Fred & Heather woke up early on September 21st, 2025 to catch the waiters and waitresses of Paris show off their moves for the annual Course des Cafés (formerly known as the Course des Garçons). They were followed by the amateurs race, where anyone can give...
Author - Heather Stimmler
American-born travel journalist and non-profit media specialist living in Paris since 1995.
Neighborhood Guide to Saint-Germain, Odéon & Luxembourg Gardens: Heather's insider guide to cafés, shops, museums, galleries, nightlife, gardens & the quartier’s history, with addresses, links, maps and photos.
Inside this Issue: * Do You Really Need Reservations for Notre Dame? * Conversation Meetup: Practicing Your French in Paris * Neighborhood Guide to St-Germain-des-Prés & Luxembourg Gardens * Budget Hotel Recommendations * Free New App to Find the Best Vélib...
The latest events and expositions in Paris this October.
After almost a year of its reopening, many Secrets of Paris readers still have questions about visiting Notre‑Dame Cathedral. Here’s the simplest, up‑to‑date guide to understanding the optional reservation system, the newly reopened Bell Towers visits, and...
With all the coffee and wine you'll be drinking in Paris, it's good to know there are plenty of free public restrooms. French toilets aren't as bad as people think they will be, but there are definitely a few quirks.
For this month's Secrets of Paris Community Zoom we have a special guest, David Sheppe, president of the American Friends for the Preservation of Saint Germain des Prés, a US-based non-profit that has been helping to raise funds for the church's restoration...
The latest events and expositions in Paris this September.
Inside this Issue: * Strikes in September: Here We Go Again * Last Chance for a Swim in the Seine This Season * New EU Border Checks: No Need to Worry for 2025 Travel * Reminder: Avoid Illegal Tuk-Tuks and Rickshaws in Paris * Neighborhood Guide to Saint...
The EES is simply the EU/Schengen Zone’s new secure border system where all non-EU nationals visiting the EU will have their biometric information (fingerprints and facial details) scanned and verified at passport control. It requires no advance preparation...
In Paris, many tuk-tuks operate illegally, lacking insurance and necessary registrations, posing safety risks to tourists. Drivers often overcharge and use intimidation tactics. Despite ongoing police crackdowns, organized crime networks control much of the...
Inside this Issue: * The Tour de France Races Through Montmartre * The “Zizi Erasers” of the Tour de France * Exclusive for Members: Book Your Fall Tours Now * La Trêve: A Unique Apartment-Hotel in the 7th * Souvenir Shopping: Spread the Love (Literally) * A...
