Chateau of France

Chateau of France, a set on Flickr.

In 2011 pre-winter, I planned to visit Tours region. Its been always a dream to pass through Royal Palaces and places where Leonardo had spent his last few memorable years.

Here are pictures of my visit to Tours, Amboise and Valandary ... Beautiful Palaces covered with untouched snow!

My iPhone and its bugs

Nothing is perfect. Its nature's rule but we can develop thing can be close to perfect.

People say Apple stuff is pretty perfect. Lets take example of iPhone - worlds dominant handset manufacturer and seller. Best in feature, app, look and usage. I see some of basic functionality are buggy here.

1. on iPhone4. iOS 5.
We use SMS messaging service as basic tool and way to communication.
Feature, group SMS.

I added some of my friends in sms "To" list.
Put some text.


If some of the text sms failed to deliver. It shows red estimations sign like !
Problem is we never come to know what all sent successfully and which all are failed.

This is strange bug from iOS 5.0.

2. Recently, I tried to delete some pics from photo stream. iOS don't allow you to delete files from your device. 

You have to connect to PC and backup photoes and resync to delete/modify pics on your device.


3. I also have got iPhone 3GS which sometimes have issue of picking up the call. Screen fails to recognize my touch while swapping and accepting the call.

Chateaux of the France

Last end of summer in Paris, we (my wife was with me) visited some of the Chateaux around Paris. Most of people know famous Chateau de Versailles Castle. I personally didn't found it very great just because it has huge garden and lake. There is less of attractive I found. Its more crowded with lots of people rushing in and out. 

I liked another nearby Chateaux. Royal Chateau de Fontainebleau! Place is 40 min away by RER or some train going from Gare-de-Lyon to South side of France. Place is also covered in zone 6 costing you 14Euro to and fro journey by Bus service. 

Map: http://goo.gl/maps/Oupx1 



Here are details copied from http://parisbytrain.com/paris-to-fontainebleau-by-train/

Paris to Fontainebleau by Train

Departure station => Paris-Gare de Lyon

Train Line => Transilien or Ter

Direction => Laroche-Migennes / Montereau / Montargis / Sens

Arrival Station => Fontainebleau-Avon (Zone 5)

Ticket => Billet Ile-de-France - Fontainebleau–Avon

Price => 8,40€ one way

Passes Accepted => Carte Orange/Pass Navigo, Ticket Mobilis, Paris Visite Card

Attractions => INSEAD, Forest of Fontainebleau, Chateau Fontainebleau

First Train / Last Train => 06:05 / 23:35 (see notes)

PDF with timetable: http://parisbytrain.com/files/2008/12/paris_fb_timetable.pdf
you will also get this timetable if you visit ticket window at Gare de Lyon. 

and return : http://parisbytrain.com/files/2008/12/fb_paris_timetable.pdf

More details: http://parisbytrain.com/paris-to-fontainebleau-by-train/

Place is beautiful to spend time with family and close group. Palace has more French history. The pond nearby Palace makes it more beautiful in view. Good to visit in Summer.

Here are some photoes:

Here is official website : http://www.fontainebleau-tourisme.com/index.php/en/



The famous INSEAD school of Management is right there.

References:

http://wikitravel.org/en/Fontainebleau
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/france/fontainebleau

How access thepiratebay.org in India when court has blocked it?

As internet user I value freedom of speech, expression and sharing. India - country where caste is basis of politics and all working things. We have to have such freedom in living. Its very much expressed since Anna Hazare's andolan with India Against Corruption.

Lets see a specific case where we need freedom to accessing what we want on internet and sharing best of the things over internet/mobile! Recently most of Indian ISPs Internet Service Providers came up idea of blocking all torrent sharing sites for access. I tried to open thepiratebay.org  and it showed beautiful message,

"This website/URL has been blocked until further notice either pursuant to Court orders or on the Directions issued by the Department of Telecommunications"

Well, matter of fact, I doubt if DoT has really understood the meaning of this. While court and why?
What do you mean by, website or URL?

Forget fighting with India courts or government. Its all waste of time and money. Its well known saying in my mother language. "Smart people don't walk on court steps" , sayings are never exactly translated but meaning makes sense.

