
2007: Arnaud Delmontel of Arnaud Delmontel bakery, 57 rue Damrémont, 75018

An Inside Look Into The Competition


I would like to point out that even though these boulangeries hold the title of the best baguette in Paris, it does not always mean you will get a great baguette. Sometimes you need a little bit of luck as well.

One example would be our favourite local boulangerie which is located directly across the road from one of the winners listed above. The previous winner sold the business about a year after winning the best baguette competition. The current owners have not seemed to be able to replicate that winning taste in their traditional baguettes. On top of this they charge 0.45euro more than our local favourite store.

Megan and I purchased a baguette the other day from the “Le Grenier à Pain Abbesses” which has won the competition twice. We felt it was honestly one of the worst baguettes we have ever eaten. It was so rubbery and tasteless that we had to throw it away. It was definitely not what I was expecting from this year’s current winner.

The best advice I can give you is to try and get a baguette that is still hot. Some people prefer them burn and some prefer their baguettes a soft white consistency. If you have texture preferences it’s as easy as asking for a baguette that’s well cooked or not cooked

9 Spectacular and Stupid Eiffel Tower Stunts

Greg
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9 Spectacular and Stupid Eiffel Tower Stunts
eiffel tower stunts

The Eiffel Tower is well known for its romance, structural brilliance and as an icon for the city of Paris. What many don’t know however is that the tower has also been targeted by thrill seekers and death defying performers since its early days for construction.

1. Taig Khris Drops From The Eiffel Tower on Roller Blades

We start the list off with X-Games champion and world record holder Taig Khris. In 2010 he performed his daredevil record breaking drop from the first floor of the Eiffel Tower.

He currently holds the world record for a 12.5 meter free fall before landing on a ramp stationed beneath the Eiffel Tower. Surrounded by Media and screaming fans, the ramp which he landed on after his initial 12.5m drop was a whopping 30m tall.

The previous record was an 8.53 meter drop which was held by American Danny Way. Taig Khris was quoted to have performed the jump in order “to give people the desire to reach beyond their limits, follow their passion and their dreams”.

If you notice in the video below, Khris slides a long way after the initial drop. The rules for a successful world record state that he must stay on his wheels for half the length of the ramp. He then slides the rest of the way to prevent injury.

In related fashion Khris holds the world record for longest jump on roller blades which was also performed in Paris on the stairs beneath the Sacre Coeur Basilica.

2. 1912 Parachute Death Caught On Video (Warning: May Be Distressing To Some Viewers)

Franz Reichelt was a fellow Australian born expat living in France and performing his trade as a Taylor. He unfortunately died in 1912 during one of his test pioneering in the field of parachuting when he jumped from the first floor of the Eiffel tower.

Also known as the “Flying Taylor” his death was caught on camera when his attempt to create a wearable parachute suite failed. Previous attempts of the suite had been successful using dummise from his 5th story apartment. unfortunately he was unable to replicate this success with human subjects.

Please be aware that he does die in the video below and that it may be distressing or offend some viewers.

rose gold trapeze effel tower

3. Rose Gold Eiffel Tower Trapeze Act

Rose Gold was a popular trapeze artist of her day, together with her husband and friend took their aerial act to new heights. The three aerialists risk their lives performing flips, spins and drops all while dangling from the Eiffel Tower.

The stunt was performed to celebrate the 2000th year anniversary of Paris. As you will see in the video, even the camera man takes risks by filming on the ledge without so much as a harness.

4. Base Jumping Stunts

Throughout the years base jumping from the Eiffel Tower has become a forbidden fruit for many of the sports enthusiasts. The majority of jumps from the tower have been illegal and on one occasion has led to the death of a 31 year old Norwegian Man after his shoot failed to properly open.

On a more positive note, in 1984 a British couple celebrated their anniversary by completing a base jump from the tower. The couple was reported to have survived the leap from the top deck of the tower.

5. Jackie Chan – Rush Hour 3

Jackie Chan is well known for performing his own stunt and in his 2007 action hit of “Rush Hour 3”. Some say he may have taken it a step to far but that’s not what Jackie thinks. At age 53 he and a number of other professional stunt men performed an epic fight scene on the pillars of the Eiffel Tower without so much as a safety net.

Jackie was quoted as saying that “the experience was something that they will never forget”.

6. Green Peace Activist

In 2013 a Green Peace activist staged a protest which saw him suspended in a tent from the second floor of the Eiffel Tower. He was protesting the captivity of the 30 environmental lobbyist‘s held in the Russian prison system.

During the week of the protest president Putin and President Sarkozy had schedualed a meeting to talk about international issues. The protest was a bid to have the discussion raised about the freedom of the 30 imprisoned lobbyists.

