St Patricks Day In Paris

Saint Patricks- a day symbolised across the world by Guinness, leprachauns, shamrocks, and all things green. Personally I think its a better excuse than ever for raising a few glasses. I mean imagine that horror we would be steeped in if Patrick hadn't came to Ireland-we would all be eating fried snakes for supper and have no place to congregate in on Sunday mornings for bantering!

Throughout Ireland the day is marked with festivals in every village, town and city followed by céli sessions and alot of the black and white stuff. I'm green right now- not with my St Patricks rigout but rather with envy as I sit in this hot sticky office looking out at the lovely blue sky thinking about all the others back in Eire with a day away from work, designanted for craic and spraoi.

There are many Irish bars throughout Paris that are sure to serve all the guiness and craic one could possibly need until the early hours of the morning. The only trouble is finding one thats not so packed that it takes you twenty minutes to get to the bar and another ten to order. The hideout in the fifth arrondisement offers happy hour pints at 5 €, however the Long Hop also in the fifth promises green beer- a tough decision. Corcrans have 4 bars throughout Paris and offer tasty food like Irish stew and Irish breakfast as well as creamy pints

Where ever you go your sure to bump into alot of other nationalities claiming their irish blood from descendants and ancestors. "You know my great grandmothers, brothers, sisters in laws nieces, dog was irish?" I mean seriously? Americans are with prehaps the biggest criminals when it comes to Irish nationality claiming. I find it entertaining but annoying at the same time. As the saying goes -"There are only two kinds of people in the world, The Irish and those who wish they were."

Getting around Paris by bike

GETTING AROUND PARIS BY BIKE

One of the best ways to see Paris- is with "VÉLIB". Its cheap, healthy, green for the environment, and so easy to use! You can purchase your pass directly from the machines at any vélib point. The points can be located on a map directly from http://www.vélib.paris.fr/ For 24 hours you will pay €1 or €5 for 7 days. You will need a debit/credit card for this as they take €150 from your account as a deposit for the bike which is refunded upon return.

The bikes are as biker friendly as you can get with an adjustable seat, basket, gears and even a bell which is a must have for busy pedestrianised parisian streets! Look out for special bike routes around the city. For one of the most scenic routes a ride along the Seine is a must! There is also a special biking route that begins at the Bastille near the opera house that runs as far as Bois de Vincennes and its medieval castle. Jardin d'Acclimilation is beautiful particulary during spring time when the flowers are blooming! The weekends can be very busy though and crowds make it difficult to cycle. If your planning a long cycle then prehaps Versailles may be your destination located about 18km from the very centre of Paris. A very scenic route through woods and streets but be warned- only suitable for those with alot of stamina! :D

You can pick up and return the bike as many times as you like to any station throughout the city! You can find them around most tourist attractions and busy streets. My advice is to print out a map showing where the stations are located to avoid wasting time looking for somewhere to leave your bike when your finished.

For those on a budget like us étudiants, vélib is a must and is a perfect way to get around the city! Avoid dishing out €€€'s for expensive restaurants and try a picnic by the Eiffeal Tower instead- far more enjoyable especially on a summers day!