Lets come to the point, you can choose either of below solutions:

1. http://www.google.co.in/search?hl=en&rlz=1C1SKPL_enFR451FR451&q=u1201+download&oq=u1201+download&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&gs_l=serp.3...7214.8562.0.8884.9.7.0.0.0.0.0.0..0.0...0.0.wDMs_WA8sGw
download this program called u1201 and just double click, it will create proxy server and changes setting in Windows Internet settings --> LAN to 127.0.0.1 and port.
It will also start IE after creation of proxy. You can now browse internet using this external proxy which allows you to access any torrent site.

2. Download and install tor which comes with portable anonymous IP proxy and firfox. https://www.torproject.org/  OR read here more onthis http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tor_(anonymity_network)

3. Use Jtunnel : http://jamiedubs.com/jtunnel  This is wonderful site showing Freedom of Speech.
Jtunnel is java based proxy which allows you to go via this java based proxy server for http, ftp, smtp requests. Its some how not clear, if its keeps anonymousness OR tracks data.
Other good point in using this is, it provides compression for data and images. In fact, you can set image compression ratio to 50% or 80%. Its good thing. As java, it runs smoothly as java application on any operating system. Pls don't expect it to work on native mobile operating systems so soon. But sooner or later on Android and iphone. May be on Symbian if it exist till the time! ;)


4. Use online proxy servers to browse sites you want.


I hardly use 4th option. I preferred to use 3rd, 2nd mostly. It depends on what is need. I feel 1st is handy for Windows, while 2nd and 3rd are cool to work on any OS.

Cheers!! And enjoy your freedom of speech, sharing, browsing and enjoying!!!

Jai Shivaji - Paris. Gare de Nord

People of India knowns many kings of India who fought against British Emperor to keep their home land safe from Britishers (while many kings who changed their color by joining British). One of the great Maratha king - Chhtrapati Shivaji Maharaj (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shivaji) was one of the biggest rival for Britishers in early 18th century. Full historical name as Shivaji Shahaji Bhosale founded the Maratha emperor which became one of the largest in 17th century http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/69/India-1760-map.jpg . I studied it all in history book. Seen in many motivations movies on king Shivaji and his bravery to challenge Mogal Emperor, Aadilshaha and Nijamshaha to forbid them while entering his home land. Well, its still unfortunate that, King Shivaji's birthday is celebrated two times a year because historical data indicates one date and another political party says its some other date. Its still controversy!

Here goes our story. It was about 10.30pm, Paris, near Gare de Nord. I was looking for nice India hotel for dinner. I knew Sarvanabhavan is good place to have dinner but wasn't sure if it would be still open till 11pm to serve me food. I decided to try and turned my way towards the hotel.

As usually, place was little crowded due to its famous typical India food. I took a place as service tambhi pointed the table. I ordered for North India thali and was doing some pass time on mobile. Three drunkards in their mid 50s with bottle of rhum in pocket drinking while sitting on next table brought my attention. They were shouting something in their local language and sometimes in French. Neither of them was known to me but i was just guessing what they are talking. One of them was too drunk. Other one was trying to keep him in control. I washed my hands and got refreshed and took my seat again.

Conversation started as they started talking to me in their local language or French. At that time I could't guess exactly what language it was. So was the condition and the way to throw words from mouth with smell of whisky and rhum (Thanks my dinner was not on table!!).

I said politely (its better to be polite with drunkard at first conversation) , "je ne pas parle francaise! (I do not speak French) or the language you are speaking!" . I had habit of speaking phrases in mixed French+English when I don't know what to call it in French.
Other guy who was less drunk, asked me in English,"You speak English"
I said, "Yes, I speak English, Hindi and Marathi and little little French but do not understand French. I am Indian."
Reply,"Oh good! ce bon. We Indian."
I just said, "Good."  Hoping to end the conversation.
Now the drunkard said,"Where from India?"
I: "Bombay, Mumbai , Maharashatra"
drunkard: "Ce bon. I know. bon place. oui"
Little smile and reply, "Good. nice"
Drunkard: You know, king Shivaji of Maharashtra. Great king. Come to Tunjawar in Tamilnadu. Good person and king. Fought with British. bla bla bla (something in Tamil, Telgu or malayalum or French)
Less drunk drunkard: Its nothing. He is drunk too much. no problem. its fine.
I: Yes, Great king. I respect king Shivaji.

