If you haven't already seen Anthony Bourdain's take on Paris, I highly recommend seeing his Paris episode of The Layover! Here is the link. (And thanks to Cheryl for finding this link that should work from the U.S.--the first link is only viewable outside the U.S.) He...
Thanks this week to my friend Linda for sharing with me this New Yorker article that I would like to now share with you. Sunrise this morning in Plougrescant, Côtes d'Armor, Brittany The author, Lauren Collins, offers some great insights into the relationship between...
Do you pick up those freebie magazines in the pocket of the seat in front of you when you're flying on a low cost airline? Or on the racks by your boarding gate at the airport? If not, you should. These magazines are not particularly high budget. But I've found that...
There's a new shop in the Marais, HEMA. HEMA is a Dutch store that sells a host of products from coffees and chocolates to paper goods to dinnerware to toiletries to kitchen gadgets. Best of all, the prices are very affordable. So if you're staying at my apartment or...
Looking for some American comfort food in Paris but with a French gourmet twist? X Last month, I tried the Grilled Cheese Factory in the Marais. It definitely exceeded my expectations. In addition to a traditional grilled cheese sandwich, they offer about 10...
There's a great new café just a few minutes' walk from my Marais apartment, on one of my favorite streets, rue du Pont Louis-Philippe. And not only does this café serve the usual coffee and baked goods, the owners also offer bike rentals and bike tours through their...
Paris has a new épicerie or specialty food shop, Balibert, in the 10th arrondissement. They specialize in local French products. It's an adorable little boutique, well worth a visit. But they also have items for sale online. Within France, you can have your order...
Last year, I wrote about my weekend trip to Champagne and posted the itinerary from the overnight. But for visitors with limited time who would like to get just a taste of Champagne, a day trip to the region of bubbly is also an option. Numerous companies organize...
In November 2014, I started a long-term project of hiking the coast of Brittany. The trail goes by many names: sentier côtier, sentier or chemin des douaniers, sentier littoral and grande randonnée 34 ("GR34"). I decided to start my hike at the beginning of the GR34,...
Earlier this month, I decided it was time to change things up a bit in the living room of my Paris apartment. It was time for a new rug and a smaller coffee table. I wanted to add a bit more seating. I wanted the sitting area to feel cozier but at the same time, more...
