Park astérix

The Park Asterix will open for the 2012 season on Saturday, April 7.
A new thematic area will come out for this opening: Egypt.
Also, this new space will host an unique attraction in France: inverted roller coaster.
Among 31 Attractions, 10 attractions require a minimal size of 3.28ft.
Children measuring less than 3.28ft must necessarily be accompanied by an adult.

When can I visit the Park astérix

You can go from April until November 2012.

From the 7th of April 2012 to the 7th of November 2012.
But the park is closed some days:
-the second and the third Monday of May, as well as the 3rd, 4th and 5th Tuesday of May.
-the first Monday and Tuesday of June.
-every day of September except on the Saturday and on the Sunday.
-every day of October except on the Saturday and on the Sunday and it's open also from the 29th of October 2012 until the 7th of November 2012.

The opening hour is 10am and the closing hours can go from 6pm to 11pm.

Where is located the Park

It's located at 30km to Paris, around 18.5 miles.

Fee of the Park Astérix

It's a free entrance park for children under 3 years old.
The full rate is 44€ from 12 and up and 33€ from 3-11 years old (included).

How to get to the Park astérix via Paris

-Shuttle from the Louvre: Daily Departure at 8 h 45. Return at 6:30pm from the Park Astérix
For more information on the shuttle there is a number phone: 01 53 48 39 53
Access: by the Louvre (Paris metro line 1 and 7, Palais-royal station): access by the entrance of the Carousel of Louvre (street Rivoli) or by the Pyramid.
Take the staircase on the hall Charles V (at the level of boutiques).
It cost 20€.

-By the RER, take the RER B3, towards aéroport Charles de Gaulle, stop at Terminal 1 or Terminal 3. Go to the ticket windows "Parc de Loisirs", to catch a shuttle. It runs every 30 minutes from 9am to 7pm.
the rate is for a round trip:
-5,20€ from 3 to 11 years old
-6,90€ from 12 to up.

What else in the Park astérix

There are numerous restaurants on the site: 6 thematic restaurants, 1 creperie, 4 delicatessens, 1 viennoiserie (pastries) and 11 newsstands sweet / salt.
Also there are picnic areas within the Park astérix.

Paris events, 9th salon du vintage

The Paris events "9th salon du vintage" will occur from the 9th to the 11th of March 2012. It's a salon dedicated to fashion, accessories and furniture.
The word "vintage" comes from the english word, in the area of fashion, it refers to old clothes, any garment, furniture, accessories or object of rare decoration and in perfect condition, less than twenty years and having marked his time.
More than 80 exhibitors will show their pieces of vintages on an area of 1000m2.

When will occur the Paris event "9th salon du vintage"

-9th of March: 2pm-7pm
-10th and 11th of March 2012: 10am-7pm

Where will occur the Paris event "9th salon du vintage"

Espace d'animation des Blancs Manteaux
48 rue Vieille du Temple Paris 4e
The location is in the 4th arrondissement of Paris

How to reach the location

You can use the:
-Paris metro line 1 and 11 Hôtel de ville station.
-Paris metro line 1 Saint Paul station.


Site officiel du Paris event "9th salon du vintage"

http://www.salonduvintage.com/

Paris flea market, Saint Ouen

Paris gathers 3 major flea markets, the Saint-Ouen flea market, the Vanves flea market and the Montreuil flea market.

Between 1880 and 1890, was the beginning of a regular scrap market which brings together not less than 130 merchants, on Sundays. But the year 1885 marks the official birth of the flea market.
The city of Saint Ouen took action to clean up and secure the area.
he markets city hours were regulated, and building works and improvement were implemented.
And, the merchants had to pay a location fee to exercise their activity.

Little by little, small markets developed and attracted a large number of people looking for bargains. The idea to consolidate the market in a coherent and organized space quickly impose itself.
After the Liberation of France, the days of opening was set on Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays.
Over the years, the local shops are redeemed by antique dealers, bric-à-brac traders or craftsmen who are sprouting up around the organized markets. New markets were created to compose the antiques market of reference that is known today.

In 1985, the Paris flea market of Saint Ouen celebrated its centenary. Spread over 7 hectares, 14 markets, they now represent the largest flea market in the world.
More than 2,000 traders are divided in the 14 markets and many surrounding streets.
The markets welcome several million of visitors per year, who want to find rare objects.

How to visit the Paris flea market

The markets are located in the 18th arrondissement of Paris, the most part of them on Rue des rosiers street. You will have just to walk.
You can choose to discover them with the Tourism Office of Saint-Ouen which organises visits for individual and for groups throughout the year. An audio-guided tour is also available in French and in English, on reservation at the tourism office. In addition, the Association to promote the Paris flea market of Saint-Ouen (ADPPPSO) offers VIP tours.