Well now, hotel waiter was worrying that drunkards are making me uncomfortable and its causing harm to reputation of hotel. He came asked 3 of them to leave the place. Again, the conversation was in their local language and I had no clue what they are trying to say. Less drunk man spoke to me, my friend is too much drunk. Its OK.

Drunkard was happy to common known and interest from Indian.
He said, "Jai Shivaji. Great king. He fought with British. I no speak English. I not like British. French is Ok. "
I: "Yes, British did lot of bad things in India... bla bla .. Shivaji is great!"

Waiter was bringing my dinner and i had stop further talking with drunkards. Anyways, Tambi (the waiter) came in and pulling drunkards to gate. He had to do it to save reputation of place.
I said,"Merci, Au revoir." (Thanks, good bye)
Drunkard was just shouting,"Its no problem. Our friend Shivaji. Jai Shivaji !! bla bla"

I waved my hand while the leaving from main door to good bye.

Its just coincidence but few kings made great impacts on society. Well, Tanjavor was never a home land of king but he ruled the province with equal respect as to his home place. Thats makes the great kings. Shivaji was never called himself a Ruler or dictator. He was kind of people. People loved him and they were ready to dye for him! That was Maratha Kingdom! But as Indian kings keep on fighting with each other and leading to ultimate victory to British Emperor.

I still feel, most worst thing of history of wars was "Battle of Plassey" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Plassey  ! What a shame was it!

Story or incidence is real but there is no record of what happen and who were those drunkards while shouting "Jai Shivaji!"

How to make rice in microwave oven? and in jungle with fire?

Its more practical guide to make Rice (French: Riz)! Rice being majorly consumed food item in world, its interesting to know how to cook rice properly and easiest way.
You will say there are many ways to do it. I would list some of them:

1. Pressure cooker
2. Steamer
3. On electric stove
4. Microwave oven
5. In Jungle with fire

Most of people know first 3 methods to do it. Its very normal and widely used ways to cook rice. I would like to focus on something which is not very explored or known.

Now a days, availability of oven is more easy then a gas stove or electric stove for cooking. I had problem with my electric stove and I had to use oven and temporary electric stove for cooking my dinner. Here is procedure to follow for cooking rice.

Step 1.

For Microwave oven, you have to have oven-compatible vessels or utensils which can be used to cook stuff in oven. Usually crockery and some specific glasses are used but they get hot when used in oven and so not the best option to use. Its good to see yourself and understand what is good to use for cooking in oven. 

Make sure utensil is made from recyclable plastic of type 5 and symbol of oven indicating it can be used for oven with allowed limit of temperature mentioned on back. usually, 100C-120C is enough on high side. 

Step 2.

Clean the utensil. Make 1 cup measure of rice and put it in utensil. Make sure quantity of rice taken to cook is 1/4 of total volume capacity of the utensil. Clean the rice and rinse the utensil until you see transparent water.

Step 3.

Add 2X quantity of water in utensil. This means, you have to have two measures of water. Use measure tool (glass or cup or mug) to make sure water quantity is enough to go while cooking rice.

Step 4:

Add 1 tea spoon on salt.

Add 3-4 tea spoon of oil

Mix the solution with water and steer up the utensil. 

Step 5:

Keep utensil as it is in microwave oven! Set timer to 20 minutes and take your seat. Wait for oven alarm to see if rice is cooked. I 'm sure this should be enough. I myself tried and tested the method and It was the best way to do it.

Now, we will see how we can do similar things in jungle when you don't have any utensil or the oven or any electric stove. Don't be surprized, its vey much possible and can be easily done. 

I assume you need to have: Rice, water, cloth, match stick and some dry wood to make fire.

Preparations:
Take a thick cloth which should be thick enough to avoid any soil particles to go inside.
Make the cloth wet enough to hold lot of water.
Wash rice and put in cloth
Dig the ground about 50-60cm
Pour some water inside. Make it hold some water
Now keep packed cloth inside dig.
Put wet soil on cloth and put some extra water below.
Set fire to wood on same place. Keep it for 1 hours.

Mostly, rice should get cooked if its enough water to stream up. I never tried second method but yes it works. You have put salt after cleaning the cooked rice. Hope it works. I would like to experiment this sometime.

