Want to Work at the Embassy in Paris?

Many people dream of working at the American Embassy in Paris and understandably! Paris is such a magical and romantic city and the thought of living there for awhile is pretty irresistable. I'm sure there are many ways to make this happen, but just in case it's a dream of yours, I thought I'd share the website with you that I just found: http://france.usembassy.gov/. It has lots of good information there! Also wanted to include a little Parisian video...enjoy!

The Most Fabulous Hotel in Paris

The most expensive Parisian hotel room is the Belle Etoile Suite at the Hotel Meurice, located on the Rue de Rivoli. This penthouse suite is reached via private elevator, where it opens onto a marble entry hall. The entire suite is decorated in a Charles X style--heavy drapery, intricate wood paneling with gilt edges, chandeliers and murals. Try not to fill it with champagne. The white-marble bathroom has double sinks and a round Jacuzzi tub, as well as panoramic views of the city (yes, the windows have shades). The 2,960-square-foot terrace has stone tiles, potted shrubs and a 360-degree view of Paris. The rate is 8,400 euros per night (approximately $7,300). Hotel Meurice 228 rue de Rivoli 75001 Paris, France Phone: 33 44-58-10-10 Fax: 33 44-58-10-15

The American Embassy in Paris, A Primer

The American Embassy in Paris, centrally located between the Champs-Elysees and Chatelet on the city's right bank, provides numerous services to American citizens visiting or residing in Paris. Passport issuance or replacement, notarial services, travel safety advisories, and references to tax and legal professionals are among some of the services administered by the Office of American Services at the embassy. To replace a passport immediately, you will need to visit the embassy in person, but you can also request a replacement passport by postal mail if you are visiting Paris for an extended period of time.
Location:Office of American Services4, avenue Gabriel75008 ParisMetro: Concorde
Email contact: The quickest way to receive a response from the American Embassy is to send an email: citizeninfo@state.gov
Emergency phone contact: 33 (0)1.43.12.22.22 (drop the country code, "33" and add back the "0" when dialing from within France)

Getting Ready for Bastille Day??

Have you ever been in Paris on Bastille Day? I have and it is a blast! The French love to celebrate as much as we do. This little article will enlighten you about one of their favorite drinks. I don't care for it but you might! Enjoy!

-- The summer festivities need not end with July 4th. With Bastille Day around the corner, the French give us yet another reason to celebrate. On July 14th toast Bastille Day, the holiday commemorating the birth of French democracy, in true Parisian style. Whether you plan a rooftop barbeque or an intimate indoor gathering, Pernod is the perfect way to add traditional French flair to your Bastille Day fete.
The French anise-based liquor has enjoyed popularity for hundreds of years as an aperitif and a classic cocktail. It has also been lauded as a culinary shortcut, effortlessly adding complex nuances to any dish. Chefs around the world prize Pernod for its ability to flavor a meal without overpowering its natural taste. Rather than settling for the usual fromage and crackers, simply add Pernod to any ingredient from chicken and fish to fresh fruit and vegetables, and watch your dish go from ordinary to revolutionary -- the perfect addition to your Bastille Day menu.
For the ambitious gourmand, the classic Poussin Pernodine is a party favorite. The herbal components of Pernod complement the flavors of lemon and cream, making it a treat for any occasion. If you are looking for a sweet ending to your Bastille Day feast, try the Far East Fruit Salad, a medley of exotic fruits that satisfy the sweet tooth with simple yet delicious ingredients.

Your opinion please?

As you know, I do a lot of blogging. I also look at a lot of other people's blogs. For the most part, the posts seem to be just informative notes, thoughts, opinions or recommendations. however every now and then I see people who seem to do regular essays on a daily basis. What do you think? How long should a regular blog post be? Don't want to bore or exhaust people! Thanks,
Alice

Paris, France Fountains to See

Paris is filled with many beautiful fountains. You can see all of them if you plan your trip carefully. Of course you may not want to see all of them! I would especially recommend the ones around the Louvre. I've included several picture so that you can decide how to plan your trip. Have fun!

L'Opera de Paris

The sumptuous and prestigious Paris Opera building, designed by Charles Garnier in 1861 and completed in 1875, is one of the largest theatre venues in the world. A lavish epitaph to the manic architectural activities of the Second Empire under Napoleon III, and aptly described as a "triumph of molded pastry," it lent a suitable image to the frivolity and materialism of the so-called naughty Eighties and Nineties.

Opéra Garnier

The sheer mass of its stage — 11,000 square meters (or 118,404 square feet), with room for 450 players — seems to dwarf the respectable 2156-seat capacity auditorium, whose ceiling was painted in 1964 by Marc Chagall. At the Musée d'Orsay, one may view a complete slice-away maquette (model) of this amazingly ornate edifice, but anyone with an architectural gilt complex should make the pilgrimage to the glimmering marble-and-onyx Grand Staircase.

When the emperor and empress were presented with the model, the latter is reputed to have questioned, "What is this style? It's not a style. It's not Greek, it's not Louis XVI." Garnier allegedly replied, "No, those styles have had their day. This style is Napoleon III, and you complain?"
In fact, the Opéra was constructed by the grand bourgeois more as a stage for self-display: its vestibules, galleries, stairs, anterooms, and other areas are much vaster than the mere auditorium for the select high society in attendance. Here one could stroll, step, sip, chat, ogle, and parade oneself in lengthy intermissions. That was the point, after all: the operatic performance itself was an intermission between obligatory social strutting. The personalities on view in the foyer and on the Grand Staircase were considered as important as the artists on stage singing Faust or La Traviata.