Identity card
Area code : +1 (United States) 312 (Chicago)
Time difference : - 7 hours
How to get there
United AirLines
The American carrier, based in Chicago, offers a daily flight from Paris CDG 1 in a Boeing 767-300 equipped with three classes. The airline also offers a daily flight (except Wednesdays) from Brussels. United also has a "Economy PlusThis offer will be extended to Continental aircraft in 2012. First Class is similar to a mini-suite, while the new Business Class is equipped with sleeper seats with an integrated power socket and large video screen. www.united.com
American AirLines
The airline has a hub in Chicago and operates daily flights from Paris CDG 2 and Brussels using Boeing 767-300s in a three-class configuration. www.americanairlines.fr
Air France
The airline offers a daily flight from Paris CDG 2 to Chicago O'Hare in an Airbus A340-300 with four flight classes, including Economy Premium. www.airfrance.fr
Conference centres
MC Cormick Place Chicago
It is the largest exhibition centre in the United States, with three million visitors a year. It also includes a convention centre. 2301 South Lake Shore Drive
Tel: +1 312 791 7000
Fax : +1 312 791 6543
E-mail : mcpgenlinfo@mpea.com
Internet : www.mccormickplace.com
Chicago Convention Bureau
2301 South Lake Shore Drive
Tel: +1 312 567 8500
E-mail : services@choosechicago.com
Internet : www.choosechicago.com
Hotels
Park Hyatt Chicago
Most of the 198 rooms at this business hotel offer superb views of the city. Located in the heart of opulent North Michigan Avenue, the Park Hyatt is distinguished by its personalised and discreet service. French newspapers are available on request. A lobby bar offers complimentary coffee and fruit juices, as well as free WiFi access for one day. NoMi, its restaurant, is one of Chicago's most renowned. The Park Hyatt is also ideal for conferences, with 500 m2 of meeting rooms and spaces.
800 North Michigan Avenue
Tel: +1 312 335 1234
Fax : +1 312 239 4000
E-mail : communications.chiph@hyatt.com
Internet : www.parkchicago.hyatt.com
Sofitel Chicago Water Tower
On a quiet street in the Gold Coast district, but only a few metres from the hustle and bustle of North Michigan, the Sofitel is the ambassador of savoir-vivre. "French style. Designer Pierre-Yves Rochon worked on the Sofitel, creating a contemporary style. The grand staircase in the reception hall is one of the most spectacular. Monumental and studded with stars, it immediately gives an air of Holywoodian stardom to the young couples who come to be photographed there. The Sofitel Chicago Water Tower offers 415 rooms and 33 suites, a bar and the Café des Architectes, a French restaurant. 20 East Chestnut Street
Tel: +1 312 324 40 00
Fax : +1 312 324 4026
E-mail : sofitel.chicagowatertower@sofitel.com
Internet : www.sofitel.com
Other business hotels
Kimpton Palomar - 505 North State Street
Tel: +1 312 755 9703
Fax : +1 312 755 9713
Internet : www.hotelpalomar-chicago.com
Palmer House Hilton - 17 East Monroe Street
Tel: +1 312 726 7500
Fax : +1 312 917 1707
Internet : www.hiltonhotels.com/fr_FR
Swissotel Chicago - 323 East Wacker Drive
Tel: +1 312 565 0565
Fax : +1 312 565 0540
Internet : www.swissotelchicago.com
Westin Chicago River North - 320 North Dearborn Street
Tel: +1 312 744 1900
Fax : +1 312 527 2650
Internet : www.starwoodhotels.com
The Wit - 201 North State Street
Tel: +1 312 467 0200
Fax : +1 312 239 9422
Internet : www.thewithotel.com
Sustainable development hotel
Felix
Four-star boutique hotel designed according to "green" criteria. The Felix Hotel boasts the distinction of being the first in Chicago to obtain the LEED environmental standard. But that doesn't stop it from being as comfortable as it is refined!
111 West Huron Street
Phone: +1 312 447 3440
Fax: +1 312 447 3441
Internet: www.hotelfelixchicago.com
Budget hotels
Red Roof INN
Historic building just metres from the Magnificent Mile. Rooms are equipped with flat-screen TVs, air conditioning and free WiFi access.
162 East Ontario Street
Tel: +1 312 787 3580
Internet : www.redroof.com
Days INN Chicago
On the shores of Lake Michigan, this hotel has won awards for the quality of its service. 133 functional rooms, WiFi access and breakfast included in the room rate.
