Coffee Culture Revolution in Paris: The Black Market

November 28, 2012  by Elise Marafioti

On a recent Culturefish “Must Do” walking tour around the center of Paris, our guide Pierre enthusiastically described a major turning point of Parisian culture. During the Age of Enlightenment, the city was a hotbed of thinkers and politicians who were getting hyped up on a new drug being served around town: coffee!

The famous Café Procope, Paris’ first café, was serving this new, caffeinated beverage to the likes of Voltaire – rumored to have consumed 40 cups of coffee a day – among a star-studded cast of other enlightened historical figures, including Benjamin Franklin, Rousseau, Diderot, and Robespierre. Continue Reading »

Posted in Parisian Living | 7 Comments »

Happy Holidays from HiP Paris

December 23, 2011  by Genevieve Sandifer

As this wonderful year draws to a close, we can’t help but be grateful for all the amazing things we experienced in 2011:

• We finally got the 10 never-ending trends of Paris fashion straight - phew, no more fashion no-nos for us!
• We got savvy to dining etiquette in France
• We unearthed Paris’ best coffee spots…
• … and bike shops
• … and underground restaurants and dining clubs
• We pondered what it is that makes French women so fabulous
• And we ate, and ate, and ate at our favorite new Paris restaurants

All of this, thanks to you dear readers! Is there something you would like to see more of in 2012? Drop us a line to let us know!

On behalf of the HiP Paris team and our gloriously talented contributors, we wish you warm and happy holidays, and a fantastic new year full of love and success.

All photos Courtesy of Carams. Looking for a fabulous vacation rental in Paris,  London, Provence, or Tuscany? Check out Haven in Paris.

Posted in Parisian Living | 4 Comments »