Bus to and from Sainte Foy

Can anyone tell me if there a any local buses which run from Sainte Foy down to Borg and where I will find times for these. We are staying in Sainte Foy New Year week and would like to visit Borg

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Hi,

Yes, there are local busses. http://www.autocars-martin.com has the details and you can also book places there, although if you%26#39;re going during the week you can probably book a day in advance with the local tourist office.

One thing to note - I%26#39;m not sure if the busses will pick you up and drop you off from Sainte Foy Station (the ski resort), or whether you%26#39;d have to get down to Sainte Foy itself (the village on the main road) - I suspect the latter, so you may need to arrange with your accomodation (or somebody) the first bit of the journey - it%26#39;s only a few miles, but not a walk I%26#39;d want to do in a snow-storm, or really at any time!

Cheers,

Matt

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Hi,

As Matt says there is autocars martin to get from Sainte Foy village to BsM ,there is also a free ski bus which transports people from the ski resort of sainte Foy to the village just down the road (it%26#39;s a white minibus with yelllow and blue writing on ,and from memory runs about every 30 - 45 minutes).

There maybe one that runs down to BsM aswell but am not 100% ,i will hopefully be going out in the next two or three weeks ,and if i get the chance will try and find out some more details for you.

jon.

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Thank you for your information which is very useful

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Hi Jon

I have read about the shuttle bus sounds very similar to the one in La Plagne area which we normally visit but this fancied a change. We are staying at the Le Monal Hotel which is believe is in the village but any info you can get for us would be appreciated

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Hi,

The Monal is located in the actual village of Sainte-Foy on the main road in the village, it has been exstensively refurbished over the last few years by the owner Yves and his family.There is usually a band on saturday evening and is a lively spot in the evening as all the locals drink there.

The white ski bus for Sainte-Foys ski area stops outside the hotel,where there is parking opposite,the hotel has a restaurant and there is also another one next door (although I have not been in there to eat for a couple of years now),but do pop in for a few beers to catch up with friends who live out there.

To get to BsM you will need the bus, as it is abou 15 - 20 minutes away by car ( if you decide to hire a car for a few days there is a Europecar shop in BsM on the left hand side of the road (as if going from Ste-Foy) just before the cross roads with the Lidl and petrol station on the otherside.

On new year there are fireworks shows both in Ste-Foy (on the opposite side of the road to the Monal ,up at Villaroger on the otherside of the valley to the Monal and also up the Sainte-Foy ski area.These kick off between 6-7 pm.

If i am out for new year I normally go up to Villaroger where they have a torchlit descent by the local school children down the road from the Le Pre just above Villaroger, then there is a torchlit descent by the local ski school instructors and pupils, once this is done there is the firework display,and then music,dancing and drinking in the village square, if you check also with the times of the firework displays of La Rosiere, and both the village and resort of Sante-Foy they can all be viewed from Villaroger,while all this is going on the local mayor and his family bring round home made cakes, biscuits and hot wine, there is also an outside bar set up.

Once the fireworks are done, there is the choice of partying the night away at the Monal ,the village square in Villaroger (it is a little bit of a walk back to the Monal ,unless you can grab a lift and would certainly be sobering) or at the bar/restaurant Le ferme in le Pre (just above Villaroger) owned by Michele and his family.

If you wish to ski in Les Arcs while you are there, you do not have to go all the way to BsM,as iyou cn get into the Les Arcs system by travelling through Villaroger and up to Le Pre and you will find chairlifts and pistes that will link you into the ski area.( I would imagine the Sainte-Foy ski bus does a drop off and pick up to there as it is covered for the day at a discount rate on your Sainte-Foy lift pass).

I hope this help and gives an idea of new year in Ste-Foy,and have a great time.

All the best

Jon.

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Hi Jon

Thanks for all that wonderful information wasnt sure if I had picked the right place to stay but sounds like I have. Can you tell me if the shuttle bus runs on an evening from the hotel up to Sainte Foy Station as that is where our daughter will be staying or can you walk it.

Regards

Margaret

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Hi, again,

Not entirely sure as to what time the shuttle bus runs to in the evening as when i have stayed at the Monal we have always had a hire car for the duration of our holidays, you will definately need transportation to travel from the Monal up to the Sainte-Foy ski area/resort as it is a few miles up the road.

In the next few weeks I will hopefully be going out to BsM to pay my Taxe D%26#39;Habitation, while I am there i will nip up to Sainte-Foy and see if I can find some more info out for you about the shuttle bus /taxis etc (the shuttle bus would be better as it will be free to travel i would think).

I will find out more and get back to you,sorry I cannot be of more help at the moment.

All the best

jon.

Help with itinerary?

