Especially since I became a dual Franco-American citizen, I’ve been fascinated by the “dialogic” nature of the American and French Revolutions. By that, I mean […]
The American Revolution in France: Key Sites to Visit in Paris
History of Paris
The Tour Saint-Jacques: An Enigmatic Treasure in Central Paris
During my early years living in Paris, I passed a nondescript construction site in the city center on a semi-daily basis. Clad with scaffolding and […]
Why to Visit the Victor Hugo House and Museum in Paris
Victor Hugo is a French writer whose presence continues to loom large in the city he called home for much of his life. Best known […]
Most Beautiful Restaurants in Paris: Stunning Dining Rooms
Recent trends in the restaurant world have tended to de-emphasize the importance of the dining room from an aesthetic point of view– or at least […]
Why to Visit Drancy, one of France’s Most Important Shoah Memorial Sites
In March of 2020, I made a short trip from Paris that was a long time coming. I boarded a train, then a bus, to […]
The History of Bastille Day (and a Few Weird Facts)
On July 14th, Paris will once again celebrate Bastille Day, or the Fête Nationale (National Holiday) with all the pomp, circumstance and vibrancy we’ve come […]
The Forgotten History of Paris’ Wine Market (Halle aux Vins) & Warehouses
The area around the Quai St-Bernard at the edge of Paris’ Latin Quarter is strikingly contemporary– in contrast to most of the 5th arrondissement, where […]
Inside Le Train Bleu, One of Paris’ Most Beautiful Brasseries
During the heyday of train travel in the late nineteenth to early-twentieth centuries, rail stations in major cities were places where wealthy travelers showed off […]
An Elegant Paris Building (With a Dark History of Nazi Collaboration)
On the Place des Petits Pères in central Paris, a sense of calm abounds these days. The Basilique Notre-Dame-des-Victoires church graces the square, and the […]
10 Famous French Quotes, Followed by a Quiz: Who Said It?
While the art of the witty quotation is often attributed to English-speaking writers and thinkers– from Wilde to Swift– comparable quips in French tend to […]
5 French Paintings that Depict Paris (& Transport You There)
My partner and I recently framed and hung a new print to liven up a blank wall in our house: an enigmatic painting from Marc […]
A Short History of Quarantines in Europe and France
The early spring of 2020 will no doubt take up some space in the history books. It marks a moment that was unprecedented in contemporary […]
Seeking Josephine Baker in Paris: A Bit of History & Places to Visit
When most people think of Josephine Baker, they imagine her dancing in some glamorous Paris venue at the height of the jazz age. While this […]
Inside the Musée Carnavalet, a Museum Dedicated to Paris History
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 […]
La Samaritaine, an Iconic Parisian Department Store, is Reborn
When news hit in 2005 that one of Paris’ historic department stores was closing down, locals reacted with understandable sadness and dismay. After all, since […]
Inside the Paris Wine Museum (M. 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 […]
Exploring Paris’ Saint-Germain-des-Prés: What to Do?
Many tourists stumble on Saint-Germain-des-Prés, an upscale Parisian neighborhood with centuries-old literary, revolutionary and artistic roots, while thinking they’re still in the adjoining Latin Quarter. […]
Fluctuat Nec Mergitur: Why is it Paris’ Motto, and What Does it Mean?
If you follow Parisian cultural trends on a regular basis, you’ve probably seen locals reference the Latin expression “Fluctuat nec mergitur” as the city’s motto. […]
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 […]
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 […]
