CURRENT MISSION
I have moved and now I live in MONTREUIL, 5 minutes walk from metro line 9.
The apartment is a fixer upper, so although it is functional, all the walls outside the 2 rooms need painting, and you will see the plumbing pipes !

Accepting the occasional couchsurfer. Except for the references don't pay too much attention to the profile as it was written when I lived in central Paris and frequently received guests. I've dropped my photos and much of the profile since CS went corporate.

ABOUT ME

I travel vicariously through my guests. I like to think I get the better end of the bargain: I get to meet you, and without the hassle and expense of travelling! My two boys may or may not be with me when you visit.

I recruit on the Paris emergency couch group and it fills up almost instantly for the days I have in mind.

If you're planning to stay more than a couple of days in Paris, these links to discussions in the Paris group might interest you:

"Paris pas cher" (in French)
http://www.couchsurfing.org/group_read.html?gid=199&post=8288123

"Pros and cons of living in Paris" (in English)
http://www.couchsurfing.org/group_read.html?gid=199&post=8127051

PHILOSOPHY

Be yourself. Be open, trust until betrayed, have opinions and express them.

Oh yes, and Monty Python, too.

"Whenever life gets you down, Mrs. Brown,
And things seem hard or tough,
And people are stupid, obnoxious or daft,
And you feel that you've had quite enough,

Just remember that you're standing on a planet that's evolving, and revolving at nine hundred miles an hour."

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

May sunshine always be in your heart, the wind at your back, and safe harbour on my couch!

For the moment as a host. Wonderful meeting people from all over, close by and far away countries. I travel vicariously via my guests.

I have a life, so:

***** URGENT/LAST MINUTE REQUESTS ONLY *****

Check out the CS PARIS WIKI:
http://wiki.couchsurfing.com/en/Paris

And :
"André's Tour"

This is the beginning of the first draft of the walking tour(s) starting directly at my doorstep, which I suggest to couchsurfers staying over.

(Thanks to Susan for inspiring this written tour by suggesting my briefing is a little long winded!!! ;-) And forgive me for any errors it may contain, I'm writing from memory for the moment. Fact checking will come later!

For now it is just highlights of flanerie in the streets of Paris. Hopefully over time it will be enhanced with more descriptions, maybe a(n interactive) map, guest added variants, addresses and remarks...

Loop 1 "Left Bank Promenade" start:

Walk down rue de la Roquette to Bastille, you will note rue de Lappe on your left which is the epicentre of Bastille night life (but you needn't limit yourself to this one street, though it is nothing but buzzing bars and restaurants) At the Bastille, admire the golden Génie atop of the monument, and the Opéra de Paris.

On the opposite side of the traffic cirdle find the entrance to the Recreational Marina (Port de l’Arsenal) , and walk down the cobblestoned ramp.

Walk along the length of the marina right next to the barges, house boats and sailboats, or just one level up in the gardens.

Exit by walking up the stone ramp before reaching the Capitainerie (or go right to the end, cross over the lock and you will be on the right bank of the Seine. From there you can join Ile St Louis, see below)

Aside from seeing the lovely Marina and the start of the Canal de Saint Martin which goes underground at the Bastille, only to emerge nearly 2km later in a different neighbourhood, you have just avoided walking alongside a busy street.

But now you can't avoid it for the moment so continue straight along and get to the bridge (Pont d'Austerlitz) Admire the views from the bridge on the two branches of the Seine which separate here to go around the Ile St Louis, and behind it Ile de la Cité. You also see the Gothic Notre Dame, and a lively city park on the left bank. The view on the other side of the bridge, on the "right bank" (to your left!) you will see the Finance Ministry with its ministerial launch, and on the right, an Fashion exposition hall with a green flourish facade, and the modern buildings of the 13th district.

Continue over the bridge and cross the intersection into the Jardin des Plantes. There are a few museums here, a zoo, and greenhouses. Admire the architecture, sculptures, plants and flowers which, depending on the season, will be in bloom. Wander around if you want to take your time and discover the grounds which include a small belvedere reached by a spiral hedge maze.

You vill find the exit and the rest of the tour on the opposite side of the gate you entered, to the left of the Grand Galerie de l'évolution and its art nouveau facade. Once outside the Jardin des Plantes, you will see the Paris Mosque, which you may visit. Stop by for mint tea in the lovely garden outside, or a north african meal in the mauresque wood panelled dining room. Depending on the time of day, visits to the mosque are possible.

Exiting from the mosque, follow left up the street. Once you the corner of the Jardin des Plantes you will see a lovely animal inspired fountain, one of my personal favourites.

Continue down the street and take a left at rue des Arènes. You will be rewarded by a reconstruction of an original Roman arena, and the modern city park nestled between and sheltered from the street by some very pleasant apartment buildings. A great place to sun and picnic (water and public toilets, though I don't guarantee the state you'll find them in!)

(The following is under construction...)

Bail out and go back home as suggested, or combine with:

The Seine and the Islands (Ile de la Cité, Ile St Louis) :

Loop 2 The Marais; Start from home, from the Islands, or from Loop 1 :

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

All of my guests and hosts have been fantastic! (really, no psychopaths yet ;-)

Interests

Travel, hiking, running, boxing, pubs, almost no spectator sports except in the stadium or in a pub with a jived up crowd.

• animals
• arts
• writing
• architecture
• fashion
• dining
• picnic
• running
• walking
• pub crawls
• gardening
• flowers
• traveling
• socializing
• painting
• hiking
• sports
• boxing
• rock climbing

Music, Movies, and Books

Except a handful of film titles I am incapable of retaining names of bands, films, books,... never could, I'm just not wired that way. I rely on others (DJs, friends) for trendy music, etc.

A tribute to Monty Python, link provided by a CS guest collector and purveyor of fine "floaty pens":

Floaty Penthon
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ti9D8KI8KOU

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

The birth of my second son (no 1 was by caesarian, my attendance wasn't permitted)
Other than that, dawn on the rim of a volcan at Lake Batur, Bali, Indonesia. Too bad I couldn't get the camera to work, we were above the clouds...

Teach, Learn, Share

Teach: English? French?
Learn: Spanish, German, climbing
Share: boxing, running, whatever else you can suggest...

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Belgium, Costa Rica, Cuba, Germany, Guatemala, India, Indonesia, Italy, Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, Nepal, Netherlands, Singapore, Spain, Thailand, Tunisia, United Kingdom, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

Canada, France

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