The Paris Traveler

Today’s guest post is from Mary Jo Manzanares, Travel & Culture Channel Editor and travel blogger at Flyaway Cafe.
One of the most famous museums in the world is the Louvre, or more correctly the Musée du Louvre, and it was one of the items that was high on my Paris must-see list. It is located on the Right Bank (of the Seine) in the 1st arrondissement.
Originally a palace, the museum is now home to some of the most world-famous works of art, including the Mona Lisa, Winged Victory, and Aphrodite/Venus de Milo. It opened to the public in 1793, …read more

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This is a guest post from Mary Jo Manzanares, Travel & Culture Channel Editor and blogger at Flyaway Cafe
 
Bateaux Parisiens is a cruise company that conducts sightseeing, lunch, and dinner cruises on the Seine, along with operating a river-boat shuttle called Batobus.
I opted for an evening sightseeing cruise, and for an hour we cruised the Seine while the hostess pointed out a number of attractions.  The commentary was pleasant and informative, and not filled with the typical puns and drivel that you so often get on tours.
Schedules vary, but details and information can easily be found in the city.  …read more

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This is a guest post from Mary Jo Manzanares, Travel & Culture Channel Editor and blogger at Flyaway Cafe
 
Standing in the center of the Place Charles de Gaulle (also called the Place de l’Étoile) at the western end of the Champs-Élyseés, the Arc de Triomphe is the largest triumphal arch in the world. 
It honors those who bravely fought for France, particularly during the Napoleonic Wars.  ,  Beneath the arch is the tomb of the unknown soldier from World War I, marked by the very first eternal flame.  The flame burns in memory of those who died, but were …read more

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I love making new discoveries in this wonderful city.  Having the luxury of living there allowed me to take things in at a leisurely pace–to really discover all the nooks and crannys that exist; the ones you might not find during a week-long visit.  The good news is that there are individuals who have taken it upon themselves to do all the research for you and provide a way to make your next visit fuller and richer than you thought possible.
One individual that does this, is Richard Nahem, a transplanted New Yorker, who has settled in the 4th arroindissement and …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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This is one of my favorite museums in Paris, not surprising since Rodin is one of my favorite sculptors. I, also, love the work by Rodin’s student, lover, model, and inspiration, Camille Claudel, but unfortunately, unless you can wait until next year, her work will be on loan in Madrid until mid-January. (Which reminds me, if you’ve never seen the movie Camille Claudelwith Isabelle Adjani and Gérard Depardieu, it is a must see film!)
The harmony between the museum itself and the garden makes this museum rather unique, where some of Rodins most famous sculptures are on display. Looking at The Kiss …read more

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A great festival every year since 1934 is the annual Fête des Vendanges de Montmartre (the Grape Harvest Festival of Montmartre). The festival takes place next week-end from the 12th to the 14th of October which celebrates the wine from the local vineyards. Each year the festival honors a celebrity with the previous year’s vintage; this year French singer Georges Brassens is the honoree and the bottles will bear his name.
In case you don’t know, Montmartre has been producing wine since the Middle Ages! The vineyards are on roughly 1555 square metres and is comprised of 75% gamay, 20% pinot noir …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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If you’re thinking of coming to Paris soon, then you’re right in time for this year’s Nuit Blanche which takes place October 6! “Nuit blanche” (white night) is an expression meaning, “staying up all night.” More often than not it’s used in the context of “partying all night.” I mean, come on, we’re in Paris afterall, but it’s for any reason that keeps you awake all night long.
This is the sixth year that Paris is putting on a Nuit Blanche and just like the Fête de la Musique, what began in Paris, has once again taken off and has now …read more

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The Rue Mouffetard, which Parisians call “La Mouffe” has been written about and immortalized in poems and songs. It is afterall one of the oldest streets in Paris, with homes dating back to the Middle Ages, but for me it’s a great little street to hang out in for a good part of a day or evening.
Not only does it have a terrific street market, there are plenty of little shops to browse around in. Some are filled with items so kitsch that you just have to buy something for the fun of it, or for that person who has …read more

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