How to access the Saint Ouen Paris flea market

To go to the Paris flea market, you can go by:
The Paris metro line 4, Porte de Clignancourt station
Paris metro line 13, Garibaldi station
Bus line: 56 - 60 - 85 - 95 - 137 - 166 - 255 - PC 3

Opening hours of the Paris flea market

-Saturday 9am-6pm
-Sunday 10am-6pm
-Monday 11am-5pm (many traders stop sales at lunch breaks and many are only open by advance appointments).
The activities of the Paris flea market of Saint-Ouen are reduced in August.

The Paris flea market of Saint-ouen map

For more information regarding the Paris flea market, you can check the official website of the Saint-Ouen flea market.

Montparnasse Tower, Tour Montparnasse

Description of the Tour Montparnasse

The Montparnasse Tower (la Tour Montparnasse) was the first tallest tower in France until 2011, now it's the second. It's height is 689 ft, which makes him the 17th tallest building in Europe.
The Montparnasse Tower was built between 1969-1972, on the site of the former Montparnasse train station and was inaugurated in 1973.

The 59-storey skyscraper is one of the landmarks of the capital, in the 15th arrondissement of Paris. It is primarily home to many offices.
The only spaces open to the public are the terrace and the 56th floor (with bar and boutique, a space exhibition and interactive kiosks on the city and its history...) which offer a panoramic view of the city of Paris.

From the terrace (one more level, only by stairs), you can admire:
West side: the Eiffel tower...
North side: The Invalides and the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Paris, Roissy airport...
East side, there is the Montparnasse Cemetery... the Bois de Vincennes...
South side, the lines of railways and other monuments...

You can also see the Defense and the Grande Arche...

Rate and Opening hours of the Montparnasse Tower

The rate to access the terrace:
-7€ for adults
-free admission for less than 7 years old
-3€ for children between 7 and 15 years old
-4€ from 16 to 20 years old (and for students)
-2.5€ for disabled persons.

The ticket can be bought on the bottom of the tower.

The Tour Montparnasse is open 365 days a year,
-from April 1st to September 30th
9:30am to 11:30pm
-from October 1st to March 31st
Sunday to Thursday: 9:30am to 10:30pm
Friday, Saturday and eve of holidays: 9:30am to 11:30pm

Access of the Montparnasse Tower

The Tower is located on the Quartier Necker, Paris XV
You can go to the tower by using the Paris public transportation using the Paris Metro line:4,6,12 and 13, Montparnasse-Bienvenüe station.
-By the Gare de Paris-Montparnasse (go through the place Raoul Dautry, within walking distance)
-By buses

Map of the Montparnasse Tower

For more information you can visit the official website:
Tour Montparnasse

Paris luggage storage, left-luggage services

The Paris luggage storage (left-luggage services) are available at the following Parisian train stations:
Gare du Nord, Gare de L'Est, Gare de Lyon, Gare Montparnasse, Gare d'Austerlitz.
There are no luggage lockers rooms for Gare Saint-Lazare and Gare de Bercy.

Also, there are other possibilities, at the left-luggage services of Marne-la-Vallée/Chessy train station, as well as the luggage storage at Disney Parks or at some hotels (it's better to check with your own hotel).

General pratical information

To use the different luggage lockers rooms, you need some coins. For security reasons, you will go through X-ray, like an airport and will be able to use the lockers rooms.
After inserting coins, you will be given a code to keep for retrieving your luggage, if not you will have to pay to have them back (around 20 euros).
The rate depends on the size of the locker room, 4€, 7€ and 9€50, for up to 72 hours maximum, except for Paris Gare du Nord (48 hours).

Information by Paris train stations

Paris Luggage storage Gare du Nord:
Automatic and manual luggage lockers rooms(at level - 1 next to the car rentals, taxis exit side),
it's open 7 days a week, from open 6:15am to 11:15pm.

Paris left-luggage services Gare de l'Est:
Manual luggage lockers rooms (level 1-Central hallway, face to the restrooms)
It's open 7 days a week, from 6:00am to 11:45pm

Paris luggage storage Gare de Lyon:
Manual and automatic lockers rooms.
The entrances are on the hall 3, rue de Bercy exit.
The lockers rooms are open 7 days a week from 6:15am to 11pm.

Paris left-luggage services Gare Montparnasse:
Automatic lockers rooms located on the level 1.
It's open 7 days a week, from 7:00am to 11:00pm.
Since February, 1st 2012, you can use a bank card to pay. 

Paris luggage storage Gare d'Austerlitz:
Automatic lockers room located "porte 27", "Cour museum access".
It's open 7 days a week, from 7am to 11:30pm.

For passengers using Marne-la-Vallée-Chessy trains (returning to or from Disneyland, for example), automatic left-luggage facilities are available, 7 days a week, from 7am to 10pm at the Marne-la-Vallée/Chessy train station.


