While most tourists with a taste for gourmet experiences come to Paris to try French food, a few know that the city harbors its fair share of excellent Japanese restaurants, grocers and casual […]
Paris neighbourhoods
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 what does it mean– and where does it […]
8 Reasons to Love the Centre Georges Pompidou in Paris
More than a museum, it’s a cultural touchstone Few places in Paris carry the sort of sentimental weight that the Centre Georges Pompidou does for me. When I was a student, I spent […]
Exploring the Gambetta-Ménilmontant Neighborhood in Paris, from Shops to Nightlife
For a taste of Paris far from the madding crowd and the done-to-death tourist track, head over to the Gambetta- Ménilmontant neighborhood. Tucked in a little-trampled stretch of the northeast that’s roughly adjacent […]
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 applies to living space but to agriculture too. […]
In Review: The Ice Kube Bar in Paris (Gimmick or Intriguing Night Out?)
Featuring Siberian temperatures, surreal bunker-like surroundings that might remind you of Superman’s icy lair, and a jetset-aspiring clientele, the Ice Kube bar at Paris’ Kube Hotel claims to offer a singular nightlife experience. […]
In Review: Breizh Café & Cider Bar, for Creative Cocktails & Bréton Nibbles
Bréton-style savory pancakes and cocktails: if the combination sounds a bit odd, that’s because it is. But as I recently discovered, it can also be an eye-opening and delicious one. At the Breizh […]
A Stroll Through Montparnasse Cemetery in Paris
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 southern Paris. Home to the graves of denizens […]
Seeking Belle-Epoque Paris in the Grands Boulevards District: My Full Guide
Technically, the tangled arrangement of wide, grandiose streets known as the Grands Boulevards in Paris stretch all the way from the Eglise Madeleine church in the 8th arrondissement (district) to the Place de […]
In Review: Fou de Pâtisserie, a Parisian Pastry Shop for the Indecisive
Strolling down Rue des Martyrs, a stretch of Paris’ South Pigalle that packs more gourmet power in a single street than most entire neighborhoods do, I noticed a patisserie that was clearly out […]
The Louvre/Tuileries District in Paris: What to See & Do Around the Museum?
If you only have a few days to explore Paris or it’s your first trip to the capital, you may want to spend a few hours roaming around the Louvre/Tuileries district. Besides harboring […]
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 Michelin-starred restaurant, opulent boutiques, centuries-old theatres, covered passageways […]
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 building you’d be forgiven for not noticing. But […]
In Review: Café Craft, a Canal St-Martin Haven in Paris
Nestled on Rue des Vinaigriers just off of the Canal St-Martin, Café Craft is one of my favorite new places in Paris for decent coffee, tea and baked goods. Inside the brightly […]
In Review: The Grand Pigalle Hotel in Paris
Situated in South Pigalle, a formerly seedy Parisian district that’s recently been colonized by hipsters, foodies and fashionistas, the Grand Pigalle Hotel has only been open since 2015. Yet it’s quickly become […]
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 tell the story of La Coupole’s role in […]
Belleville Artists’ Open Studios: Get a Glimpse of Local Creation
Every year in late spring, over 200 artists working and living in Paris’ northeastern Belleville neighborhood open their studios for a few days to the general public. The Portes Ouvertes (open doors) event takes place […]
Inside the 104 (Cent-Quatre), a Vibrant Contemporary Arts Hub in Paris
A fascinating and important branch in the Parisian culture scene, the 104 (Le Cent Quatre) is a vast communal art center in Paris’ remote 19th arrondissement. This sprawling artistic hub and community center– […]
The Best Spots 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 on the grass or a bench– it’s an […]
Why Paris’ Quirky Parc de la Villette is Worth a Visit
One place in Paris where you aren’t likely to see as many tourists wandering around? The sprawling, quirky, modern complex in the far northeast known as the Parc de la Villette. Most people […]