One of my favorite gourmet shops in Paris is the Comtesse du Barry. I dare say that it’s a favorite because nearly everything they sell comes in a can. Sound awful? Well, not if you’re planning to pack it in your suitcase and take it home with you! The Comtesse du…

Over the weekend, I had dinner with longtime American friends Dawn and Michael at their home, La Charmeraie. La Charmeraie is in the little town of Louveciennes, not far from Versailles. The meaning of the name of their home is twofold: first, after the Charme, or Hornbeam, trees that grace their property…

I used to loathe grocery shopping in Paris. I thought it was a big hassle. I hated having to quickly bag my own groceries before the next customer’s items came tumbling down the conveyor belt. I hated having to carry everything home or manage my little pull-cart down the cobbled…

The weather in Passy couldn’t be more perfect this September. For the past two mornings, I’ve woken to brilliant blue skies stretching above the rooftops. This photo was taken from my dining room window—my little ritual spot for morning coffee, emails, and posting to the site. There’s something magical about…

The International Competition of Roses is underway in the Roseraie of the Parc de Bagatelle. This annual event started in 1907. For the past two years, the public has been asked to participate by selecting three of their favorite roses based on beauty and one based on fragrance. The person…

Today, I visited the Parc de Bagatelle, in the heart of the Bois de Boulogne. Although the threat of rain loomed overhead, the park was well worth visiting. It was so picturesque that I had to remind myself that I was in Paris and not the Loire Valley. The Parc…