The Rugby World Cup 2007 officially started last Friday with a major upset- Argentina won France 17 to 12 at the Stade de France. The streets of the Marais were quiet, but bars and restaurants were packed with people anxiously holding on to their seats and glasses of red wine only to be disappointed by the end result.

The city is bustling with events planned for the Rugby World Cup 2007. Many of them are food related including a cookbook “Hors Jeu” (off side) with recipes form rugby loving countries, restaurants offering rugby inspired menus, and even my favorite local chocolate shop, Vannier, has a chocolate oval box with a rugby ball on top.

The most visible celebration is at he Eiffel Tower, where a giant inflatable rugby ball hangs between the second and third tier.

You don’t have to be a rugby fan to appreciate the players. One of the most eagerly awaited events is the Thursday launch of 2008 "Dieux du Stade" calendar, which features steamy nude & semi nude photos of the hottest rugby players.

Culturally, The Festival Ovale in St. Denis has 30 free concerts featuring performing artists from the countries that are participating in the games.

Koomurri Aboriginal Dancers at Festival Ovale

Twenty teams from around the world will be competing and over 2 million tickets will be sold for venues all over France. Security will be tight with force of 38,000 police, firemen, and soldiers watching over the festivities.

I had a funny rugby moment as I watched 7 cheering fans from Wales in full gear try and negotiate getting into one taxi in front of the Bastille.

World Rugby Cup 2007
September 8th to October 20th
Official site http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/

I am pleased as punch to announce the launch of Eye Prefer Paris Tours, which are 3-hour walking tours I will personally be leading. The Eye Prefer Paris Tour
includes many of the places I have written about such as small museums & galleries, restaurants, cafes & food markets, secret addresses, fashion & home boutiques, parks, and much more.

I look forward to meeting you on my tours and it will be my pleasure and delight to show you my insiders Paris.

Check it out at www.eyepreferparistours.com