In fact Châtelet Métro is less than 500 feet away (or 35 seconds)!

Directions from Hotel Britannique’s to Châtelet Métro:

-> walk out of the Hotel Britannique and go left
-> take a left at the corner
-> Châtelet metro is down the block on your left

Where can you go from here?  Everywhere!

First, learn the metro.  You can figure it out in seconds, too (see how convenient this hotel is!).  In fact, Paris is so easy to get around via the metro that once you figure it out, you’ll never turn back.

     Tips for understanding the metro:

1. The lines are color coded.  You look to where you are and to where you want to go.  Follow that colored line to the end.  That is the direction in which you will want to go.  For instance, when you travel Chatelet to most tourist spots, you’ll be traveling Line 1 in the direction of  La Defense.  You disembark along the way (and, yes, there are color coded signs above every metro door to tell you how many stops before you get off).  Remember that when you’re returning to Hotel Britannique, you head back the opposite direction (Chateau de Vincennes).

NOW… for the GOOD PART!  Hotel Britannique is 35 seconds from Chatelet which is on metro line 1.  It’s the major metro line in Paris, as it goes from west to east.  And every major must-do is either directly off this metro line, or off a connecting one!

Metro Line 1 Monuments and Museums:

• The Louvre – Metro: Line 1 (exit at Palais Royal Musee du Louvre) – 2 stops from Chatelet.
  (Unless you want to do the junky souvenir walk along Rue Rivoli, in which case, you only have 1 stop at exit Louvre Rivoli).
• Tuileries Gardens (Jardin de Tuileries – where kids sail little boats in the fountains) – Metro: Line 1 (exit Tuileries) – 3 stops from Chatelet.
• Place de la Concorde - Metro : Line 1 (exit at Concorde) – 4 stops from Chatelet.
• Champs Elysees (beginning)  - Metro : Line 1 (exit at Champs Elysees Clemenceau) – 5 stops from Chatelet.
• Champs Elysees (middle)  - Metro : Line 1 (exit at Franklin D. Roosevelt) – 6 stops from Chatelet.
• Champs Elysees (middle-to-end / technically, the part you care about will it end at Arc de Triomphe, the next exit)  - Metro : Line 1 (exit at George V) – 7 stops from Chatelet.
• Arc de Triomphe – Metro : Line 1  (exit at Charles de Gaulle Etoile) – 8 stops from Chatelet.

Wait!  But how to get to the Eiffel Tower from Chatelet Metro, from Notre Dame, from Hotel DeVille, the Louvre, etc. — Take Chatelet (or anywhere on Line 1 ) to Line 4 (direction – Porte d’Orleans) and exit St-Michel to the RER (don’t worry, it’s still a metro – direction of Versailles-Rive Gauche/ Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines) and get off at Champ de Mars, unless you want to get off at Pont de l’Alma to see the Princess Diana tribute.  Unless you are staying near the Eiffel Tower, it might very well be the most difficult spot in Paris to get to unless you go by taxi… and you don’t want to stay near the Eiffel Tower because most of the area is just plain boring!

Read about the Five Hot Paris Must-Do’s Where you can walk to within 5 minutes or less directly from this Paris hotel!

Top 5 Paris Must-Do’s Near The Hotel Britannique:

1. Hotel Britannique is exactly 10 minutes from Notre Dame Cathedral and Point Zero (also known as Kilometre Zero – all highways are measured from this point; all of Paris is measured from this point… this is the very inner point of the « snail-shape » of Paris).
   (Click here to find events,  services, hours for Cathédrale Notre Dame de Paris)
2. Hotel Britannique is exactly 5 minutes from Hotel de Ville, which is Paris’ City Hall.
   (Click here to find events and hours at Hôtel de Ville)
3. Hotel Britannique is less than seven blocks (less than a ten minute walk) from the Louvre – actually closer if you take another entrance besides the touristy I.M. Pei Louvre Pyramid.
   (Click here to find events, special exhibits, hours, cost, etc., for the Louvre Museum.)
4.  Hotel Britannique is 3 blocks (less than six minutes) from Pont Neuf – where lovers are seen kissing along the Seine!
5. Hotel Britannique is 3 blocks (less than six minutes) from the major department store, B.H.V., which has a hardware store in the basement (to drop off the husbands who are addicted to Home Depot), and French lingerie, clothing and household goods on the top floors.  In fact, if you love to shop, this is really the perfect hotel-close-to-department-store situation for you.