A friend and I will be travelling to Paris for the first time for six (almost seven) days in february. We%26#39;ll be staying near the Eiffel Tower and I%26#39;ve began tinkering with our itinerary. It%26#39;s hard, since we%26#39;ve never been and I%26#39;m unsure how much time to give each sight and activity. I don%26#39;t want our trip to be a running spree, but still would like to cover as much as possible. I tried to combine two sights and a bit of just walking around each day. I would love any advices you guys can give. Here%26#39;s what I have in mind so far:

Day 1:

Arriving around 4pm.

Up la Tour Eiffel

Walk along the Seine, maybe a cruise

Day 2:

A few hours at the Louvre

Walk along Tuileres, Place de la Concorde, Champs Elysées

Arch de Triomphe

Day 3:

Notre Dame

Walk the isles/Quartier Latin

Musée d%26#39;Orsay

Tour Montparnasse

Day 4:

Invalides

Musée Rodin

Sacre Coeur and walk Montmartre

Day 5:

Versailles

Later in the day, Opera Garnier

A little shopping

Day 6:

George Pompideau

Walk les Halles/Marais

Maybe a farewell cruise down the Seine

Day 7:

Tour Eiffel

More shopping

Check-out and airport around 6pm.

Too much? Too little? What to change? What to keep? i%26#39;d appreciate any help. :)

Bruno Cavalcanti

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I like it.

Would add Ste-Chapelle sacred-destinations.com/france/images/paris/… it%26#39;s on Ile de la Cité.

You mention the Eiffel Tower and Seine river cruise twice, not sure about that, there is so much to see in Paris, lovely smaller museums; the Orangerie, Cluny, Carnavalet... interesting market streets; Montorgueil, Mouffetard... squares; place Vendôme, place des Vosges, place du Panthéon and so on.

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This looks like a very sound itinerary.

I only have one comment - for Day 5. we headed out to Versaille around 10:30.. expecting only to spend a few hours, then head back.

Wrong. You can quickly breeze through the palace itself, but what really takes some time (in a good way) is the Hamlet and the gardens. We had a pedometer for our trip, and logged 10.23 miles in Versailles that day.

We didn%26#39;t manage to get back to Paris until around 6:15.

sure we could have started earlier by a an hour or 2, but point being you%26#39;ll end up back in Paris late in the day, and i don%26#39;t know if you%26#39;ll be able to squeez Garnier in.

Let me also say, Garnier was an absolute highlight of our trip. It is beyond magnificent. If you can, pay for the guided tour. I believe it%26#39;s only held 2 days per week, (Wed and Fri) and it%26#39;s only done at 11:30 and 2:30pm.

Whatever you end up shuffling around, i would keep Versailles as a full day, and try your best for a guided tour at Garnier.

Here was the argument we had while at Versailles. %26#39;If we leave now, we%26#39;ll miss part of the hamlet. we%26#39;re here. we have to see it. just another few minutes....%26#39; you get my drift :)

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It is worth to buy a museum card, otherwise try to have most popular attractions in the morning (Louvre, Notre-Dame, D%26#39;Orsay).

If you wil not buy the pass for the week, but for 3-4 days, rearrange the attraction covered by pass (e.g. in 3 days).

I am personally will not miss Orangery museum, and add more shopping (and call it sightseening point on Grand Magazines, as both of them got a fantastic view from the roof).

Overall, you timetable is quite balanced for the first time visit.

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Hi.

We do intend to get a 6 day card. And I see the point that it might be better to reserve a full day to Versailles. I figured the timetable is flexibe enough that I can rearranje things as I go along. For example, to spend clear days outdoors and rainy days in museums and such.

Will definetly visit Saint Chapelle. AndI would love to go to the Cluny, Orangerie, etc. But I figured there wouldn%26#39;t be enough time and I don%26#39;t want us to go somewhere just so we can say we went. Are these museums as time consuming as a Louvre or a Orsay?

Also, are the gardens an interesting place to visit in winter? Or are they going to bee too... let%26#39;s say, gray?

Thanks.

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I haven%26#39;t been in winter but I do think they may plant some hardy varieties in the beds, but I wouldn%26#39;t expect much really. I doubt you will spend a LOT of time wandering the Versailles %26#39;back 40%26#39; in February, although the outer buildings are interesting and there is usually some conveyance to get you there to save on your walking.

I think your itinerary is very comfortable, and for the additional suggestions folks are providing, you could make a %26#39;secondary%26#39; list and insert a site if you are near it and can see your daily allotment has room for it.

Remember it will be dark by 5:30-6:00pm, so any important sites (like Ste Chapelle or any gardens) need to be viewed earlier in the day.

On your arrival day, a late evening Seine cruise might end up being a 10€ nap, so be flexible there. It is definitely a good idea to get out and walk around in fresh (bracing!) air on arrival to help you get on the current timezone.

