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I would love to share my latest posts, exploring everything from French art de vivre and culture to enchanting destinations and The Paris Postcard.

I’ll also share my Essential Packing Guide—a practical checklist of my tried-and-true essentials and tips for stylish, comfortable travel.

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Magnifique! A beautiful view of the Denon wing o Magnifique! 

A beautiful view of the Denon wing of the Louvre, named after Dominique Vivant Denon, the museum’s first director under Napoleon and home to the Mona Lisa. 

#louvre #denon #denonwing #monalisa #crownjewels
If you’re heading to Traversées du Marais this wee If you’re heading to Traversées du Marais this weekend, be sure to stop by the Hôtel de Sully.

It’s tucked between Rue Saint-Antoine and Place des Vosges. It’s also one of the most beautiful hôtels particuliers in Paris.

Built in the 1620s and once home to the Duke of Sully, it now houses the Centre des Monuments Nationaux — and during the festival it’s the perfect spot to pause, breathe, and soak up history between events. Plus, there’s a secret passageway to Place des Vosges. 

#hotelsully #lemarais #placedesvosges #traverseemarais
I absolutely love Paris in September. It’s one o I absolutely love Paris in September. 

It’s one of the most beautiful months of the year to be there. The sky is clear, the air is warm, the gardens are beautiful, the foliage has not yet fallen from the trees, and you can still enjoy a wonderful dinner and an outdoor terrace.  As if all of that were not enough, there are a wealth of new exhibits opening throughout the city. 

Are you spending September in Paris? What are your plans? 

****

J’adore Paris en septembre.

C’est l’un des plus beaux mois de l’année pour s’y trouver. Le ciel est dégagé, l’air est doux, les jardins sont magnifiques, le feuillage est encore dans les arbres et l’on peut toujours profiter d’un excellent dîner en terrasse. Comme si tout cela ne suffisait pas, une multitude de nouvelles expositions ouvrent leurs portes aux quatre coins de la ville.

Passez-vous le mois de septembre à Paris ? Quels sont vos projets ?

#septembervibes #jardinduluxembourg #luxembourggardens  #leftbank #saintgermaindesprès
Every once in a while I choose to stop at a tabac Every once in a while I choose to stop at a tabac rather than a café. I love the everyday atmosphere of a tabac.

When I lived in Passy I used to go to the same one all the time. It was just across from the metro station, media kiosk, and pharmacy-perfectly situated for watching the world go by.

Tabacs have a long history in France dating back to 1561, when Jean Nicot, the French ambassador to Portugal, sent powdered leaves to Catherine de’ Medici to treat her son’s migraines. They quickly moved from medicinal use to a fashionable habit among the elite.

Over time they became practical neighbourhood stops for cigarettes, lottery tickets, newspapers, and years ago even metro tickets behind the counter. People came in, ordered, chatted for a minute or two, and went on with their day.

That ordinary, unpretentious rhythm is what gives them so much character. No styling, no performance— just the real neighbourhood going about its business. I just love taking it all in.

If you’d like to know more about the history and classification of French drinking and dining establishments, check out the post on today’s story or search Tabac on my website at www.jeanninebergeron.com, where I provide a rundown of everything from tabacs and cafes to bouillons and restaurants.
One of my absolute favorite day trips outside Pari One of my absolute favorite day trips outside Paris is a visit to the Château de Chantilly—especially in the fall.

This fairytale château, with its turrets and reflecting lakes, offers three of my deepest passions in one place: an extraordinary collection of Old Master paintings (second only to the Louvre), exceptional French porcelain, and horses. 

I started riding as a child and continued into adulthood, so standing inside the Grandes Écuries—those 18th-century stables that are quite literally a palace for horses—is just incredible. I’ve never seen anything like it, and I’ve seen some remarkable horse farms over the years.

As if all of that were not  enough, the gardens, were designed by André Le Nôtre and are absolutely magnificent.

I love September in Chantilly because polo season is in full swing—pun intended. I fell in love with polo when I lived in Kentucky. Every fall, we would head out to matches for a fun tailgate with friends. 

Having the same experience in France is quite a treat. Everything about it—from the thunder of horse hooves to the skill of the riders and the intensity of the match—is thrilling. And, don’t get me started on equestrian inspired apparel. 

On a recent visit, we were lucky enough to be joined by my sweet friend Katherine and her lovely husband, along with another wonderful couple: my dear friend and former classmate at Christie’s Education, Isabelle, and her terrific husband. 

After touring the château, we headed into the town center, grabbed sandwiches and a few sweet treats, and made our way to the Polo Club. The six of us pitched a blanket, arranged our boulangerie bounty, and settled in for the match.

Perfect weather, perfect food, and the best company imaginable—this is when memories are made, and France is at its best.

♥️🇫🇷🏇

#ChateaudeChantilly #Chantilly #DayTripFromParis #PoloSeason #FrenchChateaux
WIN A COMPLIMENTARY COPY OF THE PARIS GUIDE! 🇫🇷🥂🍾 WIN A COMPLIMENTARY COPY OF THE PARIS GUIDE! 🇫🇷🥂🍾

Today marks 18 years since I published my very first blog post—and I can hardly believe it.

I am celebrating this milestone—and you—with a little gift.

One lucky reader will receive a complimentary digital copy of The Paris Guide—my personal collection of favorite places, discoveries, and savoir-faire for making the most of Paris.

To enter:

✨ Follow @jeanninebergeron
✨ Like this post
✨ Tell me in the comments: If you could be in Paris today, where would you go first?

For an extra entry, share this post to your Stories and tag me.

Thank you for being here, for following along, and for making these 18 years so special.

Giveaway closes Monday, September 7 at midnight CDT. One winner will be selected at random and contacted by DM. No purchase necessary.
Bonjour mes amis, It’s the Friday before a long h Bonjour mes amis,

It’s the Friday before a long holiday weekend in the US, and I’m ready to celebrate!

Labor Day weekend, beautiful weather, and on September 5 we hit two big milestones:

💍 67 years of marriage for my parents
📝 18 years of blogging for me

C”est la vie en rose 🌹😊

To thank you for following along all these years, I’ve put together a little giveaway.

Stay tuned—details drop tomorrow, September 5!

#LaborDayWeekend #LongWeekend #Blogiversary #GiveawayAlert #LaVieEnRose
Do you know this little shop? It’s called Mélodi Do you know this little shop? 

It’s called Mélodies Graphiques, and it’s tucked away in the 4th arrondissement of Paris (on the charming Rue du Pont Louis-Philippe in Le Marais, not far from the Seine).

It’s one of the most enchanting papeteries I’ve ever stepped into.

From the moment you walk through the door, time slows down. Shelves overflow with leather- and cloth-bound journals, rare Italian marbled papers (think swirling Florentine and Venetian patterns in gold, peacock blue, and deep ochre), Japanese washi, more than a hundred bottles of ink in every imaginable shade, calligraphy nibs and quills, sealing wax, vintage stamps, gold-gilt cards, and the most beautiful invitations and note cards. All of which could be charming souvenirs of your time in Paris.

Founded in 1986 and now lovingly run by the Franco-Japanese couple Giacomo and Hitomi, this tiny treasure box feels like a secret writer’s study from another century. Hitomi even teaches calligraphy workshops if you want to turn your visit into a proper experience.

Whether you’re hunting for a custom notebook made while you wait, the perfect pen for a handwritten letter, or just a little piece of Parisian poetry to take home… this place delivers.

Save this one for your next trip to Paris.

#MélodiesGraphiques #ParisStationery #PapeterieParis #LeMarais #CalligraphyLovers
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