And an added plus…. the Hotel Britannique is six blocks from the Igor Stravinsky Fountain next to the Centre Pompidou, which houses the Modern Museum of Art in Paris.

To celebrate Christmas a special programme has been organised for the general public until 2 February, combining celebrations, mangers, vigils and concerts.

Unmissable services for all the faithful, the messes are at the heart of the Notre Dame’s programme for this Christmas.

On 24 and 25 December, there will be many celebrations under the cathedral’s nave: international mess, Christmas vigil, Midnight mass, evensong… contemplation and prayers will blend with the musical emotions produced in turn by the great organs and the choirs. Several musical events will be organised. Concerts, recitals, choir singing, enhanced by the exceptional setting, promise music lovers some wonderful moments of enchantment.

The cathedral’s manger, like the Christmas tree on the forecourt, will both be in place until 2 February, inviting visitors to contemplate or even meditate.

From Masses to concerts, with the choirs breaking out into song, just as with the silent communions, Christmas will be religious.

Notre-Dame’s Christmas programme in Paris, until 2 February 2012:

• Further information :
  • Notre-Dame de Paris
• Notre-Dame de Paris : 6 parvis Notre-Dame – Place Jean Paul II – Paris 4ème
• Access :
  • Metro :
    • Line 4, Cité or Saint-Michel Stations
    • Lines 1 and 11, Hôtel de Ville Station
    • Line 10, Maubert-Mutualité or Cluny La Sorbonne Stations
    • Lines 7, 11 and 14, Châtelet Station
  • RER: Lines B and C, Saint Michel – Notre-Dame Station

Hotel Britannique Paris, Charming Hotel Paris, 3 star Hotel Paris

In 1755, the Marquis de Marigny employs the architect Jacques-Germain Soufflot. Soufflot had sent from Rome his idea which was received with great acclamation.

The foundations are dug in 1758. Louis XV lays the first stone in the 6^th September 1764.
Financial difficulties and the death of Soufflot in 1780 delays  the construction of the building which would finally be completed in 1790, during the French Revolution.
On the pediment is written the quote from Pastoret: « For great men, the grateful homeland ».

The Revolution exploded and the National Assembly decides by a decree of April 4^th 1791, to use the building as a burial ground for exceptional individuals who had contributed  to the success of France. « May  the temple of religion be the temple of the country, and the tomb of a great man become the altar of freedom. » This building was named the French Pantheon.
During the 1^st Empire, the building was both a burial ground and a place of worship. The crypt sheltered the grave of great servants of the state, while in the upper part religious ceremonies and often imperial commemorations took place.

From 1821 to 1830, the monument was no longer a pantheon.  After an ordinance of December 12^th, 1821, Louis XVIII and Charles X restore it as a church (dedicated to St. Genevieve). However, the graves are not removed. Whilst  Louis XVIII’s courtiers had questioned if it was proper to leave the remains of the anticlerical Voltaire in a holy place, the King replies, « Leave him alone, he is punished enough having to hear Mess every day. »

The July Monarchy moves the Church of St. Genevieve to the Catholic worship on August 15^th, 1830 and re-establishes its first destination. The  Pantheon was then called « Temple of Glory. » David d’Angers redid the facade and the famous motto « For great men the grateful homeland » reappears. But during this period, no one will be “Pantheonised”.

From 1848 to 1851 under the Second Republic, it would become the “Temple of Humanity”,  without attracting either new tenant.
During  the Second Empire (1851-1870), the building becomes a church and the  inscription disappears again.
It’s only since 1885, when Victor Hugo died and was buried in the Pantheon that  the church of St. Genevieve disappeared. From that moment until now the building is the place where great men honored by the Republic rest  in peace.

