A few years ago, I spent a little under six weeks living and working in Bordeaux, as I prepared to write a local guide. Like […]
Best Wine Bars & Tasting Rooms in Bordeaux City Center
Travel Tips
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 […]
Best Paris Boat Tours & Seine Cruises: How to Book?
Most “top attractions” lists for Paris, including our own, suggest booking a boat tour of the Seine river or other waterways in the capital. But […]
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 […]
How to Get From the Airport to Paris by Taxi (& Avoid Scams)
I still remember my first (and last) scam taxi ride from Charles de Gaulle Airport. I was returning home from a visit with family in […]
How to Avoid Tourist Traps & Scams in Paris: Our Top Tips
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. […]
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 […]
Travel Insurance for France: What You Need to Know
For this first article in a series of practical tips I’ll refer to as “Paris Trip Planning Q&A“, let’s tackle a boring, but entirely necessary, […]
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 dose of calm and coziness. […]
10 Best Things to Do in Paris (Especially on a First Trip)
Here at Paris Unlocked, we tend to focus on lesser-known corners of the French capital, and encourage readers to stretch well beyond the tried-and-true. But […]
Paris in November: Why to Embrace the Short, Cozy Days
Many tourists don’t even consider visiting Paris in November, fearing they’ll be treated to icy rain, miserably dark days and grumpy, sleepy locals. But while […]
Paris in October: What to See & Do in 2025?
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 […]
Paris in September: A Welcome Return After the Lull
Most locals view Paris in September as the true new year. Following a long summer hiatus, residents of the city return home from vacation and […]
Visiting Paris in July: Festivals, Shows & Balmy Nights (2026 Guide)
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 […]
Paris in May: What to See & Do in 2026?
Falling during the glorious peak of springtime in the French capital, Paris in May is a wildly popular time to visit. Millions of people throng on […]
Is Paris Safe in 2026 and Beyond?
Our top safety tips for traveling to France & the capital Many travelers want to know whether Paris is still safe to visit– and their […]
Visiting Paris in April: Interesting & Inspiring Things to Do
Are you planning a visit to Paris in April? Congratulations! Hate crowds? Hmm, I may just have to take back my congrats. As you probably […]
2019-2020 Strikes in France & Paris: Will Your Travel Plans be Affected?
Starting in early December, 2019, major transportation strikes in France have severely affected trains, Paris metro and bus service, some flights to and from France […]
Paris in March 2026: What to See & Do?
March in Paris: Why to visit, what to do, how to pack, weather and more. […]
Paris in the Spring: Best Things to See & Do
For anyone who hasn’t yet visited Paris in the spring months, it’s a season that’s endlessly attached to all sorts of cliches and movie-fueled fantasies. […]
