Chanson, tap dance, joie de vivre with a Frenchy jazzy cabaret in Paris’ timeless Montmartre? Sounds good to us! Check out the “Parisian Time Step” show–November 7, 2026 at Paris’ Wine Museum– from tap dancer Ruby Boukabou and singer/ dancer Wendy Lee Taylor (Lido de Paris) with piano by Philippe Petit . The show is a fun celebration of Paris, music and tap dance where the audience time travels back to the Belle Epoque with its cheeky polkas; 1930s music halls and smokey 1940s-50s Saint Germain jazz bars. Continue reading “Jazzy Dance Rendez Vous”
Saying Cheese in French
The tastes of autumn… Fall is a lovely time to stroll through a Paris market and take the opportunity to reconnect with local merchants. Your cheese vendor, wine shop keeper and greengrocer can help you celebrate France’s autumn bounty by pointing out in-season foods that complement each other, such as fruit, cheese and wine. Continue reading “Saying Cheese in French”
Montmartre Fetes its Wine
That the Butte’s wine is almost undrinkable has never gotten in the way of what has to be one of this capital’s best annual fests! This year the Fete des Vendanges de Montmartre takes place Oct 07-11, 2026. This year’s theme is music across generations with parades, concerts and wine tastings mostly centered around the Basilique du Sacré Coeur.
As with any good party, this one has something for everybody: it’s part folklore, with fraternal orders from the winegrowing regions of France turning out in traditional robes and quirky hats, and part Arbor Day parade, complete with Harvest Queen, marching bands and street theater. Continue reading “Montmartre Fetes its Wine”
Movie Posters. Galerie Ciné-Images
A “Nouvelle Vague” movie poster (affiche originale) could make a unique and special Paris souvenir. The charming Galerie Ciné-Images— located at 68, rue Babylone— across the street from La Pagode Cinéma (in Paris’ 7th arrondissement) specialises in vintage and contemporary movie posters along with original cinéma photo stills. Prices start at 25E for contemporary posters and for vintage Nouvelle Vague large size posters most prices range from 200-500E, with objet d’art collector’s posters such as Godard’s “Le Mépris,” starring Brigitte Bardot, costing 2,600E. If you can’t get to Paris. Posters can by viewed and purchased online at www.cine-images.com Continue reading “Movie Posters. Galerie Ciné-Images”
Bohème Cooking: French Vegetarian Recipes
France back in the day wasn’t a very vegetarian friendly place. When Carrie Solomon first moved to France 20 years ago, it was far from “la belle vie” for a vegetarian immersing herself in local cuisine. Restaurants promoted nose-to-tail cooking and chefs had yet to start normalizing farm-to-table cuisine. Continue reading “Bohème Cooking: French Vegetarian Recipes”
The Glow of Paris
“The Glow of Paris, the bridges of Paris at night, ” by Gary Zuercher featuring stunning black and white photos in the Ansel Adams tradition, is a real gem. Shooting in the large-format film tradition, the photographer brings to life the city’s storied bridges. “I thought this would be a one-year project” says Zuercher. “In fact, it took more than five years to complete. And in reality it may never end because there is always another inspiring view to be found and photographed.”
Canal Saint-Martin
With its swinging footbridges and tree-lined quais teeming with people on long hot summer afternoons, the Canal Saint-Martin is yet another example of how appealing Paris is when it lives up to its clichés. Rooted in the city’s industrial past, today the canal offers plenty of opportunities for biking, sightseeing, and enjoying Parisian life at its most relaxed.
Half An Hour From Paris
Many guides claim to be for and by insiders, but this one truly is. Annabel Simms—living in Paris since 1991—delights in exploring the Paris countryside by train and sharing ideas with her friends for discovering little-known travel gems. This summer she updated the book with two new chapters including Brunoy and the Parc Saint-Cloud, while adding color photos and maps. Her previous book “An Hour From Paris” is a long-time favorite for both visitors and ex-pats. Continue reading “Half An Hour From Paris”
Paris’ Summer Sales 2026
There’s no better way to start a new season in the fashion capital than with a whole new look. True, Paris can be pricy, but during the two yearly sales, prices are slashed to invite some healthy indulgence of retail therapy. The summer sales (called soldes in French) were extended —due to the May canicule— to July 28,2026. Continue reading “Paris’ Summer Sales 2026”
Cruising the Canal de l’Ourcq
The prettiest and least visited part of the Canal de l’Ourcq, which enters Paris at Porte de la Villette, is its beginning at Port aux Perches in the Aisne département, 70 km north east of the capital. Continue reading “Cruising the Canal de l’Ourcq”
Hilma af Klint Paris Exhibition
Swedish artist Hilma af Klint (1862-1944) is a pioneer of abstraction comparable to Kandinsky or Malevich. But it is only recently she has started receiving the attention she deserves. In her will, she left all her abstract paintings to her nephew. She specified that her work should be kept secret for at least twenty years after her death. As things turned out it was much more than that. Continue reading “Hilma af Klint Paris Exhibition”