The pediment represents: the Republic (center) promoting liberty and protecting the people,Sciences (left) – represented by many great scholars (François-Xavier Bichat, Berthollet, Gaspard Monge, Laplace …), Philosophers (Voltaire, Jean-Jacques Rousseau …), Writers (Fenelon, Peter Cornelius …) Artists (Jacques Louis David …) – and History (right) – represented by the great people of the State (Napoleon Bonaparte … ) and students of the Ecole Polytechnique.

In 1791, when the notion of  the French Pantheon was formed, the Constituent Assembly had the decisive power. The 1794s Convention chose to burry Jean-Jacques Rousseau, but also to remove Mirabeau, and later Marat.
During the First Empire, Napoleon the first assumed this privilege.

Under the Third Republic, it is the members who propose and decide. Some transfers involve violent polemics, such as Emile Zola in 1908.
Nowadays, this choice belongs to the President of the Republic. The family may object to this honor, as Charles Peguy and Albert Camus families did in 2009.

Great men admitted to Pantheon

* Mirabeau, Monday, April 4, 1791 :

Mirabeau died in Paris on 2^nd April 1791. This night, torches were lit and his body was taken to the Pantheon, crossing through old Paris. The building however was not yet adapted to its new role and the coffin was actually dropped in a vault of the old abbatial church.
But in November 1792, the discovery of the iron wardrobe at the Tuileries gave evidence that he owned subsidies in the Court … The September 12^th, 1794, his coffin was removed from the Hall through a side door, while Marat’s coffin crossed the threshold of honor. In his speech David stressed that: “ the vice and the imposture flees the Pantheon. The people there, called him the one who never made a mistake”. Mirabeau’s remains were anonymously buried in the cemetery of Clamart.

* Voltaire, Monday, July 11, 1791:

The French’s revolutionary decision to transfer the remains of Voltaire to the Pantheon shows their desire to affiliate with the Enlightenment. It was perhaps the suggestion of the Girondins who willingly promoted the ideas of the philosopher.That was one of the first revolutionary ceremonies. It was also an affirmation of the Pantheon as a temple for the great dead; one has to remember that when Voltaire died in 1778, he was an anticlerical and a Freemason, who had been furtively buried because the Catholic church refused him a religious funeral. Besides, the clergy wouldn’t participate in the ceremony of “Pantheonisation”.

Thus, thirteen years after his death (May 30^th, 1778), Voltaire’s remains was transferred to the Pantheon. The night before the funeral, the coffin was exhibited in the ruins of the Bastille – the prison where Voltaire and others enemies of the Old Regime had been confined. Since this time, the prison has become a kind of symbol of the Revolution. The ceremony was staged by the architect Cellerier, a follower of the Greco-Roman style.

An orchestra followed the coffin pulled by twelve white horses. The walls were decorated with theatrical masks, with this accolade:
« He fought the atheists and fanatics. He inspired tolerance, he claimed for the human rights against the slavery of feudalism. Poet, historian, philosopher, he enlarges the human spirit and taught him to be free. « 

* Jean-Paul Marat, September 21, 1794:

While the body of Marat crossed the threshold of honor, Mirabeau’s coffin was released by a side door. The following eulogy was delivered: « Like Jesus, Marat ardently loved people. Like Jesus, Marat hated kings, nobles, priests, the rich, the rogues and like Jesus, he continued to fight these plagues of society « .
In 1795, he was considered as a traitor. On the 8^th of February, his coffin was removed from the Pantheon; the sculpture busts portraying himself were broken and his remains are thrown into the sewage. Today his tomb is found in the cemetery of Saint-Etienne-du-Mont near the Pantheon.

* Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Saturday, October 11, 1794 :

The National Convention vowed a decree in April 14^th, 1794 ordering the removal of Rousseau’s remains from the Pantheon. Robespierre is representing the Convention and has to submit the decree. They wanted to establish a spiritual revolution and offer the country civil ceremonies where the ideals of the new morality would be performed, replacing the banned Christian holidays.

