Before our trips, we've scoured the web for interesting, informative Paris resources - the sites that you instantly add to your Bookmarks list. Here's our favorites:
Dollars to Euro Currency Converter - Read 'em and weep. The best tool to calculate how few euros your dollars will buy.
Favorite Newsletter - Secrets of Paris by Heather Stimmler-Hall. An alternative newsletter about the Paris scene. Heather lives in Paris, and dishes monthly on the where to eat, go out, and shop. Not a re-hash of the guidebooks, this newsletter is also advertising-free so you get the real scoop.
Idiomatic French Phrases - Authored by a Parisian, this practical page lists the best French phrases that you won't find in traditional phrase books. Besides the basics, it includes common French pickup lines and "colorful" phrases to express that "you're not interested".
Metro and Train Information - The French Transportation Authority (RATP) web site contains information on fares, metro stations that are handicapped accessible, and a cool interactive map that provides directions between any two points in Paris.
Street Finder - Page Jaunes - Enter an address and this site provides a detailed map and directions, like a French Mapquest. The amazing feature is that it also displays a photo of front of the building , and enables you to virtually walk down any Paris street (the database contains pictures from all angles of every building in Paris!). Curious as to what shops, cafés are next to your hotel before booking, go to Page Jaunes. You can get a real feel for a neighborhood and how close attractions are by taking these virtual walks. Note: Access by selecting "Les Photos de Ville" (Photos of Cities) from the menu on the right.
Paris Panoramic Photos - Want to stand on the Eiffel Tower and look over the city without leaving the comfort of your couch - Visit the Eiffel Tower in this interactive Quicktime Video.
Craving a view of Paris at night - Scroll to see a panoramic view of the City of Light. If you've haven't visited Paris yet, it really is this beautiful at night.
For the ultimate Paris-ophile - visit the Paris Daily Photo blog to get your Paris fix. There is even a nifty application to display the update the photos in real time on your desktop.
Paris Restaurant Finder - Craving Thai, Japanese, or Italian? Use this interactive web application to search by budget, food type, and neighborhood. Over 9,000 Paris restaurants in the database.
Paris Digest - We found this Paris Guide written by Parisians to be very helpful when we lived in Paris. Contains pictures and descriptions of parks and museums that are popular landmarks to Parisians, but ignored by most American tour books. Good site to browse for ideas if you're a return visitor to Paris.
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