You are good to realize you %26#39;can%26#39;t see it all%26#39; and try to avoid attempting that very thing.

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Acttualy, Paris will be the last leg of a month long trip. We%26#39;ll be arriving from Venice, not Brazil, so jetleg is not really an issue.

I%26#39;m aware of the limited daylight and plan to make the best use of it. I just can%26#39;t go into details because my friend, the one going with me, might be reading. And if, at one side, I found out I%26#39;m a compulsive planner, at the other, I%26#39;d like her to have a few surprises along the way. :)

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Acttualy, Paris will be the last leg of a month long trip. We%26#39;ll be arriving from Venice, not Brazil, so jetleg is not really an issue.

I%26#39;m aware of the limited daylight and plan to make the best use of it. I just can%26#39;t go into details because my friend, the one going with me, might be reading. And if, at one side, I found out I%26#39;m a compulsive planner, at the other, I%26#39;d like her to have a few surprises along the way. :)

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Both the Cluny and the Orangerie are much smaller than the Musée d%26#39;Orsay and minute when compared with the Louvre. You could probably have an adequate visit to either in an hour. If you do go to the Orangerie don%26#39;t miss the Walther collection as well as the Monet water-lilies. Many of the Impressionist paintings are the equal in quality of those in the Md%26#39;O and usually easier to see because there are not the same crowds straining to see them.

As long as you have a pass, you could stop in on Day 2 after you have walked the length of the Tuileries. If you are enjoying yourselves and stay so long that you miss the walk along the Champs-Élysées you will have made better use of your time IMO.

Venue Required for Business Dinner

I am arranging a business dinner for 11 people next month. Can anyone recommend an appropriate menu? We were going to go to Le Celadon in the Westminster Hotel but they are offering us a very restrictive menu. Restaurants in the vinicinity of the Intercontinental Le Grand if possible (they don%26#39;t have to be too posh, good but informal is fine. Cost no issue.

Thanks

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You are near Drouant, an excellent restaurant. And La Fontaine de Gaillan, which is equally lovely, but has the added caché of belonging to Gerard Depardieu.

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Thanks for your help. Have booked a private room at La Fontaine de Gaillon.

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Enjoy.

if you%26#39;re a cinophile, you%26#39;d want to know that Carole Bouquet did the interior decorating.

What's your favorite Winery Visit in Bordeaux

What%26#39;s your favorite Winery Visit in Bordeaux?

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While our visit last year was very unique, we got engaged in Bordeaux, our visit to Chateau Margaux was fantastic!

Gunvor was AWESOME to work with and very knowledgable.

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Haut Brion.

What to do between 6am arrival and 1pm check in at apartment

We arrive Saturday at CDG at 6am and are unable to check into our apartment until 1pm as the prior people have a late checkout.

We%26#39;re looking for suggestions as to what to do with our luggage? We know we%26#39;re going to be extremely jetlagged, as the flight is arriving at 10pm our time, so I%26#39;m assuming that we will sleep very little. It has been suggested to store our luggage at Gare du Nord and then take the metro somewhere to a cafe /park and just people watch, etc.

Before anyone suggests don%26#39;t carry luggage and just backpack, we%26#39;re heading from Paris to Ukraine and are carrying things with us for friends in Ukraine, so light luggage is just not an option.

This is my first time to Paris, and I would prefer to not do a lot of complicated metro transfers etc on no sleep.

As a side note, it is supposed to be raining all day Saturday.

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Have you contacted the agency you are renting the apartment from about this? Perhaps they can suggest a place to store your luggage. If not, then I guess you should try to take the RER from CDG to Gare du Nord and store the luggage there. If is raining then I would go to a museum. The Orsay is a nice easy museum and has a place to eat lunch. When I am jet lagged I need to keep moving. if I was to sit in one place very long I%26#39;d pass out.

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I think there might be baggage storage service at CDG. Perhaps you can look further into that option. Good luck!

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Email the apartment folks to find out if they offer a place to leave your bags until check in. It%26#39;s not an unusual request, and they may well allow you leave the bags in their office, or offer another alternative to the baggage storage at Gare du Nord. If the rain matters to your luggage, there are waterproof vinyl covers that zip on for protection. If you%26#39;re leaving for your next destination from CDG, consider splitting your luggage so you can use a smaller bag for Paris and checking your large bag at the airport. It will be safe. It%26#39;s not cheap, but it might be worth it, just for the convenience.

I want to know where so many folks get the idea that the Metro is so terribly complicated. Yes, there are some journeys that are complicated, but most are very simple and easily accomplished, and lots of us survived that first trip in from CDG on the RER and Metro with no sleep on an overnight flight and without getting confused or lost. Don%26#39;t build a mental barrier for yourself. You can do it all just fine as long as you don%26#39;t convince yourself otherwise.