Brussels Trip

For regular info on city and what to see:

http://wikitravel.org/en/Brussels#b
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/belgium/brussels/things-to-do
http://matadornetwork.com/trips/10-things-to-do-in-brussels-besides-drinking-beer/
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g188644-Activities-Brussels.html

Here is my experience and way to see city. Some great person said, experience  is best teacher so people don't understand until they try and experience it. Its worth learning. :)

Recently I planned a trip to Brussels (or Bruxxeles in French). Its interesting to see and understand the spirit of the city and its culture! It was middle of Jan'2012. It wasn't cold enough to snow or warm enough to be sunny. But weather was just OK to go out. I guess, that was still best weather for Brussels as its said to be mostly raining with bad weather.
I started journey from Paris at 9am. Reached to Gare de Midi / Brussel-Zuid. Names are confusing but the city has protocol to write all names in French as well as in Dutch. Its confusing for tourist but you will understand the protocol very soon. Most of people also speak English. Here most of people means almost 90%, while 80% are said to be French speaking and small portion with 20% Dutch speaking. Its good that 100% population knows more then 2 languages. Either of French or Dutch is must and English is secondary. I observe lot of Muslim originated population so naturally they also speak Arabic or Urdu. However preference of language is more natural and easy to change unlike Paris. Parisian love their language and don't prefer to change it unless its really needed. In fact, only 50-60 Parisian may be knowing English well. Rest of them keep using some of French common words in English. No wonder 30% of English and French have same vocabulary. Brussels is better in that context.

Brussels is full of tram ways. All over the road and each main route connecting various site-seeing places and town place, its all filled up with dense network on tramways and their wires pulled over the building around the tram way. But its still interesting to maintain the city traffic signals for tram, metro, bus and private transport. My experience with tram was not so great as 1 or 2 times in 2 days journey, I (along with all passengers) was asked to go out of tram as it was not functional due to some technical reason. Be careful, no such announcements are made in English. It only happens in French and Dutch. Tram-ways are spread all over the sub-urban areas and you could end up at unknown strange place if you try to just roam around the place so be careful before to take the tram.
Ticket rates are interesting. If you take ticket in bus, it will cost 1.80 Euro while if you take before entering in bus, it will cost 1.70Euro. logically its good policy to reduce pain for driver. Transport system is good and they have short planes to go for 2-3 days duration. I prefer to understand complete thing as native citizen so I could understand the core part of living in city. Metro lines in Brussels are very limited. Roaming around in tram is best way to explore the city. I would suggest the same if someone is visiting the town for couple of days.



Arabic Bangla-deshi professor and Muslim teachings:
As I got in to the metro, i saw a guy with Indian look and pyjamas walking on platform. There was drama going on with police and girl who didn't had ticket. I was wondering why girl is lying on platform while police were trying to wake her and let her go. It was strange but I didn't bother much as police were doing their job. As metro approached , I got into and found decent place to gather my way and direction of metro. Guy in pyjamas got place next to me. I thought to check on my direction with him.
"Hello, I want to go to Atomium, is it right direction?"
"This is metro 6 but there is tram which i know"
I was little confused to believe the strange so easily. He asked me,"Are you from India".
I said, "Yes. But I think train is in opposite direction."
Pyjama guy said,"Yes, you are on wrong direction. Don't worry. I will tell you best way to reach."
I said, "How do you know I am India"
Pyjama guy: I'm from Bangla desh and I live here.
I said, "Oh good! So you should be speaking Hindi ?"
Now Bangladeshi said, Yes, I do. Accha hai.

I could easily understood, he is Muslim and is good guy to rely for direction. I felt little good when he said he speaks Hindi. Its little weird to find someone who speaks Hindi at so far place.
Its wasn't so difficult to discuss after that. We discussed the city and its way of living. He said, he is professor in Arabic college where they teach Muslim history and culture. I understood the city and immigration happening from Middle-East Asia to Europe. Ottoman had huge effect on Europe. I gather info needed and moved my way to tram 7 to reach Hyzel station to see Automium.


Spirit of City: Manneken Pis
Status of little boy pissing with cute costume. Its very near from Grand Place. Just roam around and follow direction on road to get to see him. This status is surrounded by many small gift shops and waffles shops.
There are many stories around this little kid pissing. Some one said, witch converted the boy to statue as he was pissing on her palace. Others said, he is some price who is pissing on army who had lost the war against some enemy.
People of Brussels follow same spirit of pissing on road after drinking lot of beer without caring for the city's cleanliness. City have good architecture but not as good as Paris!