During his stunt he lowered a banner which said “Free the Arctic 30” and “Militants in prison, climate in danger”. His protest forced authorities to close the monument for a short time however he was brought down by firemen after 2 hours without restraint.

7. Bonanza Plane Fly’s Under the Eiffel Tower

Over the years there have been a few people who have flown beneath the Eiffel Tower however in this instance we have footage of the moment that Robert J. Moriarty completed the task.

In 1984 at 11:20am on the 31st of March, Moriarty flew his Beechcraft Bonanza aircraft threw the 4 pillars of the Eiffel Tower. This event was cleared by local officials and when asked why he did it, his reply was: “Just for fun”

Moriarty said it was quite easy and that in the past someone has flown through the pillars of the Arc de Tromphe which in comparison is a lot tighter as you can see in the video below.

8. Pierre Labric Rides Bike Down The Eiffel Tower

Pierre Labric is a popular French Organist, Composer and Pedagogue. He is also known for his decent form the 1st Floor of the Eiffel Tower riding his bicycle.

In 1923 for reasons that are unknown he decided to ride his bicycle down the stairs while also heavily populated with people. There is not much documentation on the event however these image were captured during his decent.

eiffel tower bike stunt

9. Philippe Petit Tight Rope Walk

Throughout his career as a tight rope walker, Philippe Petit has performed numerous death defying stunts in places such as the Sydney harbour bridge, the Twin Towers and many more. In 1989 Philippe walked a tight rope which stretched from the second floor of the Eiffel Tower to Paliais de Chaillot and totaled a 700m long walk.

Mayor Jacques Chirac invited Philippe to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the French revolution by performing his tightrope walk for the citizens of Paris.

Le Depanneur Pigalle Restaurant Review

Greg
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Le Depanneur Pigalle Restaurant Review

Recently Megan and I had some of our Australian friends visit us in Paris. We love having house guests in Paris and for me personally it means I get to show off some of my extensive knowledge of this city and introduce them to some really cool restaurants.

For this review we visited “Le Depanneur Pigalle” which Google tells says translates to “The Pigalle Convenience Store” in English. Let me reassure you we did not review a convenient store and in fact it’s a really chic looking burger shop/bar/café in Pigalle.

Unfortunately I was a little disappointed in a few things at this restaurant which ended up bringing the overall star rating of this review down considerably. I’m going to leave the negatives to the end and start on a positive note.

The Atmosphere

Le Depanneur Pigalle

I really liked the way that Le Depanneur Pigalle was designed. Recently I have notice a common theme emerging in many restaurants within Paris. The theme if speak of has a very wooden/rustic feel to it and Le Depaneur Pigalle continues this trend.

Le Depanneur Pigalle interior

I love the fact that they have tried to add a nice, chic, chilled out restaurant to enjoy a coffee or burger in a suburb of Paris which is not well known for being more than a dingy nightclub area.

Le Depanneur Pigalle is actually spread across both sides of the street. They have a number of external chairs and two bar areas. This feature makes it a nice place to hang out in the late afternoon, soaking up what sun is left.

Staff

This is where I felt the restaurant is failing the most. The staff were really quite cold shouldered, unpleasant and in a rush to take our order. Personally I think the difference between a good restaurant and great restaurant can be something as little as a smile on the waiters face.

Even the guys behind the bar seemed very unapproachable. I know this is a common thing which people have to put up with in Paris but this is 2015 and for a small business to succeed in this economic climate they should at least have staff that can fake being happy.

Food

Our friends and Megan thought that the food was “ok”. However “ok” doesn’t compete with the other restaurants that I have reviewed previously in Paris. Personally I thought the burgers were average. It didn’t even come close to a burger which can be bought at the corner store in Australia.

Le Depanneur Pigalle menu

Sure it was made to look fancy, but for the large price tag you would expect something bigger or tastier than a McDonald’s big mac. I asked for my burger to be a little bloody and it came out completely black and cooked.

Usually with a little bit of sauce it can help a poorly cooked burger from being to dry. Unfortunately this was not the case, the burger was crazy try and no amount of sauce helped. On the plus side the chips were nice but were more like wedges. They could have definitely benefited from some sour cream and sweet chilli sauce.

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Recommendations

If you are in the area and looking for a nice spot in the sun for a cold drink or coffee then I would recommend it. Otherwise the absolute best I can give it for this review is a 3/5 star rating. I think that is being pretty generous as well, Tripadvisor has an overall rating of 2/5 stars.