* Victor Hugo, Monday, June, 1st, 1885:

Since 1876, Republicans dreamt to restore their Pantheon, their temple of the dead. But the plan passed by the House in 1881, was rejected by the Senate. It’s only the famous author of Les Miserables who would brutally impose it, so much so that the President of the Republic, Jules Grévy decided to give back its republican status.
On Thursday, May 28, 1885, the church is closed to the faithful. The next day, they removed the religious symbols from the pediment of the Pantheon. Despite protests from Catholics, this time the transformation would be irreversible.

Two years before his death, Hugo adds to his will and testament: « I give fifty thousand francs to the poor. I want to be brought to the cemetery in their hearse. I refuse the oration of any churches, I ask a prayer for all souls. I believe in God « , he could not possibly imagine how this statement would correspond with the deist philosophy and secular republican government. The day of his funueral, under the Arc de Triumph appeared a black veiled pauper’s hearse and a huge catafalque built by Charles Garnier,  the architect of the Paris Opera.

* August, the 4th, 1889 :

Théophile Malo Corret de la Tour d’Auvergne

Lazare Nicolas Marguerite Carnot

François-Séverin Marceau-Desgraviers, called Marceau

Jean-Baptiste Baudin :

These four people were buried to mark the centenary of the French Revolution.

* Sadi Carnot, 29 juin 1894 :

He was assassinated by the anarchist Caserio on June 24^th. He is the only president to have been buried in the Pantheon.

* Marcellin Berthelot, Monday, March 25, 1907:

The scientist died on March 18^th, 1907. His coffin was taken directly to the Pantheon, along with the coffin of his wife who had coincidently died on the same day. She had expressed a wish never to be separated from her husband.

* Emile Zola, Thursday, June 4, 1908:

The decision to “patheonise” Emile Zola came from a dim political climate in a traumatized and divided France after the Dreyfus scandal.
A few days before the ceremony Jean Jaures wrote: « The great reform of the Separation, the most important that has been attempted in our country since the French Revolution ». In addition to this, in 1904 France had severed its diplomatic relations with the Vatican.

* Léon Gambetta, jeudi 11 novembre 1920 :

A speech was delivered at the ceremony by Millerand the President of the Republic.

* Jean Jaures, Sunday, November 23, 1924 :

The decision to transfer Jean Jaures’ remains to the Pantheon was an opportunity for the elected government Leftists to benefit from a symbolic anchorage whilst paying tribute to the man who tried to prevent war.

* Wednesday November 17, 1948:

Paul Langevin

Jean Perrin

The ceremony takes place the same day for these two scientists.

* Friday, May 20, 1949:

Victor Schoelcher

Félix Éboué

The vigil took place at the Arc de Triomphe, honored by the President Vincent Auriol’s presence -most senior of the state. The procession with the kind that Chopin’s Funeral March evokes, proceeding through the Palais du Luxembourg Pantheon between a double row of soldiers. The ashes of Victor Schoelcher and Felix Eboue would later be placed in the crypt, along with those of Jean Jaures.

* Louis Braille, dimanche 22 juin 1952:

and Jean Moulin, samedi 19 décembre 1964:

* Rene Cassin, Monday, October 5, 1987:

The one that we honor this day was the laying to rest of the lawyer and Nobel peace prize winner in 1968. Rene Cassin had honorably passed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

* Jean Monnet, Wednesday, November 9, 1988:

« There is exactly one hundred years, the November 9^th, 1888, Jean Monnet was born in Cognac, Charente. His life which was long and enriched tells how a small provincial from Saintonge became the first citizen of Europe …  »

* Tuesday December 12, 1989:

L’abbé Grégoire

Gaspard Monge

Condorcet

The ashes of these three men were also transferred to the Pantheon. The ceremony corresponded with the celebrations of the bicentenary of the French Revolution held by François Mitterrand, President of the French Republic.
« Revolutionaries in your time you were. Revolutionaries in our time you remain… In Salvation and Fraternity. You are welcomed in the temple of the Republic, in the phantom parliament of the free, equal and fraternal men.  »

* Marie and Pierre Curie, Thursday, April 20, 1995:

For the first time in history a woman is admitted for her own merits, alongside her husband in the sanctuary of great men.
Note: For fear of radiation, the coffin of Mary was sealed.

