.1st Chapter – Paris & Montpellier
This will provide a running commentary and observations regarding our life in France for my two daughters -Katie and Sarah.
It is divided into chapters in chronological and geographic order
Chapter One – Paris and Montpellier (This Page)
Montpellier -Wedneday, September 29, 2021
Goodbye Montpellier, Hello Aix en Provence
Tomorrow we pack up the rental car and head to Aix en Provence, about a 2-hour drive east.
We enjoyed our time in Montpellier but to us, it feels a bit too much like a college campus. The city center seems to be primarily college kids, nice, but we are seeking more adult interaction. Not disappointed but rather enlightened.
We have heard many good things about Aix en Provence so we are looking forward to the next chapter in this adventure. We will be there for the next month staying at an Air BnB.
The Cellphone Dilemma (Part 4)
My phone is working fine but Rebecca’s needs some more help, its back to SFR and Free Mobile today. Want to resolve it before moving to Aix.
Update: 3 PM have new SIMM for Rebecca’s phone, both working now. Just need to wait a few more days for the old number to port over to Free Mobile.
Montpellier -Monday, September 27, 2021
The Cellphone Dilemma (Part 3)
Well, the cell phone problem is solved!!!
I finally got my phone working with SFR, so went to Free Mobile to get a new SIMM card. 20 EU/month for an amazing plan, unlimited calls, unlimited SMS, and a boatload of data, PLUS free calls to the US. In a few days, I’ll have my original Franch number ported over to Free Mobile service and I can make calls to the US.
Montpellier -Saturday, September 25, 2021
The Cellphone Dilemma (Part 2)
Today I attacked the cellphone problem with great vigor.
First, in the morning I noticed that I did not have internet service on my phone today, so off to SFR (the provider) to find out what is up.
First stop, SFR in the mall. “Sorry no speak English” here.
Next, walk to another SFR store 7-8 blocks away. Here they diagnosed the problem as being out of data so I needed to add more money to my account. That requires a walk to the Tobacco store about 5 blocks away. There you pay 11 Eu for a code that you enter into the phone to recharge it.
Of course, I was not able to enter the code myself so I went back to the SFR store for help.
Heading there I noticed that a column of police in riot gear and shields were walking towards the city center.
I arrived back at the SFR store for help with loading my phone value but there was a long line outside the store (it was a Saturday afternoon). Not wanting to wait, I headed to the Free Mobile store which is near the original SFR mall store (7-8 blocks away), to see if they could help reload my phone.
On the way there I’m hearing music and drums near the city center and noticed people gathering.
Arriving at the Free Mobile store the nice people tell me that my phone itself is not working for some reason, so I can’t add the data package. BUT, finally, some good news, while there I found out they have a great no-contract package. Unlimited voice, internet, and a huge amount of data for 20 Eu/month, PLUS I can make unlimited calls to the US. Sweet deal. But there is one catch. To port over my current SFR number, I need to have my phone working. So back to SFR (7-8 blocks away), to fix my phone.
Now I notice that the city center is getting noisy and some sort of protest is beginning. That explains the police in riot gear. They are all heading in the same direction that I am going so it is a bit crowded in the streets. I duck down a side street to avoid the protesters. The crowd is festive and the police are just trying to control their direction of travel. The crowd and I arrive at the SFR store at the same time. It is quite loud and hard to hear even in the store.
At the SFR store, the people are very helpful. BUT the agent discovers that the problem is not my data but rather my phone is locked.
Apparently, SFR thinks my account is fraudulent. After several fast-paced calls to SFR and serious typing on their computer, he contacts HQ and sends a picture of my passport card to unlock my account. No problem, I’m told just wait a few days and I’ll have phone service again.
Of course without phone service, I can’t take advantage of the Free Mobile offer. And we leave for our next city at the end of next week.
I head back to Free Mobile to confirm the contract details. Of course, the protesters have now changed directions and are now coming toward me as I try to navigate upstream. Luckily there is a family with a stroller heading in the same direction as me so I lock in behind them as they plow ahead and the crowd parts for them (and me).
Making it to the store, Free Mobile confirms the contract detail.
So, we are heading in the right direction, I should get phone service restored in a few days and can switch to a better cell phone plan.
And the protesters? They were a combination of anti covid pass (Pass Sanatire) and anti covid test protesters. It was rather nice to see that citizens went to the streets to have their voices heard even if I don’t support their specific causes. It seems that protests are a regular thing here in France. Loud but peaceful, almost festive.
Montpellier -Friday, September 24, 2021
The Cellphone Dilemma
When we arrived we purchased a pre-paid SIMM (cartes prépayées) for our cell phone. This gives us unlimited Calls and Texts but limits Data. The cost is 10 EU for 30 days.
The problem is I’m not sure what apps are using data on my phone but I used up all my data. I had to recharge it mid-month for an additional 10 EU. BTW- You do this at a Tobacco shop (Tabac).
What I need is a postpaid plan without a contract (forfait sans engagement). The rub here is to get one I need a French bank account. To get a French bank account I need proof of an address. We are using Air BnB one month at a time as we explore where to settle down.