It is such a pity that a restaurant which has amazing potential for being a huge success is instead a huge disappointment to many reviewing customers. If I am going to pay 17euro for a burger and chips it should have one of two things. Be absolutely delicious and have me craving for more or be nice an big, leaving me with the feeling of satisfaction and fullness.

Address: 27 Rue Pierre Fontaine, 75009 Paris
Phone: 01.48.74.48.74
Website: http://ledepanneurpigalle.com

 

Fly Business Class To Paris For Economy Prices

Greg
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0
Fly Business Class To Paris For Economy Prices

In the last few years a new revolutionary concept of flight has been take off (excuse the pun). The airline known as “La Compagnie” has created a service which only hosts business class seats on board.

La Compagnie airline only has two routes, one between Paris and New York and the other between London and New York. The great thing about this new service is that they offer economy style rates but only provide business class luxury.

Currently a round trip for two people from New York to Paris will cost 2300euro with La Compagnie. That’s approximately $2550 USD at today conversion rates.

La Compagnie has redesigned a fleet of Boeing 757-200 aircraft’s to contain 74 flat lying seats in 2×2 configurations.

La Compagnie business class airline
Photo Author | Eric Salard

What Do You Get For This Cheap Fare

Each traveler is presented with a large dockable Samsung tablet to enjoy their comprehensive on board entertainment selections as well as free WiFi for those who want to work during the flight.

La Compagnie has teamed up with a number of luxury niche specialists to provide an even more luxurious experience. The Menu has been provided by Michelin Starred chef Christopher Langree of Hotel Matignon in Paris.

The complimentary amenity kits have been provided by Caudalie, plus this service has also teamed up with DJ Fredelux, a well-recognized Parisian DJ that provides the inflight background music.

Prior to the flight each passenger will also have access to a private lounge where they can relax in style. La Compagnie also offers a flexible sporting program in which means it’s free to transfer items such as skis, golf bags etc…

In the past many business class airline models have been attempted but failed. Companies such as L’Avion, MaxJet, SilverJet and Eos have all fallen where La Compagnie has succeeded.

Currently La Compagnie is utilizing the three airport terminals of Newark airport in New York, Luton Airport in London and Charles De Gaule in Paris. Each rout only utilizes one airplane per day and often only 5-6 day per week depending on high and low seasons.

So, if it’s on your bucket list to fly business class and you thought that you would never be able to afford it then maybe this is your opportunity.

The Sunken Chip – Paris Fish and Chip Store Review

Greg
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0
The Sunken Chip – Paris Fish and Chip Store Review

Fish and chip store’s in Paris are like trying to find a needle in a hay stack. Growing up on the beach in Australia, both Megan and I absolutely love a good fish and chips dish.

Through word of mouth we had heard about a British style fish and chips store situated on one of the side street which stems off Canal Saint Martin. The area is filled chic restaurants and quirky takeaway stores. Enjoying any type of picnic or takeaway food on the canal is a must for any traveller wanting an authentic Parisian experience.

It was late afternoon as we placed our order at the sunken chip. We purchased our meal which total about 28euro and took a seat on the Saint Martin canal in one of the only patches of sun left. Our feet dangling over the ledge of the river bank as we began what we hoped was a tasty little slice of home.

The banks of Canal Satin Martin were lined with people picnicking, sipping Champaign, enjoying what sun was left and in our case devouring fish and chips in record time.

sunken chip fish and chips canal saint martin

Food

For us the food was a breath of fresh air and for a brief moment it almost felt like home. Most fish and chip lovers would have their favourite local store back home. If I was to compare it to our favourite fish and chip store back home then the only negative I would have is that it was a little on the oily side.

paris fish and chips shop

The chips were amazing, they were crunch yet thick which exactly how we like them. The meal also came with a side of warm mushy peas and beverage. Although it’ very common in England to have mushy peas as a side dish with your fish and chips, it’s not so common in our home country of Australia. From my lack of experience with mush peas, I think they were pretty good.

The fish that we ate did not come with any bones however it did have some skin on it visible inside the batter. This didn’t bother me but some readers may find this off putting. We also enjoyed that the fish did not have an overpowering fishy taste.

The refreshments which came with the meal unexpectedly included a few irregular choices which are not traditionally found in Paris. These choices include traditional creaming soda, Dr Pepper as well as the common options such as Sprite, Coke etc…

Staff, Shop and Atmosphere

The atmosphere was amazing on the banks of the canal. The weather was brilliant and with the influx of people lining the banks made it feel like we were joining a kind of popular Parisian social event.

canal saint martin fish and chips

You could choose to eat your meal in the sunken chip shop as It seemed fairly laid back but nothing fancy. Unless the weather is terrible I would suggest choosing the takeaway options and heading to Canal Saint Martin.

