ABOUT HIP

Visiting Paris for the first time? Been here before and want to explore a new part of town? Live here and want tips for original things to do this weekend? Planning an upcoming trip, or simply a Francophile in need of a regular French fix?

We’ll point you in the right direction and introduce you to off-the-beaten-path places, hip and happening people and events, and experiences you might otherwise overlook. From Paris to New York, San Francisco to Sydney, our readers are a diverse mix, united by their desire to be “in” on what’s happening in Paris. From food and fashion to architecture and culture—we’ve got you covered.

HiP PARIS MISSION

Don’t get us wrong—we love the Eiffel Tower as much as anyone. But there’s so much more to Paris than its iconic monuments and well-known sites. To us, the best way to experience this city is to dig a little deeper, hunt a little harder and linger a little longer to uncover the secrets that make Paris so utterly irresistible. From film festivals and art exhibits to street style, hot new restaurants and interviews with foodies, artists and innovators, we are constantly taking the pulse of Parisian life… and sharing our discoveries with you!

THINGS WE LOVE

Trying new restaurants from up-and-coming chefs and sampling their creative cuisine
Discovering new and enticing hole-in-the-wall shops, cafes, and bars
Meeting local artisans—from jewelers and painters to chocolatiers and furniture designers
Scouring Paris’ open-air markets and cooking up tasty new recipes
Soaking up Parisian culture—from music festivals to fashion shows
Shopping the flea markets and hitting up the newest concept stores
Exploring lesser known Parisian neighborhoods
Traveling to off-the-beaten-path parts of France & Italy
Paris is our city, and we’re thrilled to share the best of it with you. If there’s a topic you crave (or one that we’ve missed), we would love to hear from you!

THE HiP PARIS TEAM

Led by our fearless leader, Erica Berman, the HiP team is composed of world travelers, gourmandes, culture seekers, savvy shoppers, photographers, design junkies, and aimless wanderers. We do our best to unearth insights, tidbits and insider tips that will inspire and inform our readers.

Surekha Gupta

Surekha Gupta is an Amercian expat living in Paris since 2018. When not brushing up on her French, Surekha enjoys exploring Paris on foot. She loves living in Paris’ multicultural 10th Arrondissement, between the Gare du Nord and Gare de l’Est, where the rest of Europe is on her doorstep.

Maikka Piquemal

A New Yorker in Paris, Maikka is a fashion designer and a theater actor. She is une maman to a dog, two cats and hundreds of houseplants. Whenever not fondly observing the Parisian fashion scene or sinking in a good Gallimard book, she escapes to Pays Basque and daydreams of living in the other two fashion capitals, London and Milan. Check out her Youtube Channel “Rare Plants in Paris”.

Pronoti Baglary

Pronoti is from a small town in Assam, India, and now lives in Paris. Having studied culture as a student of Sociology, she is interested in everything it entails: languages, arts, literature and technologies. Her favourite French word is Flânerie, the verb for strolling sans a precise destination. In Paris, she spends her time walking just for pleasure, and discovering the many quaint places and stories strewn across this beautiful city.

Amy Jacobson

Originally from New York, Amy spends her time dreaming of croissants la vie Parisienne. Passionate about culture, history, and new experiences, Amy fulfills her Wanderlust dreams by globe trotting with her husband and 2 home schooled children, while documenting it along the way. Amy adores the ballet, books, hunting in the brocantes of Paris, and all things skincare. When staying closer to home Amy loves cuddling her 3 cocker spaniels and 2 ponies.

Rachel Naismith

Originally from London, Rachel is a writer and content creator currently living in Paris. She is deeply passionate about all things food and drink. Her favorite pastimes include discussing anything to do with butter, experimenting with raku ceramics, and watching her Italian partner make her pasta. She has been writing about food, travel, and lifestyle for over four years. Her work has appeared in publications including Palate Magazine, Travel Mag, HiP Paris, and Paris Unlocked.

Reagan O’Brien

Reagan is from Washington, D.C. where she is studying International Relations and Linguistics. She is always looking for a good picture and for the next destination. Outside of writing, she loves all things creative like knit and crochet, photography, music, thrifting and upcycling, and wandering through museums.

Erica Berman

Erica Berman grew up in Lexington, Mass. After graduating from Syracuse University’s Newhouse School of Journalism and an intensive summer at Middlebury College (Vermont), Erica went to Paris with hopes of submerging herself in French culture and perfecting her French — and she stayed 20 years. Erica is the founder of the HiP Paris Blog and Haven In her former company. She now splits her time between Paris (Montmartre) and Maine (Midcoast). She recently started a non-profit growing organic produce for the food insecure in Maine called Veggies to Table. In her all-too-rare free time, Erica likes to travel off the beaten track, explore Paris and Maine, read, take photos, cook, kayak, hike and enjoy long Sunday brunches with her friends.

ABOUT

HiP Paris aims help anyone planning a trip to Paris, or just living vicariously from afar. We also have created a curated Marketplace with French itemsrentals and places to buy. We partner with our colleagues (and Erica’s former company) Haven In. They offer luxury short-term vacation apartment and villa rentals in Paris, Provence, and Tuscany.

We also partner with Plum Guide and other select rental partners to help you find the perfect place for your travel.