Atomium: 1958 Science exposition : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Expo_58
Its large structure representing atomic structure. Its allowed to go on top flor. Its nice view to the city from top. You should not miss it. You have to take metro line 6 from Gare de Midi. OR Tram way 7 going toward Hezel.

European parliament:
Brussels has been more famous for European meetings and other international peace meetings. Its interesting to visit parliament. If you are European or hold residence of European country, you can attend the session of parliament if want to. Don't forget to carry your identity card for visit. But its not open on weekend so i couldn't visit it.

Grand Place:
Its nice old road with grand square with grand buildings surrounding. Right in center of the town. You can reach by walking from central Brussels metro station. This place is nice to have food. There is small lane nearby where you can easily find some Italian and crepary to have quick food. Its worth a try with price they offer with quality. I had nice lunch here. Its open most of time in late afternoon 4pm so no problem on time.

I gathered special chocolates of Belgium from Marconi. It was nice trip for a weekend. There is always lot of things to see, understand and learn more while exploring the world !!! Just open up your mind. :)

Trip to Mont Saint Michel

Date 24/12/2011 ! May be its last blog of the year!

Read http://www.ot-montsaintmichel.com/index.htm for book information.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mont_Saint-Michel

For practical info, read below

I started my journey with covoiturage.fr by booking my one way trip with awesome couple Flore and Phillipe. Nice guys to company for journey. We did chit chat while on the way with African, Brazilian, Spanish music. Couple speak French, English, Portugese and Spanish so it was OK for me. We started around 10am and reached by 2pm at Mont Sainte Michel ( Pronounced as Mo-Sa-Mishel in English). We followed the path http://g.co/maps/r7gng
I had not booking my journey back to Paris. Flore was bit surprised to know it and was very curious on "how i will travel back to Paris?" I too wasn't knowing it but i said its adventure to go for unplanned and unknown first time journey! You get to learn lot of new things. And surely I did it!!!

I went inside the big doors. I saw couple of museums and reached to main door to buy the tickets. Its 9Euro normally. I reached top of the mont and came back by 4pm. I meet Flore and Philipe on way back in restaurant for lunch. Omlette with fries was good for me.

I reached down to look for transport. Best way is to meet guys from tourism office. Lady gave me path details and handed me over the small paper to track my way to Paris. I had to take bus at 5.15pm from  Mont Sainte Michel to Rennes and from there I need to catch hourly train to Paris. Bus took the way http://g.co/maps/d7jwr .

French speaking couple was sitting on first sit at entrance. I was just second in row so got front seat just behind the driver. I was watching people of multiple ethics and languages were riding the bus. There were many of Japaneas, Chinease, Turkish and one English speaking family. There was no one who knew French except the driver and couple on front seat at entrance. Bus moved slowly and said good bye to  Mont Sainte Michel! It was beautiful in evening.

We cross road toward Rennes for an hour. I was thinking to take a train to Paris from Rennes. I was worried if they have train from Rennes and obviously I had pay heavy for booking at last minute. There was clear signal on next circle. Driver was running at speed of around 30km/hour. Suddenly signal light turned red and bus stopped with couple of glitches. Signal turned green in small time, we were good to go. Driver turned the gear. Grrrrrrr...rr.. and peeep peep peep... sound started.
Driver couldn't start it.
I was getting worried. I understood something is wrong with the bus. Its public transport bus and could be possible to go down anytime! Drive now called his superior sub station member for help. I could only understand word like "Merde, ohh.. putain!!"
Its was sure, its going to take some more time. People on back side starting gossiping among them.

Driver got up from seat and wore his over coat and came in from. Started speaking with French guy sitting in front row. French guy pointed his finger to me!!! I had understood, they said English (Anglais) while speaking.
I was seeing the console of display was shows windows commands on black prompt. It was again MS Windows and bus never started running. It was lot of electronics and software stuff in bus. I never understood why French make things more complicated and comprehensive to use. Bus is simple device to run an engine and move on with help of mechanism of ignition engine and fuel. It will only need light and power supply for ignition and front lights. I was afraid, what is use to this shit electronics display and 100s of button on driver panels. Its all use less to fix the bus. Even driver wasn't sure on whats wrong with bus. It was bad!!!
Below conversation in French written in English to read it correctly. Correct spelling and meaning in bracket next to it.