644 West Diversey Parkway
Tel: +1 773 525 7010
Fax : +1 773 525 6998
Internet : www.daysinnchicago.net
Lifestyle
Gold Coast Guest House B&B
Just a few minutes from North Michigan Avenue, the Gold Coast Guest House offers a warm, family atmosphere, with cosy rooms, a self-service kitchen and a lounge opening onto a private garden. WiFi access, fax and printer: everything you need for a business trip off the beaten track. For a rate of 30% to 40 % less expensive than a four-star hotel.
113 West Elm Street
Tel: + 1 312 337 0361
Internet : www.bbchicago.com
Restaurants
Adobo Grill
An authentic Mexican bistro-restaurant in Old Town, just a few minutes' drive from the centre of Chicago. Colourful atmosphere and a bar renowned for its cocktails and margaritas. Excellent fish and marinated meat specialities. The must at Adobo Grill: guacamole prepared to order in front of the diners by expert waiters who don't hesitate to offer their advice on choosing the best dishes...
1610 North Wells Street
Tel: +1 312 266 79 99
Internet : www.adobogrill.com
Bistronomic
Homesick for France after two or three days of American culinary experiences? Just a stone's throw from the Sofitel, Bistronomic is a friendly restaurant whose reputation has already spread far beyond the confines of the district. It serves French cuisine, "but light" as Martial Noguier, its young head chef, likes to emphasise...
840 North Wabash Street
Tel: +1 312 944 84 00
Internet : www.bistronomic.net
Shanghai Terrace
One of Chicago's best-known Chinese restaurants with a summer patio overlooking North Michigan. Located on the grounds of the Peninsula Hotel.
108 East Superior Street
Tel: +1 312 573 6618
Internet : www.peninsula.com
Lunch on the go
Two practical addresses for a break at low prices...
French Market
Near Union Street Station, you can sample French, Belgian or Indochinese specialities with Piaf or Mike Brant playing in the background...
Cafeteria, Museum of Contemporary Art
A few minutes from North Michigan Avenue, a cafeteria where the sandwiches, salads and pizzas have been created by Wolfgang Puck, one of the great American chefs. It's slightly more expensive than a traditional cafeteria, but you can't put a price on fame!
Practical guides
Chicago, Ulysse (2010) One of the few guides published in French and devoted exclusively to the Illinois metropolis. Packed with information on the city, with a very detailed practical section on hotels and restaurants.
Chicago Cartoville, Gallimard (2010) The reputation of this pocket-sized guide is well established. Its strong point: folding maps, classified according to Chicago's districts or surrounding areas.
Chicago and the Great Lakes, Petit Futé (2008) Always the practical side of the Petit Futé guides. This guide can also be downloaded from the web. A new edition is planned for the end of the year.
Discovering architecture
Chicago Architecture Foundation A relief map of the city's evolution; a comprehensive bookshop; and, above all, the opportunity to take guided tours to discover Chicago's architectural treasures. The foundation organises 85 themed tours, the most popular of which focus on historic buildings and contemporary architecture.
Another favourite route is the boat trip along the Chicago River. 224 South Michigan Avenue
Tel: +1 312 922 3432
Internet : www.architecture.org
Travellers will also find great views of the city from the top of the John Hancock Observatory (875 North Michigan Avenue; www.hancockobservatory.com), in the tower of the same name, and from the top of the Skydeck of the Willis Tower (233 South Wacker Drive; www.theskydeck.com). Beware: it can be a long wait for either of you.
Information
UBI France-Mission Economique Chicago > 205 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 3750
Tel: +1 312 327 5250
Fax : +1 312 327 5251
Internet : www.ubifrance.com
Consulate General of France in Chicago > 205 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 3710
Tel: +1 312 327 5200
Fax : +1 312 327 5201
E-mail : contact@consulfrance-chicago.org
Internet : www.consulfrance-chicago.org
French-American Chamber of Commerce in Chicago > 35 East Wacker Drive, Suite 670
Tel: +1 312 578 0444
E-mail : information@facc-chicago.com
Internet : www.facc-chicago.com
World Business Chicago > 177 North State Street, Suite 500
Tel: +1 312 553 0500
E-mail : wbc@worldbusinesschicago.com
Internet : www.worldbusinesschicago.com
Chicago Office of Tourism > 77 East Randolph Street, inside the Chicago Cultural Centre. A second information centre is also open to the public on North Michigan Avenue, Water Works.
Tel: +1 877 244 2246
E-mail : info@chicagoofficeoftourism.org
Internet : www.explorechicago.org