The staff were friendly and helpful with any questions we had about the menu. Both staff seemed to be English speaking natives, however I could not tell exactly what country they were from.

sunken chip paris review

Recommendations…

The Sunken Chip is a very good takeaway/restaurant for people such as us who have been living in Paris for a while and miss home occasionally. Even if you’re only visiting for a short time, it is the perfect takeaway choice to enjoy a picnic on Canal Saint Martin.

Try not to compare it to your favourite fish and chip store back home because nine times out of ten your favourite local fish and ship shop will win purely because it’s your favourite.

For my review of The Sunken Chip restaurant I would give it a 4.5/5 starts. My reasons for not giving it a 5 star rating is as follows.

As mentioned earlier, it was slightly oily and although it was very nice, by time we finished the meal we started feeling the effects of the excess oil.

I personally think that the price could have been a little better. For a fish and chips meal with a drink and side of fries, it will cost you between 14 and 16 Euros at the Sunken Chip. If you were to translate this to AUD then it would be about $20 for the entire meal. If the meal was closer to the 10euro mark then I think it would be a more regular takeaway option for us.

Address: 39 Rue des Vinaigriers, 75010 Paris
Phone: 01.53.26.74.46
Website: http://www.thesunkenchip.com
Opening Hours: Closed Mondays, 12:00 to 2:30pm, 7:30pm to 10:30pm

Wasting Food In France Is Now Illegal

Greg
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Wasting Food In France Is Now Illegal

The French national assembly votes that larger supermarkets cannot deliberately let unsold food spoil to the point which it can’t be eaten! Supermarkets with a floor space of larger than 400 meter square must sign contracts with charities by July 2016 or face fines of up to 75000 Euro or up to two years in prison.

In Paris it’s common to see people in need scavenging through supermarkets garbage bins for left over edible food. In the past it has been common for even the best supermarkets in Paris to lock bins away or douse them in bleach to prevent people eating out of date but possibly still edible food. One of the issues the supermarkets are concerned about is the scavengers getting food poisoning from mistakenly eating out-dated food.

According to “The Guardian’s” correspondent Angelique Chrisafis, official estimates in France show that the average person throws away between 20kg-30kg per year of food. 7kg of which is determined to still be edible, this is estimated to be a combined national cost of up to twenty billion euros.

Some specifics of the law also state that the charities receiving the unsold food must receive it in a manner which is ready to distribute as to not place any unnecessary and unfair burden on the contracted charities. This means that food which is donated to these charities should not have gone off or been squashed prior to being received by the charities. This logistical implementation stops the large supermarket from simply dumping their waste onto charitable organization and intern the chartists would be forced sort through and discard the spoiled food.

From the perspective of the charitable organizations it’s a great turning point toward a better future however the contracted charities will need to be equipped with the correct transportation and refrigeration to handle each donation.

The other option that supermarkets can choose is the turn the food waste into animal feed. Another positive which this new law creates is that it will also help reduce carbon emissions In France.

Photo Author | usdagov
Photo Author | usdagov

The newly introduced law obviously has its critics and most of which come from the big shots of the larger supermarkets. I personally think the law is a step in the right direction for the world wide crisis of famines and food shortages. Newly introduced referendums are never perfect in the initial stages but hopefully with a little tweaking and time it will influence other countries to follow suit.

Food For Thought…

In 1990 a blueprint was agreed upon by all the world’s countries and the world’s leading development institutions to strive towards meeting the “eight millennium development goals”. In relation to people suffering from hunger, the goal was to halve the amount between 1990 and 2015.

As you will see in the diagrams of this URL, the goals for world malnourishment and hunger will not be met by 2015.

MercyCrops.org Report… “Around the world, 842 million people do not have enough of the food they need to live an active, healthy life.”

 

Claim Your Paris VAT Refund Tax In France Before You Leave

Greg
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4
Claim Your Paris VAT Refund Tax In France Before You Leave

If someone told you it’s possible to claim back some money which you had spent while shopping in Paris, would you? Surprisingly enough most think it’s too much effort to fill in a few forms before you leave the country for a French VAT tax refund.

What is French VAT TAX

VAT Tax is actually paid in over 140 countries around the world and is similar to GST or Sales Tax. In English VAT stands for (Value Added Tax) in French it’s translated to (Taxe Sur La Valeur Ajouttée) VTA.

This tax is usually included in the price on the label and is not added once at the cash register. The VAT tax can range from around 2% for medicine and drugs to 33% for luxury goods at this current point in time. It’s typically added onto goods and services to raise money which will helps fund the French government’s budget needs.

