European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - April 26, 2007, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Thursday april 26 2007 stars and stripes Page 25 Eric ans love Paris Michael and stripes by John Taylor stars and stripes americans have an Odd relationship with the French we often feel they Are arro Gant and rude refuse to speak English though we know they dont Shower frequently enough and dont curb their dogs but at the same time we love to go to Paris their capital and largest City in 2005 according to the Paris convention and visitors Bureau More than 16 million americans arrived in Paris and spent at least one night there that was about 18 percent of the cites foreign visitors the British had the second highest number slightly less than 15 million that total probably does not include the americans stationed or on assignment in Europe Many of whom go there on a Day trip Paris is one of the most frequently requested trips operated by the Uso in Stuttgart Germany according to Laura Aguirre the Uso Stuttgart tour manager she said the groups last trip had about 50 participants and never runs the risk of being cancelled she added that some Uso offices in communities the Sacre Coeur sacred heart Basilica in Paris there is a great View Over the City from the stairs leading up to the Basilica closer to France run their on Day Paris express trips frequently Jeanie Veith the group travel supervisor for the air forces rtt travel at Ramstein air base in Germany said that while the weak Dollar has cur tailed some travel across the Board Paris remains a perennial favorite in fact she said it is the most popular City Desti nation Amsterdam and Prague Are second and especially among those on temporary assign ment to Ramstein and Kaiserslautern Only Rhine River cruises Are More popular although Tours run by Commer Cial coach lines such As enjoy and horizon Are the favorite Way to go among the trips booked through rtt she said her office also gets frequent requests for help arranging individual trips that could indicate that Ameri cans Are going Back to the City for a longer Les structured visit on their own there going beyond the tourist Sites and getting to know the real City this Section of travel includes secrets about getting along in the French capital from an Ameri can who lived there How to arrange a stay in a parisians Home suggestions on shopping for every Day items and special cookware for your Kitchen and where to go to see How Young French chefs Are trained and Sample their fare next time youre in Paris try some of these suggestions you might see the French in a different Light email John Taylor at a bands in Paree an inviting option Byrlea Larkin special to stars and stripes w you like a drink our hostess asked As we deposited our Luggage in the attractive bedroom come to my living room do you drink whiskey or would you prefer juice we opted for whiskey and were ushered into a huge room with High ceilings period Furni Ture and paintings covering the Walls it fit the image of an up scale apartment in a Classy Pari Sian neighbourhood and that is exactly what it was and More Genevieve Chirot our hostess had recently turned a room in her apartment into a Cha Nibre dote a French Bedan break fast after just three months in the business she had received guests from Austria Belgium the Netherlands and France we were the first americans and she was pleased with the Opportunity to speak English her offer of a drink and Friendly conversation was a delightful beginning to our first experience at a Cha Nibre dote in Paris weve travelled throughout France for years and Long ago sought out these accommodations and not just for Economy reasons some Chambers dote Cost More than a hotel we like the personal ambience the Chance to talk to locals the oppor go rooms with Good morning Paris Range from 54 euros for a single with shared Bath room to 106 euros for an apartment sleeping up to four breakfast included details on the web at at  there is an English version Check  Pariser for other Chambre dote agencies the Paris tourist office web site  also has listings Click on hotels and accommodation then other places to stay some Chambers dote offer meals in addition to breakfast Cost varies depend ing upon the number of your ses from 15 euros to 30 euros per person Lea Larkin Unity to get insider tips on the Region weve never been disappointed Paris however was different we have a favorite simple hotel in the Saintgermain Despres area which is pricey but Lively convenient and fun when i called to make reservations in december i was shocked to learn that a double room had gone up in Price to 125 euros we wanted to stay four nights it was out of the question so i looked into Chambers dote we booked the room through the Agency Good morn ing Paris and paid 86 euros per night breakfast included the bedroom while not huge was larger than Many in inexpensive Paris hotels with a window opening up to a courtyard and Homey touches such As a vase of fresh Flowers a bottle of water and fruit the toilet was across the Hall and the bathroom with Bathtub at the end of the Hall the facilities were supposed to be shared but we were the Only ones who used them it was quiet we slept soundly usually until or 9 am when wed hear the apartment door close our hostess was off with her dog a 14yearold Minia Ture Dachshund for a walk in addition to the usual French breakfast of Coffee juice and bread croissants Chirot supplied Yogurt she had the table set in her tiny Kitchen and everything prepared so we could eat on our own but As we were finishing shed appear to Tell us about the weather outside and How to dress for it she was always eager to hear what we had seen and what we planned to do a restorer of paintings she was up on the parisian Art scene and told us about current exhibits and she told me that to improve my Leah Lark special to stars and stripes More Coffee Chambre dote hostess Genevieve Chirot serves guest Bob Tufton at her bed and breakfast in Paris French i should read aloud that was the secret to her excellent English she said Christine Bokobza president of Good morning Paris said the firm lists 90 Chambers dote in Paris and there Are now about 400 Quality Sites in the City Chambers dote Are More authentic they offer a More personal Welcome than a hotel she said for the same Price you find better Quality than you would in a hotel about 85 percent of the guests come from abroad she said with the greatest number from North Ameri Ca the majority of hosts Are retired ladies Between 55 and 70 years old Chirot decided to open up her Home after her husband died and her son encouraged her to use a spare bedroom for guests so she  be lonely retired couples who find themselves with a Large apart ment after their children have moved out or Young couples with a Large apartment who do not yet have Chil Dren Are also among the hosts All seem to have at least one goal in common besides making extra Money one that benefits both them and their visitors most of them Are looking for Contact Bokobza said they want to meet people from around the world photojournalist Leah Larkin a member of the society of american travel writers lives in the North lube Ron area of Provence France Contact her through