Boston: address book

IDENTITY CARD

Formalities : machine-readable passport issued before 26 October 2005 or biometric passport. No visa is required. The ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) form must be completed no later than 72 hours before departure.
Time difference : - 6h.
Area code : + 1; 617 (Boston).
Currency : the dollar (USD). 1 euro = 1.11 USD (June 2016).

GETTING THERE

AER LINGUSIreland's national airline, operates seven flights a week between Paris and Boston, via Dublin. This stopover has a major advantage for business travellers: Dublin is the only European airport with a US customs post. This means you can complete the formalities for entering the United States smoothly, without stress or long queues. And you arrive in Boston refreshed and ready to go, with your only concern being to collect your luggage. Which, if you're travelling on business, will arrive first in any case. But before that, passengers travelling in Business class will have been able to take advantage of the 180-degree reclining seats installed on the airline's latest Airbus A330s. On the ground, Business passengers are also given special attention, with access to the very attractive Aer Lingus lounges in Dublin and Boston and the Icare lounge at Paris CDG. From Paris, the airline offers numerous flights to North America - New York- JFK, Chicago, Orlando, San Francisco, Toronto - with Los Angeles and Newark in the pipeline.

Tel: + 353 1 886 8202 Internet : www.aerlingus.com

AIR FRANCE operates two direct daily flights between Paris and Boston during the summer season, one operated by B777-200 and the other by Airbus A330-200. Both aircraft offer three classes: eco, premium and business. Delta Air Lines, the French airline's partner for services to the United States, also offers a daily flight operated by B767-400 two-class aircraft.

Tel.: 3654 or +33 (0)892 70 26 54 Internet: www.airfrance.com

AMERICAN AIRLINES operates a daily flight between Paris and Boston during the summer season. Internet: www.americanairlines.fr

HOTELS

BATTERY WHARF HOTEL

This delightful establishment has the air of a private residence, blending into the urban landscape of the port district. A member of Leading Hotels of the World, it has just 150 rooms, giving it an intimate feel. And yet, the peace and quiet it exudes does not prevent it from being a superb business hotel, offering some of the best meeting space in town.

3 Battery Wharf - Tel: +1 617 994 9000 or 00800 10 10 11 11 (Leading Hotels of the World) - Internet: www.lhw.com or www.batterywharfhotelboston.com

TAJ BOSTON

Just a stone's throw from Copley Square, the Taj, built in 1927, has the elegance of an august townhouse, with classic luxury, crystal chandeliers, works of art and period furniture. 273 rooms, including 43 suites, and all the ballrooms and boardrooms you need for chic events. A must: afternoon tea in the charmingly British French Room, or Sunday brunch on the rooftop overlooking the Boston Public Garden.

15 Arlington Street - Tel: +1 617 536 5700 - Email : taj.boston@tajhotels.com Internet : taj.tajhotels.com

WESTIN COPLEY PLACE

Ideally located in the heart of Downtown, opposite the famous Public Library, the Westin offers competitive rates. Perched high in a tower, most of its 803 rooms offer beautiful views over the city.

10 Huntington Avenue - Tel: +1 617 262 9600 Email : westincopley@westin.com Internet: www.starwoodhotels.com

THE VERB HOTEL

Staying in the very 50's atmosphere of a former motel brought up to date in 2014, with Acapulco armchairs, pop décor and a rock n' roll atmosphere, is possible in Boston. Business travellers in search of originality shouldn't be frightened by the... slightly disproportionate prices.

1271 Boylston Street - Tel: +1 617 566 4500 - Email : info@theverbhotel.com Internet : www.theverbhotel.com

CHARLES HOTEL

From the Clinton family to the Dalai Lama, not forgetting the celebrities visiting Boston, they all enjoyed the atmosphere of the Charles Hotel. Overlooking Harvard Square, the hotel, a member of Preferred Hotels, cultivates an intellectual and arty spirit with a host of contemporary works of art. In keeping with the times, the Charles also hosts a farmer's market every summer. 295 rooms, including 46 suites.

1 Bennett Street. Cambridge - Tel: +1 617 864 1200 - Internet: www.charleshotel.com or preferredhotels.com

Other major business hotels

LIBERTY HOTEL BOSTON 215 Charles Street - Tel: +1 617 224 4000 - Internet: www.starwoodhotels.com

HYATT REGENCY BOSTON 1 Avenue de Lafayette - Tel: +1 617 912 1234 - Internet: regencyboston.hyatt.com

INTERCONTINENTAL BOSTON 510 Atlantic Avenue - Tel: +1 617 217 5030 - Email : icboston@ihg.com Internet: www.intercontinentalboston.com

THE RITZ-CARLTON BOSTON 10 Avery Street - Tel: +1 617 574 7100 Internet: www.ritzcarlton.com

Budget hotels

ALOFT BOSTON SEAPORT

One of the newest additions to the Boston hotel scene is the Aloft, which opened this winter opposite the Convention Center. Its low-cost design concept makes it a perfect option for travellers when business takes them to... Seaport.

