How to get there
Only Eva Air offers a direct service between Taipei and Paris CDG, with three frequencies a week. The flight is operated by Boeing 777-300 with a three-class product, including a luxury business class and a premium economy class. Other routes are available with Air France-KLM via Amsterdam (daily flight), or via Hong Kong with Cathay Pacific. China Airlines' entry into SkyTeam in 2012 should result in additional flights to Paris.
For further information Eva Air: Tel: 01 41 43 91 11 (Paris) - +886 2 2501 1999 (Taipei) Internet: www.evaair.com
Getting to the city centre
Taoyun airport is relatively far from the city centre, at 40km and 45 minutes by car. A taxi ride costs NT$ 900 (€22) and a limousine ride around NT$ 1,500 (€36). A bus shuttles you to the city centre (Taipei Main Station) for NT$ 145 (€3.60).
Practical information
Time difference: +6 hours compared with Paris
Local currency: 1 euro = 41 NT$
Hotels
Business hotels around Taipei 101 Tower
W Hotel
Opened last February, it is the latest luxury hotel in the Taiwanese capital, and certainly the trendiest of the moment. Its minimalist glass and steel façade is set against an interior décor where resolutely contemporary furnishings play with bright colours, whether in accessories or works of art. Pure design in the rooms, with their large picture windows, as well as in the meeting rooms and restaurants. The young staff look straight out of a fashion magazine and are particularly helpful. 10 Zhongxiao East Road, Section 5, Xinyi District
Tel: +886 2 7703 8888
Internet : www.wtaipei.com
Le Meridien Taipei
Chic, minimalist and active in promoting contemporary art: that's how Le Méridien Taipei presents itself. People come here to admire one of the most fantastic collections in Taiwan, with some 700 works on display in public spaces. In just a few months, Le Méridien has also won over its guests with an exceptional culinary offering. Its Latest Recipe restaurant has a reputation for offering one of the best buffets in the city. It is compulsory to reserve a table if you are not a resident of the hotel. The tasting area "ChocoArt offers an infinite range of its own chocolates... 38 SongRen Road, Xinyi District
Tel: +886 2 6622 8000
Internet : www.lemeridien-taipei.com
Grand Hyatt Taipei
A more traditional-looking hotel, the Grand Hyatt Taipei is the most convenient for business people attending conferences at the adjacent World Trade Center. With a large ballroom that can accommodate 1,200 delegates, the hotel is ideal for MICE organisers. Its restaurants are renowned, notably Pearl Liang, popular for its Chinese seafood specialities. 2, Song Shou Road, Xinyi District
Tel: +886 2 2720 1234
Internet : taipei.grand.hyatt.com
Regent Taipei City Centre
The quintessential five-star hotel in Taiwan's capital: classically designed, it is the essential meeting place for Taipei's diplomatic, political and business communities. Discreet service, huge, comfortable rooms and top-class cuisine have made the reputation of this luxury hotel, opened in 1990 and located in one of the city's most upmarket districts. A hotel within a hotel, the Tai Pan Residence & Club offers business travellers a dedicated 24-hour butler service, a private lounge and many other benefits such as à la carte check-out. 41 Chung Shan North Road, Section 2
Tel: +886 2 2523 8000
Internet : www.regenthotels.com/regent-taipei or www.grandformosa. com.tw
Hotel Royal Taipei (Nikko)
A beautiful business hotel with a Japanese elegance, the Hotel Royal is located in the luxury shopping district in the city centre. The Nakayama restaurant is reputed to be one of the best in Taipei for its classic Japanese cuisine. 37-1 Chung Shan North Road, Section 2 Tel: +886 2 2542 3266 Internet: www.royal-taipei.com.tw
Historic Hotels
Grand Hotel Taipei
It's hard to imagine a more emblematic hotel than the Imperial Palace, the pride and joy of historic leader Chiang Kaichek, set against Yuanshan Mountain. Opened in 1973, the hotel was completely renovated in 1998 following a fire. This luxury hotel is slightly out of the way from the business districts, but is very close to the National Museum. No.1, Zhongshan North Road, Section 4, Zhongshan District
Tel: +886 2 2886 8888
Internet : www.grand-hotel.org
Budget Hotels
Just Sleep Ximen Ding
A very contemporary hotel offering excellent value for money. 150 rooms equipped with free WiFi, and also... Japanese-style automatic toilets! The Ximen Ding establishment is just a few minutes from one of Taipei's liveliest districts, with a myriad of restaurants, bars and shops... 41 Chung Hua Road, Section 1, Ximen Ding District
Tel: +886 2 2370 9000
Internet : www.justsleep.com.tw
The Tango Hotel
It's certainly a far cry from the sensual atmosphere of the tango for this other moderately priced business hotel, with its minimalist design. But its very comfortable rooms include internet access, a hi-fi system and a microwave oven. 3, Nanjing West Road, Nanshi District
Tel: +886 2 2562 6777
Internet : www.tango-hotels.com
Restaurants
Taipei is a gastronomic paradise, with the city proudly claiming its great Chinese culinary tradition. So you can feast on all the flavours of China. The Taiwanese are devoted to the art of the table, and the restaurants are often full. So make sure you book ahead!