* Andre Malraux, Saturday, November 23, 1996:

Malraux is the fifth writer to enter the Hall of Pantheon.

* Alexandre Dumas, Saturday, November 30, 2002:

« With this gesture, the Republic will give full scope for one of its most turbulent and brightest children whose whole life was spent to serve our republican ideals.  »

« The name of Alexandre Dumas is more than French, it is European, it is more than European, it is universal”. The coffin of Alexandre Dumas was then descended into the vault XXIV where there lay already those of Victor Hugo and Emile Zola.

Who will be the next great man?

Romantic Paris Hotel

Luxury comes from the Latin word luxus which means excess or decadence, pomp and splendor. It evokes a lavish lifestyle leading to unnecessary spending. This is required in order to surround oneself with a sumptuous sophistication or pure taste of ostentation, as opposed to one’s basic needs.

A luxury product is essentially a guarantee of quality: the customer knows that it has been produced with expertise, often it is a work of art and uniquely hand- made. It is for this reason that one is ready to pay the excessive amount on the price tag.

The luxury brand is often a family brand, whose origin is rooted in tradition. Here the creator has mixed, at the right moment; knowledge, passion and ambition to give birth to an elevated product and lifestyle shared with their loved ones and passed down in generations. The Luxe does not necessarily have to be well known. Producing a product in small quantities which is ordered by a limited clientele means that these producers of the Luxe profit from its rarity, and from their claim to excellence.

Creators of the luxe have existed for many centuries. Throughout history, the idea of luxury has stemmed from the traditions and lifestyle of the preceding cultures.

Looking back to the Egyptians, we see a population already showing concern for beauty, one’s well being, and social distinction. The possession of jewelry or perfume illustrates the beginning of man’s need for luxury. Some centuries later, the idea of Luxury would become a propelling source of inspiration for artistic and technical discoveries.

In France, thanks to the political and administrative statements set since the Middle Ages, the powerful centralised government allowed for major economic activity of suppliers to the court, particularly in the decorative arts.

The monarchy would later propel this activity. Louis XIV and his successors become very important leaders. We then witness the creation of large factories able to provide for not only the court but also the aristocracy. These producers were gratified enough to become suppliers to other Court. One of the best known creators was Francois-Thomas Germain, nicknamed « the jeweler of Kings ».

From the sixteenth to the eighteenth century, the Luxe was the concern of philosophical, religious, economic and moral debate. Voltaire for example considered luxury to be a real economic engine, while opponents such as Rousseau, believed it to be an obstruction of virtue.Luxury is associated to a wealth which allows one to investment money in something that will generate pure pleasure, rather a profit or satisfy a need. In the eighteenth century, Voltaire explained this idea in a paradoxical formula: « The superfluous is very necessary. « (The Poem Mondain, 1736).

The Revolution did not interrupt the need for luxury. Napoleon restored a stately court, which even if it did seem a little ‘nouveau riche’, was none the less « brilliant ».

But the Restoration is problematic. The Nobles were often left out of pocket and therefore less willing to invest in luxuries

In the 19th century, the Industrial Revolution induced two significant transformations. First was the rise of a new elite class, the bourgeoisie. The elite were concerned with possessing (as quickly as possible) the same thing as the aristocracies of the past. Secondly, productors adopted new innovative and effective manufacturing processes which reduced costs and increased production.

Odiot seems to be one of the first who successfully made this transition. At the end of the Empire he created a steam engine whose demand rose rapidly. Rather than give up, he decided to change his production methods, no longer producing to order but to manufacture and sell. Thus we see the transition from handwork logic to industrial scale.