Driver turned to me asked,"vule vu parle aungle?? (Do you speak English?)"
I understood what he was saying, so said "Oui! j parle aungle" (Yes! I speak English.)
Now driver started in fast French, which was impossible for me to understand or guess. "£%^*&(*(*$£%$"!
I said, "J compre ampu faunce!" (I  understand little French )
French guy sitting on front explained to me that, driver will go out and look for another bus to carry tourist to destination. He want me to explain same to passengers as most of them were non-French tourist.
I said,"J compre. I understand. I will do it!"

I stand up and announced clearly to everybody,"Hello all, bus is not working properly. Our drive is going to bring another bus for us to go to Rennes bus station. Please wait for him. He think he will come back in 5-10 minutes. Don't worry. Thanks!"
Japaneas couple sitting in 5th row was little worried, they asked, "what wrong with bus and when he is going to come back?"
I said,"Hope so he will be back in 5 minutes with bus! But I don't know whats wrong exactly. Its all electronics more then mechanics in this bus!"
passengers on back side started gossiping on same. I think so all understood the problem.

After 8 minutes, drive came back and with bus. As bus reached near us and drive was visible. Passenger on back benches said in single volume,"Yatto!!"  It wasn't so laud but was in sync. I knew the word !! Yes finally ! I repeated with them, "Oui, yatto! Its done!"
We moved out of bus as instructed by driver. While getting into the bus, I said "Merci" to driver, he decently replied with "de rien!! Desole! Merci!". He knew, i can understand these words.

We took the bus and it moved to Rennes train station. We came out and diverted on our own ways. Lot of chinese and japanease touriest started running towards train station as they had already booked the train ticket for 7.10pm train to Paris. I too wanted to catch the same one. But I didn't booked the ticket. I started walking towards the train station in same direction.

I saw the 7year old little girl and her mother. They were sitting next to me in second bus. They were 10-15 meter away. The lady looked at me to bye bye. He bows half and said good bye in Japanease way. I shook my hand toward them and said good bye!! I also saw French couple sitting on front seat. The guy knew me, he waved his hand and said good bye. I did same and said "Good bye!!!"

I managed to buy 62Euro ticket to Paris from Rennes at 8.03pm TGV  with help of French guy who was waiting for his brother to come. His brother knew train ticket booking better then him so he asked to his brothers help in booking the ticket. I guess, its costliest train ticket I had ever booked!!! I had no options. I moved to big display waiting to see platform number to come up. It was peaceful journey way back by TGV train. I reached Montparness by 10.20pm. I took metro and reached home by 11pm.

Was too tired and sleepy. I managed to upload 2-3 pics on Facebook and went to bed! It was long long day!
Bon nuit!!!

Apartment search in Paris

First thing come to mind, its not so easy. "C 'est pas tres facile!" and its going to be very very costly!
I'm writing this blog considering you as new to the city. Paris- awesome city with sparkling lights and beautiful girls. But behind every French face, there are things they do for living and compenciating the cost of living in Paris.

First and most important of it is finding good home in Paris. Its slow and long process!

Step 1.
Roam around the town to figure out good area for you. Consider locality and living in place.
a. Like if you consider cheap is good. Look for sub-urban area in district 92, 98, 95, 20 and so on.
b. If you are ok to live in little dirty but close to city centre with 75XXX as postal code. Look for Barbes, La Chappel, Gare de Nord area. 750  09, 10, 18
c. If you love to see Eiffel tower everyday, wish to spend few more bucks and find place in district 750 08,07,06,15, 16
d. If you love latin districts, look for area 750 05, 06, 14
e. Remember to consider your place of work for location. Its very important to have place near by your work location.