To make things even a bit more complicated the low-cost sister plans offering this service are separate from main cell phone providers which have stores but don’t like to help.
So my mission is to crack the code of the Cell Phone Dilemma and get us a long-term phone number. I’ll keep you posted. In the meantime, I’m available via WhatsApp, Skype, and other VOIP services.
Not a frustration, just a challenge, and a learning experience.
Montpellier -Thursday, September 23, 2021
As I noted earlier Montpellier has some interesting street art. Here are some examples.
Montpellier -Wednesday, September 22, 2021
We are preparing to make the transition to Aix en Provence, our next stop (Sept 30). Will be there for a month.
Trying to juggle how to get there with our bags. Originally booked a train to Marseille and then a train/bus to Aix but gave up on that and reserved a car. Rebecca said it is a good choice as it would have been a hassle with our bags to make train/bus connections.
We have been trying to get to Nimes an old Roman town but a big flood in that area a week ago has precluded that trip. Perhaps later.
Palavas les Flots – Tuesday, September 21, 2021
We started out on a bike trip to find a new beach to explore. We got a bit lost and discovers a quaint fishing village Palavas les Flots, 45 minutes south of Montpellier. Had a great lunch at a canal-facing restaurant – Nexxt. Great dinner for 9.9 EU each
OBSERVATION:
ARCHITECTURE- Port Marianne is a rather newer area of Montpellier. I was struck by the creative architectural designs around the city.
Montpellier – Sunday, September 19, 2021
France had its annual European Heritage Days on Saturday & Sunday
Many places were open for exploring. I visited the Opera House and the Cathedral Saint-Pierre. I climbed to the top of the steeple for a great city view of Montpellier.
Carnon – Saturday, September 18, 2021
Today we hopped on a municipal bike and took a ride to Carnon a nearby seaport. Montpellier has great paved bike paths all over the area. It was a pleasant ride.
Montpellier – Thursday, September 16, 2021
It was a drizzly day but we made it downtown for an early dinner. Later as we returned home, the sun came out and we were greeted with a beautiful double rainbow. The colors were very vivid.
OBSERVATIONS:
FOOD- The food in Montpellier is amazing and very inexpensive. The vegetables from the market and in restaurants taste farm fresh. Tomatoes taste like real tomatoes and even the lettuce is flavorful.
TRANSPORTATION – This is a very easy place to get around. The local Tram cost 1 EU and arrives about every 6 minutes. The trains are also inexpensive and very clean. The bike paths here are amazing and utilized by bikes, electric scooters, and other personal transportation devices.
PEOPLE: So far almost everyone has been very helpful and friendly. Rebecca speaks passing French so that helps but even when I’m by myself I can get by with a bit of Merci and Bonjour (plus Google translate).
Sete – Saturday, September 11, 2021
We took the train to Sete, a nice seaport town about 30 KM south of Montpellier. The cost was 2 EU for each round trip. A fun city to explore.
A highlight was taking the bus to the top of the city hill – Mont Saint Clair- for a great view of the area.
Montpellier -Friday, September 10, 2021
Basically explored the city taking the tram to and from the city center –Place de la Comédie- Montpellier’s central square. We explored various cafes and stores. Also took walks along the many hiking paths. There are many examples of street art in the city.
On Sunday, Sept 5 we got up early and went to a local flea market. The day before I asked the local tourist bureau how to get to the Flea market. They didn’t quite understand as they thought I was asking about a FREE market. I had to use google translate to help out. A rather funny encounter.
Montpellier -Monday, August 30, 2021
Plane from ORY to Montpellier. Our Air BnB host arraigned for Taxi pick up at the airport. We are staying for a month in Port Marianne just outside the city center but easily accessible by tram and walking. We will be staying in Montpellier for 1 month from August 30 to September 30.
We picked Montpellier as a stop as it is a college town in the south of France and has great bike paths. From here we will work our way east across the south coast of France as we explore a place to settle down. It also has good transportation from Paris which was our arrival point.
Paris to Montpellier
Paris- Sunday, August 29, 2021
Feeling better rested so took a long walk along the River Seine to Notre Dame which was wrapped in scaffolding. From there to the Louvre and Tuileries Garden and Avenue des Champs-Élysées to the Arc de Triomphe.
We really felt a part of Paris that day.
Paris-Saturday, August 28, 2021
Walked around exploring our neighborhood Gare de Lyon. Still feeling jet-lagged.
Paris
Paris -Arrived – Friday, August 27, 2021
Direct flight from Chicago to Paris. arrived about an hour late to Paris about 10 AM.
Took a cab to Hotel Palym for a 3 day stay. The desk clerk was very helpful and upgraded us to the top-floor courtyard view. The room was typically smaller but adequate. The hotel was near the train station – Gare de Lyon – a nice neighborhood with many restaurants.
First-day feeling jet-lagged so took a nap.
Went out for dinner (Gemma) that evening and met a nice Parisian guy (Charles) with his father who was visiting him in Paris. Charles spoke perfect English and we had a great time talking with him.
Gare de Lyon station near our hotel
A very memorable night and a delightful introduction to France.
Yes, this post begins here, Read up one post at a time.