Those left-luggage services are generally available except for securities problems (extremely rare), like in the past where they were closed.
NB: Make sure to have some coins for the different Paris luggage storage and left- luggage services.

Paris Fair, Paris Spring Fair

This year the Paris Fair, the 107th Paris Spring Fair will give more place to this valuable asset lacking to many of us: time.
-Time to rethink our living environment in the rooms "Home and environment".
-Time to open up to others in the rooms "World cultures".
-Time to find oneself in the rooms "Wellness, sports and leisure"
-Time to party with a program of "Events and exhibition".




The "Concours Lépine", is organized in the "Parc des Expositions de la Porte de Versailles" (which is the biggest French Exhibition Park), and takes place simultaneously with the Paris Spring Fair. It is integrated in the Exhibition space of the Paris Spring Fair.
The"concours Lépine", was created in 1901 and its purpose is to reward an original invention. The major reward of this competition is the prize of the President of the Republic.

Date and hours of the Paris Spring Fair 2012

The Paris Fair 2012 will be held in Paris, Place de la Porte de Versailles, in the 15th arrondissement of Paris.
-From Friday, April 27th to Tuesday, May 8th 2012.

-The opening hours: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. (without interruption)
and until 11:00pm on Friday, May 4th.

Fare of the Paris Fair

Full rate: 12€
2 days pass: 18€
Reduced rate: 10€
Child (7-14 years): 7€
Free admission for children under 7 years old.

There are special tickets for groups until the 19th of April (above 15 people).

Where to buy the Paris Spring Fair ticket

You can buy the ticket in some stores like Fnac, Carrefour, giant, stores U, Intermarche, Virgin Megastore, Auchan, Leclerc, Cultura, Cora…

Never buy your ticket to a ticket scalper!

How to get to the Paris Fair

You can use the Paris metro line, the tramway line T3, the Bus line...
-Paris Metro line 12: Porte de Versailles station.
Line 8: Balard station.
-Tramway line T3 "Porte de Versailles" stop.
-Bus line 80 "Porte de Versailles" stop.

You can also go by bikes, taxis/cabs, or by car.

Special

You can find on the site, several other services:
-wifi (code and key=12345)
-business center (computer, fax...internet...)
-ATM
-Aid station
-Souvenir.
-Food, International food
-Services for children (4-8 years)for workshops (2 hours maximum)
-Nursery...

Paris Spring Fair 2012 interactive map

You can also check the official french website of the Paris Fair 2012

Paris Spring Fair

Paris Fair, Foire du trône

The Paris Fair called "La Foire du trône" in French, occurs each year  between April and June.

History and description

It was in 957 that the king Lothaire created the first fairgrounds, in title and date.
In the beginning, it was a marketplace, which was destroyed, and then reborn in 1805 as a small funfair.
With the increasing of the fairground people, the location changed several times and the length of the fair also.

Today, it's one of the largest and most prestigious funfair amusement park in Europe and the largest in France.
The Paris Fair "Foire du trône" presents more than 350 of the oldest and modern attractions, spread on more than 10 hectare (100,000 square meters).
This year will be the 1055th Paris Fair "Foire du trône", and it will be open from Saturday, April 7, 2012 until Sunday, June 3, 2012.

Opening hours of the "Foire du trône de Paris"

The fair is open from noon to midnight daily and noon to 1am on Saturdays and eves of public holidays.

Address of the Paris Fair "Foire du trône"

The Paris Fair "Foire du trône" takes place in the 12th arrondissement of Paris
Pelouse de Reuilly
75012 Paris

Fare

It's a free admission entrance, however you need to pay for each activity.

How to get there?

From Gare de Lyon (15 mn) Bus 87
From Châtelet (25 mn) Paris metro line 1 and line 8*
From Nation (20 mn) Paris metro line 1 and line 8*
From Gare d’Austerlitz (20 mn) Paris metro line 5 and line 8*
From Bastille (20 mn) Bus 87 or Paris metro line 8*

*The stations to get to the Paris Fair "Foire du trône" by the Paris metro line 8 are Porte Dorée, Porte de Charenton et Liberté stations.

On the weekend and public holidays, the traffic turnover increases.
And there are also free shuttles from Nation station (trip:10-12 minutes) and Bercy station (trip:8-10 minutes) on those days.
The first departure from Nation and Bercy to the Pelouse of Reuilly is at 12:20pm.
The last departure from the Foire du trône is at 0:40am.
Nation station is served by the RER A and Paris metro lines 1, 2, 6, and some buses.
Bercy station is served by the Paris metro lines 14, 6 and some buses.

And to conclude, this year shuttle bikes with electric assistance, will connect the "Place de la Nation" to the Paris Fair "Foire du trône".