I assumed the variety of coffee drinks in France was a matter of personal taste: if you like milk or cream, order a café crème; if you don’t, order an espresso. Simple enough—n’est-ce pas? Not quite. Like many everyday French customs, coffee culture follows an unspoken logic rooted in balance,…
Wandering near Boulevard Saint-Michel recently, I couldn’t resist turning the corner to see my old residence hall at 93—my home-away-from-home so many years ago. That summer, while studying at the Alliance Française, I had stayed there for a few weeks, and walking past it again brought a rush of memories:…
Because it’s so easy to find a delicious meal in France, I tend to choose restaurants based on décor, ambiance and occasion. One of my favorite dining spots is Le Grand Colbert in the second arrondissement. Readers may recognize the name, Le Grand Colbert was featured in the film Somethings Gotta Give, starring…
Sweltering summer days and a lack of air conditioning call for a refreshing café break. Few drinks hit the spot like a Perrier-Menthe. This crisp, bubbly classic combines the cool sweetness of Menthe Verte with the effervescence of Perrier, making it the perfect antidote to the heat. For those looking…
Even though it was a holiday weekend and things were relatively quiet in the city, I am resolved to make the most of my time in Paris and go out as often as possible. After dinner last night, I headed to the piano bar at the Hôtel de Crillon to have a…
This afternoon, I lunched with my good friend Cécile. Blog readers may recall her daughter’s charming display of chestnuts posted last September. Cécile and I met many years ago. She worked for a French production company at the International Film Festival, which was hosted in Chicago. She is a true Parisian in…
I began my blog in 2008 as a fun and creative outlet to share musings about my time in Paris, the things I love, making the most of your travels, and how to bring everyday France into your everyday life—no matter where you live.
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