In 1815, this innovative approach was quickly adopted by other manufacturers. This is particularly the case in the production of jewelry, furniture and even in new productions such as that of the piano. Pleyel, fabricators of the piano, are a principal example.

Added to this, the beginning of globalization opens up very important commercial prospects. During the July Monarchy and the Second Empire, the idea of Paris as capital of Luxury begins to become a reality.

During the universal exhibitions, the sovereign clearly showed his support for this movement when providing the establishment of luxury in Paris. For example, Worth, the dressmaker of the Empress and her surroundings.

Then, ‘a two level production’ as it is called in France, existing of both the production of the semi luxe and the luxe, sets up in Paris. The craft tradition persists, and is even more developed. Amongst the jewelers we see the development of future famous brands like Cartier Chaumet. But alongside this luxury handcraft emerges a semi-luxury activity which will help Paris to light up the rest of the world…

At the end of the Second Empire, the food business sees the birth of the prestigious brands Hediard and Fauchon.

The exhibition of 1900 reveals Paris as the global capital of luxury. With the advancement of transport and the new fashion for days out and holidaying, came a boom in the hotel and restaurant business. Consequently names such as Hermes and Louis Vuitton are born.

In 1925, the world’s largest boat named the “Normandie”, sets sail. Normandie was the leading example of French creation, a real museum piece out on the ocean proving to the world that true creation takes place in Paris.

While World War II hits Europe and France in particular, the popularity of brand names soars. Remembering the emblematic figures such as Chanel or Christian Dior, the world of luxury takes root and rapidly grows up. The late ’40s may be described as a frenzy of luxury: 106 houses are labeled ‘Haute Couture’ and the perfume industry booms.

The return of Coco Chanel and the triumph of Yves Saint Laurent enhance this feeling, Paris retains its status as the global capital of fashion and style.

Today, the title for the leaders of Luxury is battled out by other capitals of creativity such as New York or Milan. However, its history and the current strength of its designers gives the City of Light something more, a little ‘extra’ which makes it resonate for a longtime in the collective imagination.

Louis Vuitton : 38 Avenue George V, 75008 Paris. Website : http://www.louisvuitton.com/

Christian Dior Couture : 8 Place Vendôme, 75001 Paris. Website : http://www.dior.com/

Cartier : 23 Place Vendôme, 75001 Paris. Website : http://www.cartier.fr

Fauchon : 24-26 Place de la Madeleine, 75008. Website : http://www.fauchon.com/fr/fr

Guerlain : 68 Avenue des Champs-Elysées, 75008 Paris‎. Website : http://www.guerlain.com

Romantic Paris Hotel

Hotel Britannique Paris Romantic Paris Hotel, 3 star Hotel Paris

This year, Paris Plages celebrates its 10th anniversary. So, there will be ten times more sand and entertainment! Three sites in the capital have been specially transformed into beach resorts.

Whether you want to relax, have fun or moving, you may choose. Sun loungers and beach mattresses under traditional parasols for a spot of sunbathing, sand castles, beach sports, paddle boats, petanque, ballroom dancing, tai-chi or marathon photo, concerts, workshops, storytelling, etc. There will be something for everyone.

And of course, if it is sunny and warm, misters, bathing pools as well as drink and ice-cream stalls will help to cool down.

Open to everyone however big or small, Paris Plages is a free event, open every day from 8 am to Midnight, from July 21 to August 21 2011 at three sites across the capital:

• Along 1 km of the the Voie Georges Pompidou, from the Quai du Louvre to the Pont d’Arcole.
• The Bassin de la Villette
• In front of the Hotel de Ville.

Detailed information and program: Paris Plages 2011

Hotel Britannique Paris, Charming Hotel Paris, 3 star Hotel Paris

The first edition of the Fête de la Musique was organized in 1982 and only a few artists have participated in this event. Since then, this celebration has become essential, and an event not to be missed! More and more music lovers attend each year and come to hear music in the streets and many other sites of the city.

