Whether you’ve used them before or are a first-timer, here are a few useful tips on the Velib bikes, how to set up an account, and how to use them.
Insider Tips
The Marché aux Puces in St-Ouen, a suburb of Paris, is the world's largest antique and flea market, featuring over 2,000 vendors selling antiques, furniture, art, vintage clothing, collectibles, and more. Spanning 17 acres, it consists of a dozen unique...
What do Parisians do to celebrate La Fête Nationale, aka Bastille Day, in Paris? This is Heather's behind-the-scenes experience, from watching the parade from a friend's window to watching the fireworks backstage on the Champ-de-Mars as a municipal volunteer...
Here in France we just celebrated La Fête Nationale (or Bastille Day, as Americans call it) on July 14th. Fred and I thought we’d share a bit of what we did over the three-day weekend, with a 10-minute highlights video including how we watched the military...
Mary Duncan is the author of the fascinating memoire, "Henry Miller is Under My Bed: People and Places on the Way to Paris" and the founder of the Paris Writers Group. For this in-person Secrets of Paris Book Club, she graciously hosted us at the Paris...
If you've been looking for a reason to escape Paris for a day, this might be it: the Château de Chantilly is hosting a once-in-a-lifetime exhibition of Les Très Riches Heures du duc de Berry through October 5th. And yes, it's worth the train ticket.
"Les Très Riches Heures du Duc de Berry" is on display in the Salle du Jeu de Paume at the Château de Chantilly from June 7th through October 5th, open daily except Tuesday from 10am-6pm. Tickets €12 (includes park entrance).
The latest events, festivals, and expositions in Paris this July and beyond
This morning Fred and I woke up early to head over to the Quai des Celestins, one of the three spots on the Seine River where Parisians would be able to swim for the first time since it was banned 100 years ago. And I did!
Inside this Issue: * Heatwave in Paris: Surving without A/C * What to Wear in Paris When It’s Hot * The Best Accessories of the Summer * The Secrets of Paris Guide to Paris Plages 2025 * The Greening of Paris * What To See & Do in Paris on Bastille Day *...
I get asked this question a lot. Especially since summers have been getting hotter each year in Paris, and fashion has evolved considerably since Covid. The short answer is: yes, of course you can! With a few exceptions. The longer answer is: it's complicated!
Chantilly isn’t only a wonderful alternative to Versailles for those who want to escape the busloads of tourists, but it’s also a nice daytrip for Parisians in need of some fresh air. Getting there isn't simple, though.
