Shopping in Paris is the shopping equivalent of finding your soul mate. Paris is seductive; it has an allure and elegance unlike any other city. The problem is, as a shopping soul mate, it tends be slightly more fickle than your new main squeeze. When Shopping in Paris, you’ll find that: 1. You romanticize even […]
Seeking Quiet in the Bustling Cities of Europe
I recently received three books in the ‘Quiet City’ series by Siobhan Wall for review. Her latest book, Quiet Paris, follows Quiet Amsterdam published in 2012, and Quiet London in 2010. I was intrigued by the idea of seeking out the quiet spots in each of these beautiful cities because so often when traveling, I become […]
Paris Celebrates: Festivals & Events
Paris celebrates life all year long with a multitude of festivals and events. Here are just a few of the larger festivals, but be sure to look for up-to-date Paris event news in future posts. Springtime Events in Paris Foire du Trône The Foire du Trone originated in the year 975, when merchants and farmers met […]
Paris’s Place de la Bastille: Yesterday and Today
If you’ve seen the 2013 film “Les Misérables,” then you are already familiar with Place de la Bastille. It is the setting for much of the second half of the film, marked by the large, decaying plaster elephant. Place de la Bastille is a historic Parisian square that still plays a large role in contemporary […]
Best Paris 3 Star Hotels and Budget accommodation – by Arrondissement
Best Paris 3 Star Hotels and Budget Hotels by Arrondissement Finding a great Paris 3 star hotel is a joy. There really are some 3 star hotels in Paris that are better than 4 star hotels. Stars many-times are awarded for amenities like larger rooms or restaurants, not on the quality of the hotel experience […]
Favorite Paris 4 Star Hotels – by Arrondissement
Our Favorite Paris 4 Star Hotels When in Paris, I usually opt for a 4-star hotel. Rooms tend to be a bit larger and the bathrooms are better equipped. Here are our favorite 4 star hotels in Paris, listed for each arrondissement. If you haven’t decided yet, which Paris arrondissement is right for you, please […]
Paris and Chocolate: A Combination Made in Heaven
Here is my list of the best Chocolatiers in Paris. I haven’t tried every one myself, but it is my mission to do so. Some of the recommendations are from my other chocoholic friends. Angelina Famous for their excellent hot chocolate, this centrally located tearoom on the Rue de Rivoli is a tourist hang-out. There is […]
Musee du Luxembourg: A Paris Must-See
I love the small museums of Paris; the Orangerie, located in the Tuilleries, has two fantastic oval rooms with Monet’s Water Lily canvases surrounding you. Another favorite small Paris museum is the Marmottan, a former estate that now houses a treasure trove of impressionist paintings, including Monet’s painting that gave Impressionism its name: Impression Sunrise. On our last trip to Paris, […]
Paris Restaurant Guide – by Arrondissement
Paris is known for its many wonderful restaurants; after all the French are the connoisseurs of the good life. It has been said “you can’t get a bad meal in Paris”. Well, we have had several bad meals (especially in some of the tourist trap restaurants of the Latin Quarter). We would like to amend the […]
Top 10 Sights in France
France is, without a doubt, one of the most fascinating countries in Europe. It’s no surprise that over 80 million tourists per year are lured to L’Hexagone (the French nickname for France, which refers to the physical shape of the country) by its culture, gastronomy, fashion, history, and lifestyle. Indeed, it’s hard to adequately describe France’s appeal, that certain je […]