Le Paris Weekend- Earth Day

Celebrate Earth Day 

Sunday April 22nd

Started in 1970 by Wisconsin Senator Nelson calling for an environmental teach-in on April 22nd and has since been celebrated on that day and was recognized as International Mother Earth Day by the United Nations in 2009. It's important to teach our children about how crucial it is to care for our planet. Here are a few ideas to keep the earth clean and well for generations to come.

- Growing an indoor garden- it's easy and cost efficient to grow your own herbs and small veggies (like tomatoes) without needing a green thumb. Check your local market or florist for seeds and planting tips. For more ways to add green to your home try Jardinland

- Unplug and connect- turn off your electronics (even better to unplug) and conserve energy. Use the time away from the TV to connect with the family outdoors. Why not make it family game night and play one of the classic games you grew up with. Toys r us has a full listing of classic games and more! 


- Know your carbon footprint- learn about reducing you ecological impact on the world with this cool calculator (for kids). Parents you can try this one. 


The most important thing to remember is that small changes to our everyday behavior helps our planet.

Elections!!

The French round one of the elections is this Sunday. Who will make it to round two? All major newspapers are covering the elections but I liked this chart from lemonde.fr. 

American Elections:

Also do not forget to register for the absentee ballot- there is a deadline, so do it NOW if you haven't done so already. Click here for more information. 

Easter Issue

Easter Fun!

Find great Egg Hunt locations and more!

Now that spring is here and the flowers are in bloom, Easter fun is just around the corner..Well this Sunday to be exact. So, don your Sunday best outfits and check out these many chasse aux oeufs  and other Pâques-themed events.

Thoiry Egg Hunt

La Traditionnelle Chasse Aux Oeufs de Pâques at Thoiry: How many of the 8,000 hidden eggs can your children find? Join Thoiry in their traditional egg hunt and celebration Sunday April 8th and Monday April 9th between 10h and 13h. Search for hidden surprises in the labyrinth. If you tour the wildlife area, you'll also notice a few animals partaking in the celebrations as well.


Admission is 27.50€ for adults and 21.00€ for children and is located just 35 minutes west of Paris. Address: Parc de Thoiry, Rue du Pavillon de Montreuil 78770 Thoiry.


Grandes Chasse Aux Oeufs dans les Jardins at the Vaux le Vicomte Château:
Sunday April 8th and Monday April 9th from 10h to 17h30, enjoy a day of egg hunting, face painting, pony rides (2€), and various family friendly workshops (there's even one on making chocolate). Over 35,000 eggs to be found including 7,000 Kinder chocolate eggs. Each egg hunt session last 40 minutes. There is so much to do at the château that "inspired Versailles."
Admission for a family of 4 (2 children and 2 adults) is only 44€!
Address: Vaux le Vicomte 77950 Maincy
Accessible via the RER D to Melun, a chateaubus is available from the gare.

Chasse Aux Oeufs de Pâques de la Ferme de Gally: enjoy the egg hunt and other fun farm activities including soap making, pony rides, egg decorating, and petting the many farm animals. There are two locations available: 
1. Address: Ferme de Saint-Cyr-l'Ecole, Route de Bailly à Saint-Cyr-l'Ecole (CD7), 78210 Saint-Cyr-l'Ecole
Admission is 6€ for those over 3 years.


2. Address: Ferme de Sartrouville, Rue de Chatou, 78500 Sartrouville
Admission is 5€ for those over 3 years.

Educational Fun and treasure hunt in Paris: This Easter Sunday, the National Monuments Center invites you to participate in a treasure hunt that spans through 52 castles, fortresses, archeological sites, gardens and more. Children from ages 5-12 and their families can visit, have fun and discover more about the holiday. The special program includes solving history-related puzzles. Here's a list of participating sites: 

Île de France/Paris: Conciergerie - Tours de la cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris - Château de Rambouillet - Villa Savoye à Poissy - Château de Maisons à Maisons-Laffitte - Domaine national de Saint-Cloud (Metro #9 Pont de Sèvres) - Basilique cathédrale de Saint-Denis - Château de Vincennes

Le Paris Weekend- Happy Spring!

Happy Spring

Celebrate the new season in and round town

Good by gray skies and hello sun! March 20th marked the first day of spring and the spring equinox (March 21st) sealed the arrival of the new season. There's a wide assortment of activities in Paris and the surrounding departments to celebrate the coming warm weather. Check out a few events happening near you below:

Jardin des Tuileries (Metro 1: Tuileries): great for walks and relaxing in the sun, this jardin features statues dating from the early 18th century, fountains, and a water feature that children and adults alike may race mini sailboats- a tradition dating over a hundred years. Click here for events happening at the jardin. 

Parc Monceau (Metro 2: Monceau): If you're in the 8th arrondissement, this park should be on your check list. You'll find elements that will remind you of NYC's Central Park (see pic). There's a small children's area with a manège and swings. Lounge on the lush grass and have a picnic, and relax. Be sure to check out the ornate gates as you enter the park.




Jardin des plantes (Metro 5, 10 Gare d'Austerlitz): the name says it all. This jardin features greenhouses with a large collection of plants from all over the world and a colorful display of fragrant flowers. Not a plant and flower buff? Don't worry, the labels will guide you. A bonus here is that the Jardin des plantes has a managerie (one of the oldest zoos in Paris), a rose garden, iris garden, maze and much more. 

