The Paris Traveler

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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Are you looking for that perfect gift for someone’s birthday or anniversary? Or maybe the “kitschy” gifts I spoke about finding on the Rue Mouffetard just isn’t what you’re looking for. Well then, whether you live in Paris, or happen to have family or friends visiting, wine & cheese tasting makes a great gift!
If you know nothing about wines, no need to worry! At the Ô Chateau the sommelier, Olivier Magny uses humour and charm in a relaxed atmosphere, more like a gathering of friends at his Parisian loft, than a learning experience to dispense of his knowledge.  The great thing is not only do …read more

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Back in the 18th Century Montmartre was filled with more than thirty windmills. Today, however, only two are left. (And no, I’m not talking about the Moulin Rouge in Pigalle!) The Blute-fin and the Radet make up the Moulin de la Galette which has been immortilized by some of the most famous artists in the world, Van Gogh and Picasso to name two!
Renoir’s famous painting of the Bal du Moulin de la Galette, which is in the Musée d’Orsay and Toulouse-Lautrec’s Moulin de la Galette are among some of the most well-known paintings depicting Paris in the era of the …read more

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The problem with a lot of restaurants is that you may go one time and have a great experience and then you go again some time later and you’re disappointed. The reasons may vary in so many ways; from the restaurant being sold and you have new owners, to the chef leaving and taking all his great recipes with him. That happened to me just before the summer holidays. We took a bunch of friends to a restaurant that we loved, and you guessed it, not only were there new owners, the chef was also new and he didn’t have the same …read more

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Everyone who comes to Paris loves the food, so why not take a few classes and share what you’ve learned once you return home? The choices are endless! Of course everyone automatically thinks of the Cordon Bleu and they do have some interesting workshops and demonstrations, ranging from private to group classes for amateurs and also professionals. A 4-day program teaching regional French cooking or Mediterranean flavors run from 8:30 in the morning to 3:30 in the afternoon with a demonstration, then hands on experience, and a tasting afterwards; all for 889 €.
Another well-known culinary school is The Ritz Escoffier School named after the …read more

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One of the great things about living in Paris are all the different markets; from food to flowers, or books to stamps, there’s sure to be a market in Paris selling just what you’re looking for. Picking the best ones however is almost an impossible task; I may love one because of the carnival atmosphere and the friendly vendors, or another because of the superb quality and the reasonable prices. So let me just give you a few interesting places to shop. 
1.  Marché Rue de Buci. This is one of my favorites, not just because it’s in the 6e, but the ambiance is …read more

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The first time that I dined at this famous restaurant, I was invited by a French writer which made it all the more interesting to say the least. At the time, I was a young girl trying steak tartare for the first time in my life, sipping champagne on the terrace, and not really aware of the history behind this place.
The restaurant first opened its doors in 1847 and has seen the likes of Verlaine, Baudelaire, Hemingway, Fitzgerald, Sartre, and Picasso to name a few of its more famous clientele . Since then, I’ve returned a number of times through the years (Yes, …read more

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Think nightlife in Paris and many people will think of the Lido, the Crazy Horse Saloon, or the Moulin Rouge, but if you’re looking for somewhere to laugh and have fun, and is a little outside the norm, then Michou’s is the place to go.
Michou who’s been an entertainer for years, started his cabaret in the 60’s and is still the director of his show. Quite the character, Michou is always dressed in blue; his large spectacles are no exception.
The stage is rather small, but the entertainment by a bevy of transvestite performers is anything …read more

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So you’ve been in Paris for awhile and you still haven’t met any Parisians to tell your friends about when you get home, well fear not. There’s a restaurant in the 13th arrondissement where you can rub elbows with the locals; and when I say “rub elbows” I’m not exaggerating!

Le Temp des Cerises is a worker’s co-operative restaurant run by a number of people all taking turns doing different jobs. The atmosphere is congenial, where you’re treated more like an old friend rather than a customer. As a matter of fact, a friend of mine invited me to have dinner …read more

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Okay, after my last blog, I thought it would be nice to do something a little more romantic and what can be more romantic than having dinner on the Seine? There are a number of cruise boats offering day and evening tours, but I find the Bateaux-Mouches near the Pont de l’Alma to be the best.
You are greeted with an apéritif, which is served in the lounge to each guest before dinner. There is a pianist and a violinist which only adds to the whole ambiance of romance. Seeing the monuments of Paris light up as you sail down the river will make you …read more

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