Anyone aiming to better understand the long and complex history of the French capital would do well to pay a visit to the Musée Carnavalet […]
In Focus: The Musée Carnavalet, a Free Paris Museum Dedicated to the City’s History
History of Paris
The Rebirth of La Samaritaine, an Iconic Parisian Department Store
When news hit in 2005 that one of Paris’ historic department stores was being shuttered, locals reacted with understandable sadness and dismay. After all, since […]
Inside the Wine Museum in Paris (Musée du Vin)
Aside from the humble baguette, there is perhaps no other staple more common in French homes than the bottle of wine. Parisians have the luxury […]
Wandering Paris’ Saint-Germain-des-Prés: What to See & Do?
Put on your Sunday best and head over to Saint-Germain-des-Prés, an upscale Parisian neighborhood with centuries-old literary, revolutionary and artistic roots. Situated on the left […]
Fluctuat Nec Mergitur: Why is it Paris’ Motto, and What Does it Mean?
If you follow Parisian cultural trends with any regularity, you’ve probably seen locals reference the Latin expression “Fluctuat nec mergitur” as the city’s motto. But […]
Parisian Legends: Interview with Patrick Roger, France’s Own Willy Wonka
I’ve pulled up an interview from my archives: a conversation with one of France’s celebrated chocolate-makers. It was originally published on About.com Paris Travel in […]
Inside L’Officine Universelle Buly, a 19th-Century-Style Paris Apothecary
I’ve always been a bit skeptical of the apothecary trend. It’s generally struck me as a marketing ploy to raise the perceived value or originality […]
6 Inspiring Urban Farms & Community Gardens to Explore in Paris Now
Paris has a lot going for it, but if there’s one thing lacking, it’s space. The need to squeeze, adjust and think creatively not only […]
How to Enjoy Paris Gay Pride (Marche des Fiertés LGBT+) in 2020?
Summer in the French capital necessarily means festivals and music filling the streets, the long days seeming to stretch out even further amid the joyful […]
Montparnasse Cemetery in Paris: Walking Paths & Famous Graves
Opened in 1824, Montparnasse Cemetery sits on a site that was once occupied by three farms, in what was then a rural, sleepy corner of […]
Seeking Belle-Epoque Paris in the Grands Boulevards District: My Full Guide
Orientation and Transport Getting There: Metro: Richelieu Drouot, Grands Boulevards, Bonne Nouvelle, Opéra or Havre-Caumartin (lines 3, 7, 8, 9) A Bit of Neighborhood History Read […]
After the Fire: A Short History of Notre-Dame Cathedral’s Disasters & Rebirths
Like most people, I felt a lump rising in my throat when I saw images of Notre-Dame Cathedral lapped with flames and choked by smoke […]
In Focus: Paris’ Palais Royal, a Haven From the Crowds
It may be just a few hundred feet away from the Louvre, the buzzing epicenter of tourism in the French capital. It may house a […]
Academie de la Grande Chaumière: The Paris Art Studio Favored by Modigliani, Miró and Lempicka
On a quiet side street in Montparnasse that seems worlds apart from the frenetic Boulevards and terraced cafes just feet away, there’s a typically Belle-Epoque […]
Inside La Coupole, a Montparnasse Brasserie Haunted With Artistic History
Referring to the legendary Parisian brasserie on Boulevard de Montparnasse, French historian Georges Viaud once remarked: “If the tables [here] could talk, they would […]
A Short History of French Macarons, From Saint-Emilion to Paris
On a recent trip to the fortified medieval town of Saint-Emilion, my partner and I stayed in a lovely B&B plunged in the middle of […]
Inside Lapérouse, a Romantic Paris Restaurant With History Galore
First opened in 1766 as “La Maison Lapérouse”, this distinguished restaurant and bar situated smack on the banks of the Seine is a favorite spot for […]
Medieval Paris: A Self-Guided Tour of 5 Intriguing Places
During the 19th century, the Baron Georges-Eugène Haussmann gutted much of what had been medieval Paris-– forging the iconic skyline and enormous, grandiose boulevards we […]
Seeking Edith Piaf in Paris? Visit These 4 Places
Affectionately dubbed “the little sparrow” and “la môme” (the kid) in France, Edith Piaf is a musical legend who has (rather surprisingly?) resonated with successive […]
The Oldest House in Paris Was Built by Famous *Alchemist* Nicolas Flamel
The modest medieval house located at 51, Rue de Montmorency in Paris is off-radar for most tourists. Yet for a niche set of visitors with […]
