Archives

While I thought my high school French would be the main challenge of moving to Paris, it was just the start. As it turns out, when you look beyond the Instagram filter, Paris remains a lovely city, but also a lonely one. …read more

Marjorie Preval did what many have aspired to do: she left behind her life in New York and moved herself and her daughter Kailin to Paris. Though the move did not come without challenges and doubt, Marjorie describes it as “one of the greatest choices I’ve made so far.” …read more

Paris in your 20s is not the same Paris as a mother. Visions of carrousel rides and mother daughter museum visits now filled my head. …read more

Coming back after a lengthy hiatus, so much had changed. I’m living in new neighborhoods, seeing new people, tasting new foods. It’s like the Paris I lived in before was just a postcard, and now I’m seeing the real city for the first time again. …read more

Falling in love with romance-infused Paris – the grandiose Haussmannian architecture, the Marais’ winding streets, and the city’s bistro scene – is easy. But if you’re not born here, living in Paris is another story. It’s a whole other lifestyle, a mentality. And although it is hard not to love Paris for its compelling beauty… …read more

Valentine’s Day is problematic. If you’re not into it, here’s what to do instead. Get ready to swan about Paris, no lover required. …read more

As a single Mom of two teens, this is not the first time I’ve lived with a man. With almost half a century of life and decades of dish with girlfriends on both sides of the Atlantic behind me, I have identified some undeniable signs that there is a Frenchman in my house. …read more

Warm? Friendly? Spontaneous? These aren’t perhaps the first words that spring to mind when describing the typical Parisien. However, I can assure you that once you learn to greet and meet like a local, the slightly frosty exterior slowly begins to melt. …read more

Paris comes out of hibernation and is reborn this time of year. And uncovering the joys of Paris in September can ease the pain of la rentrée. …read more

Raising teens is a challenge (and joy) no matter where you are. One expat shares the wonderful and not-so-wonderful aspects of parenting in Paris. …read more

I miss Paris. I lived there from 2017 to 2023. I came back to the US with a container full of mid-century modern furniture and a big attitude. Here are five Parisian habits adopted by this highly effective returning expat. …read more

Although I have spent several years in France over the course of my life and considered myself fairly familiar with many French cultural quirks, having my dog here has allowed me to explore a whole new set of myths and clichés. …read more

Why can’t the French truly escape the popular perception that they are rude? I learned that what could be construed as rude actually just comes down to simple cultural differences and a lack of understanding. …read more

French streaming platforms let you get your Francophile fix outside of France. Here are our picks for the best French TV shows to watch now. …read more

As an expat in Paris there is one question I am asked without fail when meeting a new person. “So what brought you to Paris? Was it love?” Oh man, do I wish I had a love-based story to explain my relocation to Paris! There is nothing more romantic to my mind than falling in… …read more

While I lived in Paris, my French improved and stretched in ways I couldn’t have anticipated. But when I’m asked if I’m fluent in French, my answer is always the same: yes and no. …read more

Everyone has their own Paris. A few special haunts and pleasures that always make returning to Paris feel like a wonderful indulgence. I’ll bet most regular visitors have certain things they always do and see as soon as they hit the ground. I arrived here a few days ago and like clockwork, these seven habits… …read more

Whether you’re a hopeless romantic or a cynic, here are six things you can do to make Valentine’s Day suck less. …read more

French people are born with an innate sense of how to thrive in their natural habitat. Eating well, French fashion, and comporting themselves with general discretion are key elements in this survival strategy. Here are 7 cultural rules to live by. …read more

Colder months have fallen on Paris and with it, comes the ideal season to explore the eerie side of the City of Light. …read more

As dreamy as French men can be, the ones I dated so far were, contrary to popular belief, just that – a dream. Instead of turning into a great love affair, or my future French husband, they became long-voice memos for my girlfriends to listen to and gasp at back home. …read more

In France, la rentrée is not just about families and their children. Each September, almost the entire population faces their regular routines after a long holiday season. …read more

French potty perils abound. So, we’ve put together this simple guide to help you navigate the waters of les toilettes Parisiennes. As they say, courage. …read more

With an expired visa and packed boxes, I sat in my beautiful Parisian apartment. I told myself that I would surely find a way to return to Paris. I never once imagined that eight years later, I’d still be fighting passionately to maintain une vie parisienne in New York City. …read more

Are Parisians as rude as their well-worn reputation? Here’s what I’ve learned: rudeness is in the eye of the beholder. …read more

Living in the States, a nanny felt like an unattainable luxury. But here in Paris, “nounous” seem almost de rigeur. …read more

Flâner has always been one of my favorite French verbs. The dictionary definition reads “se promener sans but précis” (to walk without a precise goal). Since aimless wandering is basically my raison d’etre in Paris, I appreciate that the French have a word dedicated to the act. Spend some time in Paris and you will quickly understand how many different… …read more

Picnic season is in full swing in Paris. Here are a few spots where picnickers of all kinds can find their bliss. …read more

In Paris, even the most basic French phrases can be slightly confounding at first. Here are some of my favorite French-isms to share. …read more

It’s possible to have a great time in Paris without much money. I’ve compiled my top 30 tips for enjoying Paris on a budget. …read more

It’s been said that in Paris, dogs occupy a higher social strata than children. As the owner of both varietals, I can confirm this cliché is indeed true. …read more

It’s time to address a theme that has become a highly controversial component of my Parisian life: the smile. When I first moved to Paris, I couldn’t figure out why people seemed to pick up on my non-French status before I had uttered a word. Finally, a friend informed me: “You smile too much.” …read more

This is the best moment of the year, and it’s not just about the weather. Find out about the effect of sunlight on Parisians when spring arrives in the City of Light. …read more