TVA refund recipt

Who Can Claim VAT TAX Refund

In order to be eligible for a VAT tax refund there are a few requirements that must be met.

  • Spend more than 175€ in the same store, same day
  • Can’t be a member of the European Union
  • Older than 15 years of age
  • Acquire a valid Customs stamp upon departure of the EU
  • Within 3 months of purchase your items should be exported
  • Residing in France for less than 6 months

What Items Can You Claim

Refunds can only be claimed on goods which are a retail purchase and they must not be acquired for commercial reasons. Here is a list of goods which are excluded from the VAT refund;

  • Items which have already had the VAT tax removed for promotional reasons
  • Manufactured tobaccos
  • Petroleum Products
  • Postage stamps
  • Weapons
  • Cultural items
  • Private means of transport

How To Claim VAT TAX

As with most things in France there is a little bit of paperwork involved. Once you have made your purchase of more than 175 euros you will need to acquire a VAT “Detaxe” Form. Most stores will have a copy of this form however it is possible to get a copy at the French airport from where you are exiting the EU.

Large retailers such as Galleries Lafayette and Printemps have a designated VAT refund desk or office’s where you can acquire and process the Detaxe form. Processing your transaction at a refund counter means that you can get money back immediately if all eligibility requirements have been met. You will still need it stamped by customs and put in the mailbox within 6 months of purchase or possibly face a fine. Here is a list of many shops and malls in Paris which offer duty free shopping and tax refund counters.

Steps to take to acquire a refund without the stores mentioned above are;

  1. After a purchase of 175€ or more acquire the VAT refund form and keep the sales receipt.
  2. Before airport check in, complete the form and have it stamped by a customs officer at one of the airport locations listed below.
  3. Find a post box in the airport and send off the de-tax form
  4. WAIT, WAIT, WAIT… you can expect a check via mail or direct deposit into a chosen bank account however France takes a lot of time to process anything.
  5. Train stations may not have a customs office so you will have to use third party companies such as Global Refund or Premier Tax Free to claim your refund. These companies will take pre-determined commission of your refund.

Paris Airport VAT Refund Office

Charles de Gaulle Airport
Terminal 1: CDGVAL level, hall 6
Terminal 2A: Departures level, gate 5
Terminal 2C: Departures level, gate 4
Terminal 2E: Departures level, gate 8
Terminal 2F: Arrivals level
Terminal 3: Departures level, airside

Orly Airport
West Terminal: Arrivals level, gate E
South Terminal : Departures level, gate G

Forgot To Lodge The Form?

If you forgot to lodge your VAT refund form before you left Paris then you will have to send a request to for tax refund to the “French Customs Ataché” within 6 months of your purchase.

For most travellers this step will not be worth the time and effort it takes to acquire a refund. The application involves a trip to the French consulate for an attestation of merchandise, a letter with good reasons why you did not lodge the form before leaving France, a retail export form, copy of boarding pass and appropriate identification. All of this may not be worth the trouble of possibly getting a few dollars in returns.

Food For Thought – Customs

Be wary of customs regulations and required taxes which should be paid for purchases over a certain denomination in country that you are returning too. Each country is different, for example the USA has a 3% tax on goods which were purchased outside of the country and valued at more than $1000 USD. (This tax denomination may change over time and is only a ballpark figure for general purposes.)

With all that said and done only you can decide if a VAT tax refund is worth the effort of dealing with the rigmarole of French paperwork. A 175€ purchase may possibly warrant a refund of 21€ if you’re lucky.

Zoolander 2 Release Stunt at Paris Fashion Week

Greg
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0
Zoolander 2 Release Stunt at Paris Fashion Week

I am super pumped and although it’s reasonably old new, one of my top 5 movies ever is having a sequel made. Following a Tweet by Paramount Picture, the film Zoolander 2 is set to be released on February 12th 2016.

It was this news which led to a publicity stunt by Hansel (Owen Wilson) and Zoolander (Ben Stiller) during Paris fashion week. During the March, 2015 Maison Valentino runway show, both Hansel and Zoolander strut down the runway enticing cheers of excitement from surprised onlookers.

They walked down the runways to the song “Don’t You Want Me” by the human league and at the end the runway Derek Zoolander displayed his signature look of “Blue Steel”. On the way back down the runways Derek grabbed an onlooker’s phone that was performing a selfie video and continued to walk backstage with the phone while posing for the camera. I have added a video below of the selfie, runway walk and backstage skit by Derek and Hansel

This videos are when Zoolander grabs cell phone at Paris Fashion Show.

Runway walk by Hansel and Zoolander at Maison Valentino show Paris

Funny Hansel and Zoolander, Paris fashion week backstage skit

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