One of my favorite destinations outside of Paris is the Loire Valley. Known as the Garden of France, this stunningly beautiful region is emblematic of so much of what I love about French style.
The history of the Loire Valley is closely associated with the 100 years war. From 1337 to 1453, ...
Travel
Five of My Favorite Left Bank Hotels
I take pride in recommending venues I've experienced. While I don't often stay in hotels in Paris, I've stayed at these and highly recommend them. All are in my preferred left bank neighborhood of Saint-Germain-des-Prés and walking distance to major tourist attractions.
Hotel Pont Royal ...
Five of My Favorite French Restaurants in Chicago
Let's face it, winter in Chicago isn't much fun and doesn't provide much opportunity for outdoor activities. It is, however, a great time to try new restaurants or go out to a favorite place for delicious comfort food. Given it's February, I thought it would be a good time to suggest a few of my ...
The Making of the French Garden
Are you dreaming of a trip to the Loire Valley?
Why not take a virtual tour of the beautiful gardens of the Loire Valley with the Alliance Française de Chicago ?
Starting January 13, the Alliance Française de Chicago will begin its 8-week lecture series on the gardens of the Loire Valley, ...
Five of My Favorite Brasseries and Bistrots Owned by Famous French Chefs
I became aware of several traditional French brasseries and bistrots owned and operated by some of the most celebrated chefs in France after a longtime Parisian friend clued me in several years ago. I’ve written about a few of these classic spots in the past and thought it would be helpful to do a ...
A Week in Provence: The Luberon | Hilltop Villages and Provençal Charm
My travels to Provence were completely unexpected. During a week-long stay in Paris, I was having lunch with a lifelong friend when he casually asked, “What are you doing next week? We’re heading down to our house in Provence, and we would love for you to join us.”
Within minutes, I texted my ...
