Category: Paris

It’s such a cliche, but I’m crazy about Paris. I’ve visited the city four times over the years, including time spent studying in Paris while I was at university. It’s one of my favourite cities in the world, and I’m always looking for an excuse to go back.

Paris Travel Guides

Europe, France, Paris

How to find good budget accommodation in Paris online

Out of the ten cities I booked accommodation in last year, Paris was by far the trickiest. As such a popular tourist destination with plenty of great neighbourhoods to stay in, I thought it would be the easiest. I was wrong! In my experience, Italian hospitality is naturally better or more reliable than French hospitality. I loved everywhere I stayed in France, but it involved … Continue reading How to find good budget accommodation in Paris online

Genevieve4 Comments
City Guides, Europe, France, Neighbourhood Guides, Paris

La Defense Neighbourhood Guide, Paris

Wide boulevards, elegant stone buildings with gun-metal grey roofs and few buildings more than five or six stories tall. This is how we tend to think of Paris. It wasn’t until my third visit to Paris that I saw a different side to the City of Light. La Defense, technically outside the city’s limits, is Paris’ modern business district. Free of height restrictions, skyscrapers grow … Continue reading La Defense Neighbourhood Guide, Paris

Genevieve4 Comments
France, Paris, The Arts

Skip the Moulin Rouge! See The Lido

The Moulin Rouge achieved international infamy decades before Nicole Kidman sashayed across the stage in Baz Luhrmann’s film of the same name.  I’d seen the Moulin Rouge, but didn’t realise that The Lido was a similar cabaret in Paris until my uncle made the joke that I could work there with one of his friends, to fund my dream of living in Paris. As I’ve … Continue reading Skip the Moulin Rouge! See The Lido

Genevieve9 Comments
Paris Montmartre
France, Paris

Postcards from a rainy day in Montmartre

Almost every day we had in Paris was beautiful and sunny, except for the day we went to Sacre Coeur in Montmartre. We started the day wearing summer dresses but were shocked by a windy, miserable day when we got outside. Fifteen minutes later we’d cobbled together a vaguely warm outfit and were back on track. We started at the boulangerie on the corner with … Continue reading Postcards from a rainy day in Montmartre

Genevieve6 Comments
Architecture & Design, Culture, France, Paris, The Arts

The Glory of Opera Garnier, Paris

I’ve never seen anything quite like it. I thought the Palace of Versailles was grand, but Paris’ Opera Garnier blows it out of the water. Every inch is a tribute to opulence. Completed in 1875 by architect Charles Garnier, Opera Garnier is Europe’s largest opera houses. It is the setting for Gaston Leyroux’s Phantom of the Opera, a famous play which is now also the longest-running show … Continue reading The Glory of Opera Garnier, Paris

Genevieve3 Comments
Avignon, Florence, Food & Drink, France, Italy, Paris, Provence

France & Italy: The Gelato Diaries

UPDATE: This post has been updated with useful information about where to find the best gelato in France, Italy & Greece,  here.  Forget your daily bread, in France & Italy it was all about the daily gelato for us! From fruity to creamy to organic, we put as much as we could to a taste test. It took our mind’s off our blistered feet, cheered … Continue reading France & Italy: The Gelato Diaries

Genevieve6 Comments
Food & Drink, France, Paris

Eating in Paris: The Latin Quarter

Wander through the labyrinth-like streets of the Latin Quarter in Paris and you’ll be spoilt for choice, if not a little overwhelmed. The narrow, winding streets make it difficult to retrace your steps but despite this, don’t stop at the first restaurant that catches your eye. I like to go before I get desperately hungry, so I can have a little wander and enjoy the … Continue reading Eating in Paris: The Latin Quarter

Genevieve4 Comments
France, Paris

Postcards: Sunset over the Paris rooftops

Every time I looked out of the window at our apartment in Passy, Paris’ 16th arrondissement, I was greeted with a different kaleidoscope of colour. I could wax lyrical about the different hues splashed on the skyline and the neighbouring apartments, but I’ll leave the photographs below to do the talking. Want more like this in your inbox? Subscribe for updates. Join me on Instagram, … Continue reading Postcards: Sunset over the Paris rooftops

GenevieveLeave a comment
Europe, France, Opinion, Paris, The Arts

Why I didn’t love the Louvre

It’s one of the most treasured institutions in Paris, but I didn’t enjoy my visit to the Louvre. I risk sounding like a uncultured brat and there’s no arguing that the works inside are magnificent but I found it overwhelming. It’s a labyrinth where every square inch is covered in art and there’s no room to breathe. I found it hard to concentrate on one … Continue reading Why I didn’t love the Louvre

Genevieve7 Comments