The Earful Tower and

 Bonjour tout le monde!

I am a fan of the Earful Tower, a podcast by Oliver Gee, who has also created a great community.  He interviews interesting people, mostly in Paris, and finds wonderful ways to share his life in the City of Light.  Earlier this year, he published a list of things to do your first (second, third and fourth) time in Paris.   

If you have been to Paris, how many of these things have you done?  

Fortunately, I have done all of the first list.

I have been to Paris so many times I have lost count. I have been to the Louvre; it is nice to skip the big stuff and explore all the other parts of the museum - it is the largest one in the world so there is so much more than the Mona Lisa, Winged Victory and the Venus de Milo.  There are decorative arts, tons of Egyptian relics and also the crown jewels of France (didn't know they had any, right?)

I would add to this list

11. See the stained glass dome at the Galeries Lafayette.  Fortunately it is very near the Printemps, so you can do both in one trip!

Want to know more about the Earful Tower and join the community?   https://theearfultower.com/

You ca can also find their videos on YouTube.  https://www.youtube.com/@TheEarfulTower

Le Train Bleu

 Bonjour tout le monde,

This past January, I went to Paris with a cousin and my daughter to celebrate a shared birthday with my cousin.  We had a great time shopping, eating, more shopping, more eating, and a visit to the Louvre thrown in.

Highlights of the trip included dinner at le Train Bleu, a fabulous restaurant that opened in 1901 as a "buffet de la gare".  That is because it is located in the Gare de Lyon (one of the 7 train stations in Paris).  Soon, this buffet became "the" place for high society travelers.  In 1963, the restaurant was named Le Train Bleu to commemorate the Paris-Vintimille” line that stopped at towns along the Mediterranean coast. 

This is the most amazing restaurant; the décor is from the Belle Epoque, with lots of paintings of pastoral scenes.  The menu includes their famous rack of lamb, which is on a wheeled trolley.  I did not order that, but had the steak instead.  The waiters are amazing, and there is even a presentation about the grand history of trains. 

If you have the time (and the $$) be sure to make reservations to eat at this wonderful spot. https://www.le-train-bleu.com/fr/

JE SUIS DE RETOUR! I am back!

 Bonjour tout le monde!

The past two years have not been great, so I took a little time off to get myself together.  However, it is time for la Croque Madame [lah croak mahdam] to make a return to life.

The most exciting thing is that I am traveling again.  In January, I went to Paris for my birthday.  While there, I found some exciting places to visit, and some spots that I visited again.   I was so inspired that I am going to take you to Paris with me in October!  

I am going again with EF Go Ahead Tours for a great tour of Paris only.  That gives us plenty of leeway to plan activities within the schedule that we are given - there are 3 free days!  What would you like to do? Take a Black Tour of Paris? Have a champagne tasting?  Go shopping with (or without) a personal guide?  The possibilities are endless!

Informational meeting Sunday, March 19 at 3 pm PDT.  If you are in the Los Angeles area, the meeting will be in person and there will be wine and cheese.  

Spread the word!  The more the merrier!

There is still time to enroll on my France 2022 tour!

 

So, let's go!  Find out more here:

Questions?  email me: jacki.williamsjones@gmail.com

Josephine Baker will be enterred in the Pantheon

 Bonjour tout le monde!

Have you heard about Josephine Baker?  The woman who moved from the US to France and became an icon in French night club lore, mostly due to her interpretation of the "Banana Dance".  She also was a staunch supporter of Civil Rights and even campaigned for it in the States.

She was also a war hero.  Due to her popularity, Josephine Baker would cross all over Europe doing shows and carrying secret messages for the Allied Forces.  Because of that, her remains will be taken from Monaco - where she was buried in her uniform along with her medals - and buried in the Pantheon, France's greatest honor.  She will lie in the same place as Marie Curie, Victor Hugo, and Simone Veil.

Read about it in French: https://www.francetvinfo.fr/societe/debats/pantheon/josephine-baker-va-entrer-au-pantheon-car-elle-incarne-l-esprit-francais-confirme-l-elysee_4746221.html

Read about it in English: 
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/22/world/europe/josephine-baker-pantheon-burial.html

TIME IS RUNNING OUT TO GET THE BEST PRICES ON FRANCE 2022 WITH JACKI!

Yes, that's right!  Enroll on the tour before September 1 to get the best prices available before they go up on September 1!

Check out the itinerary, enroll on the tour here:

All you need to know about France 2022

 Bonjour tout le monde!
Just in case you can't make it to my Zoom info parties and just want to check things out, here is the basic info

Want to talk with me about the trip because you have questions? Call/'text 323-896-2470.

I would love to have folks sign up by next Saturday so that the group can start making plans and having group Zooms.