The Paris Traveler

Starting July 21 and running until August 21 the banks of the Seine will become a sandy beach oasis inviting all to soak up some of that elusive summer sun that shines down on Paris.  Entering its seventh year, Paris Plage, once again suggests you grab a beach chair and work on that tan, get a beach volley ball team together or take advantage of the entertaining events the city has in store.  
Two “beaches” have been set up this year–one at voie Georges Pompidou (in the 4th) and the other from the Bassin de Villette to Salingrad (the 19th). …read more

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 For those of you who are foodies and find yourself in the Latin Quarter area, a visit to Rue Mouffetard would and should be the call of the day.  Located in the 5th, this street is a remnant of a Roman road that lead south to Italy and the origin of its outdoor market can be traced back to 1350.  Typical of the middle ages, people still venture here for their daily food shopping which, ahem, I do believe surpasses the other famous foodie street, Rue Cler.  I’m sure that will get a rise out of some people.
 
 
The fruits and …read more

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 If you are a regular reader of The Paris Traveler, then you know that there is a special place in my heart for the gendarmes (police officers) that one finds keeping the streets of Paris safe for citizens and tourists alike.  I say a special place, because I do believe, aside from being model citizens themselves-we hope-their membership includes some of the handsomest Frenchmen I have laid eyes on!!  My daughters would be in complete agreement with me on this one.  
Having said that, I must add that although my contact with pompiers in Paris (firefighters) was less frequent, they …read more

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 We’re not in Paris today and that is probably a good thing since the weather is not cooperating and being its crappy Parisian self.  Beautiful things sometimes think they can get away with that….being crappy and still be loved.  Not with me they can’t.  So, I decided we need to get out of town and spread our wings a bit.  We aren’t even in France anymore.  We, people,  are in Bologna, Italy and we’re going to make pigs of ourselves on one of my favorite foods, Nutella!!  And the photo that you see is a Nutelleria, a restaurant in Bologna …read more

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I have a great deal of admiration for the way the French embrace  their cultural heritage.  Often times, they stubbornly cling to ideas that came to life hundreds of years ago, having been passed down from generation to generation which to those of us looking in, can seem outdated.  And yet, you cannot convince them otherwise.  They are held together by these beliefs, united by their art and architecture, raised on their philosophers’ discourse,  take their politics to the streets as their ancestors did and the thread that holds them all together is their combined sense of “French-ness”.  
 Here in …read more

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 If you are touring Paris and have become overwhelmed with museums, statues, historically significant art and architecture, which can easily happen,  I have something that is still a feast for the eyes and you can leave the guidebooks in the hotel.    
La Foire de Paris (The Paris Trade Fair) is a huge gathering of all things currently available to the French regarding home improvement, leisure and well-being and cultural passions all under one roof.  It seems to me an odd mix, but the good news is, everyone in the family can get their needs met.  Ladies,  are you looking …read more

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Put your pencils down people.  You have had plenty of time to try and figure out how my mind works….if indeed you have figured that out, please let me in on the secret, ok?  So, answers to this week’s haiku:  
 little eye contact, even less personal space, get me out of here

 Here you have a very crowded métro car, which is not even as crowded as they are capable of getting.  In some instances there would be absolutely no way to pull back and take a picture as there’s just a crush of bodies wanting to get to work in the morning …read more

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 The minute I saw this bronze in the gardens at Musée Rodin, I thought, “Aha, an ancient game of rock, paper, scissors being played by well-built naked men. How fun!”  I had to capture the moment for my family as we play this game (with our clothes on) to determine all kinds of things–who pays for lunch, who gets garbage duty, kitchen clean-up….the biggies.  My husband and his hockey friends will play to see who picks up the tab at dinner which  many times requires another round of drinks as it can drag on for those who understand its nuances.  Never …read more

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There’s lots of ways to get around Paris–traditionally walking is good, using the metro and walking is good or taking the bus and walking is good too.  Even a combination of the three–which I always try to avoid–is not as good, but works.   
If, however, you are a bit more adventurous and want to make transportation an event,  I have a few ways that will allow you to get a feel for the lay of the land, see the sights and have a good story to tell back home.  

 On a beautiful, sunny day I really can’t think of a …read more

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Who wouldn’t want to have a four star French chef in their kitchen everyday of the week cooking for them? Well, if you’re not as lucky as I am, you can always go to the Carrousel du Louvre for the Salon Cuisinez!
There you’ll find everything you’ll ever want to know about cooking from top chefs taking part in this three day expo. So, from cooking classes for kids, to learning how to make a number of decadent chocolate soufflés, there is truly something here for everyone! Or perhaps you’re more into learning about all the latest gadgets that make cooking …read more

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