Which Paris are you talking about? Paris, Texas? In all the years I have lived in Paris whenever I heard English it was spoken by foreigners.

Funny!
I know, our baseball teams stink this year too! Oh well....

Thanks for that book suggestion, George. It looks so nice - the way it categorizes everything and even in the back it has those French phrases you mentioned - along with the phonetical listing too. But really, all I need to know how to say is, "where is Chopin?"

As far as when I'm going - maybe I confused you - I'm going next year (for my ??th birthday ). But I don't know which month yet - could be anytime from April to September - I'm not sure what month would be best. That's why I'm starting to plan now. I like to research Everything so I get good hotels and all that. Plus, I'll be going to Italy on the same trip so I have to figure out basically two trips.

Pianolady wrote: That's easy, tell the cab driver, "Cimetière du Père Lachaise, s'il vous plaît." On the plackard, look for plot: Division 11, No. 10. If you have your GPS, type in (lat/lon): 48.86025, 2.39263. M. Chopin will be waiting for you. You can't miss it, it's the only grave in the section with beautiful flowers. Take an ipod with you to get you in the mood along the way.

Chopin's Paris:
1. Salle Pleyel: debut of Op. 9a, b to Parisian public - Sensation! befriends Camille Pleyel. It's truly a beautiful hall!
2. Arcades of the Palais Royal: Chopin was a frequent customer
3. Eglise de Madeleine: 3000 attended his funeral. They sang the Mozart Requieum (female singers hid behind a black veil) Now females are welcome!
4. Tuileries Garden: Palace burned down in 1871. Chopin played for Louis-Phillipe then Duke of Orléans.
5. Musée de la Vie Romantique: Ary Scheffer's home 1830-1840s paintings of Chopin, Sand, Liszt, Delacroix, etc.
6. 9 Square d'Orléans: Residence. Sand is #5 I think??
7. 12 Place Vendôme: last residence. Now Bulgari occupies 10-12 - Zoinks!
8. Salle de concert du Conservatoire de Paris: He played there, despite his aversion to the public. Old hall restored close to original.
9. Père Lachaise: Go alone, that's what I did. I didn't want bavardage around me for something this memorable, powerful, and moving. Make it count!
10. Musée Adam Mickiewicz: I mentioned this Polish museum in detail in another thread, located 6 Quai d'Orléans in Île Saint-Louis. You'll find a lot of Chopin memorabilia, letters, manuscripts, and his death mask.

Any time from April to September is good. Don't go too, early in April as I did once because the flowers along the Champs de Mars won't be planted in front of the Tour Eiffel. It's a beautiful site. Flowers are a big deal in Paris. I always go to Europe in May or September to avoid the crowds and brats. The weather seems to be perfect for promenades during that time. For hotels in Paris, I usually stay at the Hotel Scribe - centrally located and walking distance to the Opera, shopping, Olympia, Cafe de Paris - love that place!

Wow, and what's the theme for Italy?... that's a lot in one trip, but if you need any help with itineraries, transportation, etc., let me know... Here's one of my favorite series called "Charming Small Hotel Guides." I actually took their advice and stayed one of the recommended hotels in Amalfi - breathtaking!

http://www.amazon.com/Charming-Small-Ho ... -1-catcorr
http://www.amazon.com/Southern-France-C ... 907&sr=1-1

A few France one's I forgot to mention: Too bad they've jacked up the price. I got the DK at Costco for 13.99! Zoinks! Might want to check there?!
http://www.amazon.com/H%C3%B4tels-auber ... 70&sr=1-11
http://www.amazon.com/Paris-Travel-Guid ... 056&sr=1-6


Happy Birthday in advance!
George

Italy too? Let me know where and when, as it is probable I shall be there too.

If I were you I would avoid Paris like the plague in August: too hot, only tourists and the Parisians who could not leave on holiday and are therefore grumpy.

Oh George, you are making me so excited, I can hardly stand it! I can't wait to go to Paris!!

That's a nice idea about going to Chopin's grave by myself. I think I'll just sit there for a while... And all those other places are on my list. I also want to find the place - I think it's a private mansion now - could be a hotel - it's near Notre Dame. It's where Princess C (long polish name, I can't remember it right now). Chopin frequented there - I have it written down but it's at home.