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Thanks for all the quick replies, and just to let everyone know, we have contacted the apt rental agency and they are the ones who suggested the train station as they do not have a place to store bags.

I also realize the metro is supposed to be extremely easy, and the only reason I added that comment, is someone had suggested to me a trip that took 3 transfers, and that just seemed a bit much jet lagged.

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After you leave your luggage at GDN you can easily get a taxi. Not a bad idea if you are really jet lagged and new to Paris. We once had to change metro trains at Chatelet Les Halles during rush hour after an all night flight. It was really awful.

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The Metro is not all that hard.....but if you have anything more then a small carrry on roller bag and a small over the shoulder, there are some stairs involved in the CDG to Gard de Nord transfers that might make you think twice. Overall, I think I%26#39;d taxi it to the North station, then Metro a stop or two to were your apartment is. By the time you explore the neighborhood and find the market etc it%26#39;ll be time to check in and you can go get the luggage later....

Sean

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If there is a medium- to large-sized hotel within 1 block of your apt., you could take a taxi to the hotel, ask to check in your luggage (if they ask if you are checking in, just smile elegantly and say ,%26quot;Later, thank you%26quot;), give the bellboy a nice tip and come back later for your luggage. If it%26#39;s a larger hotel (and especially a chain like the Hilton etc.), they will have a trunk room and the bellboy will not mind making a little extra money for a small service. It beats leaving your bags at the train station and making the trips to pick them up.

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Forgot one more thing. If the hotel has a nice cafe or breakfast area, you can even enjoy breakfast there after you leave your bags.

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It would be a big help if we had some idea where your apartment is located. There are a lot of other places you could leave your luggage besides GduN. Two of them (Gare de Lyon and Gare Montparnasse) are actually easier to get to if you have a fair bit of luggage and don%26#39;t want to spring for a taxi. It wouldn%26#39;t make much sense to leave your luggage at one station if your apartment is right around the corner from another.

I%26#39;m not at all sure about the %26quot;Later, thank you%26quot; ploy with the hotel. I%26#39;ve never tried it and I%26#39;m not sure I would have the gall to either...

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You%26#39;re right, IrishRovr. Just because I have been successful leaving my luggage at hotels like the Sheraton, the Marriott and the Hilton doesn%26#39;t mean that this approach works for everyone. Even if you offer the bellmen a nice tip and a very nice %26quot;thank you%26quot;, there%26#39;s always the chance that they%26#39;ll say no. I guess. If there%26#39;s no train station nearby and the original poster has tried asking the apt. owner for help, then they have to decide between the possibility of being a little embarassed for a few minutes and the burden of having luggage with them for half a day.

Paris - London

Hi,

I would like to add to my previous message, taking the Eurostar from Paris to London is a good idea to look for a hotel around that area (meaning in London) as I had to take back the Eurostar to Paris? I will check/ask the London forum.

Thank you again.

Dry cleaners?

Anyone know of a dry cleaners in Paris? I recently moved to Paris and live in the 6th and haven%26#39;t been able to locate one by just walking around...

Thanks for your help!!

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Look for the word %26quot;Pressing%26quot; on the storefront. I apologize in advance if that%26#39;s already old knowledge.

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Alternatively, www.pagesjaunes.fr

Enter %26quot;teinturerie%26quot; or %26quot;teinturerie pressing%26quot; and %26quot;Paris 75006%26quot;

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%26quot;Pressing%26quot; is indeed the word for a dry cleaner in France. Don%26#39;t ask me why, other than they don%26#39;t give you your stuff back wrinkled.

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There was an article about a new eco-friendly dry-cleaner on the »Secrets of Paris« blog a few days ago. Maybe this proofs to be interesting for you? Wait a second ... here you go:

secretsofparis.com/heathers-secret-blog/eco-…

(If you got a little spare time, make sure to also have a look at the other blog entries and newsletters on this site ( http://www.secretsofparis.com ) as it is quite an interesting source for less known things to do in Paris.)

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Where in the 6th? I may be able to point you in the right direction.

My FAVORITE dry cleaner in the city is on the rue de Varenne, ear the corner of the rue du Bac. He does all the costumes for the Opera de Paris and you can see them as you walk past. Its lovely.

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you can also go to maps.google.com, choose street view and enter your address, then search nearby for %26quot;pressing%26quot; and %26quot;nettoyage à sec%26quot; ..

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We always use the dry cleaner on 7 or 9 rue de l%26#39;Ancienne Comedie in the 6e. The folks who work there do a great job on any clothing we%26#39;ve brought to them. Beware, however, that all dry cleaning is expensive in Paris.

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How much do they usually charge for let%26#39;s say a jacket or a pair of pants?