Celebrated every July 14th with much pomp, circumstance, good cheer and fun, Bastille Day in Paris is an occasion marking France’s “Fête Nationale”, or National […]
When to Go
French Christmas Traditions to Enjoy This Year, Abroad or at Home
While many French Christmas traditions are ones that are shared by cultures elsewhere in Europe or even globally, some are a bit more distinctive. From […]
Paris in the Summer: What to Do When the City is (Almost) All Yours
There’s something slightly surreal about Paris in the summer months. It’s not only that the days feel impossibly long, then almost seamlessly stretch into (often […]
Christmas in Paris: Magical & Festive Things to Do in 2023
Christmas in Paris can be genuinely magical. From mid-November onward, the capital transforms into a wintery landscape: one festooned with dazzling lights that twinkle nonstop, […]
How (& Where) to Enjoy Beaujolais Nouveau Wine Tastings in Paris
The French may not celebrate Thanksgiving, but on the third Thursday of November they find something of their own to be thankful for: wine. To be […]
Paris in the Fall: Invigorating, Poetic and Dynamic
I’ll be up-front about something: I prefer Paris in the fall. For one thing, there’s just something about sparkling autumnal light hitting the Seine at […]
Nuit Blanche, a Paris Arts Festival for Night Owls
First celebrated in 2002, Nuit Blanche is an arts and culture event in Paris that’s ideal for the nocturnally inclined– and entirely free. Translating as […]
4 Paris Jazz Festivals to Mark in Your Calendar Now
Paris is legendary for its longstanding jazz scene, rivaling New Orleans’ and New York’s at certains points in history. While the golden era of Dizzy […]
Where to Taste Some of the Best Ice Cream & Gelato in Paris?
A small confession: I’m not someone you can really trust with a pint of ice cream left in the freezer. If it’s there, it’s pretty […]
How to Enjoy Paris Gay Pride (Marche des Fiertés LGBT+) in 2023?
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 […]
The Palais Royal in Paris: 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 […]
Belleville Artists’ Open Studios: Get a Glimpse of Local Creation
Every year in late spring (this year in October), over 200 artists working in Paris’ northeastern Belleville neighborhood open their studios for a few days to the […]
Paris Boat Tours & Cruises: Are They Worth Your Time?
Most “top attractions” lists for the French capital, including our own, suggest a Paris boat tour of the Seine or other waterways in the capital. […]
The Best Places for Picnics in Paris, From Parks to Riverbanks
Like they do with pretty much everything else, Parisians make a true art of the spring or summer picnic. It’s not just a quick meal […]
Paris Loves Vinyl: The Coveted Collectors’ Event Returns in January
Do you routinely lament the poor sound quality of MP3s and other digital music formats, as your spouse or friends groan at your predictable rant? […]
The Best Places for Afternoon Tea in Paris: Our Picks
While I’m more of a coffee lover than a tea person, the winter season in the capital demands an extra jolt of coziness. Once or […]
Illuminated Species: An Enchanting Ode to Biodiversity at the Jardin des Plantes
Following the runaway success of the Klimt show at the Atelier des Lumières, the Jardin des Plantes in Paris is hosting its own light-centric exhibit […]
Paris in November: Why to Embrace the Short, Cozy Days
Many tourists don’t even consider visiting Paris in November, fearing they’ll be “regaled” with icy rain, miserably dark days and grumpy, sleepy locals. But while […]
Paris in October: Crisp, Contemplative & Stimulating
Autumn in the French capital has always been one of my favorite times of year– especially at the beginning of the season, before the days […]
Visiting Paris in September: A Welcome Return After the Lull
Most locals recognize Paris in September as the true new year. Following a long summer hiatus, residents return home from vacation and get back to […]