updated July 2024 While it’s true that Kindles and other electronic readers are becoming increasingly popular, there’s nothing quite like cozying up with an old-fashioned paper book. Walking over to an English bookstore in Paris and perusing their shelves is a delight in and of itself. Here are a few of our favorite English bookstores in Paris. 1. Shakespeare and Company A Parisian literary institution since 1919, although found at its current location since 1951, this legendary shop is a must for book lovers. Get lost wandering its maze of rooms (be sure to have a look upstairs!), track down ..read more

In the height of summer, visitors yearn for respite and relaxation from the hustle and bustle of the city. Few places are more popular than Mediterranean seaside and hidden hilltop villages of Provence. Yet increasingly with rising temperatures and bigger crowds, the shoulder seasons have become more popular. The weather is still nice but not oppressively hot. Crowds have dispersed. Reservations are easier to come by. Best of all, prices drop. Whether you are planning to visit Provence in peak season, or during the less busy months, here are some of the most exciting luxury hotels to have ope ..read more

(updated July 2024). Strolls through lush gardens, picnics with the Seine glistening at your feet, long evenings nursing a rosé on a café terrace. Paris in the summer is downright magical. However, when temperatures rise and the sun begins to scorch rather than soothe, Parisians turn to summer activities that’ll help them cool down and escape the sweaty crowds trying to do the same. For surefire ways to beat the heat, here are 9 of our favorite Paris summer activities that’ll keep you refreshed and give you an excuse to discover the city’s hidden treasures. Go For a Swim Ali PostmaParis Plage ..read more

Have you ever ordered a coffee in Paris and found yourself stunned when it finally arrived at the table? You’re not alone. Cappuccino, ristretto, and macchiato have no space in French coffee culture and if you think that using the original Italian name will be enough to get you what you want, think again. French cafés have their own ways of preparing these classic coffee variations. To help you navigate the somewhat-confusing café menu, we’ve prepared an easy guide to ordering coffee in France. Coffee in French Names Un café serré If you need a strong, small coffee, ask for “un café serré”. I ..read more

My teenager is a junior in an international high school in Paris. Which means she has lots of exams for programs in the US, UK, Canada and France. Letters fly through the air in our home these days. SAT, DELE, BAC, and IGCSE all mean something in some country. Sound overwhelming? It kind of is. But this is the official stuff, with rules and deadlines and plenty of assistance from guidance counselors. Unlike the challenges of raising a teen in a foreign country. For this, there is no guidebook or standard testing procedure. Travel Some of the differences I’ve experienced raising a teen in a fo ..read more

Bordeaux’s wine region is famous the world over. However, the city of Bordeaux itself has a lot to offer. The city center is reachable from Paris in less than 2.5 hours by high speed public transport. It’s never been easier to visit the elegant capital of the Aquitaine region. Wander its picturesque streets, sample delicious bordelaise cuisine and its finest wines, and discover local hangouts. Here are some of the best things to do during your next Bordeaux trip.  Top: Juan Di Nella Above: Zdenek Klein / Zakaria El BaziDay 1 Spend your first full day exploring Bordeaux’s histor ..read more

I miss Paris.  I lived there from 2017 to 2023, then I moved back to the US. Why? That’s another story. The universe is unfolding as it should, but I still miss Paris. I miss the uniform and stunning Haussmann apartment buildings, the smell of bread outside the boulangeries, the wine. I miss stopping by the Musée d’Orsay just to tell Olympia hello. I miss the elegance, and I miss the way Paris isn’t afraid to stop being elegant and dance to a brass band wearing pink onesies, singing along to Another One Bites the Dust. I miss crowding into a restaurant, tables packed so tightly I had to ..read more

Paris has hundreds of fabulous restaurants and a plethora of dining options. Nevertheless, like many major tourist sites in the French capital like the Louvre and Eiffel Tower, it can be especially hard to find a delicious meal around Notre-Dame Cathedral. However, you can avoid the mediocre establishments packed into the Latin Quarter. Drift a little further afield, and there are some excellent hidden gems and good food to be had. Enjoy delicious food at one of these best restaurants near Notre Dame. These are all within a five to ten-minute walk from the beloved city landmark. Lunch near&nbs ..read more

In normal times, Paris is one of the most visited cities in the world. This is especially true during the summer months which is peak season in the City of Light.  There’s no question that it’s going to be a particularly momentous summer with the 2024 Summer Olympics Games. Taking place from 26 July to 11 August, and followed by the Paralympics from 28 August to 8 September, the Summer Olympics will have a big impact on the streets of Paris. But not everywhere! The big events are taking place mainly in western Paris and north of the capital in Saint-Denis. The good news is you can escape ..read more

Paris has been a flurry of activity in advance of the Olympics. One of the most exciting new openings is Messy Nessy’s brick and mortar shop on a historic, picturesque street in the 5th arrondissement. Blogger Vanessa Grall, aka Messy Nessy, has been telling the story of all things nostalgia and under-the-radar with her beloved and wildly popular website Messy Nessy Chic. Messy Nessy Chic Visitors to Paris can step into her iconic world and even possibly meet Nessy herself. Messy Nessy’s Cabinet opened this month in a former artist’s studio and gallery. As expected it is an ode to curiosity ..read more