401-403 D Street - Tel: +1 617 530 1600 Internet: www.aloftbostonseaport.com

RESTAURANTS

BAR BOULUD

This restaurant from the Daniel Boulud empire, the French chef who has the whole of America in a frenzy, plays on a chic yet relaxed concept. Open to the street, but adjoining the sublime Mandarin Oriental hotel, it mixes visiting customers with local regulars. Both come to sip extravagant cocktails made with smoked and spiced mezcal, or to sample some very French traditions such as gougères or coq au vin. For the French business traveller, this table is a true embassy. But that doesn't mean it can't be creative: mussel tajine, haddock fish & chips, scallops with orange and almonds, spaghetti with lemon and clams... Straight from the sea to the plate.

At Mandarin Oriental Boston, 776 Boylston Street - Tel: +1 617 535 8800 Internet: www.barboulud.com/boston/

BAMBARA

By far the best lobster rolls in Boston, the famous lobster sandwiches are served here in miniature, melting in the mouth, on delicious brioche buns. The same goes for crabcakes, another great local speciality. Everything is accompanied by inventive cocktails, such as the Basil Fen, made with basil, lemon and prosecco, or the Tea Party, with gin and Earl Grey tea. The completely refurbished setting features beautiful graphic interpretations of Harvard Square and MIT. At this Marlowe hotel restaurant, gluten-allergy sufferers can enjoy a number of dishes prepared especially for them.

25 Edwin H. Land Blvd, Cambridge. Tel: +1 617 868 4444 - Internet: www.bambara-cambridge.com or www.hotelmarlowe.com

CATALYST

The hip atmosphere of this 'farm to table' eatery delights Cambridge's intelligentsia, who come here to get their fill of completely organic food. On the menu, American cuisine revisited with a focus on scallops, foie gras and heirloom vegetables.

300 Technology Square, Cambridge. Tel: +1 617 576 3000 Email: info@catalystrestaurant.com Internet : www.catalystrestaurant.com

ROW 34

This recently opened gastro-pub has a very New York feel, with oysters and lobsters caught in the morning. Business customers in search of good seafood flock here. There's no fuss here: the iodised dishes are accompanied by a good pint of beer straight from the region's microbreweries. 383 Congress Street - Tel: +1 617 553 5900 - Internet: row34.com

TORO

In the up-and-coming South End district, which is bursting with trendy addresses - Oiishi or Myers + Chang for the Asian, B&G Oysters or Mike's City Diner for the local - Toro plays the Hispanic card with tapas made by chefs Ken Oringer and Jamie Bissonnette.

1704 Washington St. - Tel: +1 617 536 4300 - Internet : www.toro-restaurant.com

INFORMATION

MASSACHUSETTS TOURISM OFFICE Tel: 01 44 77 88 06 - Email: bostonusa@ecltd.com - Internet: www.visitmass.fr

BUSINESS FRANCE BOSTON 50 Milk street - 16th floor Tel: +1 617 398 2416 Email : boston@businessfrance.fr Internet: www.businessfrance.fr

FRENCH-AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 185 Alewife Brook Pkwy #413, Cambridge - Tel: +1 617 520 2121 Email : contact@faccne.org Internet : www.faccne.org

GREATER BOSTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 265 Franklin Street, 12th Floor Tel: +1 617 227 4500 Email : jsullivan@bostonchamber.com Internet : bostonchamber.com

CONFERENCE CENTRES

MASSACHUSETTS CONVENTION CENTER AUTHORITY 415 Summer Street - Tel: +1 617 954 2000 - Email : info@massconvention.com - Internet : massconvention.com

COWORKING

DISTRICT HALL 75 Northern Avenue. Tel: +1 617 982 3213 Internet: www.innovationdistrict.org

CIC CAMBRIDGE One Broadway, 14th floor. Cambridge. Tel: +1 617 758 4100 - Internet: cic.us

PRACTICAL GUIDES

BOSTON CARTOVILLE, Gallimard (2015). BOSTON in a few days, Lonely Planet (2015). UNITED STATES East and South Coast, Guides Bleus Hachette (2013). BOSTON, Wallpaper, Phaïdon City Guide (2013).

EDWARD M. KENNEDY INSTITUTE For The United States Senate

Opened in March 2015 and created at the request of Edward Kennedy, JFK's brother, this centre dedicated to democracy houses an identical replica of the US Senate. The aim is to educate young and old alike about the workings of American institutions through interactive tours. In order to stimulate civic involvement, debates "just like in the Senate" allow everyone to have their say on a current bill, immigration reform or healthcare, for example. In this presidential campaign period, the progress of each party and candidate is recorded daily on a dedicated wall. Fans of House of Cards or, for the older generation, Mr Smith in the Senate will be in heaven.

210 Morrissey Boulevard - Columbia Point, Boston - Tel: +1 617 740 7000 Email : info@emkinstitute.org - Internet : www.emkinstitute.org