Road Trip! Explore Auvers-sur-Oise

Located just 18 miles north of Paris, Auvers-sur-Oise is the quaint small town with a village feel that inspired many Van Gogh paintings. Be inspired with the amazing hilltop views on your way to the Notre Dame church, tour Van Gogh home, see the latest exhibitions at the chateau. The town also has small shops and restaurants, this town will make you feel that you're farther away from home. The town is easily accessible by car (A86 ->A15->A14) and SNCF (Avers-sur-Oise).  

Le Paris Weekend: Road Trip!

Want to take a quick trip without blowing your  budget on air fare? The surrounding departments of Ile-de-France offers great family friendly destinations. 




  

The Château de Fontainebleau 

The Château de Fontainebleau located in the Seine-et-Marne region of Ile-de-France (77) features a lush manicured gardens and courtyards, tours through the former royal residence and so much more. 
Hours of Operation: 
Château: From October to March : 9.30am – 5pm (last admissions at 4.15pm)
Courtyard and Gardens: March, April & October : 9am – 6pm
Admission is 6€ but there are also fees for the extras (escorted tours and such). For full list, click here.


The Château  is easily accessible by car or train (SNCF). 
Another great idea is to hike along the many trails and paths through the Fontainebleau forest and see why it's a top destination for nature-lovers and artists alike.


While there...

Check out a neighboring ville of Barbizon. There's lots to do in this quaint town- biking, tours, shops and more.

Winter Recess Activites

Things to do this week

Winter recess is in full swing and if you're running out of ideas as to what to do with the kiddies, you're in luck!

Cirque d'Hiver Bouglione: "Virtuose"
Kids and parents will enjoy the various acts this family owned and run circus has to offer. Tigers, magicians, trapeze artists, clowns, jugglers, and so much more. As you walk in find your seats- check out the ornate architectual details and finishes.
Hurry, shows end March 4th! Click here for tickets.


FYI- seats are pretty tight and I highly suggest buying popcorn and treats before finding your seats. 

Aquarium SEA LIFE is conveniently located in Val d'Europe mall (RER A Val d'Europe station) offers a wide range of sealife and activities for children- there's even an interactive area where your children can discover hands on! For more info- click here. FE

There's also a special print-out offer -free entry for 1 child (with 2 adult tickets)








Skating anyone?

Patinoire des Buttes Chaumont has a pretty cool skating rink and pool area.  30, rue Edouard Pailleron, 75019 - Metro 7bis to Buttes Chaumont


Patinoire Gaité Montparnasse   16, rue Vercingétorix, 75014 -Metro 13 to Gaité




À bientôt!

Black History Month

Black History Month


Celebrate Black History month with your child through various activities around the city and at home. Below are a few ideas:


-There's a Black History Month feature on infoplease.com. You'll find facts, biographies and games- like this quiz.


-Tonight at 2035 (8:35pm) and tomorrow night on France2, the story of Toussaint Louverture- the leader of the Haitian revolution which lead to Haiti being the first independent black state. Learn more about the revolution that rocked the early 19th century and the inhumane institution of slavery. The Haitian-born actor, Jimmy Jean-Louis (Heros, Borne Identity), plays the title role. Check out the movie preview here.  

-Art on View: Following The Flavors of the African Diaspora at the American Library Paris- 10, rue du Général Camou, 75007 Paris, France- now until March 4th. 


Grammy Awards! 
And the winners are...

Record of the Year: 
Rolling in the Deep- Adele

Album of the Year:

21- Adele

Song of the Year:

Rolling In The Deep- Adele

Best New Artist: 

Bon Iver

Best Pop Solo Performance:

Someone Like You- Adele

Best Pop Duo Group Performance: 

Body and Soul- Tony Bennett and Amy Winehouse

Best Pop Vocal Album: 

21- Adele

Best Rock Album: 

Wasting Light- Foo Fighters

Best Alternative Music Album: 

Bon Iver- Bon Iver

Best R& B Album:

F.A.M.E- Chris Brown

Best Rap Album: 

My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy- Kayne West

Best Country Song: 

Mean- Taylor Swift

Best Country Album:

Own the Night- Lady Antebellum

For more listings of nominees and winners, go to grammy.com. 

À bientôt!

Le Paris Weekend

T.G.I.F!

Make the most of your weekend with some of these great "en anglais" events near you! 

Discover One Crazy Summer with the BOOKSWORMS book club (ages 9-12) at The American Library Saturday Feb. 12 at 1200-1300. Have a younger reader? 1500-1630 is the Saturday series program for children 6+. This week's theme is...Valentines day!

Enjoy American art at The Louvre! "New Frontier: American Art Enters the Louvre - Thomas Cole and the Birth of Landscape Painting in America" will be on exhibition until mid-April, but why wait till then to enjoy landscape art of the homeland. The exhibit is located  in the Denon Wing, 1st floor, room 32. Admission is 10€ and closes at 1800.

W.E. at the movies: Out this weekend
Zafara - an animated tale of unbreakable friendship between a child, Maki, and an orphaned giraffe named Zafara.

Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace -  the wait is over for the Star Wars fans out there!


For more listings of movies and showtime, check out allocine.com


Grammy Awards


The Grammy Awards is this Sunday Feb. 12th.
Who do you think will win best new artist? Album of the year?
Just because you're far from home does not mean you have to be in the dark about the awards.
For a full listing of nominees check out the Grammy site!

Happy Weekend!
À bientôt