In 2010, the Fête de la Musique was celebrated in over 450 cities in 116 countries!

The Overseas and its musical cultures celebrated at the Fête de la Musique 2011

The Fête de la Musique is traditionally celebrated on June 21, on the summer solstice’s day. As part of the Overseas’ year, the musical overseas’ cultures will be celebrated.

As a universal language, music brings together all people of all ages, all genres and from all countries. Artists and music lovers everywhere will meet in France and around the world.

Be too of the party and participate in the very numerous concerts which will be given to various places of the capital. There will be music for everyone! The Fête de la Musique will be full of colours and musical notes from around the world.

According to the formula which has become a slogan: Make Music! come and discover new talents and share beautiful moments!

Fête de la Musique 2011, online program

See detailed program on the following page: Fête de la Musique 2011.

To view the program anytime and anywhere, download the application Fête de la Musique 2011 on your mobile (Apple or Android): here.

Some examples of concerts of the Fête de la Musique planned in the 1^st district of Paris

• 16:00 – Jardin du Palais Royal, access via Rue de Montpensier: Music of the 3 oceans, the richness and diversity of overseas’ music.
• 18:00 - Fontaine des Innocents, Les Halles: traditional Chinese music.
• 19:00 - Le Baiser Salé, 58 rue des Lombards : Overseas’ Jazz – Tiss Rodriguez (contemporary jazz), then with Roman Berguins (organ) Swaëli M’Bappé (bass), Clarence Revil (voice)…
• 20:00 - Eglise Saint-Roch, 296, rue Saint-Honore: Vivaldi, choral and orchestra.
• 22:00 - Musée du Louvre under the Pyramid: Orchestre de Paris conducted by Paavo Järvi - Schumann Symphony No. 3…

and much more available on the online program.

Fête de la Musique 2011 in Paris, detailed information

• Tuesday 21 juin 11
• Detailed Information: here.

Hotel Britannique Paris, Charming Hotel Paris, 3 star Hotel Paris

The Festival Printemps des Rues will be back for its 14th edition on May 7-8. Like last year, the object will be staged.

The object will be told, handled, transformed, recovered… The object in all its magnificence through the circus arts, puppetry, street theater, music, dance…

All forms of artistic expression will make it live with humor and poetry in the open public space.

Many original art activities await you, proposed by outstanding artists coming from very varied backgrounds, whose poetry will take you beyond the time and the reasonable to let you recover your child’s soul!

Discover the full festival program: Printemps des Rues

The Printemps des Rues will be organized around the Canal St. Martin in the 10th district, which adds charm to the poetry of the event. With its locks, bridges and its numerous small public gardens, its shaded banks lend themselves to romantic walks.

Festival Printemps des Rues 2011, Paris :

• Association Le Temps des Rues – Maison des Associations :
• 206, quai de Valmy 75010 Paris
• Tel & fax : 01 47 97 36 06
• tempsdesrues@wanadoo.fr

Hotel Britannique Paris, Romantic Paris Hotel, 3* Hotel Paris

« We absolutely loved it! The hotel was in such a great location and was excellent value for money!  The staff were so helpful and really helped me out when I was planning to propose to my then girlfriend, now fiance!  When we got home from the Eiffel tower after getting engaged the staff had left chocolates, rose petals and champagne glasses on our bed which topped off a fantastic night. I would highly recommend this hotel to anyone! » Justin M. USA, 11 February 2011.

« The hotel was very warm, welcoming, and relaxing.  Staff did everything possible to help us enjoy all that Paris has to offer. We hope to visit again and if we do we will stay with the Hotel Britannique ». Alyssa H, 04 February 2011

« An excellent and well run hotel with welcoming service and lovely rooms. Free upgrade and gifts when we mentioned it was a wedding anniversary were very much appreciated. We would happily recommend this hotel to anyone. » Gareth B, 22 January 2011

