2019 marks the 500th anniversary of Leonardo da Vinci’s death in Amboise, France– where the Italian artist and inventor is buried to this day. To commemorate this important date, the Louvre Museum in […]
Planning Your Trip
Paris in the Fall: Invigorating, Poetic and Dynamic
I’ll be up-front about something: Paris in the fall is my preferred time of year. There’s something about sparkling autumnal light hitting the Seine as you cross the Pont Neuf. Maybe the wind […]
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 Gillespie, Duke Ellington and Django Reinhardt bringing the […]
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 […]
Paris Boat Tours & Cruises: Are They Worth Your Time?
Most “top attractions” lists for the French capital, including my own, suggest a boat tour of the Seine or other waterways in Paris. But since these sorts of cruises are so commonplace– and […]
Paris Airport Taxis: How to Use Them (& Avoid the Bad Ones)
I still remember my first bad taxi ride from Charles de Gaulle Airport. I was returning home from a visit with family in California, lugging around suitcases so heavy I thought I might […]
6 Tips for Avoiding Tourist Traps & Scams in Paris
As one of the world’s most-visited cities, Paris relies on tourism to thrive economically. While that’s generally a mutually beneficial thing, it has its downsides. For one thing, certain areas can seem devoid […]
Do You Really Need Travel Insurance for a Trip to Paris & France?
For this first article in a new series of practical tips I’ll refer to as “Paris Trip Planning Q&A”, let’s tackle a boring, but entirely necessary, question. Readers have often asked me this: […]
First Time in Paris? These Are the 10 Best Things to Do.
At Paris Unlocked, we tend to focus our coverage on lesser-known corners of the French capital, and encourage readers to look well beyond the obvious, tried-and-true or wildly popular sites. But when it’s […]
![By Valerii Tkachenko [CC BY 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons](https://www.parisunlocked.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/1024px-Cityscape_Paris_november_at_night_light_view_on_Champs_Elesees_8204488131-740x493.jpg)
Paris in November: Why to Embrace the Short, Cozy Days
Many tourists don’t even consider visiting Paris in November, fearing that they’ll be “regaled” with icy rain, miserably dark days and grumpy locals. But while it’s certainly not for everyone– and you occasionally […]
Paris in October: Crisp, Contemplative & Stimulating
Autumn in the French capital has always been one of my favorite times of year– especially at the outset, before the days wane into early darkness and the trees are stripped bare. Paris […]
Visiting Paris in September 2019: 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 work. This is the season of turbo-charged […]
Paris in August: How to Enjoy the “High-Low” Season in 2019
Following from July’s mass exodus of local residents to beaches in the south of France, Paris in August is an odd and interesting time to be in the capital. It’s arguably both […]
Visiting Paris in July 2019: Festivals, Shows and Balmy Nights
Quick quiz: what do the terms “July”, “Paris”, and “mass exodus” have to do with each other? Well, if you’ve ever spent any time in the capital at this time of year, you’ll […]
Visiting Paris in June: How to Tap Its Early-Summer Magic in 2019
Visiting Paris in June? Of all the summer months, this may just be the most pleasant. The temperatures generally remain on the mild side, and even though the occasional thunderstorm cuts picnics […]
Paris in May: How to Enjoy the Mid-Spring Glory in 2019
Representing the glorious apex of springtime in the French capital, Paris in May is a wildly popular time to visit. Millions of people throng on the city during this month alone, hoping to […]
Yes, Paris is Still Safe to Visit. Here’s How to Secure Your Trip in 2019.
In the wake of terrorist attacks and sometimes-violent street demonstrations, many people are wondering whether Paris is still safe to visit. A quick look at Google’s search statistics confirms that the anxious question […]
Small Museums in Paris: 7 Quiet Gems You Shouldn’t Overlook
The first time I set foot inside the Louvre Museum, I had already been living in Paris for three or four years. The guests I accompanied were astounded that I’d never bothered […]
Why to Love Paris in December: What to See & Do
Thinking of visiting Paris in December? Most think of the end-of-year holiday festivities and displays as the primary draw card– and they’re certainly not wrong. But there’s much more to see and do […]