VINGT Paris

Zipping about in Paris

One of the sites I use every day is RATP (linked on my useful links section). It's invaluable to know the fastest route when sometimes I can have up to 10 seperate appointments in a day. You just type in the address you are leaving from and the place you are going. The site then brings up the quickest and most efficient route, using either bus, metro or RER. Or, you can ask for a route only by bus (air-conditioned) if it's hot weather and you don't want to take the Metro (definitely not air-conditioned).

My bike is back in action but it's not such a great first impression to arrive at a meeting looking as disshevelled as I usually do after pedalling for 30 minutes. The bike lanes are great and the drivers are surprisingly considerate though. I can't stretch to a driver yet and I'm too scared to go by moped, even if they look cool and appeal to my inner Mod.

Despite all this, I had to stop for a dip in the pool at Butte aux Cailles yesterday to cool off in the middle of the day. It must have been all of seven minutes I was in the water but it was enough to refresh me for the next part of the day. Here's a photo of the queue to get in!

The Paris underworld

It's essential to check out your cave (cellar) properly when you are buying an apartment. This is the area in the bowels of your building which can be used to stock your wines but also, bikes, old furniture and often nomadic friend's belongings as the pass in and out of Paris in my case - ("Hey, you have a cave, can I leave some stuff for a month or two?"). So, they're a nice little commodity and not to be sniffed at. Always ask if there is one when sussing out a property to buy. It can also add value, even if you don't need it for storage yourself, it could be rented to a neighbour short of space.

Last week, on investigating a cave for a potential purchaser I was stopped in my tracks when I saw this notice posted to the door. Due to thefts, a number of caves had been protected by their owners with traps! I've braved some difficult situations for my clients, normally more likely to be negotiations with tetchy Real Estate agents, but this is ridiculous. Suffice to say I came out unscathed.

If you are considering storing good wine in your new cave it really is important to be sure that it is neither too dry or too humid or you will not do those fine wines any good.

Always check it out first, Caveat Emptor is a very important maxim here in Paris (as it is anywhere but you have been warned!).

D-Day for taxes

Yesterday was the day when the previous year’s tax declaration was due in France (for residents). You can get slapped with a great big tax a year later, unless you sign up for voluntary mensualisation, a monthly prepayment.

You're in charge of your own declaration, you tell them what you’ve earned, they do the calculation and come back to you with what you owe.

Good to know: if you have any questions about the process, just toddle down to your Hôtel des Impôts and the charming officals there will help explain the form and practicallly fill it out for you. I've found that Tax fonctionaires to be some of the most helpful people in French administrative life. How ironic.