1010 Restaurant
A spicy, tangy cuisine from Hunan province. 1010 has six restaurants in Taipei, including the one in Eslite Bookstore, adjacent to W Taipei. 11 Songgao Road, 6th floor
Tel: +866 2 2722 0583
Internet : www.1010restaurant.com
Shin Yeh 101
Fancy a taste of what real Taiwanese gastronomy is all about? The Shin Yeh chain has perched one of its branches on the 85th floor of the Taipei 101 tower. It's an opportunity to sample excellent local cuisine while admiring the skyline surrounding Taipei. 7 Xinyi Road, 85th floor Taipei 101
Tel: +886 2 8101 0185.
Silks Palace
For a lunch break in an elegant setting near the National Museum. Silks Palace serves traditional Cantonese cuisine and an imperial menu inspired by the museum's treasures. Certain rooms can also be reserved for private use. 221 Chih Shan Road. Sec. 2
Tel: +886 2 2882 9393
Internet : www.silkspalace.com.tw
Max Bordeaux Wine Gallery
He's Norwegian, she's Singaporean, and last year they opened their own business in Bordeaux. "wine gallery for an à la carte tasting of great Bordeaux wines (you pay for your glass with an electronic card!). The Regent Hotel in Taipei is the second location worldwide for this original bar. 41 Chung Shan N. Road, Section 2
Tel: +886 2 2523 8000
Internet : www.regenthotels.com/regent-taipei
Woo Bar
Adjacent to Kitchen Table, the restaurant on the 10th floor of the W Taipei, this bar has become one of the hottest spots in trendy Taipei. There is an in-house DJ and you can enjoy cocktails, wine and grilled meats by the pool. 10 Zhongxiao East Road, Section 5
Tel: +886 2 7703 8888
Internet : www.wtaipei.com
Design
Taipei is emerging as a new Asian design centre.
Kiss, Kiss -Studies in Paris convinced the pretty Anju to open her own "Concept Store near the SPOT cinema. And they speak French! Zhong Shan North Road, Lane 20
Tel: +886 911 875 033
Eslite Bookstore - Agnès B. is known in Taipei as much for its clothes as for its croissants. You can discover her café in this bookshop, which houses a myriad of other design and fashion boutiques, as well as an art gallery. 11 Songgao Road
Tel: +886 2 8789 3388
Internet : www.eslitebooks.com
Taiwan Design Gallery - Conveniently located in the Nanggang Exhibition Hall, this gallery showcases the creations of local designers. Discounts for visitors with badges. 1 Jingmao 2nd Road
Tel: +886 2 2725 5200
Internet : www.twtcnangang.com.tw
Services
- Business centres - Regus offers two business centres in the Xinyi District, around the Taipei 101 tower. Taipei Manhattan: Shin Kong Manhattan Building. 14F, Section 5, No.8 Xin Yi Road - Tel: +886 2 8758 2222 - www.regus.com
- Exhibition centres - Nangang International Exhibition Center (TWTC Nangang). A high-tech, environmentally-friendly structure served by two metro lines. 1 Jingmao 2nd Road - Tel: + 886 2 2725 5200 - www.twtcnangang.com.tw Taipei International Convention Center. Between the Grand Hyatt and Taipei 101 Tower, the main conference centre in the heart of the city. 1 Hsin Yi Road - Tel: +886 2 2725 5200 www.ticc.com.tw
- Car rental with driver - TaipeiCarService.com for luxury car rental Tel: + 867 55 2595 1800 (in Shenzhen, China) - www.taipeicarservice.com
- Traditional Chinese medicine - In Taoyuan, halfway between the airport and the city centre, the Chang Gung Memorial Hospital offers check-ups and massages using traditional Chinese techniques. 123 Dinhu Road - Tel: +866-3-319 6200 ext. 2555 - www.cgmh.org.tw
Economic news
- French Office in Taipei - 205 Tun Hwa North Road (10th and 14th floors), Taipei 105
Tel: +886-2-3518 5151
Internet : www.fi-taipei.org
- Ubifrance Economic Mission in Taipei - International Trade Building - Room 1008 - 10th floor - 333 Keelung Road, Section 1
Tel: +886-2- 2757 7080
E-mail : taipei@ubifrance.fr
- Taipei Representative Office in France - 78, rue de l'Université 75007 Paris
Tel: 01 44 39 88 43
Internet : www.taiwanembassy.org
- Taitra - Taïwan Trade Center Paris - 75 bis, avenue Marceau 75116 Paris
Tel: 01 56 89 53 00
Internet : www.taitra.org.tw