« C’était parfait à tous points de vue : la qualité de l’accueil, la gentillesse et la compétence des jeunes filles de la réception. j’ai pu profiter pleinement des trois jours passés à Paris grâce à la qualité de l’accueil, à la possibilité d’utiliser la consigne à bagage à l’arrivée puis avant le départ, au confort et à la propreté exemplaire de la chambre 2, au délicieux petit déj, et à la proximité immédiate du métro, bref c’était parfait et je reviendrai certainement. » Françoise M, 20 January 2011

« The rooms were charming. The location was terrific. The staff was so nice and all the recommendations they made (places to see, places to eat, directions) were perfect. We will recommend it completely!  A wonderful time at a great hotel. Highly recommended! » Peggy M, 11 January 2011

« From the first time we stayed here, in 1992, our visits have always been enjoyable and the experiences pleasurable.  From the comfortable rooms to the friendly staff to the satisfying breakfast, staying at the Britanniqe makes being in Paris that much greater. Staying here is always a great experience, but it would be even better if there was just a little bar for an evening drink in that wonderful sitting room downstairs. That addition would make your charming hotel nearly perfect ». Paul R, 05 January 2011

« This was our 5th stay at the Britannique.  We love the location, the room decor, and most importantly the friendly efficient helpful staff.  I enjoyed the flowers and candy that arrived in my room for my birthday celebration.  Your front desk staff made many restaurant, taxi and other reservations for my husband and myself and our 2 traveling companions.  we have recommended the Britannique to several friends who have also enjoyed their stays there.  We will be back soon. » Lynda S, 04 January 2011

« Hotel Britannique was a wonderful experience and I would definitely go back for another visit.  The beds were comfortable and the bathroom was clean.  I also appreciated having a mini bar.  The bed linens were clean.  Something that I really liked was the lovely long window that we could open.  The view was really nice, too.  The location was superior, being within walking distance of the Louvre and Notre Dame cathedral.  Finally, I have been teaching myself French for a couple of years now and the staff at the hotel were really helpful to me in practicing my French.  Overall, the Britannique was an excellent value for the money. » Shelly W, 31 December 2010

« Hotel Britannique was extremely comfortable, the room was spotless. The staff were extremely helpful and friendly with very good English. We were very happy with our stay ». Paul B 29 December 2010

« The staff were welcoming, friendly and helpful. The room was spotless and the little honeymoon extras were a delight after a tiring and snow-interrupted journey. This hotel is well-situated and has a really lovely ambience.  Highly recommend this charming hotel. » Jacqueline C, 22 December 2010

« Great Hotel with a great location.  Rooms were small, quaint, very clean and nicely decorated.  Staff was very helpful and friendly.  Would definitely stay there again. »  Paul H, 25 November 2010

« We had an amazing stay with you. It was for our honeymoon, and could not have been better! Thank you for your hospitality!!  We found the hotel to be in the perfect location and easy to access from anywhere!  We will definitely recommend this hotel to anyone and will stay again on our next visit to Paris. » Nicola G, 14 October 2010

Juliette Binoche, along with several actors, including Jacques Bonnaffe, Greg Germain, Denis Lavant, Jacques Martial, Hugues Quester et Robin Renucci… will go here and there in public spaces to read poems from the endless landscapes of various overseas regions. They will speak to a large audience in a natural and free act.

National and international Event

The Musée du Quai Branly in Paris joins this event and will propose various activities. To see the detailed program: click here.

Several French cities will also join the Printemps des Poètes: La Rochelle, Lyon, Montpellier, Tours, Bordeaux… Many initiatives will be conducted throughout the country in schools. More than 500 volonteers will read poetry and sensitize thousands of children.

The spring of Poets will also be celebrated in many countries: Morocco, Romania, Luxembourg, Quebec, Ecuador, Hong Kong, Kabul… The Company The Blowers will be in Japan to accompany the flowering progress of the cherry trees, with Japanese and French blowers to whisper a poetic bilingual directory.

Discover or rediscover poetry, appreciate it, transmit or receive it… Le Printemps des Poètes is a great ode to share without limits!

Hotel Britannique Paris, Romantic Paris Hotel, 3* Hotel Paris