Step 2.
Now you decided couple of areas which are ok for you to live.
Start search with online site given below:
Remember, all agency's ask for the fees to book the apartment for you. You have to go via agency if you don't know much in Paris. Its usually around 1 month rent of the apartment. But it varies with agency and conditions.
a.

http://www.parisattitude.com/

or

http://www.parisattitude.com/search2.asp
==> For tourists who speak English and don't know French. It don't ask you guaranteeing for apartment. They ask only money. Remember, they ask you more then actual rates in market as you can't speak French and communicate with apartment owner. 
Its good for small time stay and quick booking of apartment.


b
other among my search list
http://sublet.lodgis.com/en-gb/paris/listing/

==> Again in English but good site for quick search. Rates are little reasonable with very nice info on site.


c.

http://www.paristay.com/
Nice site to start with. In English and many other languages to use.

d.
http://www.leboncoin.fr/locations/offres/ile_de_france/paris/?f=a&th=1
In French but its easy if you use language translator. Refer to direct posts from owners and so you can save 1 month agency fees. Its easy that way. But its again complicated to arrange meet with owner and proof you are the one who can pay the rent on time and have enough money to feed his apartment.

e. http://www.seloger.com/
==> In French. Little complicated. Its filled up with many agencies listing apartment details here. Site is free but you have to pay to agency who is booking apartment for you.

f. http://www.pap.fr/
==> In French. Easy site. They call it Particular to particular. Again its more of less same as seloger.com

3.
Keep contacting as many owners as possible and see the apartment. Its like keep on hitting the balls in dark so finally you may have one of them hitting the target. Keep applying to apartment which are good for you.
I feel, few apartment owners are too arrogant to choose their tenant as if they are choosing the son-in-law (gendre) ! Its funny but owner may ask you :

1. How old you are
2. Family or living alone
3. what is your income
4. Letter from company where you work
5. Guarantee for payment of rent
6. How long you live in Paris
7. What contract you have with company
8. bla
9. bla

I feel its none of their business. But as you know 'Beggar don't have choices!!' . He can't choose if to get 1 coin or 10 coins! Its same way here. You are a beggar and your boss is apartment owner. 

Don't be afraid and share all info to apartment owner.

4. 

Now its wait and watch game. Owner is going to check all list of application and choose the final strongest contestant to be his tenant.

I imagine this like a animal matting game. Its usual case in dogs, snakes and lions! If the female want to have sex with male from her own species. She send a specific kind of scent/aroma in nature. All interested males goes to the common place where she would be waiting for them to arrive. Now, poor and little ones goes away as they don't dare to fight with strong contestants. Even sometime female could be strong enough for them to handle. Strong one come face to face to show the fist of their jaws! They understand the strongest one and he is declared as the winner by female. I guess, its usual case in all species except humans. Humans go with weird kind of selection. 

Ooops, I'm goes away from root topic. So, Owner will finally choose the best person to be his tenant. 

They will have to do formal things like, creating the agreement with help of lawyer, arrange agency fees if any, handover of apartment, list of working and non working furniture and instruments in apartment. 

Along with it tenant has to sign the insurance for apartment. Matmut is good one to do it. 

Finally, you gets the key to apartment and start shifting to new home!!!

I may write another blog on home shifting in Paris. I understand it well the complication and depth in such activities. Experience is the best way to understand things!!! Hope you get it just by reading ;) 

Bon chance!

Related articles

• holidays rentals in Paris (locationsvacances.wordpress.com)
• 2010 Paris Furnished Apartment Market Report (prweb.com)

Drop me email or comments if you need any assistance in particular!

Toilets in Paris

Today, I make confession that, I broke few rules of general public hygiene in Paris!! I guess, doing pee at public place is considered so! That too, near GREATEST ICON of the city!

From last 2-3 years, I have been visiting Paris for work purpose. Unarguably its one the most fascinating, beautiful city of the world. The City of Lights, city of Fashion, bla bla ..

In my obvious observation, i could see long long queues to get in toilets.
I understand that, French people don't go to toilet and they have developed huge capacity to just control it until they reach home. So, its like don't drink a drop of water and keep your hand crossed till you reach your home! Its indeed said too too bad if someone goes for toilet to friends home. Its under Very bad manners!!
Discovering a public toilet is really difficult job when you are really on edge of pouring out some water. I'm sure beer drinkers knows it very well. I guess, that the reason why I don't see many French people drinking beer on public places or roads.

Here you can find the toilet. I 'm sure google map should show the signs with public toilets on it. Its the most important thing in Paris. I'm afraid google didn't did it. http://maps.google.fr/maps?rlz=1C1SKPL_enFR451FR451&q=Toilet shows no such place.