Hotel Scribe - Wow, that looks like a beautiful hotel! I'll look into it. Also the Cafe de Paris - funny, I wrote a little book awhile ago and one scene takes place there (only it's in the year 1839 and the cafe was there, but I didn't know what it looks like inside, so I made it up. Will be fun to see what it really looks like now.

Thank you very much for all the information on books and places to see!

Originally, the trip was supposed to be just Paris, but it has blossomed into a trip to Italy too. So instead of one week, I will have to take two weeks. Will be VERY EXPENSIVE! I don't know exactly where I'm going yet in Italy. Probably Rome and Venice.

@Richard - I'm leaning more towards September. It's usually a nice month and you're right about all the kids being back in school. But then again, the end of April would be nice too. Then I could sing the song "April in Paris...."

I have an extended lunch today. Here it is, I found that thread from July 2009 about the Polish museum. The princess is Czartoryska. viewtopic.php?f=23&t=3613

88man wrote:

I haven't seen the princess's home, but the home you mentioned near the Notre Dame must be the Polish museum - it's the house of Adam Mickiewicz. Chopin did frequent there. The museum address I gave earlier, 6 Quai d'Orléans in Île Saint-Louis, is near Notre Dame.

Rome and Venice will be fantastic too! If you can swing it, I would include Florence in between the two cities. You'll need at least 2wks+. I don't think you'll ever question how expensive the trip was after you get back so don't worry. So much to see, so little time... Planning is half the fun on these trips! Good Luck!

George

What? No Germany!?

That's funny, George, we were talking about this same thing two years ago!

Anyway...Yes, Princess Czartoryska is the name I was trying to remember. And the place where she lived and where Chopin visited often was called the Hotel Lambert. It has a different address than the museum, but maybe it is nearby.

Here is a lot of information on the Hotel Lambert - also great photos:

http://www.paris-architecture.info/PA-061.htm

Florence, Italy - I am considering that too. I just don't know yet how many days I'll have to do everything. Planning is fun like you say, but also a little overwhelming - at least right now since I'm in the early stages.


@Eddy - I went to Germany a few years ago to visit my aunts, uncles, and cousins. But there are still so many other places in Germany I'd like to see.
Oh, now I'm getting depressed... if only I could do nothing else but travel (and play piano)

Of all the times I've been to Paris, I've never seen the Lambert. Thanks for the great info and photos! What an illustrious history. Both the Lambert AND the Musée de Adam Mickiewicz are located Île Saint Louis (not Île de la Cité which has the Notre Dame), and yes they are nearby. They're only 3 blocks from each other. It should be a pleasant 3 minute walk along the Seine.
Monica, just remember the Museum is open on Thursdays and some Saturdays (I think?) by appointment. The museum number is 33(0)1 43 54 35 61. I am very excited for you! You'll have to start a thread on all your discoveries and experiences!

Oh, see? it's that kind of information I'm going to have to really pay attention to. Thank you! Also thank you again for all the helpful information. And yes, I'll start a thread when the time comes.

Speaking of Composer Movies (at least I think that that is where this thread started). A Beethoven movie "Immortal Beloved" is showing on SCINE (one of the ShowTime channels -- 353 on our DishTV). It is about as improbable as "Amadeus" but it has its moments. And there is all of that Beethoven music throughout.

Scott

Edit: BTW, it is on again at 3:30 am CDT on Sat. 25 Jun.

Funny - I know, I'm a little confused about where to post too. I just post wherever the last comment is located.

And Scott - 'Immortal Beloved' I LOVE THAT MOVIE! Here is my favorite scene -gives me goosebumps every time!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7qWbcosJdtU

I saw that it's playing on my cable network too - On Demand. I'd love to watch it again. However, I received the movie I had ordered about Brahms last Saturday, so I want to watch it too. I just need to find some time....

I don't know if it's the movie, but I do know it's the music! And the Allegretto (2nd movement) of the 7th Symphony in The King's Speech was sublime! What a spirit was Beethoven.

Yes, I liked that movie too.

If I could get a time machine, I'd definitely visit - first, Chopin. Followed by Granados, Liszt, Mozart, and Beethoven (not in that particular order). Agree - Beethoven would be a very very! interesting person to hang out with for a while and get a sense of his spirit firsthand

WHAT???? WHAT'S YOU SAY???

You might want to learn sign language first.

Scott