So, the story goes like this. One upon the time ... February'2010 or 2009! My apartment was located very close the Icon of Paris- Eiffel Tower. I was staying with my friends. We planned to visit Pantheon and on way back I lost him and cut my way towards the apartment via Gardens of the Luxemburg. My rectum was full of liquid and I wanted to pour it out urgently. I walked the way from small lanes from Musee de Army - Invalids.

It was around 7 pm. It use to be dark by 5pm in Paris in Winter days. I was searching for public toilets on the way. I knew, there are couple of them near Eiffel tower. I walked by Gardens near Eiffel tower and searched for the lonely standing toilet on the corner of road towards Bir Hakim metro station. I was very happy to found the destiny of the moment!! I reached the place and started pressing button to open the door. But my bad luck, it wasn't opening. I could barely read on side wall of toilets. Its open in limited hours only. If I'm not wrong, from 8am to 1pm and 2 pm to 6.30pm. (I was wondering if some French guy is working inside to make this as working hours! Hope it works on Weekends ;) ) This was terrific discovery for me. Shocking one !! Oops!
I got another shot when I couldn't find my apartment key in my over coat. I thought it was with me but it wasn't. It was with my friend and we didn't had mobile connection to call and confirm if he had reached the apartment. That was another bug shock for me !!!
Being Indian, I 'm very optimistic to find the way around to meet the need. It was bit deserted evening. I could hardly see people roaming around the garden area of Eiffel. That was the moment, I found the other way, bushy area around the garden was good option. There was small store which was close and could give me good place to do pee. I moved in the bush to find the covering space and got poured out all the liquid ammonia from my rectum to soil of France. I was looking up toward the great Eiffel tower. I wish Mr Eiffel had created few public toilets near Eiffel tower. I would have been much more thankful to him!!!

I suppose, this could be also reason why metro station staircase and deserted places smell bad. Someone must be in urgent sometime to release the pressure on time! Its all about the time.

For visitors, here are some must know things if you visit Paris:
From http://europeforvisitors.com/paris/articles/paris-public-toilets.htm

Paris Public Toilets Sanisettes ABOVE: This sanisette is near the Opéra Bastille (the glass building behind the tree). Not so many decades ago, the phrase "Paris public toilets" evoked images of smelly streetcorner pissoirs, hole-in-the-floor squat toilets at neighborhood cafés, and lavatories ruled by female attendants with the demeanor of prison guards. Today, nearly all of the vespasiennes or pissoirsare gone, and tourists of both sexes are well-served by modern, self-cleaning toilets known assanisettes on boulevards and in parks throughout the city. The sanisettes come in several styles, but all have the same basic design: You press a button (or, in some cases, insert a coin) to open the door, and when you step inside, a sensor in the floor causes the door to close and lock. You do your business, then open the door and exit. The door closes again, the toilet is automatically cleaned and disinfected by a motorized mechanism, and a green light signals that the lavatory is ready for the next user. In the past, sanisettes were pay toilets, but the city of Paris began converting them to free operation in February, 2006. Free toilets are identified by a sign that reads "Toilettes - Accès Gratuit." (Toilets in the suburbs usually aren't free, so if you venture outside of Paris,  keep a few 20-cent coins on hand for emergencies.) Here are a few more things you should know: Sanisettes are normally open from 6 a.m. until 10 p.m. After 2200 hours, you'll need to find a café or the nearest wall. For safety reasons, children under 10 shouldn't use sanisettes without an adult companion. (There have been reports of sanisettes beginning the cleaning cycle with small, lightweight children trapped inside.) In addition to sanisettes, the city of Paris has two dozen public lavatories that are open from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 1 p.m. until 6:15 p.m. The lavatories have attendants and are mostly located near major public buildings and tourist attractions. Older sanisettes aren't wheelchair-accessible, but the newest models are. Sanisettes are complex, high-tech devices, and you may encounter one that's out of order. If that happens, look for another one, or head for the nearest café.

Last note: Toilets in Europe are uni-sex. They usually don't have ladies and gents toilets as separate. You may find a women and men doing pee on same row and waiting release their enormous pressure !! :)
Keep posting such memorable incidences of life!
By the way in India, you may find someone peeing out of corner of road with small place to hide himself. Its still not see as crime. Its kind of freedom to do pee when its really uncontrollable.